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Iowa Silver Baron Bammer

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Journal Entries posted by Iowa Silver Baron Bammer

  1. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    first few pics aren't bad
    Let's talk about the pictures first. Since I began my enforced layoff in May, 2013, I didn't shoot any coin pics. My DSLR is still firmly attached to my copy stand, so for the last couple of weeks, I began to reimage some of my coins. My 2 Southwest Expedition so-called dollars came out nice and I even got some credible images on my proof Bison Westward nickel. However, on the nickel I need to use some SlabRenew on the slabs as the scratches showed up really bad. However, my Jamestown Commemorative came out really nice, especially on the reverse. I'm using the image of the obverse too, but I may reshoot it in the very near future. My pic for this journal article will be the picture of the reverse.
    Actually, I guess I should have named this article Thinking About Custom (and Type) sets. I believe now, after much thought, that I will be working on 2 circulated coins only and 1 regular set of type coins and Trade Dollars. I will also be doing a Franklin half dollar set (hopefully all FBL except for the 1953S). Also, my Lincoln Life cents and Westward Expansion nickels I'm just doing the proofs, so they are complete except for pictures and descriptions. However, it is my "Wild, Wild West" custom set that is causing me to think the most. Hopefully in about a month I'll be making more slots and writing in some descriptions.

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  2. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...But I'm back with a plan.
    After an absence of about 2.5 years, I renewed my membership back in March. I can't put to words how happy I am to be back as a contributing member. The big reason for all of this has been financial. But with the help of my brother, my bank, my CPA and my stockbroker, I now have a plan to always have money for my expenses, with a little left over for coins and my other hobbies. While I'm thanking people here, I should put in some good words for Six Mile Rick, who helped me out to finish my Lincoln's Life proof set, my 2004-2005 Lewis & Clark nickels, and for a good start to my Franklin halves.
    My collecting goals haven't changed, it's been more on what sets I'm going to make, and how I'm going to make them. For example, for those of you who know me from my previous journals know I love silver (and gold too when I can afford it). Also, one part of my plan is to limit the silver to the mints west of the Mississippi river. However, a few coins from Philadelphia will also be included; as there are some commemoratives I like which are minted in Philadelphia, along with some older coins which were only minted at Philadelphia. Since NGC does not have any just silver sets for each mint, what I'm going to do is make custom sets for each mint, and then put my silver and gold there. I'm never going to have enough cash to do any more full sets besides my Franklins; so I'll buy nice coins and put them in my custom sets. I'll try to add better descriptions (about the coins and about some of the history going on in the US during the date of the coin).
    But, my biggest problem is (and probably always will be) is I've never met any (well maybe just a few) U.S. coins I didn't like. The only one right now I can think of are the Sac and Presidential dollars. When I was collecting as a youngster, I loved the Liberty Nickels. So what I'm planning on doing is to make a circulated registry set of the ones I like. Again, for those who have stuck with me, reading my journals, will know I really like coins with a western theme. So 2 of the circulated sets with be Indian head cents and Buffalo nickels. Also, I love the Large Cents and Half Cents from 1840 till the end of mintage. Also, I'll do a few Liberty and Buffalo nickels. I have always believed (at least for me) that a nice, circulated grade (say from VF20 to AU) can be nice coins for the money.
    Well, I think this gives you an idea of what's in store. If I can keep my health, I'm hoping to have 20 more years of collecting. I may not complete all the circulated sets, but I should have a nice batch of coins to enjoy.
    I still plan on having a coin for each journal, but it will begin with my next journal post.
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  3. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    A lot has happened in the last 2 years.
    For those of you who don't know me, or haven't been keeping up with my previous journals, I took a 2 year hiatus, (or sabbatical, or vacation or whatever you want to call it). Well, a little over 2 months ago I was able to renew my account. Since that time, I have been really going through my coins and currency, trying to really get a game plan on my collecting journey.
    One of my big problems before, and something I still have to watch out for, is I've never met an American coin I didn't like to collect. Well, the solution to this is for me to write out a plan to meet my collecting goals. There is going to be some tough choices but that's ok. For example, when I first started collecting a kid, my 4 favorite sets were the Morgan dollars, Indian Head Cents, Liberty nickels and Buffalo nickels. Since my interest now is in silver coinage and if I can make it that far, gold coinage. However there will be 2 sets I will be making of non silver coinage. Sac dollars (especially the different reverse designs that started in 2009) and the Westward Journey nickels. Fortunately, I have the proof Westward Journey proof set complete.
    With my retirement formally underway, this is a good time to sit down and work out my plan of attack. While I will have some cash to spend on coins every month, the amount is not a big number. So I'll have to finish my goals and plan, and start back in my collecting journey.
    I will try to keep everyone updated on my journey, and for me it will be a good way to keep track of how I want to collect now.
    I'm sorry I don't have a photo for this journal article. That's one tradition I will keep in my new collecting journey, starting with the next journal entry I write.
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  4. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    A continuation of my journal entry from 11/4...
    Yes, this is a continuation of my journal from a few days ago. The impetus for this entry was an editorial (I think) that I read a couple of years ago. The writer made the point there is just too many Canadian coins being produced and that the RCM should have to cut back.
     
