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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
    ...and it's not my two front teeth. Or, a multi-dimensional Wild West Signature Set.
    This journal entry will have several thoughts about my Wild West Signature Set. Where it's been, where I want it to go, and pleas to the NGC people who oversee the registries.The main thought I've been having has been germinating since late summer, and auctions from ANR (now Stacks since they've merged) have been the impetus. Several auctions late last summer and fall, as well as their current auction has had numerous items that REALLY, REALLY fit in with what I'm trying to do. The first batch of lots were items from the American Bank Note archives. I wanted one lot so bad, the lot was a printing plate showing an Indian hunting buffalo, and as anyone who has looked at me set will attest, such an item would fit right in with what I'm trying to accomplish. Alas, it went for more than my credit limit, so I had to settle for another lot featuring a civil war soldier and the steamship Iowa.So my main wish is to somehow be able to include such items in my Signature Set. Frankly, and honestly, I don't know how this would be accomplished, but I sure wish it would. :-) Along this same line, currency also would be something I would love to be able to include in my set. I believe I have mentioned this before, but a Chief large sized Silver Certificate and a "Buffalo Bill" would be awesome additions to my set.Another wish is to be able to include stamps. Yes, I also collect stamps, my mother and I used to collect together. Now she is older, and has lost some interest, so she told me I could take her collection and integrate it with mine, to make one nice set from 2 so-so sets. During the last few weeks, I've been looking through our stamps, and have been surprised at how many stamps that feature Wild West subjects there are. For example, there are at least 2 stamps comemmorating the Pony Express, how much more Old West can you get? So, my question to NGC is: Any plans to at least authenticate (and I don't have problems with grading also) stamps at a reasonable cost, so I could add them to my set? I do know a competitor has a stamp division, I doubt if I use them as their prices are pretty much out of my range for what the stamps I want to add are worth.I guess what I'm asking for is a multi-faceted (multi-dimensional, multi-media, pick your descriptive term) to at least signature sets.Another thought has been; I guess I agree with some recent journal articles about being able to add at least ANACS graded coins to our sets. While I use NGC for 99% of my grading needs, sometimes I see a coin (more likely a so-called dollar) in auction that is graded by ANACS. I do believe in buying the coin and not the holder, so it would be nice to be able to buy an ANACS graded coin every so often, and be able to use it in my set. For example, one of my coins in the Wild West set is HK-283. It's an 1898 Medal from the Trans-Mississippi Expo in Omaha. I'd sure like to be able to use it in my set without getting it crossed over. Yes I could crossover, but that seems like a waste of good money to me, money I could use to buy other coins. My feeling on all the collectibles I collect is: if I see a coin (or stamp, or railroad china that I need) that meets my eye approval, I'll buy it without regard to the holder (within reason), as we never know when we might see one again.Well, I think I better stop here before I write a book rather than just a journal article. :-) I'll leave with a picture of the HK-283 medal, this is the reverse, and this is why it fits into my set.1898HK283r
  2. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...I keep learning.
    I had said a couple of journals ago that I had a series of 3 journal entries to write. This is the third, but now I've decide to make it four.
    I'm still working on taking pictures of my coins. I'm finding out what needs to be done on different series of coins. For example, I'm learning that my Franklin FBL halves and Morgan dollars need a different approach than say a satin finished coin.
    But I keep listening, learning and experimenting, and hopefully when it's all said & done, will have a nice photo gallery. Now I have to go and try something that I picked up today about exposure and f-stops that I heard about today.
    Also proofs have been giving me a little trouble, but I did get nice pics of my Jamestown dollar. I've attached the obverse to this journal entry.

