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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
    Or, I'm really pleased with myself!
    Since I am caught up with taking photos of my coins (until my submissions start coming back), I decided to experiment with some of my ABN plates I've purchases at ANR/Stack's auctions. While I have only bought a handful (although if I had unlimited funds, I could have bought a LOT!) I feel these plates fit in the grand scheme of things. I consider coins and currency just part of the whole financial and economic system of the US, along with stocks, bonds and checks. While I wish there was a way to get these plates in my signature sets, I can live with being able to write about them in my journal.
    Thursdays are a normal day off for me, as I work Saturdays. So this afternoon I decided to experiment with one of my plates. After a few trials that were far from satisfactory, I wondered to myself if treating the plate as I would a mirrored, cameo finish proof would work? So I took a few more images to test this theory. Well, to make a long story short, it did work. At least to the point I have a picture to share with this journal article, I feel I do need to fine tune a little more.
    The plate is from the First National Bank of Burlington, Iowa. This keeps with my Wild West theme of states west of the Mississippi River, and Burlington is an old river town, a lot of history is there. And since Burlington is not that far from where I live, it also keeps with my Iowa theme of collecting.
    So I'm attaching the image to this journal article, and as always, any comments or suggestions will be appreciated.

  2. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ....they fly by when we're working on our collections I guess.
    It's November 1st already, another year (for me) has went by. Only a few minor purchases since I wrote last; another Franklin half, a French 1 1/2 Euro that will be put into my World War 2 signature set and a few raw coins that may or may not be sent in for grading.
    What has really been eating up the time is redoing most of my coin pics. I really do like my Pentax digital cam and I feel it will turn out some gorgeous pictures once I have all the settings figured out. One thing I've noticed, and this is just a preliminary theory right now, is it seems macro mode is better for the bigger coins, and super macro for the cents thru dimes. However, I did get a few super pics (at least super to me) in super macro mode. Check out my 1862 Indian head pics and the 1953-S Lincoln pics. I am more than really pleased with how both coins photographed.
    Besides my slabbed coins, I do have a lot of raw coins. These coins I've picked up over the years, either they've been cleaned (or I think they've been cleaned) or else I can't economically justify getting them graded, as they're not worth all that much. I like Morgan dollars so much, I've bought some raw coins from people I know, to either do them a favor or because I thought the coin was worth it. I'm keeping them however and listing them in my inventory software in a separate file for ungraded coins. I store them in Airtite holders, and I'm really, REALLY pleased on how they photograph. I've attached pics of a 1921-D Morgan to this journal article. These 2 pics are my goal for all of my coin pics. I hope you all agree with me. :-)
    All for now, I still need to start researching my Mexican specimen notes, and there's a Stack's auction coming up the middle of the month I want to really watch.

  3. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Just when I thought I could pay off my credit cards...
    ...I had to buy some items in some of Stack's auctions.
    I hope everyone understands first of all, I'm not trying to blame Stack's. :-) My tongue is firmly planted in my cheek as I write this. It seems that Stack's have a cacaphony of items that I like, and want to put into my Wild West theme collection. Unfortunately for me, I don't have unlimited cash, so I have to pick and choose what items to bid on. So, as I try to pay off my credit cards, the first item I found that I couldn't live without was an ABN plate entitled "Falls Of The Yellowstone". Since Yellowstone is my favorite western park, yes, you've probably all guessed I just had to have this plate. (To be honest, there were several more I wanted, but couldn't swing the price.) Actually, this plate was my second choice, I couldn't hit the Insta-Bid button on my first choice fast enough before the auction closed. But I'm very happy with my purchase, it's the first plate I've acquired that had a print included. So I scanned the print, and it's attached to this journal entry.
    Then in the Marshall Collection auction sale, I found 3 items. 2 of the lots I purchased are Arizona mining stock certificates. The third is an Elminger print entitled "Stolen Treasure". Of the 3 lots, I'm most looking forward to seeing the Elminger print. The whole scene, to me, invokes an image of the old west that I've always liked. So rather say any more about it, I think I'll wait till I receive it and scan it so everyone here can see it. :-)
    I know none of these lots are coins, but they fit in with the way I approach my collection; I try to show the whole economic picture; the stock certificates are an integral part of it, and of course you need money (coins & currency mostly) to buy them. The plate was used to print, of course I can't say with any certainty what for sure, but I can see the vignette appearing on currency or stock certificates.
    I've also made a few minor coin purchases this month; a pair of Canadian nickels from the '40s, and a German medal showing Gutenberg, and a so-called dollar.
    Also, I've been still going through my ungraded Mexican coins and I'm still getting a lot of satisfaction from them.
    However, in the next week, I'll be finally deciding on what to send in for my coupon. I'll probably wind up sending in some silver eagles, but that's not 100% certain yet.
    All for now, and thanks for reading.