     
     
    My feelings on the editorial are simple. Why would anyone complain about our great hobby, especially to complain there is too much of something. My point here is, unless my name is Eliasberg or Bass, I am never going to be able to afford a copy of every single coin. So what can we do?
     
     
     
    Speaking for myself, I have to decide on limits. What do I want to collect (I have never met any coin or piece of currency I do not like) and how much can I spend? Really, right now, the amount I can spend will be very simple to calculate, I have about an average of $850 of expenses every month. So, approximately 1/4 of the excess of that per month will be my limit. Ok, then what to collect.
     
     
     
    For examples here, I grew to love the Morgan dollar because my dad had saved several Morgans and Peace dollars. I think he loved, as I do, the feel of these big pieces of silver. Also, back when I was kid of 9 or 10 and was collecting, I thought the Liberty Nickel was the coolest thing since sliced bread. I still like them, along with Buffalo Nickels, Indian head cents and I have acquired an appreciation for the Large Cents and Half Cents. Competitive registry sets would too prohibitively expensive for me, so my solution is simple. I will either do some type sets, or use the Circulated Coin sets which only allow AU and below to be in the sets. Some of the coin series I like are fairly reasonable in grades of Fine to Extremely Fine. Or I can pick one really nice example of some of the coins I love and make a type set.
     
     
     
    This will be my goal for the next few years and I am hoping to be able to report on my journey for many years to come. Thanks for reading. My picture for this entry is a scanned picture of the Canadian $10 silver commemorative of the first Canadian banknote.

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  5. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Finances are improving and my personal do's and don'ts
    Hello everyone,
     
     
     
    I know it has been a long time since I've posted a journal entry. But to be honest, I've been using the time to do many things; the best of them is I'm close (a year at most) to being back in the hobby.
     
     
     
    First of all, my finances are improving! The last thing I have to do is find a good part-time job to help with my bills. As soon as I'm ahead of the game, with money enough to pay a month or two ahead, I'll be back in the hobby. Right now I'm starting to look at some auctions (I was looking at the current David Lawrence auction before this.) Also, I'm looking at some store sites.
     
     
     
    Secondly, I've made some do's and don'ts for me to aid me in my coin selection and what I do collect. The first big do is to really watch what I pay for an individual coin or currency. As most of you know, current catalogs and price guides are not very reliable when it comes to valuation. I've noticed especially in the currency side, some of my Mexican specimen notes were listed (for example in the Krause price catalogs) at values way, way above what the actual market will bear. So my first big don't is to not rely on the catalogs, but rather check out auction sales for a better idea of value.
     
     
     
    My second big Do is I've used this time away as time to really decide what I'm going to collect. I've decided to narrow my interest to western mints (Denver, San Francisco, Carson City and New Orleans), with Carson City being my first choice. I will still be buying some currency, mainly to reflect my other interests of the West and the railroads. Also, for coins, silver will be my main thrust, but Buffalo nickels, Indian cents and Sac dollars will also be represented. A corresponding Don't will be not to buy something I like, but doesn't fit in with the above. However, my silver will mainly be 19th century coins and Franklin halves.
     
