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jackson64

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Journal Entries posted by jackson64

  1. jackson64
    Got my 2 NGC Award Plaques today...
    I almost opened the package in my car..it was a box from NGC and could be only 1 thing, the Awards that I was granted for best Collectors' Journal and the other for Most Creative Signature Set.
    I am writing this in all humbleness and gratitude because I am one of the little guys. I often see coins sold at some of the big auctions that are worth far more than my entire collection and although I love to look through the catalogs I get in the mail, most of those great coins I can only dream about. In fact I have never spent more than $3000 on any coin, and I am grateful that I can do that because there was a time in my life where $300 for a coin would not have been feasible.
    For any of the newer collectors who may read this remember that NGC has set up a wonderful sight here where even the smaller budget collectors can find a niche in a signature set, world set,year set etc..and be the best in their category.
    For all of the incredible sets on this sight and the many wonderful coins that I will never be able to afford- a little guy with 2 daughters in college to boot-was actually the only member to win 2 of the special award plaques. And although not as prestigious as Best Overall Set-my little niche is alot of fun collecting for me.
    The commentary on the Journal Award was very flattering-"represents the spirit of the collectors journal by recording his collecting experiences". When I started writing journal entries I understood that it was intended almost as a coin diary { I like to think of it as a ship Captain's log-more manly than a diary}..the purpose of the journal feature is not to solicit opinions, ask questions, or raise topics for discussion {there are seperate chat boards for this here at this sight} but only as a PERSONAL log of our private collecting experiences...
    For the journal option and the wonderful signature sets I want to thank NGC for both and hopethey continue with the excellent work they do here.
    It has been another great year of collecting and I am living proof that even us little guys have our place and I can call myself a Numismatist..
    MVC-934S.J
  2. jackson64
    received from the mint in only 4 days from ordering
    In 2005 the first issue of Canada's yearly Tall Ships $20 Hologram coins came out and I got one for my set of themed coins. A little reluctant at first because of not particularly liking the "cheap" look of painted coins or colored picture coins, I bought that coin because of the superb design and detail. I was realy surprised to find how beautiful the coin was when it arrived, and what a great medium a partial hologram image is for a ship-themed coin. The 2005 had the hologram on the water where a tilt of the coin could create a darkening sunset, or a brilliant orange sunrise reflecting in the waves. The 2006 had the hologram in the sky, where with the right tilt a looming squall can be seen in the distance--complete with lightning.
    I have been anxiously awaiting the release of the 2007 version,{ as I'm sure many of you who collect moderns can probably relate with} and on Monday I saw that it was available at the Royal Canadian Mint Website and purchased it. On Tuesday I got an email saying that it had shipped !!! And I was stunned today when I stopped by the post office and it had arrived!! Four days after placing the order I had it in hand...super service from a mint.
    My only other recent purchase was a nicer Whitman Album for my Buffalo Nickels. I just want my albums to be a bit more uniform--same style and color-- and now I found a new conundrum. I was down to just needing a nice full date 1913-S to finish this set...but low and behold---this album has HOLES for the 1918/17 D nickel and the 1937-D 3-legged nickel. I wonder what the odds of finding quality raw coins of those varieties is. Well, it looks like more crackouts for my albums are in my future.
    Speaking of slabs, I have 6 coins in receiving at NGC..and one coin somewhere at NCS. I say somewhere because I sent it several weeks ago and called after 1 week to make sure they got it--they did--but that's all I know. I guess I'll wait until it has been a month, and if it doesn't appear at NGC by then I'll call again to check on the progress.
    So, even though my collection has only grown by 1 coin in the past several weeks, I have still been very busy with the hobby...I even finally finished all of the individual coin descriptions in my signature set
    Here's a photo of the 2007 Tall Ships series edition..this years' ship is a Brigantine, a great 2-masted ship...
    PS: the 2005 and 2006 editions can be viewed in my High Seas sig set Gallery Page #1

