Original 1888 Complete Proof Set... 1 1

[Henri Charriere]

Playing out quietly in real time as I write this is an auction at Great Collections that has been ongoing since the first bid, for one dollar, was placed nearly two months ago on March 20, 2023. The current bid, the 79th, is $505,000.  The initial bid was $1.00. The next acceptable bid must meet or exceed the current bid by $10,000 or more. So why all the hoopla?

For one, GC has described this lot in unusually glowing terms: "One of the most extraordinary sets of coins we have had the pleasure to handle.... certainly the only remaining set in private hands."  It includes All Gold Coins as well as a "Vintage Custom Case from Time of Issue,"13 coins in all. (A photo accompanies the text.)

If an interested member can provide a link to the site I believe it would be of great interest to the membership at large regardless of principal area of specialization.

Edited May 20, 2023 by Henri Charriere
To include additional descriptions

[RWB]

If originally purchased as a complete gold-silver-minor set in 1888 or January 1889, it might be possible to identify/verify the first owner. We are on the edge of having enough digitized and transcribed data to make a reasoned attempt.

[MorganMan]

Wow. Those are some beautiful coins. 

Out of my price range by a good bit.

[rrantique]

https://www.greatcollections.com/Coin/1344483/Original-1888-Complete-Proof-Set-Including-All-Gold-Graded-by-PCGSCAC-Ex-John-Robert-Fletcher-13-Coins-with-Vintage-Custom-Case-from-Time-of-Issue

[Henri Charriere]

On 5/19/2023 at 11:31 PM, rrantique said:

https://www.greatcollections.com/Coin/1344483/Original-1888-Complete-Proof-Set-Including-All-Gold-Graded-by-PCGSCAC-Ex-John-Robert-Fletcher-13-Coins-with-Vintage-Custom-Case-from-Time-of-Issue

Muchos gracias!, as the migrants say up here in New York, the sanctuary city.  🤣  

There is an important lesson to be learned by anyone new to the hobby:  Set your sights high and bide your time. Be patient! Don't expect to get rich quickly. Do the very best you can within your means.

[J P M]

wow

[RWB]

Such sets sold for a few dollars premium until the mid-1950s.

Edited May 20, 2023 by RWB