     
     
    Well, I think I've covered everything. Hope everyone is well and finding great items for their collections. I'm sorry I don't have any pictures to post, as I plan to keep posting a coin (or piece of currency with every journal post.
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  6. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    moving more into currency
    Hi all,
    I know it has been a while since I have posted any journal articles, and it has been longer still since I have purchased any coins.
    I have been semi-retired since the middle of May. Things at work made me and Hy-Vee decide to semi-retire. Insurance has been the big bug-a-boo, and I am still not sure how everything will work out. I have enough in my IRA to almost get through next year. The problem is I am having trouble with my back, I think from an accident a few years ago, and it's making it tough to find a halfway decent part time job to help pay for insurance. I keep plugging away, and am looking into other options.
    So, I have to cut down somewhere and that is going to have to be on the coin side. I will be involved with the CS; I am going to keep my Wild West custom set and work on the Westward Journey nickels and the Sac dollars with the new reverses that change every year. If I see a western mint coin that fits in and is very inexpensive, I will probably purchase it.
    Otherwise I will be working more on the currency side, as being an ex-pressman, that is really where my heart is, although western mints are not far behind. I was really hoping to have a good year, I had it in the back of my head to go for another Journal award, but that will have to wait until next year.
    So, in conclusion, I'll still be here to read all the interesting journal everyone writes, on both the coin and currency sections. I hope we can all have a very good Christmas and New Year, and I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving.
    Picture is one of my so-called dollars, commemorating the Louisiana Purchase.

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  7. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Cutting down on my sets, but will still be doing western mints
    I write this with some sadness in my heart, but some happiness too. I have made the decision to cut way back on my sets. There are 2 big reasons for this. First, the cost of finishing my Buffalo Nickel set in any kind of competitive grades will cost me a good amount of dollars. The sadness here is I REALLY LOVE the Buffalo Nickel. Along with Morgan Dollars, these 2 coins are my top favorites. Secondly, I do have other interests, mainly western items and railroad china that need a little money too. Secondly, I made the decision (and the place where I worked did too) to semi-retire. Until I get things back to normal income wise, I need to cut back in this area so I have money for expenses and my other interests.
    The happiness though comes from knowing the sets I still have listed I will keep working on slowly. Along with my 2 favorite coins, I also like currency, and I have fallen in love with Mexican silver too. So, I will slowly keep working on my western mint silver and gold (maybe), along with my currency.
    For all my friends here, please do not think I am leaving, just cutting back to better enjoy our great hobby, along with some other items also.
    And to my friends who helped me out longer ago with my Canadian nickels, I want to say I am sorry that this set is going. I am going to use one of the silver beaver nickels for my Wild West custom set, and plan to sell the rest. If any of you want them, please let me know.
    All of you are a big part of my life, so I am not saying good bye by any means, just saying I am not doing as much.
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  8. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Yes, I did put this in the marketplace forum. Updated 6/23/13
    Hi All,
    Here is the list of what I would like to sell. FMV is listed, I would really like at least 50%, I am willing to do some trades if the coins fit into my sets. For example, I would trade for some PF70 UC ATB quarters for the silver state quarters I have.
    All coins listed are graded by NGC, except for 2005D Satin Kansas quarter which is graded by PGCS.
    2009S Lincoln Cent Formative Years PF69RDUC -- $17.50
    2005D SMS Ocean View Nickel MS68 -- $35
    2005D Satin Kansas State Quarter -- $8
    The following Sac Dollars are all PF70UC
    2000S -- $93.75
    2003S -- $51.25
    2004S -- $51.25
    2006S -- $52.50
    Like I said, I would consider fair trades or any fair cash offer.
    Brian Blankenburg (Iowa Silver Baron)
  9. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    yes I have some for sale, I will also place this in the Forum.
    Hi All,
    First off, I want to clarify my last journal, I was not by any means raising a fuss or anything. I just thought it was a point that needs to remind us all who collect some of the modern coins.
    I think everyone here knows I enjoy western theme coins, and coins from the western mints and also currency. So I am cutting down on some of the modern coins and putting them up for sale. What I decided on is to not do the silver state quarters (even though they are minted in San Francisco). I am doing the ATB quarters, as my brother and I have both been to some.
    As to the Sac dollars, I am keeping the 2001S proof, and the proofs from 2009 on. I do like the Sacs from 2009 on, I appreciate the different design on the reverse. I have the 2010 and 2011, if anyone has an extra 2009 or 2012 or 2013 in PF70 UC and would want to trade for one of my pre 2009 Sacs, I would be agreeable.
    Here is want I am keeping. The only non silver/gold coins I am doing sets of are the Buffalo Nickel and Canadian Beaver proof nickels. I love both designs, and the Canadian design is a viable western theme, as the beaver fur trade was an important part of the early west. Also, I might start doing a few Indian Head cents.
    Otherwise everything else I collect will be either silver or gold from a western mint. Also I am starting to look for a the $10 Legal Tender Bison note and the $5 Chief silver certificate. Also, I will be having a few commem dollars that I like and the same from Canada and Mexico.
    Ok, since this one is a little longer, I will make my for sale entry separate, and I will put it in the Forum in the proper place.

