Brad Karoleff wrote:
It is time to decide the coins we
would like to study at this year's EAC/JRCS meeting in Colorado Springs. We nominate a die marriage from each of the series
to study in the "happening room". We also need volunteers to
help man the tables there during the open house. Those who are
volunteering will have a larger say in the die marriage that will be studied
for their favorite series.
Please make suggestions ASAP to me
at bkaroleff(at)yahoo.com
Glenn Peterson will provide a
summary of the suggestions so far.
Notably, we lack suggestions for dimes.
We will have to decide quickly as
the convention is coming soon: April 30-
March 4! The convention will be at the Doubletree Colorado Springs.
You can reach the hotel at 719-576-8900. Be sure to mention the EAC
convention to receive the convention rate. I am sure there will be time
to visit the ANA headquarters close by for an interesting side trip.
There will also be many educational presentations there to increase your
numismatic knowledge. EAC also sponsors a members-only auction of
interesting copper coins that will sell on Saturday evening. The bourse
will also contain many interesting coins that are not available at just any
convention. The bourse will remind you of a 1950's atmosphere with fewer
tables than you are used to and a LOT less plastic! There will be more
time for conversation and education than you will find at a typical commercial
show. We look forward to seeing you there!
Brad Karoleff
--
Glenn Peterson wrote:
Suggestions for coins to study during the EAC-JRCS Show
include the following:
Half Dimes: 1829
LM-18
Dimes: No suggestions
yet
Quarters: 1818 B-9
Halves: 1814 O-106
and 1828 O-101
Additional input, especially on dime die marriages for
study, is welcome!
Glenn Peterson
------
Richard Meaney wrote:
I have had a week to reflect upon the 2014 FUN
Show. My perspective at this show was
almost entirely from that of someone on the dealer side of the table. I worked for Rich Uhrich Rare Coins and W.
David Perkins, Professional Numismatist during the show. I had worked for Rich Uhrich previously (last
year's FUN and ANA
shows), but this was my first opportunity to work for Dave Perkins. Working with both gentlemen was a great
experience.
With Rich Uhrich, I got to interact with collectors seeking
all sorts of coins: Seated coins of all denominations, Bust coins of all
denominations, GSA Morgan dollars, colorful Peace dollars, and even a 1913
nickel (you will have to ask Rich Uhrich about that coin in his case). Most of my knowledge revolves around Bust
coins, specifically Capped Bust Half Dimes.
Working with Rich helps me to expand my knowledge and interest with the
other series. I found Rich's table to be
very busy with collector and dealer traffic on both the buy and sell side. I recall one time where it seemed that Rich
was continually writing checks for what seemed like half a day. Coin dealers like to buy coins, just like we
collectors do.
I was working with Dave Perkins specifically to assist him
with the sale of a consignment of Capped Bust Half Dimes. Dave had a fixed price list of some thirty or
so coins and a sealed bid auction of twenty four half dimes (all Capped Bust
except for one Flowing Hair). Sharing my
knowledge and enthusiasm for my specialty was a real treat. I especially enjoyed sitting with fellow
specialists and examining every single lot in the sealed bid auction. I guess I never tire of taking beautiful,
rare half dimes out of the case and discussing them with fellow
enthusiasts.
There were some really rare coins in the sealed bid auction,
such as an 1832 LM-9.1 (R6), 1833 LM-2 (R6), 1836 LM-1.1 (R5, but nearly
impossible in AU or better, which this one was), and 1837 LM-3 (R5, but this
one was in the almost unheard of grade of AU50). Rather than go into any significant detail
about these coins, I will share my thoughts on just one of the coins up for
auction. Dave had an 1835 LM-4 in a PCGS
62 holder with a CAC sticker. Ordinarily, this is just an R3 die
marriage. However, this coin had a cud
over UNI.
What made this coin very special is not the rarity of the cud (it may be
only an R5 with the cud), but the QUALITY of the cud. The coin looked like it had just been minted. The cud looked so freshly made and full that
it almost appeared that someone had spilled a drop of silver solder on the
coin. I have never seen a cud that was
so perfect. Truly, it was one of those
coins that you had to see to believe.
Many of the people that viewed the coin who HAD NOT planned on bidding
on it beforehand could not help but put in a bid once they saw the absolute
beauty of the coin and the cud. All in,
this "not too rare" coin sold for more than $2,300 to a bidder who
is, no doubt, grinning from ear to ear about owning this beautiful half dime.
Summary? I had a
blast at the show interacting with dealers and collectors. I look forward to what I hope is the second
half of the Perkins half dime consignment that should be offered at the Chicago
ANA.
Over the course of the next two to three weeks, I will be working on a
more extensive article for the John Reich Journal concerning my experience with
the sealed bid auction at the 2014 FUN Show.
Richard Meaney