  3. jackson64
    sometimes patience is forced upon you..
    Several times over the past year I have seen a coin at auction that I REALLY wanted. I'm sure many of you can relate. For me it is usually a coin that fits my signature set of ship coins. I usually was not even aware of the coins existence, but once I see it at auction-whether from the big auction houses or even ebay- I become enamored. I can already picture how great it's going to look in my set.
    However, it doesn't always work out. Most of the time I'm unsure of its value and underbid or get sniped at the end of auction. THEN the quest begins...I look high and low for another one, world coin dealers, ebay, every auction house..even emailing people and asking if they have seen one. On 3 recent occasions I have ended up finding the coin and paying much less for it than my auction bid...and as 70% less than the winning bidder paid.
    I guess the lesson I should learn is that I need to curb my impulsiveness and when I see a coin I really like--research it and hunt for a cheaper example. I have started a list of coins that I would REALLY like and now I spend time looking specifically for these coins--like hidden treasures--in some dealers bargain bin.
    Here is the latest example of my HUNTING EXPEDITION....This coin is part of an 8-12 piece set that the Royal Mint has made for Bermuda honoring the ships wrecked in the Bermuda Triangle. Each coin is triangular {really cool} and has a different ship inlaid with gold. Unfortunately they are sold by the set and many of the coins have steam ships or military ships---and I collect SAILING ships. I hunted high and low for this coin and finally came across a phone # for a US distributor of Royal Mint coins. After a bit of convincing, they agreed to sell me the single coin with the Constellation on it...it just arrived today and is everything I had hoped...and worth all of the effort....and maybe even a little sweeter since I had to work to find her.
     
    PS: I have just added 15 coins to my High Seas signature Set...I got the coins back from NGC late this week and they are all listed with photos {page 6 of the set gallery} but the descriptions will take a while since I need to research some of the ships/explorers/histories that are depicted on the coins..

  4. jackson64
    approaching holiday has me reminiscing
    As the Memorial Day holiday weekend approaches I have seen some great articles and programs on the remarkable men {and women} who have given so much to insure the liberty and freedoms that we have in this great nation.
    My father was one who served, and among my treasures are his 2 overseas service medals and a purple heart. Amazing to me was that he got the second overseas medal AFTER he got the purple heart.
    I have been asked many times about my passion for coins with ship themes, and I think that it goes way back to my dad. Of all my father's passions his greatest had to be the water and fishing. I have had the great fortune to have lived most of my life in Maryland. Besides being on the Atlantic Ocean {the worlds largest ocean} I live 5 minutes from the Chesapeake Bay {the largest bay/estuary in the western hemisphere} and the Potomac River {longest river on the east coast}.
    Easily the fondest memories of my childhood are those weekends in the spring through fall when my dad would pack up his fishing gear and we would head out for an over-nighter to one of his many fishing spots. His favorite was always Point Lookout- which used to be a civil war prison camp that had an outbreak of bubonic plaque and was burned to the ground-along with all of the soldiers.Point Lookout is now a state park and still has an out of time feel to it..and of course there are the legends of the hauntings... Located at the wide mouth of the Potomac where it dumps into the Chesapeake, often I would see large ships passing by out in the channel...and just as kids may gaze at an airplane far above and wonder where it was going and came from, I would have thoughts of great voyages across the ocean...whales, storms, and exotic far away lands. Sometimes on these fishing excursions we would stop to visit historical places on the way...Ft McHenry in the Baltimore harbor {where the star spangled banner was written}..Dr Mudd's house...St Mary's City where the Ships the Ark and The Dove arrived in 1632 with Lord Calvert and established the first Maryland colony..and many others.
    As I grew older and my parents finances improved my dad bought a small boat. Great for the rivers and the bay on calm days, that boat stirred in me something that still burns today. I love standing behind the wheel of my modest boat...running it full tilt...and the wind whipping across my face...grinning like a little kid. Sometimes I can never be sure if the tears streaming from my eyes are from the force of the wind or pure joy from the feeling of freedom my spirit feels.
    I love the romantic ideal of those giant wooden ships creaking in the waves, whether for exploration of the unknown, carrying settlers to promises of a better life, or even pirates drinking their rum and heading to a tropical island to stash their ill-gotten fortune.
    How cool is it that two things that I have a passion for...sailing /ships/waters and numismatics can be enjoyed together as I continue to build my High Seas signature set. It was my mother who gave me her old mercury dimes and buffalo nickels--none rare or valuable---that fascinated me and hooked me on the beauty and artistry of coins. However my greatest love is being out on the water with no land in sight and just shutting everything off and listening....
    It has been almost 8 years since my father passed and I would love nothing more than to spend a quiet day with him..with very few words spoken..as comfortable fishing companions do. I have only visited his grave a few times, I know he would prefer that my mom, 3 sisters and myself spend our time with thoughts of living. However, on Monday I will get up early and go place a flag and a photo I have of the 50 pound yellowfin I caught last month on a charter trip at his grave. Then to honor his wishes and the legacy he left me, I will hurry home...hook up the boat..and get out on the bay....