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  10. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Down
    No picture for this entry, just some numbers to prove my point in my previous entry.
    2003S Proof Sac has went from $137.50 down to $51.25
    2000S Proof Sac has went from $225 to $93.75
    2006S Proof Sac has went from $125 to $52.50
    2005S Proof Sac has went from $93.75 to $50
    2002S Proof Sac has went from $87.50 to $56.25
    I have 2 others just purchased in the last year to year and a half, they have not dropped as much as the ones listed above.
    These are all PF70UC, and all the figures are from Numismedia. I would love to get some feedback on other modern issues, especially the silver Eagles.
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  11. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    4 as expected, 1 a major disappointment
    Hi All,
    First I want to give NGC some well deserved kudos. I sent 5 buffalo nickels in 2 weeks ago today on my coupon. They came back to me today (Monday, 6/17), yes it's still Monday here in the heartland as I write this. This was way quicker than I expected, so a big THANK YOU to NGC.
    OK, now on to the grades. As I said in my teaser, there are 4 of the 5 I am really happy with.
    1916 bought raw as a 63 -- final grade 64
    1928 bought raw as a 61 -- final grade 63
    1935-D bought raw as a 55 -- final grade 62
    1936 bought raw as a 64 -- final grade 64
    Now for the BIG disappointment!!!!!!!! I had a 1937-D that I could have sworn I cracked out of a PCGS holder, but I cannot find my paperwork for it. You have probably all guessed what happened, yes you are right, came back UNC details, improperly cleaned. I guess I should not complain as I have had 2 buffs come back to me well above what I bought them for, the 35-D was up 7 and the 1918 already in my set was about the same. I think I am going to use this 35-D in my custom "Wild, Wild West" set.
    Pic for this entry will be the 1928.
    Since I am writing this journal, decided to address another issue. A few years ago, I got into a discussion with another member here, he was trying to tell another person and me (concerning Sac dollar sets) to always buy 70's get the best set you can etc. etc. My reply at that time was it is our money to spend as we please, and if we want 69, so be it.
    This is a way shortened story of course, what I really wanted to get at was how (at least with Numismedia FMV) prices for modern 70's are dropping big time. I have my coins listed in an inventory program (Exact Change if anyone is looking for a good program to use) and I regularly check FMV to update the pricing info in the program.
    Some of the proof Sacs have dropped (since I bought them) over half. I see the later state quarters are doing the same thing, although not to the degree of the Sacs yet.
    However, I noticed older coins (you know the ones, 1964 and before) are staying steady, and a few have risen.
    The reason I bring this up now is this. I think everyone here know I like silver (and gold). I really think I am going to sell my Parks quarters and some of my state quarters. A few of the state quarters will go into my custom set.
    Ok thanks for letting me get that off my chest. Thanks for reading.