  3. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...please think about my reasons.
    This is the second journal article of three I've been meaning to write.
    The main topic I want to address is something that had been discussed a few months ago. The topic is letting ANACS & ICG graded coins into registry sets. I guess I agree with the journal writer who made the point of not letting all of the companies in the competitive sets. I wish to offer a compromise, I'd sure like to see ANACS & ICG allowed in our Signature Sets. A couple of reasons why I feel this way; first, these are non-competitive sets, I see no reason why ANACS or ICG graded coins would hurt. While I personally get the bulk of my coins graded by NCG when I have to pay for it, I do subscribe to the idea of buying the coin & not the holder for coins I buy, especially for my Wild West set. For example, I have 2 So-Called Dollars that are graded by ANACS, when I first saw them, they were the only ones I had seen, graded by anyone. Now, I know NCG (and PCGS, and ANACS etc.) would like me to resubmit and get the coins graded by them. But I hope everyone understands that I don't really care to spend the money that could go to more coins, just to resubmit so I can put them in my set. Secondly, since the signature sets are non-competitive, I don't feel I'm hurting anyone by including them. I could understand on the competitive sets, maybe those should be held to a little higher standard.
    I know this journal will probably cause replies, and that's good because a free exchange of ideas is great.
    I've attached a pic of one of them here, so everyone can see what I'm talking about when I say I think these are graded accurately enough for a signature set.

  4. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...even learned a few more things.
    I'm slowly plugging away at imaging all my coins. It certainly has been a learning experience for me.
    For instance, one thing I've learned is copper and bronze coins seem to photograph better if I set my white balance manually, then place the coin on a piece of 18% gray sheet, rather than a white sheet of paper, before I take the picture. Silver on the other hand, seems to work better on the white sheet.
    Another thing, I've noticed (and I hate to say it like this) is, it seems like I'm having an easier time with coins in PCGS holders. Example, I have a 1909 VDB Lincoln Cent graded by NGC in my "Just My Types" type set. Well, the white plastic insert that holds the coin is thicker than the cent, so the cent is recessed in the hole. That plays hell with my light source, it can't cover the edges well enough. Yes, I could go out and buy top dollar photo lights, but that takes away from my coin money. And it seems like most of the lower denomination (cents, nickels, dimes) and even Sac dollars have a thicker insert. So please NGC, can we do something about the inserts??? I imagine it's an economic thing, but I guess I can ask and dream!!!
    On the same note, I have a few ungraded coins, most of them are not worth the certification fees, that I put in AirTite holders. Boy do they photograph easy!!!!!!!!! I've attached a Mexican coin to this journal so you can all see the difference. Compare it to my 1909 VDB in my type set.
    All for tonight, however, I will be writing at least 2 more journal articles in the next few days. I've been away too long, and I'm hoping to get caught up.
    [attachment=:name]
  5. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...the manual's can have small type can't they???
    After reading Bruce's journal article, made me want to write another article myself. I can sympathize with him, as the manual to my digital camera has very small print also. And my 53 year old eyes can't see as well anymore either. But I picked up a tip out of mine the other day, on how to use the white balance control better.
    As proof to this, I submit the following pic of the Uncirculated San Francisco Mint commemorative I received today that I bought on Teletrade. It's MS70 and it's lovely, I hope my picture does it justice. And don't I love the Morgan dollar reverse on it. I still like Morgan's eagle.
    [attachment=:name]
  6. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...finally figured out the tint and more.
    At last, I feel like I'm getting there in regards to my pictures. The big thing I learned was: the green tint was not coming from my ceiling, but from the light source, and how I was positioning the coin. I tried the different white balance settings on my cam, and found the automatic was probably the best for my light source and how I position the coin. At least for right now anyway.
    Silver coins are still picking up a little more, but I'm confident I can get very adequate pictures now. I may still have a little tint in them, but it all boils down to money. I could buy some good photo light sources, I looked at some on eBay and they were more than I wanted to pay. So I thought, do I want to buy the lights, or put that money to more coins and make due with what I have now that I know how to overcome the bulk of the tint. Well, you all can probably imagine my choice. I'd rather have a 90% good picture and not buy the lights, so I can put more money to coins.
    I also found out that possibly the holders have a slight impact on it. A while back (November I guess) I bought a Mexican 1903 peso at a local coin show. Rather than get it graded right now, I put it in an Airtite holder. There is a story behind why I like the pesos, I'll leave it for another journal article if anyone is interested. Anyway, I popped it out of the holder, and it came out really well I thought. I'm attaching a pic of the peso so you can see my photo progress.
    Anyway, now I'll be adding more pics to my sets as I get some taken.
    [attachment=:name]
  7. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...the next journal article will share my final decision, plus a few general thoughts about the photos.
    First, I want to thank everyone who has responded to my pictures. I truly appreciate all the comments and suggestions. What really is touching to me, is all of you taking the time to look, make suggestions and offer comments. I do thank all of you.
    Tonight I'm carrying out my final experiment. Mike Cooper had shared some suggestions on lighting with me yesterday, so I went out to the hardware store late this afternoon after a work meeting, and bought a little lamp and a GE Reveal bulb. I've noticed with it that the best setting on my camera for this light is the Tungsten setting, however to me it has a bluish tint. Now, I can live with the bluish tint a lot better than the green I was getting. Anyway, I took a pic of a copper (bronze?) so-called dollar from my Wild West set, and am sharing it with this journal article. Now I'm going to get back to the camera, and decide on the best settings, and then get to work photographing my coins.
    Again, thanks to all who emailed me and everything.
    Bammer

