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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
    ...Announcing a new signature set.
    I've been sorting through my collection, trying to get everything priced and in my collection software, and also trying to get pictures taken of all my coins. The main reason I'm doing all this is to keep my insurance man happy, he's been bugging me for years to get him a list of all my collectibles, along with pictures and replacement values.
    Another reason is it's just so much fun looking at my coins and wondering what kind of stories they could tell. This leads me to announce my new signature series, "Raising Dust For Mexico". The title is a quote from a John Wayne movie, I think it sums up this set.
    The beginnings of this set came about 45 or so years ago, with an old Mexican 8 reales coin. (Might have been a peso, but my brother can't find it.) There's a story behind this, and if anyone is interested, write me a message and I'll share it with you, if enough people write me, I'll write another journal article.
    Anyway, this set will contain a potpourri of Mexican coins and bullion. There will be no rhyme or reason to the way I list the coins, except they'll be in the order I buy them.
    Another joy, in the same vein, I've had recently is looking through some older Mexican coins in a wholesale lot I bought not too long ago. If any of you saw David Bowers column in "Coin World" a few weeks ago about collecting in 1960, and filling up the Whitman folders, you'll understand what I mean.
    Anyway, I hope you enjoy this set. As always, please write me with any comments you might have, I always look forward to them.

  2. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Hope JoiseyGirl gives me some good news.
    I think I'm going to have to quit buying some of these medals. I browse through auction lots, and see all kinds of medals that I think are neat. Only problem is, they're always graded by ICG. The Sac concept dollar I want to put in my Wild West Sig set, but I don't know if NGC will cross these over. Actually I want to put both of them in my sig set. I've always liked the Indian Head gold design, just haven't gotten the nerve (or the cash) to buy some high grade ones yet. So I guess this medal is the next best thing.

  3. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    More pictures.
    First off, congratulations to all of the Registry and Journal Award winners for 2007. I've gotten many hours of enjoyment and plenty of information by looking at registry sets, and reading journal articles.
    I'll have more thoughts on some of the new journal articles that have been posted in a day or two, but right now I'm experimenting a little more with my digital cam. So this journal article is another request for feedback on the attached picture.
    While I have been satisfied with the pictures I've taken, I feel there is always room for improvement. So this afternoon I've taken a few more pics, trying to get photos that will show the luster better. But it seems I'm losing sharpness in the process, and I don't think that's very acceptable to me. So, would you all look at the attached pic, and give me your thoughts as to luster versus sharpness.
    Thanks in advance.

  4. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    You can teach old dogs new tricks...
    ...or in this case, an old dog can find another fascinating facet of our hobby.I was browsing on Teletrade, and found a "So-Called Dollar" medal. Evidently it was issued to commemorate (according to the auction description) the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Exposition, which was held in Omaha. On the front is a left facing female bust.However, it's the reverse which makes this medal fit into my Wild, Wild West set. The reverse shows a mounted Indian (I would assume a Plains Indian) spearing a bison. Needless to say, when I saw the reverse, I had to bid on it!!!!!!!!The only down side to this medal is it has been graded by ANACS, but since this is the first one I have ever seen, I can live with that. I don't know how I'll work it into my set yet, but you can bank on the fact it is in my Wild Wild West set.Since I've found out about these, I've bid on 2 different ones that commemorate the Pony Express. I'll update everyone when I receive them.Now a question and a plea. If any of my fellow members happen to be numismatic book dealers, I understand there is a book (I understand printed possibly in the '60's) dealing just with the "So-Called Dollars". Does anyone know of such a book? and would there happen to be one for sale? or where would I look for it on the web???All for now, I am including pictures of the medal.1898transm
  5. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...and I hope my fellow Society members can help.
    I have been having an enjoyable time trying to get my raw Mexican coins in some semblance of order, and I've found a few that are submission candidates. I've also bought a couple of raw, circulated Morgans that I've add to my raw set. I'm still debating between auctions sites for my coins that don't fit into my interests.
    However, I've run into a dilemma. While searching through my coins, I found a stack of Canadian coins I submitted for grading which came back with a "Candidate for NCS services" sticker on them. And I can see a bluish haze on the coins which I don't believe was there when I submitted them. Here's my first question: has anyone else had this sort of problem with Canadian coinage. All of the coins were in the official Mint packaging, so I don't understand how they picked up whatever it is they have on them?
    My second big dilemma is this: Do I go ahead and submit to NCS (which seems to me the way I read the charges) is going to be very expensive, $20 per coin minimum for at least 13 coins. Is it cheaper to just buy another coin to replace them, or go ahead and submit to NCS and then have NGC grade them? Or is that even possible?
    I've bought one replacement already, but thought I'd write an entry to record my dilemma and frstration. I would have thought NGC would have sent them right over, after asking me if it was ok.
    Oh well, I guess this is going to be a good learning experience for me.
    Image this entry is a 1900-O circulated Morgan.

