• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Iowa Silver Baron Bammer

Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    81

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Journal Entries posted by Iowa Silver Baron Bammer

  2. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    and a Hoover medal picture for another CS member
    Well, I have done the dirty deed this afternoon. If you haven't noticed, my For Sale or Trade custom set is no more. I shipped all 70 some coins to Teletrade to be auctioned off. I'll be using the proceeds to pay off my credit cards and the remainder for coins. So if anyone wanted one of the coins, you'll have to bid on Teletrade. You can message me for details.
    Tonight I took some time to just browse through some custom sets. This was really a treat for me, as my collection had gotten so big and disorganized I didn't have the time to do anything else. So I made some time tonight I must admit, there are a lot of really neat custom sets here. Kudos to all who have took the time to present their sets in a very good way.
    My photo of this journal is inspired by an Iowa custom set I looked at while I was browsing the sets. It is the obverse of my Herbert Hoover medal, Hooover of course the only President born in Iowa. I have been to West Branch to see the exhibits there and thoroughly enjoyed it. So I hope everyone enjoys the photo of the medal.
    Oh, did want to comment that last night I ordered a Nook Tablet. My brother has one and really likes it. He can access the internet here off my wireless. I notice there is a Coin Inventory app and a stamp app also. Has (or is) anyone here using a Nook Tablet for keeping track of want lists, their collection etc. If so, I would be interested in hearing pros, cons, suggestions etc.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  3. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Wild west and modern...
    Yes, it seems like when I write journal entries, I write a bunch in a short period of time. But I am going to try now to space them out over the course of the year now and in the future.
    I have made one decision on my custom sets. I think everyone knows by now I love the western mints. So, in an effort to make my collecting goals a little more specific I have come to the following conclusion: My wild west series mint sets will contain those silver coins through the Barber series for the dimes, quarters and halves, through the Morgan dollar for the dollars and through the Liberty Head series for gold. Everything newer (in a relative sense) will be in a modern series of western mints. As far as Philadelphia mint coins are concerned, they will be in a set called The Baron's Beauties. These coins will be those that do not reflect my othere interests.
    As far as thematic sets go, the following topics will be represented; my Wild Wild West set of course, a set featuring animals on silver and gold coins only, a set featuring trains and a set featuring animals of the world. Also there will be a set covering World War 2, more or less a tribute to my parents generation. There is a story to the animal set, a while back I sent a loon dollar to a member because he is making the same type of set. In the message I sent him when I sent the coin, I whined a little bit and said I had the same idea to do the same type of set but only with silver and gold coins. The member encouraged me to do it, so I thank him for that.
    My So-Called Dollars set and the tokens and medals set will basically remain the same.
    Photo today is the other side of the Monterey medal from yesterday.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  4. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Taking the time to really look at my coins
    Well, I think I have most all the coins I want to send to an auction house in the custom set. I have a feeling I am going to use Teletrade, personally I think they do better with modern but this could just be a personal perception. I probably will call them Monday, I do possibly have an in because of the coins I consigned to Stacks/Bowers which did fairly well.
    The silver lining is I am taking the time to look, no really look, at each coin. Quite frankly on a handful of coins I found flaws (to me at least) which made me decide since I am going through all this work, I decided to improve the quality of my collection, plus week out a little duplication.
    As far as PCGS coins in my competitive sets, I am going to end up with 8. This number breaks down as follows: 3 proof Westward Jouney nickels, 1 satin finish Westward Journey nickel, 2 Proof Silver statehood quarters (Nevada and Arizona), 1 Silver Proof ATB quarter (Olympic) and the 2009 proof Sac Dollar. I based having these to a reply from Max to Six Mile Rick's thread in the Forum.
    We will see how everything goes. I believe this is giving me a great start to 3 goals: less coins means more time to take great photos, a great start to decide how to present my custom sets, and finally start writing descriptions and coin presentation items for them.
    Photo of the journal entry is the reverse of my 1970 Old Monterey medal.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  5. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    plus an answer to Six Mile Rick