  4. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    I'm not even going to get to my Specimen Note research...
    This journal article is sort of an update, some observations and just plain straight talk on what I've been up to. Jackson had sent me a message a few days ago, indicating he at least would be interested in hearing what I have been up to, since I hadn't posted any journal articles for a while. (Jackson, hope you don't mind that I used this, felt it would give a little explanation.) So thanks Jackson, for your interest at least.
    As I told Jackson, I've been laying off any major coin purchases for a while, as I've run my credit cards up a little too high. Yes I did say cards. Fortunately, it's given me time to sort through a lot of coins. Some (such as my Liberty Half Eagles) are going to get sold. I've decided (among other things) that to fit in with my main Wild West theme, that Indian gold would be the more proper fit. So, I've been reading up on those. In sort of the same vein, is it just me, or has some of the rest of you noticed how many spotted, unattractive Indian cents there are out there? I'd like (when I get things paid off) to work on my Indian Cents, but so many (in the auction sites) to me are spotted and really unattractive for the grade. I try to use just a handful of sites; Stack's, David Lawrence and Teletrade, for my major purchases. Maybe it's just I'm really starting to have a better eye for quality, or something, because I've passed on several that would fit, just because I didn't like the looks.
    Another thing I've been doing is going through my ungraded coins I'm keeping, mostly Peace and Morgan dollars, but I have others also. My dad (who passed away about 25 years ago) saved a bunch of Morgan and Peace dollars, and finally one Christmas day, my mom had my brother come in (my sister in law was gone visiting her daughter who just had a baby). Mom said we could divide up everything dad had saved, and some Kennedy's that mom had saved. Now, I'll be the first to admit none of these coins are anywhere near Mint State, to my grading eye, the best has been and EF Morgan. Some have been cleaned, whether by me when I was a kid and didn't know any better, or from whomever they got them from. But that doesn't bother me as they all are tangible links (now that dad is gone) to him and mom, and they'll never leave me. This is the big personal reason why I got a little hot yesterday. I'm attaching a pic today of one of the Morgan dollars.
    Finally, about coins graded 70. Yesterday got me thinking about population reports and 70 graded coins. So I got curious and looked up the proof mintages for the 2000 through 2003 Proof Sac Dollars. My big reason (even though I have some) against putting all (or a major part of) an investment in modern 70's is this: population reports can only increase. Dave Bowers goes into this in depth in one of his books better than I can. Anyway, for the 2000S through 2003S Sac proofs the mintages range from 3,084,600 for the 2001S to 4,048,865 for the 2000S. Then I looked at the totals (both NGC and PCGS) and found out that for the 2000S for example 9501 have been graded by NGC (with 1112 PF70's) and 8927 by PCGS (with 111 PF70's). You add those numbers up, and you get 18428. Now that number (assuming no resubmissions, which I doubt) is less than 1/2 of a percent of the total mintage. Now, what happens if another 1/2 of a percent get graded (I feel human nature what it is, seeing the prices of a PF70) that could happen. And if the same percentage of 70's come out of it, what does that do to the price? I'd be interested in hearing other comments on this subject.
    Anyway, I've rambled on way too long. Thanks for putting with me, and THANKS again Jackson.