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  12. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    I want them!
    I just replied to an email from Allison Emery for silver Registry sets. I've been trying for a few years now to get sets just for silver coinage. As most of you know, I love 19th century coinage, but I do like Merc dimes, Franklin halves and Walking Liberty halves. So, I would love to see for example, a set just of the O-mint Morgan dollars. I think a set of Seated Liberty coinage (either all SL coinage in one S-mint, O-mint and CC-mint), or all in one set. I personally would like to see for each denomination have sets for each mint. One lady a year or so back told me to use the one per date option, but here we run into problems, mainly for example Franklin Halves did not have branch mint coinage in 1955 and 1956. Same way with Liberty Seated Half Dimes, not every year had branch mint coinage. So I would really like to see western mint sets besides those for Carson City.

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  13. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    especially for a Monday.
    Hi all,
    Yes, today has been a good day so far. First, when I picked up my mail, it included a package from Teletrade. You guessed it, my 1875 CC Trade dollar is now in my hot little hands, I have even photographed it already!!!!! And yes, the dual image will be the photo for today's journal.
    After the photo tasks were completed, I finished my coupon submission and it is all ready to send to NGC. I had to make a choice and I went with the easy decision, 5 buffalo nickels are on the way to get graded. I feel fairly confident grade-wise; I feel the 1916 at the worst will be EX40 and the 1937-D will be a 65 (I hope, hope, hope). Guess we will just have to wait and see.

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  15. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    semi retired, but need to find insurance, but I bought a trade dollar and working on my pictures
    Hi all,
    A lot has happened to me since I posted a journal. Some good news is my basement is fixed!!! Bad news is I still have to move dirt so it can settle before I pour any concrete and do the finishing work. Right now, the only way into my house is through the big garage door, but in a day or two, should be able (if I have to) get in through the porch I had remodeled.
    I semi retired myself from Hy-Vee. It was time, the pace was getting on my nerves, I was getting flustered easily, and of course I heard about it; among other things. So they let me semi retired, since I am past 59 and a half years old, I can tap into my 401K until I find a job to afford insurance for 5 years. Oh well, I keep plugging away.
    Now on to coin news. I bid on an 1875 CC Trade Dollar in the Teletrade auction last Sunday. It's graded EF 45, still a nice coin as the E in E Pluribus Unum is readable. With buyer's fees and shipping, you might as well say I paid FMV, maybe a little under. It all depends on how one figures the in between grade of 45. Numismedia has a value of $600 for EX 40 and $750 for AU 50. I split in half and assumed an EX45 would be around $675. I think the total was about $660.
    I have been reading the posts from The Artist's Collection, so thought I would add one of my best pics to this journal entry. The coin is a So-Called Dollar, it is HK526, from 1958, and is commemorating Teddy Roosevelt. I have a Pentax DSLR with a 100mm macro lens. I only used one light, a fluorescent lamp which was given to me 40 odd years ago as a HS graduation gift from my grandparents. Of course I set my white balance adjustment for the lamp, and I do have my camera mounted on a VERY sturdy copy stand. This setup does quite well actually, but there is an outfit I am going to get from the internet that consists of a smaller copy stand to smaller light fixtures and the funky corkscrew lights, plus a tent to put around the coin which will soften the lights.
    But, until I have money for it, I think my setup works well enough. I am happy with most of the results.

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  16. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    put pics of my newest trade dollar in my gallery
    Howdy all,
    I received the 1876-S Trade Dollar I won in the Teletrade auction a week ago Sunday on Saturday. So over the weekend I finally got pics of it, not quite pleased with them, but I am going to keep them. Please look at my set for the pictures, I am going to put one side in this journal.
    Things are going well with my baement and porch projects. Still on for a next Monday start for my basement and the porch will be started soon.
    I did win a nice Obsolete remainder from Florence, Nebraska in the Teletrade auction last night. I was looking at my track and bid section and noticed I won 1 item in February, March and April. I may be able to start purchasing a few more now, I just wrote the checks for my taxes and the total amount was only about half of what I was expecting to pay. Thank you Mr. CPA man, he has been my tax man for years, and I will be with him until he decides to retire.
    So, things are looking up. I'm hoping to work on my silver state and parks quarters but have not found any lately. I only need about 5 Sac dollars to be current (maybe 6) so I should be working on those also.
    Thanks for reading.

