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jackson64

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Journal Entries posted by jackson64

  1. jackson64

    My Free $3000 Coins !!

    By jackson64,

    now it's time to send them back
    I don't know if it is a fluke or whether this kind of thing just happens every once in a while---however I got a package recently that wasn't mine.
    This is the third time that I have gotten coins in the mail that belonged to someone else. (actually twice with coins and once with notes--and I don't collect notes).
    Before anyone gets the wrong idea---of course I sent them back, but each time it gets just a little harder. The first time was a note/bill that was sent to me out of the blue by Heri*****, this one was easy because my coin and this buyers note had been juxtaposed-his note in my envelope, my coin in his envelope....so I mailed it back to Heri**** insured (my costs/ their mistake) and it was fixed when I received my coin about 10 days later.
    The second time was a bit more tempting....again Heri**** mailed me someone else's purchase-only this time it was coins and they were untraceable !! Boy it is tempting when you know they can't trace it ! So this is what happened--I won a coin at auction and when the package came it had not only my coin but 4 other coins in the envelope. The other coins came with a seperate receipt (someone elses obviously) They consisted of 2 semi-key buffs and 2 semi-key standing liberty quarters in mid-grade---close to $1500 purchase price. It took me about 3 days this time to contact Heri**** because I really liked these coins and was enjoying studying/ogling them. So I called Heritage and told them what I had-this time they said I would be reimbursed my postage fees and even receive a coupon !! See, it pays to do the right thing !! For what it's worth however--I never got any reimbursement and I did get a $25 discount on my next consignment-which expired about a year ago.
    Well it has happened again. This time for 2 very nice coins whose value is just under $3000. I was expecting my newest coin in the mail and I got 2 seperate packages. I opened them in the parking lot at the post office to figure it out and discovered the error. I'd be dishonest if I told you that I didn't fatasize about scenarios where I might be able to keep them, however I knew inside that I'd be sending them back. It's especially easy to do the right thing when I think about my fellow collector anxiously awaiting the coins he paid for.
    I walked in my house and showed my wife what had happened (again)--and to her credit she said "make sure they pay you for insuring them for the full $3000 when you sernd them back". It makes me feel good to know, that she knows that I will always do the right thing. Anyhow, I sent an email this time--to make sure I'm contacted by the person in charge of these things.( the first time I was referred to the shipping department??!!??) I have not heard back from them yet--so I will call on Monday and see if I can talk to the right person--if not, I'll just send them back and eat the cost (again)...or better yet, maybe I'll get another consignment discount coupon that can expire in my filing cabinet like the last one....
    At least I got a week of enjoyment out of them.........
     
    A special thanks to BBB Sam (coindude)for helping me snipe this commemorative from Russia of their Arctic Exploration...very cool coin..and soon to be slabbed along with 37 other coins (by far my biggest submission ever)

  2. jackson64

    Too Good To Be True !!!

    By jackson64,

    there are still boxes of coins in old ladies attics...
    I have been collecting for almost 30 years...with some down time for many years in the middle...I've now been seriously collecting again for almost 10 years. Most of my friends and acquaintances know that I collect coins. Word gets around---and about once a month (at least) someone says to me "I have some old coins that ( insert: grandma, Aunt, father etc etc ) left to me--will you take a look?"
    I usually ask a few feeler questions--then I'll either offer to meet them, have them bring them by or--if it sounds promising--go to look at them in their home. Most of the time it is a common Silver Dollar or 2, some nearly dateless buffs, a few mercs from the 1940's and a small hoard of wheats....Once in a while it's a little better and there are a few that might deserve a slab.....
    On Monday I was off for the holiday and had arranged to meet an older gentleman from my church. He was getting rid of some old boxes --donating any worthwhile stuff to the church missionary rummage sale/fundraiser. Some of the boxes were from his sister who had passed on and he had never even opened them.
    To cut to the chase, two of these boxes were loaded to the gills with coins !!! WOW--the dream scenario...I spent a large portion of the day just separating the various bags, little metal tins, rolls..etc etc..into denominations. I picked out a few that just grabbed my eye (without really going through them yet--just a few that stood out)...and set them aside
    I told him that he had way more than I could afford to buy at that time...so we struck a deal...I took 300 of the silver dollars with me and gave him a promissory note for $3,000 to be paid in one week....(I also gave him a check for $500 for some of the others I had set aside while sorting them)
    I sold most of the silver dollars very cheap to friends of mine at a coin trading website...and will have the gentlemans money for him by this Monday. I made a little profit on the 240 I sold and still have 60 left that I might slowly sell on ebay for funds for my upcoming 1941-S Walker hunt ( for my registry set)...I also plan on picking up the rest of the box's contents when I drop off the check to him....I'll write more about the rest of the contents when I get them in hand and really get a chance to look through it....
    The older gentleman is happy because it's a windfall he was unaware of and he had no idea how to liquidate them. My friends at the trading website are happy because they got rolls of silver dollars at around melt value ( lots of High end BU's in these) and I'm happy because the profit was enough to pay Heritage the money I owe them for my 1943-S MS66 Walker I won at their last auction...
    I'm down to needing just 2 Walkers to finish my set...and I've moved up to the 28th spot (my goal is a first page/top 25 spot)
    Here's a picture of my dining room table Monday night....

  3. jackson64
    superb new edition to my set
    All this talk of TPG's got me thinking recently- and thinking is not always one of my strong suits. Some may consider me insane, especially since NOBODY collects anymore..only buying for the investment value-but I rely heavily on NGC, PCGS, and ANACS for my coins--the ones I crack out of their slabs and place in my album sets. I can always count on a top-quality coin being within a point either direction, of accurate grading. They are the best coins PERIOD to crack and put in a quality album. I'm not totally insane-rarely do I crack out a coin worth more than $200-300 {unless it's one of the final holes and a key date}
    Well I finally got one of the final 2 coins I needed to upgrade my Franklin half MS FBL collection and now all I need is a little arthritis medication and I'll have it in its new home in no time.....and as soon as I can find a decent 1913-S type 2 Buffalo nickel graded in the VF20/30 range by either of the true 3 TPG's then I have a nice little round home for it too...
     