  5. jackson64
    wary of coin conserving
    It is going to be a bit lengthy journal entry because I have had a lot of activity in my collecting recently--for those who read these please bear with me..........
    First of all, I have been so busy, not because of any uncontrolled spending or any financial windfall--but mainly by trying to get some things in order and several coins that I have been waiting for became available simultaneously.
    I have decided to try out NCS mainly because of a wonderful ship coin that I bought--a So-Called Dollar--celebrating the 300th anniversary of Jamestown, minted in 1907. I thought this coin would make a great companion for the recent 2007 400th anniversary coin I bought. I saw this coin at a Stacks sale, from the John J Ford Collection auction and put in what I thought would be a reasonable AND winning bid---I lost. As fortune would have it, I randomly looked at a Teletrade auction one day and saw another one!! I bid a bit higher and won--for about half of what my Stacks bid was !! woohoo...I love when that happens, and now with the money I saved I will send it off to NCS {with a few others to make it worth the expense of shipping, time etc}. I only hope that the black areas on it can be removed off of a brass alloy coin--grunge seems to penetrate the surface of certain metals. If all goes ideally the coin will be conserved great, and re-holdered in a new, higher grade NGC slab afterwards..crossing my fingers here.
    I also recently did 2 more submissions to NGC, one with 8 coins and one with 2 multi coin set holder requests. The multi-holders are a 3-coin set of the 1977 Bahamas Silver Jubilee { I couldn't believe when the coins arrived at my house after purchase that they were the rare "no mintmark" variety--and I bought them at the mintmark price-a nice $600+ bit of luck} the coins have a $100 gold coin, $50 gold and an oversized silver $25 { which is why I went for the multi-holder}. The second multi-coin slab will have 5 coins-the "Sail '95" set from the Netherlands. This is a pristine set {I mailed it with the original unopened cases} and hope I might finally get my first 70 on a submission with one of these...the other 8 coins I sent in also all have ship themes on them, including a really cool but tiny 1/20th oz. gold coin from Mongolia with a commem to Marco Polo's travels to the far east.
    I was surprised today when an NGC rep called me to clarify a small detail concerning my submissions. This is the second time I have gotten phone calls from NGC--just for the purpose of my satisfaction and making sure they get my order right. This kind of service is why I continue to use them { my recent submissions were my 6th and 7th of the year}. Although I do not always agree with the grades I get {who does?} I feel assured that they are spending their best efforts to be correct and if there are any glitches in labeling etc etc..they are quick to rectify the problem..........these phone calls could also mean that I might need a course in how to fill out submission forms and quit holding up the grading for every one else...sorry.
    I have much more but I'm gonna cut it short for now and probably add another in a day or two {breaking my rule of no more than 1 journal entry per week}....a quick thanks to 2 friends from tradingslabs..J3Eleven for the tip to a website that has 7 pages of ship coins-and where I found that Poland zlotych commem silver coin, and also to Ronday for trading me the Sail '95 set........here's the obverse of my So-Called Dollar 300th anniversary coin..Pocohantas on the front, and of course ships on the reverse {pictured in my High Seas set-which has several new additions--including a new pirate coin which is a must see coin-with ship}
    [attachment=:name]
  6. jackson64
    have been doing some thinking...
    Ok, first of all, I'm not parting with anything for a long while. I have just been thinking about that day in the future....
    I have been re-hashing some thoughts recently after reading the journal entry by AEAGLE01...who is selling his #2 ranked Buffalo Nickel set at Heritage this month. As much as I enjoy numismatics-and it truly is a hobby foremost to me-the objects of our collecting endeavors have VALUE. When I see a fabulous set of buffalos like AEAGLE01's I realize the time and effort he must have spent putting it together. With the abundance of internet auctions, ebay, websites, local auctions etc etc it is not hard to put together a complete set of decent/upper grade coins..or even Super High Grade modern sets if you have the money. To put together a wonderful set of classic coins--many in the top-pop range-- and especially an enormously popular set like buffalo nickels is a labor of love, and much invested time. The higher end coins are not readily available and when they come up for auction there is heavy competetive bidding.
    Anyhow, to sell a set like that got me thinking...what would make me sell my sets and if I never sold them...who would I leave them to when I'm gone?? First of all I have a wife and 2 daughters, none of whom share my level of interest {my wife's response is usually "that's nice honey" and the girls usually give me a "cool coin dad" response}. Because my sets have value I do look at them as a bit of an investment/security. God forbid any tragedy should strike my family but I do count my coins along with my other investments as potential assets for a rainy day.
    I also can see a much slower collecting period in my not too distant future. My older daughter just finished her freshman year of college and in 2 years my second daughter will be a freshman while my older daughter will be a junior. Things will be a lot tighter on the coin buying front for a few years to say the least.
    These are just a few of the thoughts swirling in my head recently concerning my collection....and in the end I have decided nothing. I guess I will have to hope for continued health and good fortune and maybe someday.... a grandson!!!
