1870 CC Half Dollar Story......

[thebeav]

Hi Folks,

I have just seen a few posts in relation to the 1870 Carson City date and I thought I 'd share an old story......

I opened my shop in 1979, the metals hype at the time convinced me. Probably a few months in, I bought a deal that included a seated half. The coin was bent over in two, like a clam. It was quickly tossed in the cull box. (Things were pretty busy in 1979 and items like this didn't command a second look). Time marches on, and on a quiet afternoon, I start looking through the junk. Here's that half.......I start looking at it and can make out the 'CC' mint mark. Here's the date, 1870......Wow ! I'm thinking.

If only it wasn't folded over like a clam. Out came a screwdriver and a hammer and I beat that sucker back into a coin......The ugly thing went back in the box........

A good friend and I decide to attend the ANA not long after, 1982 in Boston. While cruising the floor, I meet Kamal Ahwash, God rest his soul. At the time, he was the seated liberty go-to guy. I mention this coin and he's interested. OK, I make notes and end up shipping him the coin. He calls me shortly thereafter, explaining that it was a bent-up coin and hammered into submission. I tell him that 'I know'.....He explains that he would have customers and offers me 300 bucks !!!

It's like I bent over in the parking lot and found 3 'C' notes......I say, "Of, course".....He passed away from cancer shortly thereafter, but it was the dealer base of people like him, that made it possible for someone like myself to have carved a career out of numismatics. (reference the Jay Cline post).

 

Paul

 

[MarkFeld]

I considered Kam Ahwash a friend and a mentor. What a kind and gracious man he was.

[cpm9ball]

Thanks for the story, Paul. It's always nice to remember someone close to you.

 

Chris

 

 

[thebeav]

What a kind and gracious man he was.

 

He sure was. Always quick to share his knowledge.

 

Paul