Sunday, December 18, 2016

JR Newsletter: 18 December 2016 (324)




Our contributions for the week come from David Perkins and Sheridan Downey.

First, from David Perkins:


I spent a few enjoyable hours last weekend looking through the Newman Numismatic Portal (NNP).  I’ve collected M. H. Bolender auction sale catalogs for a decade or two.  The NNP now has a long run of these sale catalogs scanned and online, from 1925 to 1960.  The 1925 through early 1928 catalogs were printed in a small size format.  The September 1928 catalogs and later were approximately the size of our John Reich Journal.  At one point in the 1950s Bolender went back to the small format for these catalogs.

Milferd H. Bolender was a dealer and was originally from Freeport, Illinois.  He eventually retired to San Marino, California.  Bolender was the author of THE UNITED STATES EARLY SILVER DOLLARS FROM 1794 TO 1803; the first edition of this book was published in 1950.  This book essentially updated and replaced the Haseltine Type Table sale (1881) as the primary reference for the early dollars.

As I paged through a fair number of the catalogs, I noted that the early U.S. silver dollars 1794 to 1804 were cataloged using Haseltine numbers from 1925 to 1949 or so, then Bolender numbers from 1950 on.  It was fun to see half dollars attributed by both Haseltine and later Beistle numbers, and half dimes with Newlin numbers!  As might be expected, early quarters and dimes seemed to appear much less frequently in these sales than the half dimes, half dollars, and early dollars 1794-1803.

Bolender’s sales offered a wide assortment of lots, including U.S., foreign, and ancient coins, currency, Colonials, tokens, medals, and Numismatic Literature.

What amazed me the most was that by 1959 Bolender stated he had over 16,000 names and addresses on his mailing list.  By 1960 this number was over 20,000!  I can only imagine the efforts and cost that went into printing the catalogs, typing the name and address, inserting the catalogs into envelopes, and mailing all of these in the 1955-1965 time frame!

I have a number of Bolender sale catalogs in the original mailing envelopes that I purchased years ago from Numismatic Literature dealer Charles Davis.  I’ve attached a photo of the mailing envelope for the June 14, 1944 Bolender 159th Sale.  Note that the address appears to be typed on the envelope, and Bolender had a postage permit (coincidently No. 159).  I especially got a kick out of the “DATED SALE CATALOG / USELESS IF DELAYED” above the return address on the top left of the envelope!

W. David Perkins
Centennial, CO


------
Sheridan Downey wrote:


I just finished cataloging the lots for my upcoming FUN Show Sale, Mail Bid Sale No.44.  The sale will close Thursday Jan. 5, 2017 at 6 PM EST, during the FUN Show in Ft. Lauderdale.  It's been a long while since I so thoroughly enjoyed fondling and describing such a wonderful group of bust halves.  The consignors, notably Keith Davignon, outdid themselves.  There is not a dud in the group of 103 pieces. 


The Sale is loaded with pretty coins, rare Red Book and Overton varieties and fascinating die states.  I will be posting descriptions on my web site early this week: www.sheridanscoins.com.  Lance Keigwin's photos may be seen there now.  The printer promises to have the written catalog ready for mailing by week's end.  Recent bidders will automatically receive a copy.  Others who plan to bid in the sale may request a copy by email, sdowney3(at)aol.com.  Lot viewing by Express Mail and Fed Ex. is going on now. The lots, of course, will be available for preview at my FUN bourse table, Jan. 4-5.

I've attached a couple of photos that should entice collectors: lot 58, a PCGS AU 58 CAC 1827 O.122 R.5; and the sole example of a PCGS AU 58+ 1839-O, lot 103, also with a CAC sticker.

Kind regards,
   Sheridan

Sunday, December 11, 2016

JR Newsletter: 11 December 2016 (323)




Discussion of rarity ratings for Capped Bust Half Dollars and the JRCS vote on participation in the Newman Numismatic Portal dominate this week's contributions.