    Here's a photo of a super Maryland commem I bought many years ago... I tried twice for an upgrade from its current 65 {I've never seen a 66 this well struck, lustrous, and completely free of contact marks}..but now I'm happy to just own it...I figure if it were properly graded I wouldn't have invested the money to own such a beautiful example of a coin that fits no set..I only bought it because I live here in Maryland and in Calvert county {the bust on the coin is Cecil Calvert-the first Lord Baltimore}
    [attachment=:name]
  7. jackson64
    beauty is in the eye of the beholder?
    I'm sure that most serious collectors realize that grading is an imperfect science, the system of using multiple graders and taking the average is probably as effective as it can get. Grading standards have changed over time--a PCGS coin in an old rattler or green label usually has a much higher chance at an upgrade than other coins.
    Well my journal is supposed to be about my collecting experience..the bad as well as the good. My luck has been down lately, and I may as well record it here to keep me grounded during the good times....Here's what happened....
    About a year ago I purchased a coin from American Numismatic Rarities for $1700..the list was $1500, but the auction listing stated the coin looked easily 1-2 spots undergraded. The coin was an MS62-trends at $1500..a MS63 jumps to $2500 and an MS64 jumps to $7500!!
    After the coin arrived I was ecstatic--it was even nicer than the photos in the catalog. I studied auction histories of major coin Auctioneers and had not even seen an MS64 close to the detailed strike, mint luster and very few contact marks...I was sure mine would go at LEAST 64!! I sent it away with 4 others to NGC for a regrade. All 5 coins came back just as I sent them away {no explanation..duh..} I was just a $100+ shorter in my funds. Well, I thought that maybe the other 4 coins may have been borderline and my MS62/4 was just quickly perused...so I sent it in again alone..$70+ later it came back again in its same holder. I ran a poll of friends and asked them to grade it {showing only the coin}..9 said 64, 2 said 65 and 1 said 63...
    I was getting frustrated at this point, mostly everytime I saw an inferior coin graded higher and decided I would take it to my local dealer to have him look...he was impressed, said it was VERY PQ for the grade and offered me $2000...after a brief pause I sold it and washed my hands of the thing.
    The story doesn't end there...about a month later the dealer called me and told me he was sending me a check for $500..when IU asked why he told me that he had decided to crack out the coin and re-submit it..his result?..MS64 worth $7500!!! Although pleased with his gesture {I can't say that I have ever given a dealer back money when a PQ buy got upgraded to a higher value} I almost wish he hadn't told me. Well I guess..No Guts No Glory..I was afraid to crack out a coin I had paid $1700 for...
    Finally, about 2 weeks ago I purchased a superbly toned Roanoke Half Commem..with eye-popping luster still coming through..graded MS67 by one of the big 2 grading companies {not NGC}...this coin sells for about $1000 in MS67 and skyrockets to over $10,000 in MS68 {some have sold for over $40,000!!} anyhow, I took the chance and cracked it out..I mean the potential benefits could far outweigh the cost, right? At worst I figured I would get an MS66..hopefully I was betting on an MS67*-star coin..and wishing to finally "hit a big one" and get a 68 or 68*. Three days ago I received my coin back----bodybagged as artificially toned??? $%^&*&$@#...man oh man..it has taken me 3 days to calm myself enough to write this...
    Anyhow, I'm not sure what the lesson is..don't send in crack outs?..don't try for upgrades?..submit 100 coins at a time?...I have now sent close to 100 coins in and have only gotten 2 upgrades, both on ANACS graded coins..
    Maybe in the end the thousands of hours I have spent studying the hobby, looking at coins in hand, in catalogs, on websites and at auction..I have not learned how to judge the quality of a coin. I subscribe to weekly publications, monthly publications and have around 15 books on various series..
    In the end I think I will go back to doing what I have done for most of my collecting life..buy 65's in 64 holders and PF69 moderns that look perfect to the naked eye and be happy with the fact that my coins are PQ and pleasing to me..
    But what to do now with this very pleasing coin that has just been bodybagged???
    [attachment=:name]
  8. jackson64
    this set just keeps growing...
    I finally got enough time to go by the post office and pick up some packages..among them were my submissions to NGC. A great turnaround-exactly 10 days, just as listed for the tier on World Coin submissions. Just a fabulous group I sent this time-with coins from Andorra, San Marino, Iceland, Congo, Ghana, Somalia etc etc..since I purchased the Krause catalog I have found dozens of coins that fit my signature set of sailing ship themed coins.
    Now comes another great part of the hobby that my little niche provides-and that I love { I am a bit of a history geek}--researching either the ship, the navigator/explorer, expedition or discovery of the place that the coin commemorates.
    I am not the greatest photographer but I try and take photos that accent the details of the coin or create a white on black effect for deep cameos.
    This set is quickly nearing 100 coins and now I will start the next phase..researching my returned coins for info to add to their descriptions, while shopping/hunting for the next batch to mail away..and then it starts again as those get graded/returned and the next treasures are discovered..I really love this hobby.
    Here is a photo of one of the latest returnees--a heavy, bi-metallic, silver with gold inlay,interesting shape, Bermuda $2 coin celebrating the arrival of a new Millenium..just gorgeous...