    I have been busy working on my sale or trade custom set. I am up to the quarters now, I still have a long ways to go. My brother is looking at 5 coins; 2 quarters, 1 dollar commemorative and the 2 Australia Koalas. So I probably will have a log jam at the quarters until he talks to me, I think he and my sister in law are going somewhere possibly tomorrow, so I may not hear for a couple of days. Guess I can always rework the slot numbers when he lets me know.
    Rick I just noticed the filters this evening when I logged in. I know they were not there last night when I started. I can live with this I guess, still not too keen on the whole situation, but am leaving my 3 PCGS Westward Journey nickel proofs in my set.
    Photo tonight will be the other side of the Omaha Stock Show medal I used last night.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  6. 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.
  7. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    I love my pictures.
    I must admit, Rick and his journals on his pictures have made me more ambitious. I have been really working on inventorying my coins, I think I have mentioned before that my insurance guy has been bugging me for a long time to give him a list of my collectibles. So, since money is a little tight for the next couple of months, I figure this is a good time to get the work finished. I have a lot more fun taking the pictures than I do inventorying, so maybe I will finally be able to please my insurance agent.
    All but about 10 coins have been inventoried for my graded America coins. I started tonight on the foreign. I still have probably 80 percent of them to do yet. I finally quit so I could take a few pictures.
    One of the coins I took shots of tonight was my 1929 Omaha Stock Show Medal. I like the way it turned out. This medal will wind up in my Wild West custom set, this set I hope will be my winter project. I think I have procrastinated long enough.
    Pic of this entry will be the obverse of the Stock Show medal. Hope you enjoy it.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  8. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Several replies, I do appreciate them.
    Thank you to all the members who messaged me or wrote a journal to answer my request for information. The Slab Renew was the one I was thinking about, but could not remember the name.
    I do appreciate the help, so thank you to all.
  9. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    My memory is going bad, plus I procrastinate and do not write things down right away.
    I hope someone can help me. A few years ago someone posted a journal entry about a good slab cleaner. The entry also gave a link to a website where the cleaner could be purchased. Does someone remember the entry? And could you point me in the right direction or tell me the name of the cleaner and the link??
    Thanks for your help!!!
  10. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    A 50 transparency fill!
    First, I would like to say a hearty thank you to all who responded to background color survey. I do appreciate everyone who took the time to give me constructive criticism and suggestions and supportive remarks. Also, an apology, I did not mean to post 4 Option 2 journal entries.
    Now, I think I am getting very close to having the correct settings on my camera to get nice pictures. I am not saying my photos will be professional quality, all I have been after is for the viewer of the photo to see the coin clearly, to be able to read the lettering and hopefully to see the coin as I see it with a glass.
    I also believe I have found a color and a transparency level that I can live with. I hope you all can live with it also.
    The picture today is the reverse a Peru 20 sole coin minted in 1966. The coin commemorates a naval battle, wish I could tell you more, but I am going to have to do some research first.
    I tend to like blue, reds, purples etc. so the background is a dark navy blue (did I mean this pun???) at 50% transparency.
    Thoughts are appreciated.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  14. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    seems like we could get different sets added too
    I want to first apologize to everyone, I am not a whiner. I'm just fed up with having the rules changed in the middle of the game.
    I went ahead and deleted all of my PCGS coins in all of my sets. As I said before, there are a few I'm keeping, a couple of Kennedy Halves from my mom's collection and a 1900-O Morgan (I know it's only a 6, but who cares) my dad saved. I saved a few world coins which fit into my custom sets. I wish you all could see the pile of PCGS coins I have, I'm going to sell them all. There are 73 of them piled up on my computer table. Now, about 5 or so were upgrades, but NGC, you just lost crossovers of about 65 coins. Now, that's probably nothing to you, but to me it would have represented a lot of cash that could have put towards buying more coins.
    But what really irks me, is NGC would really like me to cross over these coins, but I have been asking at least twice, if not three different occasions, to have registry sets made for silver, by mint, like the gold has. I can't be the only one who likes the western mints, so do you, NGC, really expect me to drop a significant amount of cash when you can't even make more registry sets that would fit the way I collect?
    Ok all, I'm done venting. I have been handed lemons, so I am going to try to make lemonade. I'll even include a picture like I usually do in my journals.