  6. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    But I sure wish I knew more about it.
    If any of you read my earlier journal article about procrastination costing me a bunch of money at once, here is possibly another cost of procrastination. I had purchased this medal in a Stack's auction earlier this year. As you will be able to see from the photo I've attached, I bought the medal to put in my Wild West Signature set.
    But, and this is a big but, I waited several months to get it graded. I received it back a week or so ago, body bagged as being an "Inelgible Type". Well, I hate to say this NGC, but that doesn't tell me very much.
    So, while I'm looking for the Stack's catalog to re-read their description of this coin, I'm wondering if any of you in the Society can shed any light on this medal. If you need to see the reverse, I can sure send it to you, or make another journal article for it.
    As I recall, the catalog description said it was from 1962, and from Germany, and I think also made of gold. Beyond that, and to be frank, I haven't a clue as to what I have. So any info would be appreciated, I know this Society has many sharing members when it comes to information.
    Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give me.
    But I still think this is a great addition to my Wild West set, even if I can't put it in.

  7. 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.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  8. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    What do I send in?
    It sure feels a whole lot better to have a good dilemma. The last half of 2009 was a rough time for my collection. For those of you who have been reading my journal entries this year, know I was to the point of selling the bulk of my collection to pay bills. Now, I'm past that with my collection intact, plus I renewed my membership in the Society for 2010.
    I received my packet of materials for the year, and we all know that means GRADING COUPON!!!! So my good dilemma is: What do I want to get graded first??
    My choices were threefold. 1. Commemoratives, 2. Proof American Eagles, or 3. a combination. Well, I've decided on commemoratives, I have a lot that need to get graded, plus it will sure help my 2 sets (halves and dollars). So now, which commemoratives?
    I have 2 picked out for sure, my Lincoln and Civil War proofs. However, I do have others that are nice, the Jamestown, Bald Eagle and Jackie Robinson. Also I really need to do the Lewis & Clark proof, however I haven't decided which I'm going to put in my Wild West sig set yet, probably the uncirculated, but who knows for sure?
    Another dilemma I have is this; I am starting to really like the half cents and large cents, especially from the years 1839 on. Do I make registry sets??? To have any kind of set will probably entail a low-medium 4 figure expenditure. I realize I am not going to have the #1 set in either denomination, so do I try for a nice ciruclated set, or what??? Any input will be appreciated.
    On that note, my pic for this entry will be my 1849 half cent reverse.
    Thanks for reading!