  9. 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...

  10. jackson64
    Knowledge may be power, but it can save a person money too
    I have not written in my journal in a while-except for my little April Foll's prank about the gold formula. The main reason is that I have purchased several books on our great hobby recently and have been doing more reading than writing or collecting. David Bowers book "The Experts Guide to Collecting and Investing in Rare Coins" has been a real eye-opener. It seems that I have done several things naturally correct, and really blown it on others {overall my collecting has been a pretty good investment though}.
    One chapter that really was an eye-opener was that Rarity is Subjective!!! I have known for a while that even with set grading standards that grading can still be subjective to a degree, within a point or two {and sometimes a single point can mean $thousands $} However I had not considered that rarity is subjective. A 1916-D mercury is almost always known as rare, yet its mintage would place it as the 11th easiest date in the 3-cent nickel series. Demand, condition rarity, high grade hoarding, and other factors all help explain why more common coins often sell for more than lower mintage ones.
    Anyhow, my big project has been looking for World Coins with ships that fit my High Seas signature set. I spent the $60 on the new Krause catalog of World Coins 1901-2000...and there are a lot of cool older ship coins. I wanted to try and add more coins from the 1800's and earlier 1900's to my set. It is quite a project looking through this 1000 page book and writing down interesting coins, doing a bit of research on them, and then trying to find some of them for sale. It is however a true labor of love.
    I added 2 beautiful Daniel Webster Hard Times Tokens from 1841 {with sailing ships} to my collection-they are 2 gorgeous copper coins that have gotten that beautiful blue toning that you rarely get on copper-and I had to have them.
    I also finally bought the "Holy Grail" for my ship themed coin set...The Hudson Commemorative!! I got it at a Heritage auction an NGC MS63 {should be receiving it anyday now}. It is the final US coin that I needed with a ship to add to the set, and I had put it off for quite a while because the it's a bit pricey for a non-competition set coin.
    Finally, I just mailed off a 10 coin submission to NGC with some super coins in it, and I'll probably be checking the order status every day for the next few weeks.
    Well, it has been a busy first quarter of 2007 for my collecting experience-even if my actual collection has grown little and my library and knowledge have grown more....here is a photo of one of the few coins I have added to my collection this year-Daniel Webster HT-21 Hard Times Token with a die break and great coloring {which is hard to photo}..