  5. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    I'm normally an easy going & mellow guy.
    I had originally planned my next journal article to be a catch-up article. I've gotten my credit card bills a little higher than I should, and I was going to write about some of the ungraded coins I have, and some research I've done on my Mexican Specimen notes.
    But after reading T-Bird47 and Paul Kiraly's journals, I felt I had to say something.
    To T-Bird I'd like to say if you like your set, don't let anyone tell you different.
    To Paul I'd like to say, if that was my set you were making fun of (well-intentioned or not) I'd say in no uncertain terms to go F*** off, and take a flying leap as you do. I feel this forum and journal articles are not the place to make fun of someone else's set.
    I'm sorry if I make anyone angry, but we all spend our hard earned money on coins we like, and who are any of us (myself included) to tell anyone else how to spend their money.
    Pictured is my 2007-S Sac Proof dollar in PF69 Ultra Cameo.

  6. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    In more ways than one!
    A lot has happened in the approximately 2 and 1/2 months since I've written a journal entry.
    The first (and MAJOR) happening is I've really redefined my focus. In case anyone hasn't noticed, I've pulled my Large Cent, Half Eagle, Eisenhower (both proof & Uncirculated), Walking Liberty short set and my Franklin FBL sets off. The main reason for all this is the total of my credit card bills (am I the only one who spends a lot on coins??). I've come to the sad realization there is no way I'm going to complete all of these sets on my income, much less do my Wild West and other signature sets justice. And to my surprise, I've come to love the large cents as much as I do the Franklin Halves. So, I'm back to my basic core of collecting what I really, really like, which will be Morgan Dollars, coins for my Wild West sig set especially, currency and some Mexican and Canadian sets. Also my few yearly mint sets will stay, as I'm tying them into my Wild West set, as I'm toying with the idea of making an exhibit of them in the future.
    After the initial shock of what I had done wore off, I'm really quite happy with my choices, I've upgraded my one Large Silver Certificate from an AU to a CU64 EPQ. I've also picked up another piece of obsolete currency which fits into my Railroad currency sig set. I've also picked up a few coins, one of which is as 1876 Seated Liberty quarter, and I'll attach a picture of it to this article.
    Now for the real help that I need. I'm planning on sending in 4 proof American Silver Eagles and my 2006 American Buffalo Gold on my grading coupon I haven't used yet. How does everyone else send them to NGC. Should I leave them in the mint boxes, or should I just pull out the coin holder and send it. I'm leaning towards just sending the whole box, but I'm hoping all of you will give me suggestions on which is the best. Thanks in advance for your help.

  7. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Bruce Wilmore, I can feel your pain....
    Bruce's journal article really hit home with me. Like Bruce, my collection was really expanding into areas that were getting far afield from my Wild West and related sets.
    Plus, my credit card balances are getting way too high. I need to pay them off, and soon. So, I had to make some hard choices. Right now, the choice that is definitely the hardest, is removing my Large Cent registry set, and a few pieces of my gold. My goal is still the same, namely acquiring the sharpest struck coins in the grade I can afford, but in a lot fewer sets.
    My Wild West & Mexican sig sets are staying, as are my Canadian sets. Also, my Morgans, Buffalo nickels & Indian Head cents, plus my prime Wild West yearly mint sets. Pretty much everything else is going.
    It's going to be a rough year or so for me, but like Bruce, I plan on doing a lot of research, especially on some of my Mexican coins and specimen notes.
    I'm still getting some coins graded, I have a bunch of American Eagles to do, plus a few so-called dollars & mint products.
    As for my research, the first subject will be this nice, gold Mexican medal. For example, I have no clue as to the man pictured on the obverse. I'm attaching the obverse pic with this journal article. Oh, by the way, I bought a new computer table, my old one was causing allergy problems on my arm. The best part about it, my pictures have improved on the sharpness immensely.
    So, on with my tasks, and I sure hope I can get some good journal articles out of all this

  8. 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.