  9. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    I learned some hard lessons.
    This is a hard journal entry for me to write, but it does need to be written. Before I go any further I must state something right up front. I'm not writing this for any sympathy or condolences, but to record some feelings, and a hard lesson learned.
    I have one brother, who also collects coins. They're mostly raw, for example, he's putting together a raw Walking Liberty set (as most of you know, the early years of this set can be quite pricy in higher grades). He's also doing Barber quarters and halves, ditto for the pricey higher grades.
    Anyway, on December 29, 2009, our mother passed away. Our dad had passed a long time ago, in fact, mom died 3 days short of 29 years later. She had been struggling at the nursing home for a good month before she died. I was there when she passed and I'm sure glad I was. We were taking shifts being with her since early Christmas day.
    This journal is a tribute to my parents, who encouraged me when I was a boy to develop my (our) own interests, and one of these interests was coin collecting. They sacrificed for us, and would take me into town for the Donnellson coin club meetings before I could drive myself. They were happy to take me, the library was another place they would take me without any hassle.
    Now to the hard lessons. Last year, I was at the point where I was going to have to sell the bulk of my collection to pay my credit card bills. The hard lesson I learned (and many well-known numistmatic writers say this) is not to build a collection on credit. I got in over my head, but now, thanks to my parents hard work, I'm able to save my collection.
    Another hard lesson I learned is to focus my collection more. My registry sets now show this. I took out all of the Mexican lower denomination sets. I've always liked the bigger coins (dollars, half dollars etc.) so that's 1 part of what my focus will be. The second focus will be specimen notes and $2 bills on the currency side. The rest of my US notes will be sold to fund purchases that fit in. However, a top grade Chief note and Bison note will fit in with my 3rd focus, my Wild West theme signature set.
    So, to finish this entry, I again dedicate this entry and my collection to Don and Alverda Blankenburg, may they rest in peace and be proud of me.
    Sorry, had to pause for a few minutes. Normally I attach a coin picture to my entry, tonight will be the exception, as I'm attaching my parent's wedding picture. Thanks for reading, and I hope you'll put up with this one non-coin pic.

  10. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    currency, raw indian head cent, another photo of a Stack's lot etc.
    I've been meaning to write this entry for about a week now I guess. I've put it off, it's a lot more fun to be looking at currency auctions at Teletrade and Denly's currency inventory rather than writing a journal. :-)
    Thanks to Rick's & Kerry's generousity, I'm ready to pull the trigger and place some currency bids this comming week. I hope I can win at least one lot, but we'll have to wait and see. The only downside I can see about getting back on track with currency is I think I'm getting back in during a rising market. It seems to me (and I must admit, this has been a very unscientific survey) that currency is starting to take off big time. Seems like lots that used to bring $100 to $125 are now bringing anywhere from $200 to $250, and so on for higher value notes. Oh well, I guess that's good in a way, it means the notes I already have are possibly going up in value too.
    I have 3 lots in my tracking list in next Monday's Teletrade auction. One of the notes is a $2 legal tender for my registry set. Another is a Bahama 4 shillings note that I think is pretty. The final lot is a $1 silver certificate with the Hawaii overprint. These notes (along with the Africa silver certificates) intrigue me, as they're intertwined with WW2 history. I may make a denomination set of the Hawaii ones, will have to see how values run on them first before I deicide for sure.
    I see silver is back down a little bit today. High $35 range. I know yesterday it was well up into the $36 range, and while I was at the coin shop late yesterday afternoon, the lady there said it was pushing $37. That's ok with me, my 61 ounces is looking better and better, even at $35/ounce. Speaking of the coin shop, I was glad to be able to stop in yesterday afternoon after my doctor's appointments. I've been having foot problems and pain, and I'm trying to get them fixed as I'm tired of having to take vacation days because they're hurting so bad. Anyway, I did pick up a raw 1907 Indian Head cent for my raw collection. I think it has been cleaned in the past, but it still looks nice, so I'm ok with a cleaned coin for my raw set. It's nice to have the coin shop fairly close by (22 miles). It seems they always have something for me to look at and possibly purchase, even though it' only an Indian Head Cent.
    I don't know how the Stack's and Bowers-Merena merger is going to affect me. Stack's has always had lots that really interest and intrigue me. I don't know if they'll keep having these lots (especially ABN plates and proofs etc.) Guess I'll have to wait and see.
    Well, I guess this is enough for now. My photo this entry is a pic of one of the lots I won at the recent Stack's auction. It's an Adam's Express stock header, I think it's really cool.