  8. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Or here's another pic for your viewing pleasure.
    Same Ike dollar, only this time I used the overhead flourescent, with more daylight bulbs. I set the Whitness to Tungsten light. It has a bluish tint, but I almost think that looks attractive, especially on a silver coin. What do you all think?

  9. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Or more trials & tribulations...
    ...or maybe it's not as simple as it looks. I'm still working with my digital cam, trying to get pictures to show my coins to their best advantage. In a previous journal entry, I wrote I thought I was getting the green tint on my photos from the ceiling boards here in my basement where collecting central is located. Earlier this afternoon, my brother came in to help me put some white contact paper on the ceiling boards. Well, guess what, yes, I'm still getting some tint.
    So my brother, who has done some film photography when he was younger, thought it could be my flourescent light source. So we switched some bulbs around in the light fixtures, and then tried the digital cam on different white balance settings. Right now, I'd have to say he's more on target with his theory about lighting being the bigger problem than the ceiling boards, as he pointed out the light bounces off the bar where I'm taking the pics a lot more than the ceiling.
    So we put some white paper down on the bar, and now I'm experimenting with lighting and white balance settings. I'm attaching an image of an Ike dollar to this journal entry. The lighting was a small flourescent lamp, with the white balance set to flourescent light. As always, any comments would be appreciated. I feel like I should add if my photos are captured, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of my actions. :-) (Yes, you'd be right, I've been watching Season One of Mission Impossible TV series on DVD.)

  10. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Better photos but less sets???
    Like Jackson, I've been reading a lot the past month or two. Plus, I've been trying to think out my collecting interests better, trying to get rid of the green tint in some of my photos, but I have bought a few coins.
    Back in March, there was a coin show in Muscatine, Iowa, which is about an hour and 45 minutes away from me. So with my brother, we drove up to Muscatine on a sunny, cool Sunday. My brother is trying to put together a lower grade Walking Liberty set, and I was looking for 2 coins; one was an 1849 Large Cent (since the first one I bought last November came back obverse improperly cleaned) and a 1973 Silver Ike proof to replace one I had bought that I didn't like once I received it. Well, I found both of them, I'm hoping the Large Cent comes back graded this time.
    So the cleaning leads into one of the areas I'm trying to learn more about by reading, how to tell if a coin has been cleaned. I have learned a little, I'm hoping to learn even more. Jackson, I've read through the same Bowers book you're reading, and enjoyed it. I need to go back and read it again, to follow through some of his points better. When my brother returns it, I'm hoping to do it.
    I'm also thinking through how I want to proceed with my Wild West Signature Set. In case some of you have wondered why I've left it so short of coins, this is why. Part of the reason is purely financial, I've come to the sad conclusion that I'll never have the financial wherewithal to put together a lot of top grade sets, that have a chance to compete for any registry awards. So I've already cut out my Indian Head cent set. Right now, I'm planning to the same with the Indian Heads as my brother is with his Walking Liberty halves, namely to put together a nice circulated set, say Fine to Extremely Fine. Another reason is even though the Indian Heads fit in with my Western theme, I realized I'm still a dollar man, and I do want to do more with my Morgan and Trade Dollar sets.
    Finally, I'm working on my photos. I love the new digital camera I purchased late last year. But my big stumbling block so far is picking up a green tint from my basement ceiling. Today I had a day off (Mondays are sure good days to have off) so I went up to Burlington and the local camera store, and came back with a dome to photograph under, and a different type of bulb that is supposed to be almost like natural light. I have to get a fixture for the bulb, I'll see if my brother has any left over from when he was doing a lot of film photography. However, I was experimenting with different light sources today, also the dome, and came up with a couple pics that I think are better. I'm putting one with this journal, I'd appreciate any feedback on how much green tint you see. Please message me with your thoughts. Thanks