  9. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...8 coins to go for my Franklin FBL set.
    I'm really looking forward to 2008. I've started off with a bang already, as January isn't even over yet. My main goal for the year is to finish my Franklin FBL set. I've 9 empty slots in the set, and I have one coin on the way I won in a Teletrade auction. So that leaves 8 slots to go, I really want to finish the set this year. The downside to this is I decided to not do the Proof Franklins. However, I might buy a 1957 Proof, as I am comtemplating a Franklin signature set. I've admired Franklin for a long time, mainly I suppose because of his contributions to printing. Who can forget Poor Richard's Almanac?? I guess my 19 years in the printing business has a lot to do with this. More on the registry set in future journal articles.
    Another reason for the decision not to do the proofs has to do with my (slight!) downsize of my collecting interests. As of this journal article, I've made the following downsize & focus decisions:
    1. No Franklin Proofs.
    2. No State Quarter Proofs (except the ones for my Wild West signature set.
    3. No 20th Century type set (mainly because there are a few coins needed for this set that I DO NOT like, think Anthony dollars) What coins I do like, I'll buy one of them and put them in my Brian's Beauties Signature set
    4. Finally, and this is the big one, I'm focusing on the sharpest strike, best coins for the grade in what I buy. I noticed when I first started buying, I overpaid for lackluster coins. I've gotten rid of most of them, took my loss and learned my lesson. Where this will really help is my gold sets and coins. See the picture of the gorgeous 1878 Quarter Eagle I'm attaching to this journal.
    I'm also looking forward to some nice currency purchases. I've already bought 3 notes already (sigh!!!) and will write about them over on the currency side. The good part is, I've sold some of my duplicates and what I've downsized to pay for these notes (plus a little extra) so that helps.
    Well, all for now, and I hope everyone has a great year in 2008.

  10. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...Come Watson, the game is afoot.
    Yes, I am a Sherlock Holmes fan. :-)) First, many, MANY thanks to Dean Heard. If you're wanting to take better photos, read his current journal article and check out the website from the link he provides. The site has helped me out, there were at least 3 tips that has made a difference for me.
    As a test, I took my 1857 Half Eagle, and tried some more photos, and the results were amazing (at least to me). I'm going to experiment more, especially on my silver coins and proofs. If things keep going as they are right now, I'll be having new photos to put up soon.
    My two biggest concerns were sharpness and luster. I feel I am making huge strides on the sharpness, and small ones on the luster.
    I realize that my photos will not be professional, auction catalog quality, but I feel they'll show my coins to good advantage. The reason I say this, I consigned some coins to the current Stack's Event internet auction, and their photos are AWESOME!!! But they (I would assume) probably have the professional equipment that I'm not willing to pay for. I have a Pentax Optimo digital cam that I'm really happy with.
    Anyway, I'm posting the obverse of my 1857 Half Eagle that I just took. Please compare it withy the pic in my registry set and see for yourselves. As always, comments and suggestions are really welcome.

  11. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    I didn't know it was going to be this much work.
    Thanks to all who responded to my earlier post today. I've been trying all the suggestions, and checking out the link that was sent to me.
    These photos are almost seeming like work, the good side is I get to look at my coins, and I am learning as I go.
    I'm posting another photo, I think I'm on the right track. (Or is it I'm too picky???)