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  17. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Basement will be fixed, Porch will be redone, and coins and currency will be graded.
    Hi all,
    Yes, it is an exciting time here at "Collecting Central". In about 11 days, the company will be here to start on my basement, and none too soon as it needs to be done soon. Since I am doing all this (along with a home loan to do it) I decided to get insulated window for the little sun porch on the east side of my house. I do not know why it was not done when it was first put on, but I am hoping to have another little room for use in a month or two.
    So, that means coins and currecny will start to pick back up for me. I have some Buffalo nickels out to get graded on my coupon. Then I have the 1993 proof set my coworker brought me, plus I have a 1970 British set I want to get graded also.
    This does not even count other foreign coins to do, plus other various coins. But yet there still is some currancy to do. I have probably about at least a half dozen obsolete notes that have been laying around for a few years now. Also, my dad brought back 5 pieces of Allied Military Currency from WW2, 3 French and 2 German. This will probably be my second grading event, as there are registry sets for them. All in all, I have a lot of grading to get finished.
    I am finally back in the ball game as far as purchases go. I was the winning bidder in this past Sunday night's teletrade auction. I won a nice AU-55 1876-S Trade Dollar to put in my "Trading For Dollars" set.
    I have been tryint to find a nice FBL Franklin for my type sets, but it seems (at least on Teletrade) that everyone has what I consider butt ugly toning. They are spotted, or have gobs of toning around the edges etc. I do not feel the ones on David Lawrence are any better, if any one can point me in the direction of some nice bright white ones I sure would appreciate it.
    Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope we all have a great April. God I love spring.
    I hope to post pics of the Trade Dollar soon after I receive it.

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  18. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...coupon grading dilemma and other ramblings.
    I have been meaning to write this entry for about a week, but am glad I waited. I received my renewal coupon today and now I have a dilemma. You may recall my previous journal entry when I told about a gift from a co-worker. She brought me back a 1993 proof set from The Pawn Stars shop in Las Vegas. I told her I was going to make a special 1993 proof registry set here and name it for us. So now, do I use my coupon for these, or should I send in my Buffalo nickels I already set aside???
    Part of me says to send in the proof set. Since it was a gift, using the coupon would hold down the cost of making the registry set, as I would only have to buy the 3 silver coins and have no cost in the purchase and grading of the other 5.
    But I really need to work on my Buffalo nickels. I only have 2 coins in the set and it is way past time to add some coins to it. I guess I will keep debating, but I did want to maybe send a grading order in Monday. Any suggestions or comments would be read and thought about.
    I did complete my proof Westward Journey Nickel set. I believe I mentioned I made a purchase on the Numishow site. I have the site on my favorites, and intend to check it out from time to time. My photo this entry will be the nice Greek currency I also ordered.
    My next goal will be to complete my Lincoln bicentennial proof set. With only 4 coins I did not forsee such a problem finishing it. I may add the 2 I need in 69 as I did with the Nickels, as sometimes I can become very impatient to finish. These 2 sets do not really move me to be perfect 70's all the way. It would be nice, but not a major requirement.
    I also want to keep current on the National Parks quarters. I see the 2013 issues are listed so now I am even further behind. Oh well, I will keep plugging away.
    Thanks for reading.