  11. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    I try to confine myself also, unless I need to vent.
    I also agree with Jackson, I really try to be mellow and confine myself to my trials and high points with my Wild West set. But sometimes I do feel the need to speak out on other topics, and I do want to thank everyone for letting us all have our own point of views. In case everyone hasn't noticed, sometimes I read a journal article, feel the need to respond, and then go on to the next article, that's what's happening today.
    Another picture for everyone who puts up with my rambling. :-)
     
    1961HK589o
  12. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Re: Sparks & Slabs, and I've had experience with the sports card industy.
    I must state right up front that my ideas run contrary to what looks like the majority opinion here. I agree with Silver Dollar, as I too am getting tired of people wanting me to practically give them the coin when I'm trying to sell it. It's the same way in the sports card industry now, if a card lists for $20, most "collectors" want to pay maybe $2 or $3. Now I'm all for getting a bargain, but not a steal of a deal. But to be fair, I think this runs along a wide range of collectibles, not just coins and sports cards.
    While I agree that PCGS and NGC are the top 2 grading companies, I don't know if I'm in total agreement that PCGS coins are worth so much more. Sometimes I think this is a clever marketing ploy based more on hype than fact. I do believe in the adage to "buy the coin and not the holder". Now, I do wish someone would explain to me, and possibly show me, why a PCGS graded Morgan dollar for example graded MS-66, is worth multiple times what the same dollar graded by NGC MS-66 is worth. Can we really see the difference between the 2 coins in the bulk of the coins graded. Sure there are always going to be some mistakes graded MS-66 that would be worth less, but as you can probably tell by now, I'm not totally convinced that PCGS is that much better
    Well, I guess I better quit while I'm still ahead, and I appreciate you all letting me blow off some steam. :-)
    I'll add a picture to make up for my rambling. :-)
     
    1972SIkeMS
  13. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Or an informal survey.
    After I posted my previous journal article, I got to thinking and wondering. I'm curious about how many Collector's Society members also collect stamps, besides me? If you do, drop me a line, maybe if there is enough interest, it might move NGC to try some new things. I'm posting a picture showing 3 of my Wild West topical stamps.
    3WestStamp
  14. 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.
  15. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Didn't expect my Journal Award!
    I was extremely surprised, and VERY flattered, when I noticed I received a 2006 Journal Award. I hope everyone understands that my journal articles were easy to write, without thought of winning an award. My Wild West signature set and collection is so enjoyable, the articles practically wrote themselves. When a person enjoyes what he's doing, things always seem easier. I think the hard part will be trying to keep the quality in my journal writings (musings???) this year.
    I do appreciate the fact that someone else thought my journal articles were (are?) good enough for the award. Thank you.
    So since I'm putting in my 2 cents worth when I write, let's show my 2 cent piece. :-)
     
    1869TwoCen
  16. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    ...that NGC has taken this long on my submission.
    I went to a small local coin show on November 4th. (see my journal article "A Nice Afternoon For A Coin Show") I sent the coins for grading on the 6th, the Monday after the show, and NGC received them on the 9th. Well, that's been 32 working days now, not counting the day they received the coins, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. They are still marked as received!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    I guess I've been spoiled, as on every other submission I've sent, NGC has been very prompt. In fact, I sent 7 coins to be graded on the modern tier of service 2 weeks later, and they've been back for a good 10 days.
    I guess what really bugs me about the whole affair is their turnaround estimates have said 31 days for economy ever since they have received the coins. If they are this far behind, WHY CAN'T THEY CHANGE their estimated service time? It would have made me feel better.
    Thanks for letting me vent. NGC, any comments???
  17. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    after these words from it's sponsor...
    ...yes, I probably watched too much tv when I was younger. :-)
    However, since I am the major (and only) sponsor of my Wild, Wild West signature set, I've decided to do some changes. I've been mulling this over for the last few months, and finally decided it was time.
    For the last few months, I've had this feeling that my set was getting bulky and hard to handle. And I think also hard for anyone who looks at it to navigate through all the coins. So I'll be making some changes, hopefully for the better. The big change is the number of coins I'm using for the year type sets, and also to a lesser extent, the mint marks.
    So, I've decided to use more years, to correspond with major events in the west, but still retaining the five years I originally had in the set. For example, the first 2 coins will be a half cent and large cent, both from 1849, the gold rush year.
    Also, I'm going to try (budget permitting) to work in more CC dates. The impetus for this idea came from an article in the "Numismatic News" I received last week about the Carson City collectors club.
    Another change will be just using the Clad proofs of the state quarters. I had put in both Clad proofs and satin finishes (where applicatble). While I will still be collecting the satin finishes, they will not be included in my set. I got feeling they were redundant.
    So, I can't wait to start, and I also can't wait for NGC to get my submission out of received and into grading, so i can get my 1849 large cent returned. :-)
    As always, I'm eager to hear any suggestions or comments from other members, both good and bad.
    And, as always, this message may or may not self destruct in 5 seconds. So I will wish myself good luck Jim (Bammer). :-)
     