  16. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Here is option 1
    Hi all,
    It is a rainy day here, a good day to stay inside and work on coins and coin photography. Plus, I think I am battling a 24 hour bug that has been with me since Friday, I do feel some better today.
    Anyway, I would like to take a survey of the members. I have been fiddling around with different color backgrounds for my coin pics. I have 3 different colors, options 1, 2, and 3. Please let me know your preference.
    Option 1 below.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  17. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    3 more Sacs plus pictures
    Well, coin purchases have been very few the last 6 weeks or so. I did add 3 silver ATB proof quarters; Mt. Hood, El Yunque and Denali to my competitive set. Plus, as my teaser says, I added 3 Sac proofs to my set; namely the 2004, 2010 and 2011. I must admit I like the changing reverses; really fits in with my collecting theme.
    I mentioned in an earlier journal I have really been sorting through my coins. Since NGC made the "No PCGS" in the world sets, I decided to go through all my sets. I think I will go to all NGC. Not that I really like this, especially with my proof Westward Journey nickels. But it does give me a chance to really make a commitment to my theme and goals of collecting. One good result of all this is my decision to do more currency. I believe everyone knows I do like currency, so a few less sets of coins will free up a little cash for some nice currency. The 2 pieces of currency I really want (the Chief silver certificate and the Bison Legal tender) are really pricey (fairly substantial 4 figures) so maybe I can start putting some money away for them.
    Otherwise, all I have been doing is working with my pictures. I do read with interest NGC's changes on size. I am going to test it here. My journal picture this time is the obverse of my 1918 Buffalo nickel.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  18. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Silver lining from NGC's decision
    Hi all,
    I have been busy the last few weeks. Since NGC made the decision to not allow PCGS in the World Registry sets, I have been going through my sets; I have deleted some, rearranged some others and made a few more custom sets.
    Quite possibly there is a silver lining to all of this, at least for me, it gives me fewer competitive sets to focus on. Also, I think it will upgrade some of the grades of coins I purchase which always helps, and hopefully I will have more time to better present my custom sets, yes I even added some more of them.
    Between all this, taking photos, and fighting dizziness spells I am keeping busy. The photo for this journal entry is a test of having a colored background on my photos. Personally I love blue, but think is too bright. Possibly a navy blue would be better for a silver coin. If you have opinions, let me hear them.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  19. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    I applaud everyone for speaking their minds and offering their frank opinions.
    I am sad to have to write this journal entry. But I can't sit here idle and not repond to what I believe are some erroneous expectations that Merlin and some other members have. But Merlin, please do not misunderstand, I am not singling you out personally, there are some members here who whine and complain, but cannot back themselves up with journal entries.
    First, though, I must start by writing a little background, so you all can see where I am coming from. When I initially joined the Collector's Society back in 2006, the big selling point to me was being able to populate my sets with coins from either grading service. Before I joined I check out both grading services, trying to get a feel on fees, services etc. In other words I "shopped around". It came down to 2 items. First, NGC's fees were less expensive than PCGS and of course, the PCGS registry allowed only PCGS coins. So along with the idea of the Society, the choice to me at the time was clear, NGC.
    Now, here are my beefs (so to speak):
    1. Merlin, if your goal is to have registry sets populated with only NGC coins, more power to you. I do not try to tell anyone how to enjoy this great hobby of ours. But, it seems to me as you are telling me I CAN NOT have any PCGS coins in my sets.
    Here is my reasoning for alloowing both:
    1. As far as I can tell in the course of the 6 years of my membership, no PCGS coin in mine or anyone's sets received any kind of point bonus. A MS65 graded coin was the same score in spite of the slab it was in.
    2. Conversly, no NGC coin received a point deduction.
    3. Remember everyone, we are collecting coins, not slabs.
    So, beef #2: I firmly believe part of NGC's decision was based on all the whining and complaining from some members about other people having PCGS coins in their sets. Here again, this was the rule, no one was cheating or breaking any rule at any time by having PCGS coins in their sets.
    I will admit, I base my buying decisions on the coin; we all know the criteria; eye appeal, technical grade, cost and for me lack of butt ugly toning. You will never find a toned coin in any of my sets.
    I truly believe a lot of this was some members who were in a lower position did it only to move up in the rankings. If I have offended anyone I'm sorry, but it rankles me to think I was playing by the rules, but now I'm having to make a decision to spend more money to cross over, or the time and expense to sell my PCGS coins just to be a member of this society. This reminds me of one member who whined and complained he didn't receive the #1 spot because he had pics and descriptions and the person who was #1 didn't, but who had about 4,000 more points.
    Beef #3: To those who say allow PCGS coins but give them 0 points I ask, what's the difference between 0 point and no PCGS coins at all?
    I think I better quit here, I have probably p***ed everyone off for speaking my mind, but I truly believe I had a nice selection of coins in some of my sets, but was told I wasn't wanted because some of them were in the wrong slab.
  20. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Is it washed out?
    Here is the photo shot in the AdobeRGB color space. Quite frankly, looking at both with my editing software on my monitor, I can not tell a bit of difference. What do you think?