  11. jackson64
    Article from the Journal of Metallurgical sciences..
    A recent article in a reknowned Scientific Journal reports that researchers have uncovered a complex stoichiometric formula that can transform higher grade bauxite metals into 24 carat gold. The process which involves an intricate operation enables bauxite to shed up to 3 valence electrons thus changing the polarity of the bauxite. The result is a change in the density of the mass of the metal, giving it the same electrical compatability as gold-but still without the "golden" color...essentially white gold.
    The US government has not yet determined what they will do about the discovery-and no official report is expected until a study is done on what the effect on the world economy might be. As it stands, this may cause all of our gold holdings to become no more rare than common lead...
  12. jackson64
    I found my old Lincoln Cent album
    Like many people I have moved several times in my adult life. Some moves have been because of work, some to cut down on commute time, and even once for just a 3 year hiatus in my early 20's to south Florida for the heck of it. As a result of these moves I have boxes of stuff that have followed me in my travels and usually end up unopened in an attic, garage, basement or closet at my new location. I have been at my current address for over 10 years now and decided to clean out some stuff in my garage to make room for a weight bench {which will be gathering dust in a month, I'm sure}. Going through an old box of yearbooks, High School athletic awards,old photos, Cal Ripken autographed baseball..I found mixed in my old penny album!! It is a Whitman fold-up book#2 with cents from 1940-present {which at the time was around 1978} Opening it up I saw three bright steel pennies-as shiny as ever-dated 1943, 43-D and 43-S. As I sat looking at them I remembered like it was yesterday the winter storm in 1979 and how I spent 3 days shoveling snow with my buddy Rusty for $5 for a driveway and sidewalk. I made about $30 between sledding and snowball fights and when the roads were clear enough and the stores re-opened I had my mom drive me to the coin store to buy these 3 pennies. Thirty years later, I still have those great memories of old friends, a mom who got me interested in coin collecting, snow days free from school, and all I had to do to return to those care-free days of my youth is open up my old penny album and gaze back in time..
  13. 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
  14. jackson64
    Bet you've never seen an AU58 with this detail..
    Bet you've never seen an AU58 with this detail, or lack thereof..lmao..I just wanted to chuckle about this and share a holiday laugh with my fellow collectors who may view this. This standing Liberty Quarter had a Title on Ebay.."Standing Liberty Quarter 1928-Certified AU58 WOW"...first of all I rarely even look at a listing that says "look" or "wow" or even "stunning"..but the price was so low I took a peek..and of course I already knew that it would be HCGS, NNC, PCG..etc etc..and this was the coin..anyhow I did some thinking..if it was at least a VF20 and I can re-use the plastic capsule {a $3 value}- they snap right open, then a $10 bid would be ok...I won it for $8...the coin appears dipped, but not cleaned abrasively..however it hovers in the vg10-F12 range{I'd give it a 12 because of a full,seperate outer shield circle...anyhow, hope everyone enjoys my new AU58 and has a great holiday season..PS: dear santa, please bring me a 1917-S obverse Walking Liberty Half in MS63..I was a Very good this year...well, maybe not that good..
    MVC-025S.J
  15. jackson64
    too large for slabbing
    Since the start of the signature sets here at Collectors Society my ship-themed coin collecting has gone overboard. I collected coins with ships before the signature sets started but I kept most of them raw and was planning on building some sort of presentation case for them..now I get them slabbed to include in my High Seas Signature Set. Sometimes the cost of slabbing is greater than the value of the coin, but I want it as part of my collection because of its uniqueness or overall beauty/eye appeal.Recently I have even started buying silver bullion bars with ships on them and oversized coins-2-5 ounces-that fit my collection..I hope that someday NGC will make a way that I can include these jumbo coins in my set. If they can make a large holder that can hold 5 coins at a time {multi-coin holder} maybe someday I will be able to add some of my other coins to the set that are too large..or maybe I should just pull out those old plans for that presentation case...
    MVC-915S.J
  16. jackson64

    Alphabet Soup

    By jackson64,

    if you think there's any good
    I usually restrict myself to only using the journal as a place to record my experiences and thoughts as a Numismatist. There are plenty of coin chat boards for discussions on various issues. Having said that-I'm breaking the rules!!
    The preponderance of self-slabbing by anyone who wants to buy some slabs and a label maker can in no way help the hobby.That few dollars one might get a decent deal on is going to be off-set in the long run by the de-valuation of a lot of coins...let me try to briefly explain.
    For many new collectors, you may not realize that the market is very volatile--being huge in the early nineties and then prices for almost all coins plummeted after many people quit collecting due to various scandals, not the least of which was the over-valuation of silver due to the Hunt bros. It was not until the state quarter program that a wonderful rebound occured.
    Do not kid yourself into thinking that this market is strong enough that if there is an exodus of collectors that the coins you buy now for $200-300 could be valued at $20-30 if this happens. Really, how much is a silver quarter worth? If the slab says 70 it may have a value of $200 only if there is demand for it..otherwise it is worth only about $3-4.
    The biggest danger that these self-slabbing criminals at sites like ebay pose to the hobby is the potential to push away collectors and stymie the new found interest in our great hobby. If a newbie bought some of these junk coins in phony slabs and thought he was investing wisely, only to find out that the coins were over-graded garbage-if he were smart he would quit the hobby.
    I fear that if ebay doesn't start policing themselves, or NGC and PCGS don't step up and stop people from using their names and price guides to sell this junk..we may see another exodus from the hobby when the state quarter series is done. Then all of these coins we are paying hundreds for in Legitamate holders of real TPG's will be worth fractions of their current value.
    One thing I read is true--we the collectors set the value of the coins--and if something is not done to shore up and eliminate the fraud that goes on everyday--there will be far less people collecting and lower values of our holdings for everyone..
     
     
  17. jackson64

    HE WHO HESITATES...