    MVC-949S.J
  4. jackson64
    At long last..
    I finally bought the "holy grail" coin for my signature set-High Seas. It is the Hudson Commemorative from 1935in a nice MS grade. I started my signature set of coins with sailing ships on them several years ago-and the set was originally just going to be US coins with ships. I had purchased every American coin {and even a few Hard times tokens and so-called dollars} that fit my criteria except the Hudson.
    I expanded the set to include World Coins and it has taken off like crazy-there are literally hundreds of potential additions to this set. I got carried away adding a lot of $25-$100 coins and never got around to getting the Hudson.
    The few times this coin has been available at auctions it has sold for a higher price than I was willing to pay at the time. This is one of those hard coins that flies under the radar-it always sells for more than either: Trends/Coin Values, Numismedia or PCGS lists its value at.
    So I waited..and waited..and finally with another bid at "book" value, I finally won !! A well-struck coin for tis issue and still some nice luster. It has only a few smaller, non-distracting contact marks in non-prime areas...a very solid coin for the grade and I am ecstatic...I haven't felt like this since the last time I actually finished a set.!!
    I also have started a new set, although I probably won't list it in the registry. I am putting together a Walker short set from 1940-47 with all coins graded 63 or 64..just trying to find the most attractive coins I can get for around $100 or less each one...and maybe take my time and just get 1 per month or so-after all I still have a few hundred ship coins to buy to "finish" this set/collection...

  5. jackson64
    takes time and lotsa discipline
    Well it's been almost a whole month since I last logged my collectors experience into a journal entry. I continue to read every new post/entry by my fellow members and have sent a few words to some of you, but I really haven't had any coin news to report.
    The primary reason is that I'm "trying" to save for a 1941-S Walking Liberty Half. I want a 41-S that matches the strike quality of the rest of my set and it appears as though it's gonna have to be an MS66 ( and probably a PQ one at that). A well struck Half of this date and mint are just plain scarce--if not rare--many 66's still are weak---so I have a plan....!!!
    I have set a goal of $3000 in the coin kitty before I even start searching for my prize--I don't wanna be tempted to compromise on a lesser coin as the last piece of this set.
    I have this "Stimulus" check coming for $600..and although my taxes were mailed on the 15th, I'm actually expecting a nice return. That leaves me with just a few hundred to set aside---that's where the problem comes in. Discipline.
    I bought this limited edition of the 2008 Canada Proof set that has the Loon Dollar, a gold and silver $2Coin and a super Bi-Mettalic Commemorative coin celebrating explorer Samuel Champlain ( also has his Sailing Ship--duh)..so that wasn't too bad but these Canadian Proof Sets are just housed so beautifully in padded faux leather, book style, with velvet lining, great display, and even a replaceable laminate peal to keep the plastic from scratching. ( they are a lot like the US Prestige Sets were) Anyhow, so I got the bug and now own 8 of these Deluxe Canadian Proof Sets with the Silver $5 commem and the 6 or 7 other proof coins...not conducive to saving for a $3000 coin.
    Well, this has gone on for way long enough...here's a picture of my 2008 Proof Set..still waiting for the 2008 Tall Ships $20 coin addition to that series ( the 2005,06 and 07 can be seen in my High Seas set--first 3 coins)...PS: also struggling with wanting them certified and loving the set as is...

  6. jackson64
    sometimes you have to pay a little extra..
    A friend of mine, who works for an auction house, recently said something that must have planted itself in my brain. I didn't give it much thought at the time but it must have germinated until the proper time and then his offhand remark blossomed up into an enlighting bit of advice.
    His comment? He was discussing some coin images that someone had posted and he said " oh yes, I remember that coin. I had that in my collection for almost 10 years."
    What is significant about this you may ask? Well I later started thinking about my own collection. My screensaver is a screen-wide image of my 1941 Walker that Coindude ( Sam) photographed for me. I would recognize this coin 10 years from now even if I sold it tomorrow.
    However that coin is more of an exception..except for just a few coins in my collection, if I had to sell them all off and try to re-build my collection in the future, only a handful would I recognize as a coin that I used to own.
    Really, the fact of the matter is, I wouldn't recognize any of my proof or MS70's from the tens of thousands of other ones. Even in my older-dated coins, if I had chosen to buy a white coin with good luster and good strike, then that coin would be almost indistinguishable from the masses of similar coins.
    Which brings me in a round-about-way to the Title.
    I was recently surfing auctions, rapidly clicking through listings and images...when suddenly a coin "Jumped Out At Me". I'm sure that many of you ( if not all) know what I mean. Two-three seconds per glance and then on to the next lot and then WHAM..you find yourself drinking in the detail, color, luster of some unique coin that has bedazzled you.
    Well I shook my head to break the enchantment and promptly entered a max bid equal to Full Retail Value !! I was stunned and disheartened to find that old familiar.." you are currently the high bidder, however the reserve has not been met"
    This is when the voice and comment of my friend sprouted to the surface..this was one of those coins that I would recognize ten years from now. Instead of navigating away from the page, I promptly raised my bid another 3 increments and passed the reserve. Now I haven't yet won the coin but I feel alot better about having given it a real shot.
    Sometimes the truly special coins cost more than list price for a reason, it doesn't mean that we've paid too much.
    Latest "upgrade" is actually the same grade as I already had but was too pretty to pass on..

  7. jackson64
    is it an auction site or a sales site?
    I have been confused about this for a while and have found through chat and forums, so are many others. If you'll excuse what must sound like a rant, a couple of confused questions and some things that I know have happened. Maybe someone can PM me with some insight.
    Facts: 1) I have been high bidder at the close of certain auctions and not won the item.
    2) The opening bid does not appear to be the "reserve" price, in fact a reserve is not posted.
    3) Many of the coins appear to be not auction consignments but list items from their inventory.
    4) A friend recently sold some items on Teletrade..was paid for them..and saw his same coins re-listed at an auction a month later with a $100 start bid higher than what they sold for when he auctioned them.
    5) I have posted bids ( say $800 for example) and then it says my bid was accepted and someone else holds a higher bid because it says "current bid $850, bid $900 or more"--either someone else has put in a high start bid or it is an inventory item that hasn't reached the wanted price yet.
    Now I have issues with there not being a reserve--how do we know that we are not being schill bid? Why waste our time with an item that we have no chance of winning because what they want is above our max amount..and even if we are high bidder we don't win the item?
    Is it unfair if Teletrade bids on items that are selling if the price seems low? As a seller I guess I'd be happy that Teletrade bought my coin at the next increment...as a buyer I am at a HUGE disadvantage because someone is bidding against me who is not facing the 15% buyers fee tagged on at the end.
    In the end all of my ranting amounts to the fact that I would like to see a reserve posted. If I can't meet the reserve I won't bid. Or if I am high bidder at close then I should win the coin !!
    If anyone knows what is up with how their "auctions" work..please send me a private message, I don't want to turn the journals into a forum for a topic..
    On a bright side, I bid several times on a coin at Teletrade that has come up at auction over the past weeks ( month/s?) Each time I either get outbid or it looks like I won and then the coin shows up again in a week or two. I took up the hunt for a similar coin at a close price and actually found a NICER coin, at $100 cheaper and with a rare *star designation too !! My newest addition..1939 NGC MS67*...she's stunning !!