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  20. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Yes I even made a purchase.
    Hi all,
    A really good day for me today, even though we're getting a lot of rain and forecast for about 4 inches of snow tomorrow.
    First off, while at work today, one of the ladies who who work with me was telling me about their (her and her husband) trip to Las Vegas last week. When she was about finished she told me, "Oh, don't let me forget I brought you a present." Well, far be it from me to let her forget :-) so when she was about finished for the day, she went to her coat and pulled it out and handed it to me. We both watch Pawn Stars, and they went to it while they were in Las Vegas. As an aside here, she says it's not near as big as it looks on TV. Anyway, she said all of the stars were in the back so she didn't get to see them, but her & her husband looked around at everything. So, she told me she knows I collect coins, so she said I got you this. I opened the package, actually opened the sack, and there was a 1993 proof set. Since the whole point of this was being a gift between friends, I told her I'm going to make a 1993 proof registry set in our honor. While it's not really in my area of interest, I think all of us will agree that's not the point, she was nice enough to remember me while she was out there, so I should treat it as such. I told her right before she left I'm going to use my coupon (I just renewed last night) to get them graded and then make the set.
    I visited Scott Hansen's web site also last night. It's new, so I wasn't expecting to be able to look through a ton of coins, but lo and behold, I found a fairly recent piece of Greek currency for my ungraded World currency holdings, and I also purchased the Ocean View Proof Nickel I was needing for my registry set. It's only Proof 69 UC, but that's ok. It's a beautiful coin, and I'm glad to be able to finish my Proof Westward Journey set with it. Thanks Scott for all your hard work to start the site, and I wish you all the best as it grows and prospers. (Maybe I should use Spock saying "Live Long and Prosper") as my photo for this journal. :-)) But I will have to make due with the reverse of a CC Morgan dollar.
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  21. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...by moving all the stuff somewhere else.
    Yes, I just moved the stuff I had on the camera stand somewhere else for now. I really have been wanting to take some pictures, so I guess I took the easy way out. Guess it doesn't really matter, until I get my basement fixed, there's going to be a mess up no matter what.
    Anyway, I've taken a few pictures today, had a day off because Tuesday was my holiday to work. It was a nice sunny day here in SE Iowa, at first I thought I'd get out and about, but coins won in the end.
    I really wanted to do 2 things today, update my collection in my software and take some pics. I'm happy to report both things were accomplished. I still have more to do, but I did get a very good start.
    So, the first pics I took were of my 1843-O Liberty Seated Half Dollar. I must digress here for a minute; I will be the first to admit I would love to have the money to spend for high mint state grades for every coin I buy. But I'm not the federal government, I need to budget my money, I do have other interests besides coins, so I need to watch where my money goes. So, for coins at least, it has never bothered me to have good collector grades of the more expensive coins. By good collector grades I look at a range of VF20 to AU. The 1843-O Half I bought is graded VF30 and I paid $115 (with the buyer's premium for it). I can live with this. A MS60 by comparison is $720 according to Numismedia. While I won't win any #1 ranked type sets, I can live with that too. Anyway, I made my first combo pic, by combining both the obverse and reverse in one image. It is going to be my image of the entry today.

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  22. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Getting one last journal entry in 2012!!
    Well, it has been a hectic 2 and a half months since my last journal entry. I'm still waiting for my basement to be fixed, I talked to the guy last week and he said he would be over to give me an estimate in mid January, he's been so busy!!! So, since September 18, the date of my last journal, here is what has happened. I've had nose surgery, have caught 2 viruses that made me miss 8 days of work (plus 3 for the surgery). I've been getting stuff out of the basement, you never know how much stuff can be accumulated until you have to move it all. Of course, now my house is a mess, but I don't know how much room he will need to fix everything. Plus there's been work, normal chores to do, so I haven't had much time for coins, until this past week between Christmas and New Year's. Of course tomorrow is my holiday to work, but fortunately it's only 4 hours.
    So, here are my coin purchases in the last 2 and 1/2 months. I've added one silver statehood quarter and 1 ATB silver quarter. Plus 1 Sac dollar I needed, 2 proof Westward Expansion nickels to replace 2 PCGS graded coins. Also a satin Ocean view from Denver. Finally, an 1855-O (with arrows) and an 1843-0 Seated Liberty Half Dollars. However, I am watching 2 silver state quarters in tonight's Teletrade auction, so maybe I will be starting the new year out right.
    There is no photo for this entry, as my copy stand is filled with stuff I've moved up from the basement. As soon as I get a handle with the mess, I'll have some more photos to share.
    Finally, I hope everyone had a very nice Christmas and I want to wish a Happy New Year to everyone here in the CS.
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  23. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Teletrade Auction 3328
    For those of you who have inquired, my coins are scheduled in Teletrade auction number 3328 to be held a week from today. (I am writing this journal at 12:08 a.m. on Monday morning.) So the sale date will be the 13th. I hope all the coins find a good home.
    Meanwhile, back at the ranch, or sometimes known as "Collecting Central" I have been organizing all my collectibles, taking pictures, scanning cards and currency and generally just trying to have a place for everything and everything in the proper place.
    One thing I have noticed with the photos (actually 3 things I guess) is proper lighting is still key. Yes you do run the risk of glare, but boy the coins show stand out when they are well lit. Another thing I have noticed, and I do not mean to point any fingers, but having both the coin and the camera lens parallel to each other is also key. Sharp focus is key to, I hate seeing blurry images, as then I can not tell anything about the coin. Also, and finally, raw coins seem to be easier to do, I have my raw coins in Air-Tite holders and man do they photograph nicely. I heartily recommend Air-Tites to anyone who has raw coins in their collection.
    Well, back to work for a while and then I am calling it a night (or morning).
    Journal picture for today is the obverse of a raw 1912 Liberty nickel.