    1881SMorga
  18. 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.
  19. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Ceiling color makes a difference...
    ...on the quality of the image. I have all my coins and my computer in the basement (finished), which keeps family harmony. The ceiling board in the basement is a light off green color. And it sure shows up in the pictures, especially on the silver coins which have a lot of luster.
    What's funny is, it took me about 3 days to figure this out. On Sunday, I finally took some time away, did some other hobby interests, and while I was doing them, I happened to look up, and suddenly it HIT me. The lights on directly attached to the ceiling, and the coins were catching the reflection.
    I guess we all live and learn, and I guess 3 days isn't that long to have the bulb of inpiration turn on. :-)
    I'm including a pic of the obverse of the same 1877-S Trade dollar as I attached before, please let me know how much difference you see.
    1877STrade
  21. 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
  22. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Should I go on the warpath to purchase some of these for my Wild, Wild West Signature Set?
    While browsing a few of my favorite coin web sites, I've come across coins (comparable I guess to our commemorative coins) put out by the Shawnee and Poarch Creek Indians. As you all can imagine, these coins arouse my curiousity, and the Shawnee coins especially would fit in wonderfully with my Wild, Wild West signature set.
    Now, since my coin budget is limited, I have questions. Can these coins be classed with modern US commemoratives (for example the Bison commemorative, the Lewis & Clark commemoratives etc.)??
    Will NGC grade these coins?
    Any input from any of you would be much appreciated.
  23. 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. :-)
     
  24. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    Doubled or Overdate???
    First let me say that I do not consider myself the world's greatest coin expert, especially for Roosevelt dimes. When I looked at the 1942 dime picture, my first impression was it was just a doubled strike, rather than an overdate. Now, I'll admit that maybe my reading of the definitions were not understood correctly. I thought an overdate was caused by a date punch (in this case 1942) over the previous date (1941 or over the current 1942).
    I do think that it's not a normal strike. So Michael, I guess I'm not really helping in determining what it is am I? :-)
    Also, any photo tips Mike you'd want to email me would be appreciated. I've got what I consider an adequate digital camera, but I think it's my lighting that is affecting my photos.
  25. Iowa Silver Baron Bammer
    A MPC? from WW2
    I hope everyone doesn't mind another collector who is missing his dad on father's day. Dad's been gone 26 years this December, but sometimes I can feel him still with me. I've told about the 1900-O Morgan that I have now, that he saved. I asked mom a couple of weeks ago if she knew why he would have kept that particular date, and she couldn't think of any reason. Maybe the reason is when I look at it, I think of him.
    I know back when I was a kid (grade school and junior high) Dad would take me into town (a small town) for the local coin club meetings. (There isn't one any more in town, maybe I should think about starting it again.) Anyway, they trusted me at that age, and for that I'll always be grateful.
    Dad was main reason I started my WW2 Signature Set. I was looking through some of my currency earlier this evening, and found what I think are some MPC's that he brought back. So tonight I'll use the front of a 10 franc note for your viewing pleasure.
    I love and miss you Dad!
    P.S. If anyone could give me any more information on the note, I'd be grateful.
    10francf.j