  8. jackson64
    any gripes or complaints just melt away
    It's almost as if there is something in the air or water. There has been a negative vein running through almost all of the discussion boards and it even filtered to the journals.
    I was severely tempted to jump into the rfar/Heritage discussion but decided against it( I sent a PM instead about my experience)--I hope it is not immodest, but I sincerely believe that my posts last year showed my frustration at times, and that negativity is why I did not win a best journal award. I re-read last years journaling and saw 2 things: first is that I AVERAGED over 300 reads per entry (over 100 more than the second most read poster) secondly however, my entries became increasingly negative/critical of the "system"..and consequently the average of readers dropped.
    In the end nobody is forcing me to invest my time and money in this hobby. I simply love coins--for whatever chemical process that occurs in my brain when I acquire a beautiful coin--they give me pleasure.
    What brought all of this out is a package I received today. I had purchased this coin about a week ago. Every once in a while a coin arrives and is simply much more beautiful than the image at auction. I have tried half a dozen times to photo this coin already and can't do the intense luster justice.( I'll have to settle for showing off the strike)
    This is NOT a proof....just the most well struck Walker I have ever held and the most lustrous also..I believe I have a new favorite coin, she will sit next to me on my desk all day, if someone tosses it in my casket that would be fine with me !! This is why I collect !!!
    an NGC 1942 MS67 Walker 50c

  9. jackson64

    "Just a Big Kid"

    By jackson64,

    sometimes a winning bid or favorable grade on a submission can bring it all back
    This morning{and I admit that I am not a morning person} I checked my email and visited this sight to see how my submissions were moving along. My morning and whole days' outlook improved immediately..it read "Finalized, Imaged, Shipped". With only a moment's hesitation.....should I wait until they arrive to find out the grades??...nah, click and ...woohoo!!The first thing I notice is that they have all been graded, no cleaned..tooled..removed from jewelry..etc in the whole batch of 15!!!Then I look for the "Marianne and Rooster" 1906 gold 20 fcs{this is the third time I have excitedly found 1 of this date but the first 2 came back un-graded}and it says MS64!! I quickly scan the list and see 1 PF70UCAM and even an AU55 grade on a ship coin I submitted from the Colonial times..wow.I ran into the bedroom where my wife was still getting ready and animatedly asked her"guess what..guess what???" and she smiled fondly and said "must be something about your coins...you're such a big kid when you get good news about them".After telling her about all the grades and hole filling I had accomplished, and her nodding and saying" that's nice" in all the right places I left the room and realized that I indeed did feel like a big kid...and was loving every minute of it too
  10. jackson64
    it's so easy to lose perspective
    This latest entry into my journal was going to be far different.
    I was going to ruminate on how dissapointing it can be to lose out on a coin that you really want at auction. In the past I have shared my frustrations and joys that I've had while enjoying our great hobby.
    I guess "hobby" is the operative word--defined as "fad,whim or pastime". These definitions put a better perspective on how little these shiny little disks matter in relation to the truly important things. In fact, I'd have to say that the truly lasting satisfactions within the hobby come from other things besides the coins. The friendships and people we interact with, how we treat one another, the wonderful chances we receive to do even small things for a fellow collector-expecting nothing in return, --these are the things that make me feel good for days and make me smile each time I think about it. A super coin find, winning an auction, finding a long sought coin--these things give thrills but all too quickly that prize ends up locked away in a safe, box or bank. The kindnesses and caring we do for eachother, on the other hand, seem to multiply.
    I woke up yesterday morning with a phone call. While still half asleep in bed, my sister informed me that my mother was getting a biopsy on a swollen lymph node in her neck.
    This morning I awoke and checked my favorite on-line sights and read Michael's journal entry. Words cannot express the depth of empathy I feel for my friend right now. The fact that I was mentioned in his heart-wrenching journal entry is one of the most humbling experiences of my life. All of my prayers go out to you and your family right now Michael. I pray that God's mercy and peace envelopes you and your family and helps with the healing of your hearts. I pray that your family can share in eachothers sense of grief and loss and make you all closer and stronger. Grief and sorrows shared are grief and sorrows lessened...
    I usually have to stop myself from rambling on and on in these journal entries...but there are just no words to suffice right now to express how sad I feel...
    May God keep you, your wife and all of the Cooper kids close to Him through this....
    One of my favorites, (Nike aside)..I like to think of this coin as an angel standing on the prow of a ship...guiding it to calm waters and a safe harbour...I'm sure Elijah's now in the safest of harbours--in the arms of the Lord....

  11. jackson64
    I'll remember losing this one for a while.....
    Over the years there have been about a half dozen times that I let a coin slip away that I really regret. One that always comes to mind is a 1934-D Walker that had a really full strike for the date. It had a complete separation of face/hair/hat as compared to the usual weakness and flatness in that area. On top of it, it also had a nice satiny luster and soft minty tone--still wish I had gone ahead and bid over book on that one. You see, the cost of the coin would have been long absorbed by now and the coin would still be in my set to enjoy as often as I wanted.
    There was also an SLQ with such breathtaking toning and patina--although I don't collect the series I instantly was enamored. I bid quite healthy for this one. Although I did lose with my bid, that loss was not as bitter for 3 reasons. First, I don't collect the SLQ series and it would have been a type coin. Second is that I actually gave my best offer/bid and the coin was simply beyond my budget. Third was that my losing bid ended up being several increments away from winning so there was less sting as opposed to getting sniped with a last minute bid. I actually still have the picture of that SLQ in my coin photo file saved.
    This latest loss will sting for quite a while for many reasons. First--it was the 1947-D Walker that I have been trying to upgrade to MS67 for a few years. It would be the final upgrade for my short set and I would be technically done with numerical upgrades ( there is always a chance for an eye-popping coin to replace an existing coin in my sets.) It also was at a reasonable price to start. The coin also had the look that I love.
    I bid a healthy opening bid and it covered the reserve--I checked throughout the week 2 or 3 times and no other bids were placed...on the final day, I visited the website and bumped my bid $300 above my current high bid "for insurance." It appears that with less than 1 hour left someone outbid me, I did not find this out until after the auction closed...my prize was not to be.
    Anyhow, I may not have "just missed" by one increment--it is possible that the other bidder may have been willing to go much higher for the coin and I couldn't afford the bidding war as my bid was pretty much max of what I can afford for any coin.
    Here's the obverse picture of "the one that got away."..... I will keep hunting but for now, this one stings....
    This recent loss