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  24. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    and my basement has cracks
    It sure has been eventful around here at Collector Central. Besides the normal work routine, I have had to move things up from the basement and what is not up is in a basement corner. The dry weather has sure made my basement settle and now I have a couple of big cracks in the southeast corner. I have contacted a contractor about, he has made one inspection, but he is so busy I do not know when he will be back with an estimate. I am getting worried he has enough people in front of me (I know of at least 2 other homes in my little town) I am afraid it will be spring before he gets here.
    So, as you all can imagine, the funds for coins is extremely limited, at least until I get the estimate and probably for several months after.
    I have sold some items that did not really fit in my grand scheme of collecting. There are probably 20 more that will go, but I am still debating on some of them.
    I have decided to do the silver state and ATB proof quarters. One good thing through all of this is I have gotten my computer and most of my coins upstairs now, the only thing really left to bring up is my copy stand for my camera. When I do that, hopefully more pictures will be forthcoming.
    I have been able to buy 3 coins the last week or so. I am afraid this will be it, unless I can find some of the quarters VERY reasonable. I upgraded 2 of my Westward Journed proof nickels from PCGS to NGC and I have the South Dakota silver quarter also coming.
    Another positive is I have some time to do some scanning of paper items. I do love historical paper, and a couple of years ago I purchased 2 paper items concerning the Carson City mint from a couple of ANR/Stack's sales. One is a "Memorandum of Silver Bullion" deposited at the mint in 1889. I truly believe these type of items bring the coins alive. So my photo for this journal will be the scan of this document.

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  25. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    plus a Nook update
    Well, if anyone has not noticed, I did some more set deletions the past week or so. One thing I am really wanting to do is get a good start on my Buffalo Nickel set. I really do not see it as a top grade set, but I would like to more or less complete it. In fact, my 5 free submissions will consist of some raw Buffalos I have, unless I decide to include 1 fairly nice Indian cent I have. I want the Indian for my wild west custom set. There are a lot of coins in the set, so some of my other coins (which do not fit in with the historical aspects of my collection) are to be sold. I did ok with the coins I had in the Teletrade auction on Monday. All did not sell, but what did sell helped my financial bottom line.
    Some of my western mint collections will be staying, as some of the silver dollar commemoratives are nice, and fit in with my themes. However, another thing I have decided is just to have the mint state examples rather than both. Of course there are always exceptions; one of which will be some coins my brother gave me as Christmas presents in the past will be included and they are all proofs.
    Another goal is to really start working on my Wild Wild West custom set, you can start looking for it by the end of the year.
    In a previous journal entry, I talked about buying a Nook Tablet. One app available for the Nook is a coin inventory so I bought it. I am using it for my raw coins and it seems to work very well for this purpose. Of course, like all apps and software, there are a few little things about the app I do not like, but overall I must say I am satisfied.
    Currency is another area I am changing, I have always liked the older US currency the best, so plan to see more obsoletes and various notes with cool vignetts on them in my collection. I am keeping some birth year small size silver certificates and legal tenders. Also, I love foreign currency as it seems some countries are more willing to change the designs more often than we seem to do. I guess I am getting tired of the same old FRNs.
    Of course, photos are a big part of my collection to, the image for this journal entry is the obverse of my Teddy Roosevelt medal. I think this pic turned out REALLY nice!! Yes, I guess I am blowing my own horn, but I like it. :-)

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