    By jackson64,

    of all the times to curb my impulse buying..
    OK, I do a lot of impulse coin buying, that is probably why I have dozens of coins that don't fit any particular"set" but they caught my eye at the time. Well this time I should have jumped.
    I was perusing ebay yesterday, using their advanced search option to check out coins that fill holes in my albums or that elusive 1 I need to finish the main set I'm working on. My buffalo nickel album is just 3 coins shy of completion {criteria is full rims and 4 digit date} and low and behold one of the coins was there at a great price. I clicked and looked, and immediately became wary as the coin details looked to be F15-VF20 and the listing stated VG++.It met my criteria and had supersized photos which showed it to not be restored or acid treated date. I was confounded-rarely do I see one that is too good to be true, yet is still true. It had an opening bid at what was about half what it should sell for, and a buy it now which was still $100 below its "Trends" price. I stared and stared and finally placed the opening bid, telling myself if it was there today I would buy it. Alas, when I got home today I went to "My Ebay" set on purchasing my prize only to find that it was sold. Someone else saw it and did not hesitate on the "Buy it Now" option..now I'll be kicking myself every time I look at that hole, wondering why I hesitated this time when so often I don't..
  18. jackson64
    got back from vacation and had 6 coins waiting for me, a great way to kick those post-vacation blues
    I just got back from Florida with the family and instead of the usual "back to the grind blues" I was anticipating my trip to my po box. Waiting for me were 6 great coins that I had bought in the week/s before I left. First were 2 nice ship coins, one from Tonga and a superb 1938 silver Swedish 2 Kronor-still in its original mint cello!!{NGC here they come} also a 1948-D bu FBL Franklin to finish my album of MS FBL Franks..a gorgeous 1910 NGC Lincoln proof that is almost uniformly toned blue {it doesn't fit in any sets but it was just to attractive to pass up}..a 1994 PF69 SAE "first strike" that I got very cheap on Heritage and finally an upgrade for my 1917 year set. A shimmering,lusterous 1917-S Mercury dime MS66 {bought it for about 1/5th the cost of a FSB merc of this date and grade}. A virtual smorgasbord of coins, 4 of which will fit my sets.Here is a photo of that lustrous dime and a special thanks to Coindude for the great Lincoln proof he sent me from tradingslabs..Happy New Year and may we all get that coin we really want this year..
    MVC-790S.J
  19. jackson64

    Finished !!!

    By jackson64,

    completed a set..unbelievable
    I just love coins for various reasons..their art, history, design, value, and sometimes just because they are very shiny it seems. Anyhow, I have trouble finishing sets because I will get a chance to acquire a nice coin that does not fit one of the sets I am building and then I go off on a tangent and start collecting that new series. Well I know it's not a large valued set, but I am pleased to finally add the final coin to my France 20 Gold Francs Marianne/Rooster set. It was a surprisingly challenging set to finish since most of the pre-1906 coins don't appear very often. So here it is, the final one..the 1899 First Year of Issue, fresh back from NGC today PS: better, close-up photos of the obverse and reverse are in my signature set of the entire set in the World Coins category. I would recommend them as a collectible set. It is a reasonably inexpensive gold set {prices for most range from $125-$200} most dates can be found easily, and just enough of a challenge finding the few harder dates to make it fun...
    MVC-777S.J
  20. jackson64
    sorry for cutting in line but..
    I was very pleased with NGC's 48 hour service this week. I thought there might be hold ups because of the Holidays but on Wednesday I checked the site and my coin was listed as received. Yesterday it was already in Quality control and when I checked this morning it said finalized/imaged/shipped...wow..A++++++
    Sorry for cutting in line, for all of you who have been waiting for long periods of time-but this was a final coin for a set I have been working on for a while and I was impatient.I only submitted this one coin {I can't afford to send in large submissions at the 48 hour rate} and it will probably be rare for me to use the 48 hour service-but it is great to know that it is so efficient. One may never know if a quick inspection of a high-dollar coin may be necessary if you want to return a suspect/cleaned coin within a 7-10 day time period a seller allows....PS: I have added 5 new additions to my High Seas Sign. Set this week..here is the latest, a 1959 Bermuda 1 silver crown..great luster and nice soft toning at the rims..
    MVC-774S.J
  21. jackson64
    My order status still shows them in quality control
    I received my coins back today from NGC. They are the submissions I sent in of ship themed coins to add to my registry set-High Seas.I know that this site has been having trouble lately due to upgrading, but I hadn't realized that it appears to have trickled into other areas of the site. I was pleased with the grades, mostly because there were no bodybags. Since this is a non-competitive set and grades aren't that important-just slabbing and authentication are enough.Anyhow here is a photo of one of my new additions and a special thanks to rons for the beautiful ship coin of the USS New Jersey, and all of my fellow society members for your correspondance and input over the year/s..Happy holidays..
    MVC-701S.J
  22. jackson64