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  12. jackson64
    Thought I had filled a slot with a key date except for one small detail
    There isn't a collector among us, who I'm sure owns at least one coin that they feel is undergraded. I feel the reason for this is due to one primary aspect of grading--that is Eye Appeal. Unfortunately grading-even by the 2 big TPG's- is always going to be subjective.
    All of us with any experience in the hobby understand the main criteria used in grading-contact marks, hairlines, luster, wear on circulated coins. However this will get you to a technical point for an iffy range--then everything gets thrown out practically as "eye appeal" is then gauged.
    As a Walker collector who has looked at thousands of this series I'll use them as an example.... A coin may be very clean/clear of marks ( virtually pristine) average to well struck for the date and mint and with frosty luster and this coin is likely to get an MS66 or 67. They just don't give the "white" Walkers higher grades than 67 simply because there are thousands and thousands and they don't catch the eye as much-even in near perfect condition.
    However I have seen repeatedly coins with weak strikes--flat head on Liberty, no discernable thumb and incomplete skirt lines ( and not just S mints)--I have seen such coins even with chatter in the fields get that same MS67 grade if the coin has some attractive rim toning or satiny luster. Now I'm not saying anything is wrong with either, it's just the way it is. If one is a collector you must understand this subjectiveness or you'll pull your hair out wondering why your obviously superior technical coin is lower grade than that scuffed, weakly struck toned coin. ( not to mention it may cost you a few bucks if you start fruitlessly sending in your coins for regrade.)
    Well I've gotten way off of track from my original journal intent-- which I tend to do-- it was not meant to be about the subjective and eye appeal aspect of grading and how HUGE it is ( when a single point in grade can mean $500 or $5000 value-it's pretty huge).
    I also wanted to mention the human aspect--which is sometimes things just get missed. It is an effort to failsafe this by having 3 seperate graders look at each coin--but I've studied enough about the human brain to know how easily it fools itself. So it is not surprising that just plain old errors occur.
    I had recently purchased a 1914 Barber to fill a slot in my "Fine to XF Only set". I ended up being pretty disappointed when I had purchased a coin that was suitable in quality and in a middling grade that wasn't too expensive, only to find that there was one detail that ruined my deal.
    The 3 graders at PCGS had missed it, the consignor to auction missed it ( giving the benefit of the doubt) and the auctioneer missed it-- but the 1914 I purchased when viewed under magnification was actually a 1914-S with the S either altered or abnormally worn to the point of being barely visible to the naked eye. It is one of those things that once someone points it out to you it is obvious however I can see how it was missed. Especially if the submitter had entered 1914 on his invoice and the 3 graders weren't looking very closely for it. ( you do know that the vast majority of coins get 3 to 5 seconds of perusal for grading by each grader, right?) I can see it now............
    Grader #1: Barber Half 1914--hmmmmm, uncleaned, no enviro damage, dings or gouges.....obverse has all letters of LIBERTY legible and reverse has full shield/lines..VF20...NEXT...( passes it to grader #2-repeat...
    Well, I'm starting to really ramble. I'm not going to mention the TPG or Auctioneer by name--after all, to err is human I do want to say however that with a single phone call the transaction was voided and an assurance of refund was given to me. A tiny little error for a tiny little worn mintmark but the value of the 1914 in VF is $500-600 and the 14-S is $150-180..happy hunting

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  13. jackson64

    Twins !!!

    By jackson64,

    almost did a double-take
    I'm pretty excited at the moment..I just won an ebay auction I had been watching for 10 days. When this coin first appeared I put in a small, cursory bid so that it would be on my Bidding list. It just ended and I won by my exact high bid..by 51 cents above the second place bidder !!
    It's a nice 1942-S Mercury dime..graded as an MS67, it will make a wonderful addition to my merc short set. I have to admit to being tempted to stray from my original goal. That goal was to build a nice, inexpensive set with all coins having eye-appeal and grading as MS67. The temptation is that sometimes an MS66FB coin is worth more points (sometimes 2 or 3 times the point value). So far I have resisted the temptation to fill the holes in my set with the higher point coin...and now with just 4 last coins to acquire I should make it.
    My last 2 additions...the 1944 and 1942-S are worth quite a few points less in the MS67 without full bands than coins graded lower at 66 but having FB distinction. However it was never my intent to try and compete with the big boys near the top, and an all MS67 set will still make the first page (top 25) of the listings.
    Which brings me to my latest acquisition--the 1942-S I just won. The coin is remarkably similar in appearance to my 1942-D. Since I haven't yet filled the hole/slot for the 1942, how cool would it be to find a 1942 Philly mint coin that matched too--triplets !!
    Anyhow...here's a picture of the "Twins"...NGC 1942-D MS67FB and 1942-S MS67...

  14. jackson64
    2 years of searching and found it by luck
    Christmas came early for me. I finally found-and won-the final coin for one of my sets. The set is not a registry set, just a signature set that I started before there were signature sets. I started collecting a few years ago the France Gold 20 Francs Marianne and Rooster series dated from 1899-1914 {my wife is named Marianne and has unruly curly/wavy hair that I love}. The coins are mostly considered bullion coins by many people and are quite common and most sell for a little more than their gold value{ but then again so do a lot of St Gaudens}. The 1907-1914 coins are especially available as many are re-strikes minted in 1914, however the 1899-1906 coins are harder to find. If you go to ebay right now for example there will be about 50 coins from this series listed and maybe only 1 or 2 from before 1907. Anyhow, I have searched religiously for the final coin to my set..the 1899. The 1899 was also minted in proof as a first year of issue coin and I even was willing to bid $2000 for a proof version to finish my set..{I lost that bid in a Steinbergs auction} For almost 2 years I searched- googled gold sellers, called bullion dealers, and checked ebay's world gold-ADVANCED SEARCH 1899...and none.Tonight I was perusing ebay to see how the gold market was affecting the value of my set and ..behold...my 1899 !!! I sniped it too..not proud of that but I did. I waited until 30 seconds were left and calmly bid $101.51 above the highest bid..and 11 seconds later it was official!! I have not finished a set like this in a long while. It is one thing to finish a set when any of the dates can be found through the dozens of internet sites, but when I just couldn't find one..what a rush..I guess I'm hooked for at least another year of collecting... an image will come as soon as I get it in the mail..Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone..
  15. jackson64

    What's The Rush?