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...can't believe it's December already.
    Finally, I'm all caught up on images of my coins. I had saved the larger proofs (Ike dollars, Commem dollars etc.) till last because I was getting a lot of camera glare. I finally figured out to stand my little easel more upright, and move it farther away from the camera. I put the camera in Super Macro mode, and then had room to adjust the glare out of the coin. Those mirror surface proofs catch every little bit of glare.
    Another thing I noticed, and it seemed to be just on the Ikes and my Commemorative coins, that the camera will see every little scratch on the holder. It reminded me of a printing axiom I learned a long time ago "the graphic arts cameras see EVERYTHING", and so do digital cams. However, an interesting point about these scratches, I maybe had a dozen or so holders with a lot of visible and not so visible scratches, and all but one were PCGS. Hmmmmm, another selling point for NGC???
    So now I'm caught up till I get some of my submissions back. I also still haven't tried any of my ABN plates yet. Talk about mirror surfaces!!!!!!!! I do love the ABN plates, unfortunately for me, the ones I really wanted went way higher than I could afford. I've decided to wait with my long-promised journal article on them till I can figure out how to get some good images. Anyone who has some ABN plates and have gotten some good images, I'd love to hear any suggestions.
    I do have to scan some of my graded American currency so I can get the images into my registry sets on the currency side of this site. Plus one of my next tasks will be to start doing some research on my Mexican specimen notes.
    I can't believe it's December already, where has this year gone??? I do hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!
    I'm attaching the image of the 1978 proof Ike, it had the fewest scratches, and it came out really good I thought.

  16. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...a big chunk of change when you let the submissions pile up.
    Today was the big day, I sure cleared a space on my collecting central table. But as you can tell from the title, I wish I had did just a few at a time.
    Yes, I have to admit, I usually never do today what I can put off for a month (year?). Today, it cost me big time. I sent out 4 different coin submissions today, and still have 2 currency submissions to get ready so I can mail them Friday (which is my holiday day off since Thanksgiving falls on a normal day off). I'm almost ashamed to say what these 6 submissions orders (plus return postage) are costing me, I just added them up and it came to $794.20.
    But the good news is I will be filling my Canada WW2 specimen halves. That was 6 submissions right there, plus another 9 other Canadian dollars and 1 gold German medal that will fill in some spaces in my Wild West and Railroad signature sets.
    Also, I submitted 5 crossovers, all from one other company. This will cover my 1849 Large Cent plus 3 so-called dollars for my Wild West Signature Set. This is the first time I've submitted crossovers, and I'm very curious to see how they cross over. I think they all should come back at the same grade, but I will admit my grading skills still need work. I'll be chomping at the bit until I get them back.
    Plus another so-called dollar that I put through as an Early Bird, because I wasn't sure which variety it is. Finally 2 proof Franklins and 3 mint state Ikes rounded out the submissions.
    And of course, I wait until Thanksgiving week to send them, I guess that's another price I have to pay for putting things off.
    Todays picture will be one of the Canadian Specimen halves, I had bought 2 sets, one to get graded, and the other to keep as a set in the original mint packaging.
    Since this will probably be my last journal article until after Thanksgiving, I hope everyone has a safe, happy and above all THANKFUL Thanksgiving. I know I sure have a lot to be thankful for.

  17. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...decided how I want to collect.
    Well, since my last journal articles, you've probably noticed several changes. Well, just a few more will be made. Please let me explain.
    Really first I must say a weight has been lifted. I have my collecting goals in focus, and all my hard decisions have been made.
    My collecting goals are: Wild West signature sets first (coins & currency); then Dollars; then my Mexican sets and other signature sets. Plus currency, I do love the ornate engraved notes, both ours and our neighbors to the north and south.
    Now for hard decisions. I'm making registry sets, but have no plans to really push for any number 1 sets. Quite frankly, I can't afford it. However, what the sets will be will be attractive matched sets of coins, be it Mint State, or higher circulated grades such as AU and EF. A lot will depend on the set I'm making, for example my Ike dollar MS set will have higher grades in it than, say, Morgan dollars. That's ok with me. There's such a vast treasure in this hobby, I feel I've hit on what will work for me. What's funny though, is my currency will be where I may not be as forgiving on grade. I think that's from my many years in the printing business. We'll see what happens.
    Another hard decision was downsizing 3 Walking Liberty Halves. I feel the Walking Libs are the most beautiful American silver coin. However, my brother loves them even more than I do, and he's (hopefully, hasn't said 100% yes yet) buying the 3 at my cost. They'll have a nice home, and I'll still be able to see them.
    My 20th century type set coins (with a couple of exceptions) will be sold (8 coins). Also I have a few duplicate Morgans, they also will be sold to raise money for future purchases.
    I'm going to put back my Morgan & Peace Dollar registry sets, and may put back my Canadian Dollar set too. Another thing I learned from all this is not to go too fast, buy the best coin (maybe not the top coin) I can afford, and enjoy the history and the hunt.
    So I'm not looking at all this as an ending, but the beginning of a new collection with a purpose.