    Quick Shipper

    By jackson64,

    Got my Coin in the mail...
    After the long wait to find it, I received my coin in the mail today...only a few days after its purchase { I nervously inspected it for signs of cleaning, jewelry removal etc..and it looks great}. Being the final one to complete my set I think that I may go ahead and fork out the money for 48 hour service which still shows a 48 hour turnaround time. I know that NGC is busy and with all of the recent anniversary and commem releases they must be swamped with modern, economy and earlybird submissions...so I am going to pay the extra $ and cut in line. I won't feel guilty either because I sent in 6 coins for my other signature set well over a month ago as an "earlybird" submission and as of today they are finally in quality control. I may also send in 2 coins for re-grade consideration and 2 for designation review. NGC may be swamped, and their predicted turnaround times are off...but the service is what I am really paying for, and I have no complaints with them taking their time and getting it right.Anyhow I promised a photo when it came and even though I prefer the obverse design, the reverse has the date...
    MVC-689S.J
  23. 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..
  24. jackson64
    If a complete collection of every mint produced coin in 2006 cost $15,000..how much next year?
    I recently read an article stating that had you bought 1 of every coin/set released by the USMint in 2006 it would have cost you a few bucks shy of $15,000...wow. I will be the first to admit that I love the new coin designs but this seems a bit much. I get frustrated also because there is no way that I can keep up with them and collect the coins for the sets that I have been working on for years. I wonder if this constant influx of new designs and programs will start to temper collector interest. Now I hear that in 2007 not only will we be getting our usual P&D mint coins and Clad and Silver S mint coins {20 state quarters alone} also the platinum in 4 denominations,Gold Eagles in 4 , the silver eagle-- but now presidential dollars..P,D and S-proof{can satin finishes be far behind?} but they are trying to get approval to mint silver proofs of these coins too{and I'm sure a few non-proofs would follow in silver}. Let's not forget the First Lady $5 gold pieces too..MS and proof. I know your thinking..What about the Gold Buffalo/Indian head $50 gold piece?...well you'll be happy to know that they will continue it..and extend it to include the other denominations like the Gold Eagle..no kidding. Anyhow, after saying all of that I am looking forward to the release of the 2007 commemorative coin for the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown colony. I hope it has a beautiful sailing ship on one side so that I can add it to my High Seas signature set. I guess the lesson is that if they make enough designs then more people will find something that interests them, and its better for the hobby as a whole.
    PS: Maybe NGC should consider a seperate service department for people who are submitting coins that are 60+ years old so we don't have to wait while 10,000,000 new mint releases are submitted in a quest for that holy grail of modern coinage..the perfect 70!!!
  25. jackson64

    My End Of Year Review

    By jackson64,

    Some holes were filled, and some are still empty...
    Since the registry year runs from Dec.10th-Dec.10th, I guess it is not too early for me to consider my ups and downs for 2006 as a coin collector.First of all, the only sets I completed were done with 2006 updates to modern sets..ie the Sacagawea proof set and Silver/flag/proof state quarters. I did finish my Franklin half set in my Whitman album but my goal was to have an MS/FBL set..and a few of these are still a bit weak on the bell lines.I have reduced my magic number for a VF/VF+ buffalo nickel album to just 2 coins...13-S type 2 and 14-D..{surprise surprise}..half of the coins that I plugged into this buffalo set this year were cracked out of slabs..including a VF20 ANACS 1921-S { I know-insane..the coin just de-valued at least $100 bucks without the plastic holder}..anyhow, maybe next year I'll finish this set. I sold my complete Jefferson nickel proof set which was ranked #1 at this time last year. With less than a week left before the final rankings a PCGS member joined and beat my set by less than 100 points.As a supposed act of protest against the new/old nickel design I sold every one of them and almost lost my shirt{not the most popular series and with the pops of perfect 70's going up, the values just dove down}..however it could have just been a bit of resentment too. I started a Capped Bust Half Collection, bought the TOME on die varieties and decided it was a project best left for another time. I filled 2 of the last 3 holes in my gold 20 Francs Marianne/Rooster set..the 1902 and 1906..still need the 1899. I had 2 shots at the 1899 in proof to finish the set{one of my 2 signature sets} but lost out to floor bidders after winning the internet portion of the bidding.My biggest progress was made on my 2 favorite sets..my 1917 year set..only 1 spot to go!!..and my favorite set..my High Seas signature set. I have really loved putting together a set of my own design with no worry of points, upgrading,just my own tastes with my own interest and own comments of what I like about the coins that I CHOOSE to include. I am very pleased with the signature set aspect of this site and if I decide to abandon participating in the rankings, I will stay a member to enjoy the journal feature and signature sets.My newest fanaticism started about 2 months ago..Standing Liberty Quarters...I am working on an album set of XF+ for as many of them as I can..and will worry about those tough dates when that's all that is left..anyhow, a great coin year..a couple of shows, a few lucky finds, saw some old beloved coins leave and replaced by others.Now I have to consider my resolution/goals for my 2007 collecting.....hmmm..might involve a 1917 S obverse to go along with this D obverse...
    MVC-640S.J