    By jackson64,

    worth the wait
    I may have mentioned in previous entries that I struggle with patience. I am getting better though at recognizing when I get obsessive and/or impatient--and consequently I am becoming a better and more selective numismatist.
    I recently started my Mercury dime short set and immediately found dozens of opportunities to fill the slots in my target grade range--MS67. After one quick impulse buy, a 99% FB 1945-S for only $65 ( I got reallly lucky on this one) I decided to do a bit more study before diving in full force.
    I have found out some interesting info that will influence my buying and provide me with more insight into bargain hunting. First; most high quality MS67's can be bought for under $100-especially with some patience. Secondly; judging by the population #'s of Full Band examples in ratio with non-FB coins, the Philly mint are scarce in FB designation, the Denver mint %has a vast majority of FB vs non FB; and the San Fran mint is about 1 outta 4 FB's for most dates in the short set.
    So I have decided to eat my words on some dates--mostly the D mint coins of this short set. I will probably fill these slots with FB coins. An extra $20/30 seems reasonable to me for a superiorly struck and detailed coin. Several of the S mints I'll pay extra for the FB also since the extra cost won't be too high..but for the P mint coins there won't be many-if any-that have FB in my set. I was stunned by how RARE ( and I don't use the word lightly) the 1945 FB is in any grade-especially the upper grades.
    Well, to cut to the chase, I now have 2 Mercury's in my set out of 16..and I have passed on a few that had great prices for the FB and grade because they either lacked luster (flow lines) or had splotchy brown tones. This is not a race. I plan on being a coin collector for the rest of my life and hopefully that will be another 40 years of enjoying the hobby. It makes no sense to me to build debt in credit cards or neglect life's other pleasures because I spent all of my money on coins.--Plus, when I space out my purchases I find myself spending more time studying and appreciating each coin after they arrive...anyhow, I'm not usually this wordy but I wanted to write down the thought process I went through in preparing to start a new set...as always my numismatic brethren, happy hunting...
    My first coin for my set--a 1945-S with shimmery luster and so close to FB..

  16. jackson64
    It's been a busy few weeks to end the numismatic year.
    Since joining the registry I've come to think of my collecting in more of an "annual progress" way. Each year I have goals that I'd like to achieve before the numismatic year ends. I also tend to view a numismatic year from Dec 1st thru Nov 30th as this coincides with the Collectors Society/NGC's dates for registry inclusions of coins to be added into the sets for their yearly awards recognitions.
    While I didn't aspire to compete for any of the coveted annual awards here at the NGC registry this year, I definitely had some set goals--most which I progressed on but fell short of completing ( which is fine by me.)
    One of my goals for the year was to finally get the 2 Canadian coin sets that I collect in order and up to date-if not fully complete. The 2 sets are the Bluenose Schooner 10c proof series and the $2 "Twonie" polat bear coins with the silver outer ring and silver with gold or gold gilt inner ring.
    I love both of these sets--the 10c with the sailing ship since I have been an avid sailor here on the Chesapeake for years and have long collected themed coins with ships on them. The $2 polar bear coin set was started just because they are just such beautiful coins.
    Which brings up the issues that myself and NGC together have been having and working to resolve. It seems that various books and publications have had errant info about the issuances for these series in proofs. The massive variances of issues by the Canadian mint did not make it easy to get the correct info either.
    I will give you a brief example of a partial explanation of the $2 proof series and you'll see how confusing it was for NGC to have the proper slots and for me to try and explain to them.
    Ex: The series started in 1996 and the 1996 and 1997 proof issues were Cuni with also a piedfort silver 1996 issue with gold gilt center and a seperate 1996 issue which had the center of 22k gold throughout and not gilt. In 1998 the proof sets began to make all $2 coins of silver with no more cuni-again with gold gilt centers. In 1999 there were 2 $2 designs with a silver gilt 1999, a "nunuvat" commem silver gold gilt and a 1999 Nunuvat silver with 22k solid gold center ring. In 2000 there were 3 issued--the regular silver gold/gilt polar bear, a millenium polar bear with cubs silver gold/gilt and another silver with 22k solid gold center.........etc etc etc....
    You get the point of how confusing this series was for everyone to correctly list with the bi-metallic nature of the coin being the major confusion. ( A large part of the problem was extra slots being added for the same coins as "gilt" on the labels were being confused as different coins than the "silver" listed on the label, when in actuality they were the same thing, silver coins with gold gilt.)
    Major props to Melissa for correcting submissions that were denied as "not eligible for the slot"...and especially to Ali Emery who persevered with patience through this aggravating series and continued until these 2 sets are at last 100% up to date and accurate on all slots--thanks.
    My latest submission was a larger one for me personally as I submitted several Canadian proof sets to finally fill some straggler holes, also with some special foreign commems and Britain pounds, dollars and Britainnias.
    I also have my annual renewal every November for NGC membership which adds to solidify my perception of a numismatic year running from Dec to Nov. I squeaked in under the wire my usage of my 5 coin submission coupon-using it for an attempt to crossover 5 coins from PCGS slabs to add to my NGC sets--this didn't go well as only 2 crossed.
    I'll go more into the submission craziness I had and my continuing crossover fails on another journal, for now I am just pleased to have my 2 canada proof sets in order and to a point where I will need to only add the next year's release..
    Here's a picture of my 2007 PF70UCAM "Twonie"...not so popular a series in the registry so far, however now that the issues have been clarified, maybe more collectors will venture to assemble a set of these beautiful coins.....