  11. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    or open mouth and remove foot!!!
    I don't know what I was thinking about last night when I was writing my journal entry, but it evidently wasn't coins. I have no idea why I typed Roosevelt dimes when I know I should have typed Mercury dimes!!!!!
    I hope everyone got a good laugh out of it. Now, if you'll please excuse me while I go to surgically remove a size 9 foot from my mouth. :-)
     
  12. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    But the decision also makes me happy!
    Hello all,
    This past 2 weeks I've been doing one of 3 things: either working, watching playoff baseball (GO YANKEES!!!) or mulling over a really major decision!
    The major decision is the subject of this journal article. I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to sell a portion of my coins. This is a sad decision, I've never met a coin I didn't like (well, I guess that's 1% untrue, as I don't really care for the Anthony dollar), but it's also a happy decision.
    Here is my reasoning. I was trying to collect way, WAY too much. As a consequence, I was spreading my collecting budget over a bunch of sets that I like, but didn't really feel the passion for anymore. So, I've cut out a lot of sets, lessened the scope on some others (for example, I decided not to include the modern commemorative gold in my commemorative sets, although I may get a handful that fit into my custom sets), and decided on a major focus for my remaining coins.
    You will probably noticed I cut out all my 19th century mint sets and replaced it with the 19th century type set. This is half of my focus, as I still feel the passion for the 19th century designs.
    The other half of my focus will be my Wild West custom set, and coins (mainly 19th century) from the western mints. The western mints are of course New Orleans, Denver, Carson City and San Francisco. However, a few gold coins and silver dollars will be found from the Philadelphia mint.
    Ok, I suppose you all are probably wondering how I can say this is also a happy decision. Well, I do have a passion for currency. This passion stems from my years (19 to be exact) in the printing industry. I've found I can live with a nicely circulated VF or EF coin, but my currency has to be Gem Uncirculated, Excellent Paper Quality or I don't buy it. As you probably can figure, the older currency can be very pricey in those higher grades. So this decision frees some money up in my budget, but also keeps my coins focused. As a corollary to this, my pickiness factor on how my mint state coins look is going up too. Since I'll be having fewer coins, maybe I can raise the condition on some I buy.
    So, I will be selling some coins in the next few weeks and months, while it will be sad for me, I'm looing forward to adding more top quality currency to my collection. There are 2 pieces I really want for my Wild West custom sets (the Chief silver certificate & the Bison Legal Tender) and these will set me back 5 figures in the condition I want, so something has to go so I can raise some money.
    I'm really relieved now, since I've made the decision, so I think this is a good time to stop writing.
    Coin of the Journal this time is the obverse of the 1862 gold dollar I recently acquired.

  13. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Most of my PCGS coins are going, I think I've seen the writing on the wall.
    Before I get into the main point of this journal, I want to thank SPHanson for the trade. If you read his journal entry about finding a 1934 catalog put out by Max Mehl, it is now residing in my collection.
    As he wrote, this catalog is a fantastic piece of numismatic history. Max Mehl was a giant amoung dealers of his day, and I feel very fortunate to have this catalog in my collection. For those of you who may not understand why I wanted it so much, there are 2 reasons. First, it is from Max Mehl and is of historical significance (at least I think so). Secondly, if you look at the picture Scott posted in his journal, please note the store stamp in the upper right corner. I am pretty sure this catalog was a counter display, I have seen other examples in different fields of the same idea, at a drug store in Oquawka, Illinois. I live across the Mississippi in southeastern Iowa and Oquawka is not that far away from me.
    Anyway, now onto the main point of this journal. I have made the decision to do a VERY MAJOR reworking of my collection and where I want it to go. Probably all of you have figured out I am big into history, especially of the West and railroads.
    So, these are the 2 main areas my collection will reflect. While I am competitive, the registry points are of secondary concern to me. Basically, I like too many sets with a limited disposable income to spend on coins. So, since I feel PCGS coins are going to be getting the boot in all competitive sets (sooner or later, does not matter), I will be focusing on more custom sets and currency rather than competitive sets. I will still have some if they fit into my goals and interests, but will not be the main thrust of my collection.
    So, I am planning on selling a lot of coins, to help pay for this reworking. I may (if it is all right with NCG and you members) make a custom set for now until I sell, if anyone wants to trade or purchase. Scott and I worked out a fair trade for both of us so I could have catalog in my collection. So keep on the lookout for the set. It will remain on till I send the coins to whatever auction house I decide to use. This may come at any time, so do not dally.
    To all the members here especially to my friends thank you for your continued friendship. And to those who I have disagreed with, I look at it as all of us exercising our right to free speech. I hope I have not offended anyone, you all can probably tell I tend to be outspoken. :-)