  18. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...do the scores take into account both NGC & PCGS or just NGC?
    I read the previous post about the 1989S UC Jefferson Nickel. I will admit right up front I haven't studied how NGC comes up with their point totals, or even have read any instructions on the registry population reports lately.
    So I'm wondering, does NGC take into account just NGC graded coins, or do they add both NGC & PCGS totals??? One reason I ask is because we can put either company's coins in our registry and signature sets.
    I went to the PCGS web site, and found out they have graded 57 1989S Jefferson nickels in PF70DC, which is almost 4 times as many as NGC. Does this make any difference?
    Love to hear some feedback.
    Since we're talking about nickels, a pic of my favorite nickel, the L&C bison proof.

  19. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Can you all stand another image of a Mexican note?
    Thank you Michael for the kind words. I never thought of myself as a great writer, just an Iowa country boy who writes about what I care about. I suppose it's like any job or hobby, if you enjoy what you're doing, things (like writing) are a lot easier to do.
    I guess if I have one fault (at least from a collecting point of view), it's I like too many things, think too many coins and currency are pretty and waiting to be collected. That's what made my decision to pull back all the harder. But I guess it's better to figure this out now, rather than many thousands of dollars later. :-)
    Anyway, here's one more image of a gorgeous Mexican note. The monument vignette is so clear and sharp, it looks like we're there.

  20. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...a direction change to follow my heart
    I'm finishing up a week's vacation from work, and during this time, I've been doing some serious thinking about where I'm going and where I've been with my collecting interests.
    Some of you may have noticed I've deleted several of my sets, namely all my year mint sets except for 1953 and my Ike circulation strike set.
    The big reason for all of this is cash (or lack of it). To even have a hope of completing some of the yearly mint sets, I'd have to spend a lot for the gold. While I like gold, I don't want to get in so deep that I'm worrying more about where the money is going to come from rather than the history of the coins.
    History is also a key word. I love looking at my Mexican currency and wondering who some of the people are pictured on the notes. I look at some of the building and monument vignettes and wonder what the monuments commemorate, and what the buildings are.
    I have the same feelings for the coins. I love the state quarters for exactly this reason, I look at the Illinois state quarter and think about Lincoln and his monumental contributions to our great country. I look at the New Jersey quarter, and think of the sufferings Washington and the Continental Army endured to win our independence. I could go on and on, but I think you all get my point.
    Some of my registry sets will remain, as they fit in with my Wild West theme, Indian Head cents and Buffalo Nickels are 2 prime examples.
    I'm going to add one more signature set; it will be a collection of beautiful gold and silver coins (only criteria will be if I think they're beautiful) but they will not fit into a historical theme.
    I truly love this hobby and I feel now I have direction to form a nice, quality collection of what I can afford. The main purpose will be to satisfy my love of coins, currency and history.
    I'm attaching an image of a nice $5 gold piece. Wonder if Doc or Wyatt or Billy carried this coin in a pocket?