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  17. jackson64
    sorry--couldn't resist adding that groaner title
    Well as usual, I have started a new set with a reckless petal to the metal approach.
    I have made the rough beginnings of my Custom Set with bears as the theme. I have discovered a few things. The size of this collection will be determined by whether I aim for a smaller set with wide variation--or whether I shoot for the broad spectrum of adding any and all coins with bears.
    In spite of my rather full throttled beginning ( I already have 8 commem coins in boxes that need slabbing)--I am hedging toward the smaller of the collections. I simply have no desire to acquire the complete koala or panda sets. I do like the koala gilt coins, but overall I'm just not big on the koala as a coin. No offense to anyone please--I respect everyone's choice in series that they enjoy, I just don't find the koala that interesting ( maybe this is based in envy though -since any creature sleeping 20 to 22 hours a day has really got quite a relaxed life.)
    As for the pandas, like many who have expressed mixed feelings on the issue of collecting coins from communist China--I also share an uncomfortable feeling. I will leave it at that since I don't feel this is the forum for any political postulating or opinions. I may find a few second hand ones from fellow collectors to add to my set--and I also like the panda bear a lot. Having lived in the Washington area most of my life, the baby panda births and watching Tai Shan grow at the National Zoo was something myself, the wife and kids all enjoyed together.
    The biggest reason I won't be collecting all of the pandas and koalas is simply because there are so darn many of them.
    What I will allow however are various bears in insignias, crests of countries and of a heraldic nature--this should balance all of those modern issues and wildlife preservation commems with some classic world coins...it should be fun ( and as the creator, I reserve the power to change my mind and parameters as my attitude my evolve.)
    My newest addition, my first non-polar bear coin for the set..a regal grizzly bear reminding us humans- we are not the top of the food chain.
    Happy hunting everyone and a wonderful new year of collecting pursuits....

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  18. jackson64
    this story would almost be comical if were happening to someone else..
    About a year ago I bought a coin...a seemingly harmless coin and quite attractive...little did I know that it was a cursed coin !!!!
    The story starts about a year ago when I saw an attractive, raw 1942 Walking Liberty Proof half Dollar at a Stacks sale...............
    Being the concientous collector that I am, I checked with other sales and decided that a $400 chance bid was an intelligent if not even conservative bid..after all, the catalog description said " a choice Gem example--remarkably free of hairlines and contact marks"
    Low and behold..I won the coin...after fees and shipping the cost was closer to $480. When I received the coin ( the evil temptress) I marveled at the lines and beauty of her and packed her off to NGC for grading. Alas she came back in a bodybag as "altered surface???" This gorgeous lady stared up at me and with her feminine wiles whispered to my brain "look how beautious I am, don't they know that I am a gem--there must have been a mistake" Listening to her voice in my head, I decided that yes, there must have been a mistake...I will send her in again for another look.
    The days ticked by, although she was away in Sarasota, my thoughts turned to her often--even daring to hope that they would not only find her slab worthy, but also a gem 65 or better..and dare I hope???--maybe even a cameo !!
    I am ashamed to say that I was a stalker..I constantly checked for her whereabouts...received, scheduled, quality control...I kept tabs constantly on her location...finally I received word that she was on her way home to me!!!
    Tearing open the box at the first red light I hit, I stared with dumbfounded confusion...yes she was slabbed>>but only as a PF64 !!
    Jumping forward, as time has been known to do, my passion ebbed for my beauty...at times I could hardly stand to look at my lovely lady trapped within her capsule and labeled so under appreciated. Again I admit with all shame and humility, that my heart was stolen by another..........
    To win this new beauty would require a greater dowry than I had available...so I was forced to part ways with my old love (and several other old friends from my buff collection) to gain the proper payment for my new heart's passion.
    My old love was listed in ebay, asking for a new home, and was promptly scooped up by a new admirer after fierce competition for her. I mailed her away and the story should be over...but it's not---
    Six days had passed since remittance had been made via paypal...and news arrived to me from her new owner...he was not pleased with her "the crone looks nothing like the glamour shots taken of her and posted in the listing". Away at the time, I returned to find this and 3 other messages from her new owner--each angrier than the one before.
    I immediately responded that I was away and was not ducking him and offered to remedy the problem...I logged onto paypal and found that a dispute had been filed and the $1500 I had raised to purchase my new love had been Frozen !! I now not only faced the return of this vile vixen, but since the sale for my new hearts desire was ending...I would lose her too !!!
    In the end the gentleman and I reached an accord...my account at the evil empire Paypal has been unfrozen, I arranged for him to keep the maddening Harpy who once held me enthralled..with a partial refund in acquiescence...but I did lose out on the coin that I wanted--in which I endeavored to raise the money for in the first place...
    I am not one to wish ill on anyone, but I hope she gives her new beaux at least a taste of the hell she put me through...and I pray with gratitude that she will never darken my doorstep again.....
     
    As requested by several of you..a picture of the evil succubus..

  19. jackson64
    not sure of grade range I'm shooting for
    As much as I enjoy the freedom I get with a signature set, I still love albums and building a registry set. I am still one coin shy of completing my Walking Liberty Half short set. The 1941-S, as I've mentioned before, is a bit pricey in the quality I want so that it matches the strike and luster of the other coins in the set. I get an annual residual payment/check every November which I've decided to earmark for my 41-S ( plus I'm hoping that I might get a good price during the slow period prior to Christmas).
    Well there is no way a numismaniac can wait 5 to 6 months without working on some kind of set. So I have decided to start a Mercury dime short set. The simple 15/16 coin set doesn't really have a "key date" that will cost me a bundle, but there still are some hard decisions.
    Full Bands or not to Full Bands is the question.
    The price difference is quite significant between the FB designation and those without. I am having a hard time convincing myself that a small nick on the fasces/bands can be the difference in 3 times or even 10 times the price. I'd like to build a nice set with some resale value--matching in whiteness, luster and cleaness....but I think I'm gonna pass on the FB's. This will mean that my set won't be very competetive points wise--but I believe ownership of a complete NGC MS67 Mercury Dime short set would be a super addition to my collection. Who knows, maybe I'll be picky and just pick the MS67's that have 99% full bands and get them for a fraction of the cost of those with the FB label.
    I do foresee myself getting stuck trying to find an MS67 1945 micro-s...oh well, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it...until I write again, happy hunting to all of my fellow collectors...
    This coin I got for a very good price..it is the 1892 Columbian Expo and a strike of this boldness ( especially the lines on the sails) usually gets a nice MS65/66...however with my luck it will end up as the nicest AU58 in existence...