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  14. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Franklin set, points discussion, registry set suggestions and the Mint missed the boat...
    First though, a personal note to Mr. Thompson. I sure will be thinking of you, as I think all of us will, and hoping things turn around for the better for you.
    I can't believe it's the middle of March already. Where does the time go?? I know, we all spend it looking at our coins, searching for coins, preparing submissions and on and on.
    My main goal for the year, as I mentioned in an earlier journal article, is to complete my Franklin FBL set. I'm still short 8 coins. I don't know why I'm having problems finding them. The ones I'm missing, for those of you who don't want to go to my set to look, are: 49-S, 51, 52-S, 53-S, 57, 58, 62 and 63. I had a feeling when I started that the 53-S in a fairly good grade and FBL would be tough, but I was surprised to find the 62 and 63 are so hard to find in FBL. Not that I haven't come across some of these in various places, but it seems like every one I've seen didn't fit with my set. I've tried to keep my set white and lustrous, with no hint of toning. All the ones I've seen have been (and I'm sorry to anyone who likes toned coins) ugly. I guess I'll keep plugging away, and keep hoping to finish my set.
    As for the points discussion that has been going on, I guess I'm in agreement with the members who've mentioned the registry sets made should have a hope of completion. I will admit right up front that my Half Eagle set is going to take me a very long time to complete for the following reason: I'm looking for the best looking coin I can find (read minimal contact marks and top notch striking) with a cost I can afford. As we probably all know, this is going to take a very long time, I would forecast it will take me at least the 10 years till I can retire to even have a glimmer of 50% completion. I hope you will all bear with me. Otherwise, coins I like (for example Mercury Dimes and Standing Liberty Quarters) will be put in my Brian's Beauties signature set.
    Since I'm talking about registry sets, this may be a good place to make my suggestions to NGC. I would really appreciate more choices of Mexican sets. For example, I started an silver American Eagle set today, as I've been spending one of my days off going through my still ungraded pile of coins and found 5 Eagles that either I've bought or my brother has given me as presents thru the years. (As an aside, yes I'm getting some submissions ready, I still haven't used my coupon yet.) So I would really appreciate a Mexican Onza registry set to complement the bullion US silver sets. Also, maybe Pesos and 8 Reales sets. I'm thinking more along the lines of all the Canadian sets available.
    Finally, I think the Mint has missed the boat with the State Quarter covers they've been selling. The first covers I bought from the mint were the Westward Journey Nickel covers. I think these covers are truly gorgeous, with the full color artwork. Then compare them to the plain-Jane (no offense to any Society members named Jane) State Quarter covers. I'm sure all of us (because we love the coins, the art of them and the beauty, could think of beautiful artwork to grace the state quarter covers that would so SO SO much better. I mean, wouldn't a panoramic view of the Grand Canyon in all of it's colorful splendor look awesome on the upcoming Arizona cover. There's so much natural beauty, historical beauty etc. etc. in American, I feel the Mint could have done so much better for us.
    I'm attaching a picture of a Westward Journey cover and a Missouri state quarter cover, so you can all see what I mean, comparing them nest to each other.
    Thanks for reading.