  21. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    A bad day turned into a good day...
    I'm really surprised I'm writing this journal article so soon. Yesterday started out to be a very bad day, as I finally had my dental work (surgery) done. Fortunately, I had no problems, at least not yet, and the oral surgeon was happy, as he had no problems. So I returned home sore and kind of down in the dumps. But when I arrived home, I had Four, yes 4, packages of coins waiting for me. :-) Plus, I felt good enough last night to watch 6 auctions on David Lawrence, each of the auctions was for a piece of Mexican currency I want to add to my "Raising Dust For Mexico Currency Edition". I'll write more about those over in the Notes section.
    For now, I'll tell about what I received coin wise. One coin was a 1945-S Walking Liberty half I added to my 1945 Mint Set. It's a nice MS-65, lustrous and no toning (just the way I like them). I've got the pictures taken of it, hopefully I'll be adding the images in the next day or two, as I took the whole week off because I didn't know how I'd be feeling to go back to work.
    I also straight purchased an 1845 Large Cent from David Lawrence. I thought I had lost it on auction, but got an email saying I could buy it for $345. So I took the deal, and I'm glad I did. I have the pictures ready for it, so will be adding them to my set listing.
    Then from Teletrade I bought a 1987 Proof Dollar, and 4 Mexican coins total, a peso, two 5-Pesos and a gold Medal. The gold medal was the most expensive, but I think it's well worth it. Pictures will be forthcoming for these also.
    The only downside is I've pretty much shot my coin budget for the year, and it's not November (quite) yet. And there's a Stack's auction coming up that I have a bunch of lot watches in. So we'll see how it goes. I'm going to attach the obverse of the Large Cent here, and put both images in my set.

  22. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Silver Buffaloes...are sure pretty!
    The only silver Buffaloes I know of are the Uncirculated and Proof versions from 2001. I've attached a pic, Mtn Poet, to make sure I'm refering to the same coins you are. If I am, I think these 2 coins are gorgeous, especially the proof version.

  23. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...Replies to Prdola & MRaitt
    I've been reading the journal articles, and wanted to make some general comments.
    First one concerns Prdola's journal entry about the Jamestown commemorative. I think you have a nice coin Prdola, and was glad to see you bought it for less than what the Mint asks for it. If you like it, and since you got a good deal on it, you should really enjoy the coin, whether the rest of us like the coin or not. I do like the coin myself, but I'm reminded of a piece of advice I received 30+ years ago from a gentleman who has become a very good friend of mine. It was in the summer of 1976 when I stopped in his antique shop, to look for railroad items (another of my collecting interests). I had been working in the printing business for over a year, and finally had a little disposable income to spend. He showed me a selection of railroad items, and before I made up my mind, he asked me if he could offer me one suggestion before I decided. Since I was a newbie to the railroad collectibles, I said yes. He said "before I made up my mind to purchase anything, or to purchase anything for that matter, to decide whether there was anything there that I could buy and enjoy for the next 30 years!" Well, that advice made sense to me, and I wound up purchasing an Adobe pattern cup & saucer. The cup & saucer was my first china purchase, and I still have it in my collection, 31 years later. So I guess Mr. Prdola, I think you made a good purchase, and I'm happy that you enjoy it!! :-)
    Now my second comment, to MRaitt, who asked what collection software we use, I happen to use a program called Exact Change. I really like this program, and I've tried about 5 or 6 different ones, it seems all of them have good points and bad points, but I feel, for me at least, that Exact Change works the best. Anyone who is interested, message me and I can give you more details.
    So that's it for now I guess. I hope everyone is having a good September, and finding good coin deals. I've bought a few gold pieces and a very sharply struck 1899 Liberty nickel, I"ll post some pictures in a few days. But for today, I'll add a pic of my 1851 gold dollar.

  24. 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.

  25. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...Do I keep or sell my satin finish state quarters?
    I had planned to write about the American Bank Note plates that Stack's have been offering in my next journal article. But tonight I added some more coins and edited my Wild West Signature Set, and that got me to thinking about my satin finish state quarters.
    It seems redundant to me to have the normal finish state quarters, plus the satin finish coins, plus the proofs of the state quarters. I'm using the proofs in my signature set, so now I'm debating with myself. Do I keep the satin finishes, or do I sell them?
    I do like the looks of them, but on the other hand, they started in 2005, so the earlier quarters (for example Texas and Louisiana) do not have the satin finishes.
    So I guess this is a plea for some feedback from the rest of the members here. WHAT DO I DO??
    I'm going to attach a pic of the Kansas satin finish.