  20. jackson64
    and a few nicer upgrades
    I've been quiet on the journal side of the hobby since the new year, and for the most part I've been quiet in the purchasing part also.
    I have kept my eyes open for the one Walker I want for my short set to upgrade to MS67--and then will be officially "done" with the set. I have no desire to pay double or more of the value of a coin so that my slab has a +plus or a *star so there is nowhere left to go to improve this set numerically. Also I am quite pleased with the quality and eye appeal of each coin in my set so unless an eye popper comes on the scene( hence the parenthesis around the word "done")--I am moving on.
    Surprisingly to me, the higher grade buffs for my short set are rather scarce in appearing. Ones that do show up seem to be rather ordinary--technical MS66's or 67's but not particularly unique or distinctive with eye appeal. I don't really hunt for these but mostly just check out the bigger auctions when they come up.
    I have 3 upgrades for my Mercury dime set I am still hunting for, with the 1944 MS67 FB and a 1945 FB micro-S being the big money additions I need. I have seen both of these come to auction in the past 6 months but the bidding went above my budget of what I'm willing to pay ( for now.)
    The Barber Half series has seen the bulk of my numismatic budget recently. I closed out one hole, upgraded another date to a more eye appealing grade and finally- I splurged and upgraded the big dollar coin of the 1900's years.
    I added a 1913-D in XF40 which is problem free and has that attractive slate color of a circulated barber half with the tiniest hints of lingering luster hinting around the letters and devices.
    Although not yet changed in my registry listing-I added a really nice 1907-O XF45 with cobalt blues and viridian around the rims--it looks more like an AU50 but I'm glad for the XF45 grade because the entire set's criteria is a "degree of Fine" so an AU would have been to high of a grade to include.
    And speaking of the criteria of F to XF, I upgraded the one coin that was short of the mark. I had a VG10 1904-S in the slot because I had sent the coin in raw hoping for an F12. The coin has remained as the slot filler ever since I started this set, until now. You can't imagine how much a quality 04-S Barber half is in F/VF grade!! I looked at just VF20's and most were $1500 to $2000 with VF30's and VF35's jumping another $1000 in cost--needless to say it has not been a priority of mine.
    However, every once in a while the coin fates smile on you.........I just happened to be perusing my emails when a brand new email popped up in my box. A seller I buy from had sent me an email notifying of new additions to their inventory. I checked out the new listings and TADA !!..the 04-S in VF20 and at a price which was a few hundred less than I had seen from any other. Granted-the headband lettering is borderline 15/20 but the leaves, legends and reverse are solid VF so I jumped on it--finally. I now have the toughie of my Barber "short set" 1900-1915. It may not be one of the lower mintages, but it definitely is correct in value when it comes to scarcity of quality, problem-free examples.
    So that's it..just some Barbers... a few rolls of ASE's while prices remain down and a few generic world golds...happy hunting e1..you never know when that hard sought coin will just fall in your lap.

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  21. jackson64
    I'm low in the rankings
    I just received 8 new coins that I will be entering into my registry. Two were from recent auction wins and 6 were returned from NGC slabbing/submission. ** A quick note: my Modern coin submission took exactly 10 business days just as NGC lists--always great service even if I had hoped for better grades***
    Anyhow, these 8 coins will be going into my signature set-High Seas with my sailing ship themed coins. I now have over 200 coins in my registry but only about 40 of them are worth points. I guess I won't be moving up in any rankings or winning any awards--but there are upsides.
    I never pay extra for higher grades like a 10X premium for a 70 over a 69 ( I can't tell the difference anyhow) I always buy what I like, I set my own criteria and guidelines and NGC offers a great area in the Signature Sets for us to be creative and unique in our collecting interests. Thanks NGC/CS for a great way to show our collecting interests/sets that can't be found at the other, lesser registry.
    I know the signature sets must be a popular feature since the "views" of my set alone recently went over the 3,000 mark ( and my viewing of the set is not counted).
    Thanks to all at NGC for providing great service and recognizing that there are many ways to collect coins.
    here's a picture of my latest 8-no points coins...
    PS: Clay, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in hope that you will have a speedy recovery my friend...

  22. jackson64

    HE SCORES !!!

    By jackson64,

    nice finds at the ANA World's Fair of Money
    This journal entry has the potential to turn into a loooong entry so I'm gonna cut to the highlights. I awoke this morning like a kid on Christmas--the reason being that I had planned the past month to attend the ANA World's Fair of Money up the road in Baltimore this weekend.
    I awoke early but had to wait to leave until 10AM because my younger daughter needed a ride to her summer job. I've been to numismatic events at the Baltimore Convention Center b4 but this was a cut above. I had an "itinerary" or list of things I wanted to do but that was shot in no time.
    I entered the massive area of table after table and looked off to my left to see the US Mint exhibit...primarily I wanted to see the pre-strikes of the 2009 Ultra High Relief Gold American Eagles--absolutely stunning coins with the 3-D design elements and the edge lettering being raised...all I can say is wow. Since they won't be released until later in 2009 I'll have plenty of time to save up for one !!...Also on display was a full set with all denominations of the new Indian/Buffalo gold coin series...I really like the smaller coins, not only are they more easily affordable for me but I think the design looks better on a closer to nickel sized coin. There was also a display case with a stack of gold bars from West Point--each bar worth almost $400,000 each...( did I mention that there were many armed men hanging around too)..
    Since it was the "World's" Fair there were also representatives and booths from many mints from all across the globe ( surprising how well reps from the Ukrain and Austria for example speak English-albeit with very strong accents). It was while looking at all of these mints 2008 releases that I happened across my first purchase. I bought a stunningly beautiful 10zy at the Poland table. The reverse has a fabulous rendition of a three mast sailing ship whose reflection is hologrammed into the high relief waves..superb ( not to mention $40 cheaper than my favorite ebay dealer offered me one for).
    I looked through many of the US coin tables/dealers--and all I can wonder is if they actually want to sell anything??? Besides some outrageous costs for coins I know are about 1/2 to 1/5th what they were asking--most seemed put upon to answer the slightest question or show you anything.
    Not letting these passion-less curmudgeons spoil my day, I went over and viewed the Collectors Exhibits and was amazed at some of the great themes and niches many of the collectors have assembled. The ribbons were already on the winning presentations and before I knew it another hour had gone.
    After a cup of coffee and a sit break I headed for the World and Ancient coins section. After a few tables I found my next purchase from another area of the world that can be hard to find coins from--a pearly finished coin from Nicaragua with the sailing ship "La Nautica". I flipped through a few bins and boxes of miscellaneous world coins at other tables and decided to call it a day...on the way out though...
    I kept perusing as I headed toward the exit and WHAM !! there was a gorgeously toned 1963 Israeli 5 Lirot coin. I had passed up chances to buy one of these before because $250-300 seemed steep ( even though Krause list is about $300) I stood and looked and then the man at this table lured me in with the words "would you like to see it?"
    I was already sold but he didn't know that, when I held the coin and looked at the label on the flip--this coin was of the rarer Proof variety--and only $200 !! I took a breath and sat it down on the glass case, before I spoke again he said" I can offer it to you for $150 if you'd like it". I don't think it took me more than a split second to pull out the old wallet and snake out 3 fifties...and that quickly the deal was done.
    When I got home I yanked out my Krause to confirm my prize--yep, the 1963 proof with a mintage of 4,495 it was...
    All in all a great coin day--I can't wait until next years event.
    Here's a quickie picture of my prizes..notice that the ANA souvenir medal I got for $3 also has the sailing ship the Pride of BaltimoreII on it also...