  15. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Will I have some nice closeups?
    It's sure nice to be "back in the saddle again" for my collection. I went through a good year period where I had to really watch my coin expenditures, but now hopefully I have everything straightened out.
    I'm bidding on some ABN plates in a Stacks/ANR auction. I can't wait to see if I win them, as they will fit in nicely with my Wild, Wild, West Signature Set. I'm also looking at a Trade Dollar from Carson City, but it has a big splotch of toning right around the cotton bale area. I usually DO NOT like toning, but I've been waffling on whether I should bid or not.
    However, the best news is I bit the bullet today and bought a new digital camera and a short tripod. The new cam has made a difference, but I think the biggest difference has been made with the tripod. So I think my money has been well spent today. I've attached a photo of my 1887-S trade dollar. I'd appreciate any comments on how you think the photo looks.
    1877STrade
  16. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    World War 2 and the brave men and women who served our nation.
    I'm starting a new signature set, to commemorate the veterans of World War 2. My dad served in the Army, and this is a tribute to him.
    Before I go any further, I do want to say, I'm not trying to slight any veterns of our armed forces. I truly appreciate their sacrifices for us, from the Revolution to now. It's just as I said, this set is being made to honor my dad.
    This set will consist of 17 coins of circulation strikes. These will be the 3 steel cents, the 11 war nickels, and a type dime, quarter and half from the 1941-45 era.
    After those coins, the remainder of the set will consist of both American and World Commemoratives. Right now, I know of some Canadian coins that will be added. I'll write more journal articles as this set grows.
  17. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Wild, Wild West didn't get too wild...
    It was a beautiful afternoon here in the heartland for attending a coin show. It was nice to be able to have some money to buy money, and a couple of coins will be added to my signature set.
    I attended a small local coin show at a mall this afternoon. I wish I could have spent more time there, but I couldn't take the whole day off from work. But I was allowed to leave work an hour early, and I made good use of my time.
    Two coins I really was looking for were and 1849 Half Cent and an 1849 Large Cent. I chose 1849 for one of the years to get a few type coins from, and I found a nice (to me) large cent. I paid the VF price for it, not that I mind paying that price if it turns out to be VF. One thing that I lack experience in (so far) is being able to tell if a coin has been cleaned. I'll find out how I did soon hopefully, as I plan to send the Large Cent and a few other coins in to get graded on Monday.
    Another type year I'm including in my West Set is 1876. I found a nice F Nickel 3 cent piece today as well. Here again, I hope it hasn't been cleaned.
    I also purchased an 1898 Mexican Peso. If I could find some pesos from Mexico in the years I'm including in my set, I may use them. I feel that Mexico (at least the northern provinces) tie in to my western theme.
    So, I'll keep updating the progress of my coins, and let you all know how they grade.
  18. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    to show off my 1878CC Morgan
    I have to take a few minutes tonight to show my 1878CC Mogran Dollar. I won it in a Teletrade auction early last week and just received it yesterday. I cleared off my camera tables so I could take pics. It's only XF45 but I love it. And while I will probably upgrade to hopefully a gem, I feel I can't have too many CC coins. Attaching a pic of the obverse.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  19. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...won not 1, not 2, but 4 lots!!
    Hi everyone,
    Wow, what a great day! Several things were added to my collection today. First, I added 63 40% Kennedy halves to my silver hoard. The day I agreed to buy these halves (at $4 each), silver was up in the mid to high $28 dollar range. Consequently, I would have been up 25 cents per coin. I had to convert some stock into cash so I could pay for them (along with covering my bids in today's Stack's auction). Well, I silver closed down in the $26 range today, so I'm down 2 cents per coin. But that's ok, as I feel this is just a downward correction, I'm still very, VERY bullish on silver the next few years. We'll see what happens, I'm really in no hurry to sell any, this is more a fun thing for me to do as I have at least 4 years and 9 months till I can retire (at 62), and more years if I decide to wait until my full retirement age (66). So, I feel have time to speculate on silver, and it's (at least to my mind) always going to be worth something no matter what.
    The second purchase today (from the same gentleman I purchased the Kennedy's from, was a 1882 CC Morgan dollar in the GSA hard pack. I couldn't afford one of these back when they were originally being sold, so it's nice to be able to have this piece of numismatic history (although recent history to me). I would like to hear any suggestions and the reason for the suggestion from anyone here in the Society as to how I should handle it. I'm tempted to just leave it as it is. But then I wonder as how a NGC grade (even left in the hard pack) would affect value. After studying the coin tonight with a glass, I feel it would grade in the AU50 - MS62 range. The only downside to the coin is some toning (rather unattractive to me) on the lower right quadrant of the obverse. It looks to me possible from a bag covering it, but I could be mistaken. Normally I stay away from toned coins, so really have no comparison as to what caused the toning. Again, suggestions and reasoning would be appreciated.
    Now on to the Stack's auction. For those of you who are in my friend's list, and follow my journals, I've sold some of my coins, so I could return to one my big loves, currency! I love a crisp piece of currency, especially older currency and older foreign currency (Mexico and Latin America and Europe mainly). I also love adjunct pieces; engravings, proofs, stocks and impressions from the engravings. Well I got really lucky tonight. Today was Part 2 of The 52 Collection at Stack's. The 2 items I really wanted were Lots 3841 and 3860. Lot 3841 is an Archival Specimen Teller Order Certificate from the First National Bank of Deadwood, Dakota. This would be the Territory then, and as most of you probably know, I'm a huge Western history fan.
    Lot 3860 is a Die Proof Vignette of "Iows Arms", used, and I'm quoting the Stack's catalog, "on State Bank of Iowa notes".
    I was really afraid I wouldn't make it home from work in time to bid using Stack's live, so I left substantial maximum bids (substantial to me anyway). The max bids totaled $1300 for the pair. Well, to make a long story short, by the time I got home from work, did some things here that needed to be done and then got down to the computer and logged in to Stack's, it was 8 pm. I got really lucky, as they must have been running behind, they were about 9 lots before the first one on my watch list. So I got my mouse ready to bid, but I didn't have to, as my max bids stood up, and I won both lots for LESS than the max.
    So, I was able to bid on 2 other lots. First was lot 3876, which was titled "Die Proof Vignette of untitled Indian attack". I'd have to go back through my watch lists and catalogs, I really think I had a chance to by the actual ABN plate for this scene, but it went way more than I could afford when it was offered.
    The second lot was #3884. This lot consisted of 2 items, a Die Proof Vignette and a matching proof bill head from the Adams Express Company. Needless to say, both of these items fit in with my western theme, and I'm very happy to get them.
    I'll quit now, hope I haven't bored all the coin collectors with this.
    I'll attach a pic of the obverse of the 1882CC Morgan to make up. :-)
    Thanks for reading.