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  21. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Is the color washed out?
    I've spent the last few days working with my camera. A little background, I originally started taking coin pics with a Pentax point and shoot camera, but then upgraded to a digital SLR (also a Pentax). SPHansen got me back on track with an entry about his photos, so I thought I would work on mine some more.
    My dSLR can take raw format pictures in either sRGB (for viewing on a monitor) or AdobeRGB (for printing) color spaces. According to my book I have on coin photography, if you put a photo in the gallery that has been shot with the AdobeRGB colorspace, it will appear washed out. This is the subject of this and my next post.
    So I got out a raw 1832 Bust half and took a raw photo of the obverse in each color space. I am going to attach one image to each entry and hopefully you all will give me some feedback. This entry has the photo shot with the sRGB color space for viewing on a monitor. What do you think?

  22. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    I like seeing pictures from other collectors.
    Since I have vented about the registry decision, I will try to be positive tonight. I enjoy reading and seeing SPHenson's quest to have nice photos of his coins. I think all of us could improve our pictures, and I am working on mine. Thought I would give SP Henson a chance to compare pics. I am posting a pic of my 1942D Merc dime for all to see. Hope you keep at it SP.

  23. 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.
  24. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    I need an education
    Hi all,
    I have questions about 2 sets of coins.
    The first is a 1970 Great Britain proof set a co-worker brought into me today. He was wanting to know a fair market value for it. I would also, because for some reason, I like these kind of sets from Europe and America. I did a little research tonight, and it looks to me like it is not a rare set. The set contains 8 coins, ranging from halfpenny to a halfcrown. The set also contains an English and a Scottish schilling. The Great Britain coinage system (before they went decimal) has fascinated me. Not enough to do any sets, but a set like this does interest me. Any info and pricing would be appreciated. Oh, the set comes in a plastic(?) holder like ours, has an info sheet and the fold together cover.
    The second set is from the Pitcairn Islands and is a 2009 brilliant uncirculated set consisting of 6 coins. The reverse of each coin has an image of an item from the Bounty. When I was in middle school, Mutiny On The Bounty was one of my favorite books. Again any pricing and related info would be appreciated.
    Thanks to all in advance to those who can shed some light on these sets.
    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  25. 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.