  23. jackson64

    Busy Coin Week

    By jackson64,

    I actually added a registry coin !!
    I'll keep this short..it's been a bit of a busy coin week for me. I sent away 8 of my Walkers for photoing by a friend who is very professional and skilled at coin photography. I have to laugh because although I have seen evidence of his talents by looking at some of his other work, he explained to me that he didn't have a lot of experience with this series.
    What makes it funny is that even someone with his skill level, could still run into the same issues I was having with my modest photo set up. Problems like trying to show the luster but not have the brilliance/shine obscure details..highlighting details/strike without having every tiny nick look like a gouge..etc etc..
    In the end his results were spectacular if I may say so...
    Also I finally broke down and decided which set I'd work on next. I finished my MS67 Mercury dime short set in April and have been deciding on which registry set to pursue. The finalists were: a Buffalo Nickel short set, a Standing Liberty Quarter one-per-date set; an MS63 Peace Dollar set (decided to do an album of these instead)..in the end I decided to stick with the Walkers and just go with the Mid-size set.
    This set, for those unfamiliar, runs from the 1934 coins all the way to the end of the series. So the 1941-47 short set has 20 coins..and now I'll need an additional 20 for the mid set. I bought my first one last night..a nice 1940 MS66 with attractive russet toning and well struck...it's the easiest date for this part of the set but you gotta start somewhere..
    Here's one of the fabulous photos that Sam (Coindude) did for me..some of you may remember my futile efforts at imaging this coin..finally, pictures that show what the coin looks like in hand !!......NOTE: because of shrinking the imagesize per the requirements for this board the images lost some clarity..but they still look great Full screen on my computer...

  24. jackson64
    Does the Wall Street "spot price" even matter any more?
    It just gets weirder and weirder by the day. Silver value as reported on comex/wall street -etc keeps dropping down toward $20 an ounce--dipping toward $22 today.
    Yet strangely, physical silver sales are hard to come by and in order to grab some physical silver the costs are closer to $30 an ounce--which is about a 25 to 30% fee per ounce!
    I understand that the big bullion dealers are trying to cut losses by making up for the drop in comex value with ridiculous mark ups--but this is insane.
    I'm not 100% sure of how it all works- but I know enough to see that silver (and gold) has been intentionally manipulated to supress its value. JP Moirgan should be under criminal investigation for their antics. Announcements were made for a week ahead of time among the big paper silver holders that a giant sale of shorts was coming up. It was 100% orchestrated and easily provable--yet nobody will even consider anykind of charges against the "too big to fail" crowds...they are now above the law.
    I won't enter into any postulating or hypothesizing as to why it was done--simple greed is often enough for those folks ( after all, Wall Street continues to set all-time records while on the streets we are seeing all time record homelessness, poverty, food stamp dependence and government dependency just to eat and live by tens and tens of millions of Americans.)
    Anyone want to explain why it is even legal to buy 5,000 ounces of paper silver for a fraction of the cost? Why can banks sell silver to investors that doesn't even physically exist?...
    So which one is the true value? On ebay people are still gobbling up silver at around $30 an ounce plus shipping---dealers are back ordering for weeks and weeks the shipping of larger quantities until they can get some in hand. The US Mint reported record silver sales in January and had to even temporarily suspend sales---even I have an on-going ad on moneymarketplace offering $27.50 each for a roll of ASE's ($550)-- that's $5 an ounce above the "spot" price --yet not even a nibble.
    Things are really, really starting to stink--if it's not Libya lies and scandal, wiretapping and phoneline invasions of the media-Associated Press, the IRS targeting groups to abolish free speech and grassroots patriotism, then it's phony Dow numbers created by the Fed injecting $85 billion per month from the printing presses to Wall Street coffers--(money that the US taxpayers are indebted for)---
    Sorry, I didn't mean to make this political and I never push for either the red team or the blue team--divided we fall--but all of this madness seems to be getting more inter-twined. We get our daily dose of "Everything is getting better" while 99% of us aren't keeping up with the rising cost of living.
    As the dollar devalues it was thought that physical holdings might add some mental and financial security--if not to make profit, then at least to tread water against true inflation of 14% the past 3 years-- yet even these safe havens are being manipulated...
    Okay, vented my frustration, confusion and yes-even uncertainty enough...I know, I know..."Here's a quarter, call someone who cares....." right?

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  25. jackson64
    local soap opera of eagles
    For those who have bought or love the "skinny cheickens"..this one's for you.
    The Eagle family that is shown on the new coins live in the Washington DC area--believe it or not there are lotsa bald eagles here.
     
    Construction workers building the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge that spans from Maryland to Virginia on the Capital Beltway first noticed them. The 2 adult birds..nicknamed George and Martha...lived on Rosalie Island on the Maryland side of the river. Word got around to artist Susan Gamble (the SG on the coins) who lives in Arlington. She had already been commisioned with the job of designing the coins by the mint and used actual photos for her designs.
    The eaglets (skinny chickens) pictured are just 2 of the sixteen sired by George with Martha...I say by George and Martha because there was a bit of a love triangle and infidelity going on...gotta love this Washington DC dirty laundry...
    As it turns out another younger female..nicknamed by the construction workers Angelina (after Angelina Jolie who stole Brad Pitt from his former wife)..had designs on George. Angelina attacked Martha injuring her. Martha was taken to a wildlife healing sanctuary in Delaware, meanwhile George was hitting it off with Angelina.....
    Amazingly, after Martha healed and was set free, she flew back down to Maryland and chased Angelina off !! The 2 eaglets on the coin are of questionable parenthood. Martha continued to reside with George until her recent demise...now Angelina is back...but rumor has it that a new younger female has been seen with George that the construction workers ( also known as Eagle paparrazi) have yet to give a moniker to.
    Stay tuned for future updates on.."The Bold and the Beautiful"...who will George be with next???...here's a picture of the Dashing George..