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  20. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    I respectfully submit you have it wrong
    It is not our privilege to be here. It is NGC's privilege to have us as customers. If I treated customers at work the way NGC has just treated us, my rear end would have been fired in a heartbeat, and that is the way it should be.
    As to changing the rules, how many customers do you think NGC acquired because they allowed both in sets. And why do you think only NGC can be in sets. We are collecting the coin, not the slab it is in.
  21. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...if you're making a raw set of wheaties. (No, not the cereal!)
    Hi all,
    First I must explain that my weekend is Sunday and Monday. So usually, I use Sundays to relax, and to relax I either read or work on my coins. (Except in the summer, when our local minor league baseball team is playing at home, then ball games are a part of my Sundays too.) Mondays are used for the normal errands of life, you all know what these are; wash the clothes, do your banking business, mail packages to NGC, etc. etc.
    Well, today I had to do all those things. While I was up at our local bank today, I stumbled into a wheat penny heaven. I must first admit that I've banked at this local bank in our small town (750 or so population) all my life; as has my brother, parents and grandparents. So anyway, after I had all my business finished there, the branch manager and I were chatting. And again, I must admit that I've know him a long time, wellllll, to be honest, I went to school with his dad and uncle (one of the joys of small town living). I don't want anyone thinking that I'm a wizard or anything. :-) We got talking about gold and silver prices (yes he knows I collect coins). Then we got talking about wheat pennies, I told him how I would find some at work and that I'm trying to put together a raw set out of circulation. So anyway, he says to me "come back to my other office". So I followed him back, and out of his desk drawer he pulls 5 bank rolled rolls of all wheat pennies, plus probably close to another 5 rolls of wheaties, all loose. So then he says to me "take them home, look through them and see if you find any for your set. We'll settle up later." Now how good of a deal is that??? Plus, it's really flattering to know that someone trusts me enough to say, here take these with you and look through them. Humbling too I suppose, I guess I have done something right after all.
    So, next week I have dental surgery on Monday and have taken a week's vacation. So hopefully when I start feeling better, I have a nice quiet, enjoyable task to keep myself occupied. If any of you have had to have dental surgery, you know the doctors like it if you don't exert for a few days afterward. This will be a nice way to relax. I'm looking forward to see how many slots I can fill in my Whitman folders.
    I'll update in another journal entry to let you know how I do. I know I'll get at least one steel penny, I"m homing to find all three.
    Thanks for reading. Since I'm writing about wheatings in this entry, my picture of the entry will be the obverse of one of my graded wheaties.

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  22. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    What I really want for Christmas is...
    not my 2 front teeth. However, I would really like to be able to add graded currency to my Wild, Wild West set. I can think of 2 examples right off, one being the Indian Chief large size $5 silver certificate. The other is a large size $10 Legal Tender note that features a bison flanked by Lewis & Clark. Both of these notes would be such a great addition to my set. I certainly hope someone at NGC sees this journal entry and helps me out. I can only wish that among the "more features coming" in the Notes drop down menu will include this.
    Another Christmas wish would be the abilty to add stamps, stocks and bonds. I figure there are some who might disagree with me, but I really feel all of these items ought to be able to come together in a set. For example, one of my other interests is railroad items, wouldn't a nice stock certificate from the UP, or the old Central Pacific look awesome in a Wild West set? I feel all these items I've mentioned come under monetary and economic items, not just coins and currency!!!!
  23. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    but I don't think it will happen
    First off, I have cooled down now, the venting helped immensely.
    I totally agree with BeawChans journal entry. Even though I have taken out all of my PCGS coins, I would love to put back my 3 Buffalo nickels, 2 Morgan Dollars, all my Commemorative Dollars, State and ATB Quarters, and all of my Westward Journey nickels.
    However, I am not convinced NGC will do this, first of all, if it is crossover business they are after, why grandfather any in? I am at a loss as to what else it could be.
    In response to Paul Kiraly's journal, I'm not sold that PCGS is the better grading company either. I know I have problems with their quality control. I had 3-4 Canadian dollars (both commem and Voyageurs) labeled as Deep Cameo Proofs. Imagine my shock when I tried to enter them into my sets, and they came back as only Cameo. I went then and check the grading serial number on PCGS website, and sure enough there was an inconsistency in all of them. Where is there quality control. When I called PCGS, they said in effect "Send it in, we will look at them, and if they are Deep Cameo we will so upgrade for a fee". Now you all can imagine what I told him, he could stick the grading fee. I won't pay for a PCGS labeling mistake. They are sure not going to say we made a mistake and make it right.
    And the big thing with PCGS, the reason I didn't go with them back in 2006 was they only allowed PCGS coins in their registry, but NGC allowed both, until now.
    Now I know we all make mistakes, we've had reports in other journals about some NCG has made and I will state for the record that I like NGC better. It is their policies I am having issues with. I worked hard just to get my sets where they were before all this started, and now I have to chuck the time and MONEY. I did renew my CS membership (although at a lower rate), so I will be here another year.
    I am using a picture of one my pieces of currency, so some of the people who have messaged me can see why currency turns me on.

  24. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Morgans, Morgans everywhere
    I have found out the hard way, and I agree with The Coin Guy's journal that we can't collect everything. So I'm sticking with my Morgan dollars, at least until I get to the ones over $5000.
    I'm gonna try getting more images on here, as soon as I get better with my digital cam.
    Also trying to keep working on my Wild Wild West Signature set. I'm enjoying it as much as my Morgans.
     
  25. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...and this is the last journal entry about photos for a while.
    I've had a productive 2 days off. All my Franklins are now imaged. Whew, I didn't know what I was getting into when I started all this. I think I can blame it on my insurance man, he's been bugging me for 20 years (yes I know, I procrastinate) to have pictures and inventory for my renter's insurance. So now I'm going to make him happy, as I've imaged probably 30 coins today alone.
    I keep learning. Even have images of a few proofs, mainly of the smaller denomination coins. One place where I've run into a little roadblock is some satin state quarters. Early in my efforts, I thought they were the easiest to do, but now I don't know. I still think part of it is the holders, as some Canadian proofs I have just in Air-Tite holders came out GREAT!! But probably it's more me than anything.
    So I'll keep plugging away, and I promise this will be the last journal article from me for a while about photos. :-) I have ideas for 2 more journal articles that I want to post this week.
    One is on currency, and the other is on a related topic to currency, some of the ABN engravings that Stack's has been auctioning.
    However, I would appreciate any feedback anyone might have, especially on my Franklin images. I'm adding a Proof Nickel image to this article for your viewing pleasure.