 First, a correction from the editor:

The link provided in last week's JR Newsletter to PCGS CoinFacts did not work.  PCGS CoinFacts is here:  http://www.pcgscoinfacts.com/

------
Dave Rutherford wrote in response to Rick Beale's question about halves:


You will also find other useful information there.

Best,
Dave Rutherford
------

Nathan Markowitz wrote:

I would like to voice my support alongside Brad Karoleff's to scan the JR Journal to the Newman Numismatic Portal.  I can only think of positives for our club and its educational and research missions.  We are a very small slice of a large community of collectors and attracting new members is essential.  

Anyone who attends a local or regional show, or even the major auctions, will see throngs clamoring for high grade coins of the twentieth century; if but a few caught our passion (malady?) it would be a great addition to the study and stewardship of early US silver coins.
------

John Okerson wrote:

To answer Rick Beale’s request for an Overton listing with current rarity values, I suggest Stephen J. Herrman’s Auction & Mail Bid Prices Realized for Bust Half Dollars 1794-1839 which is published semiannually for about $25.  JRCS used to sell them but if no longer, inquiries should be made to Steve Herrman via email at Herrman102(at)aol.com

John
------

From David Perkins:

In reply to Sunday’s half dollar question:

Rick Beale wrote:

Is there an updated list of Overton numbers versus their rarities?

For instance: 1807 O-101 r.1, O-102 r.2, O-103 r.3, etc.
  

W. David Perkins Reply:

First of all regarding Rick Beale’s question last week, “Is there an updated list of Overton number versus their rarities,” the Fifth Edition (2013), the technical answer to Rick’s question is no, as there is no current and publicly available updated list (to the best of my knowledge).

On the other hand, following are a number of sources I have used over the years to get more current rarity rating information for Pre-Turban and Capped Bust half dollars, both as a collector and Professional Numismatist.

The most recent edition of the Overton half dollar book, is a starting point (Rick didn’t state which edition of the Overton book that he has).  The Fifth Edition of the Overton book rarity ratings are I believe those of the author (Donald L. Parsley), likely with some input from other early half dollar specialists.  There is also another half dollar book available, “Early United States Half Dollars Vol. 1  / 1794-1807” by Steve M. Tompkins.  Steve included updated rarity ratings for the Pre-Turban halves at the time he published this book.

The JRCS publication, the John Reich Journal (Journal) Volume 16 / Issue 3 (June 2005) published an article titled, “BHNC [Bust Half Nut Club] Rarity Ratings for Bust Half Dollars” by Stephen J. Herrman.  Steve wrote, “At the general meeting of the Bust Half Nut Club held during the 2004 ANA Convention in Pittsburgh, updated rarity rating estimates were presented for the Bust half dollar die marriages.  Included in the presentation was a summary of changes in the rarity ratings for both the Pre-Turban half dollars (1794-1807) and the Turban (Capped Bust) half dollars (1807-1836).”

Steve Herrman included a table listing the rarity rating estimates for all die marriages in the third edition of the Overton book (1990) versus the current BHNC estimates (2004).  He included a column in the table for “the year in which the BHNC last updated the rarity rating estimate.”  If this table today was updated and current it would likely be the list that Rick is looking for with his question last week.  For example using the 1807 date, O-104 was an R-3 in 1990; in the table it is updated to R-5- (2004).  Some rarity ratings went up, many stayed the same, and some went down.

JRCS also publishes Censuses periodically for each of the early silver series, from half dimes to the early silver dollars 1794-1803. The last Census for the Pre-Turban half dollars was published Volume 24 / Issue 2 (July 2014) and the last Census for the R-4 to R-8 Capped Bust Half dollars was published in Volume 24 / Issue 3 (November 2014).  The rarity ratings used in these two Census according to Steve Herrman, the author, were “based on the Bust Half Nut Club (BHNC) study published in Volume 16 / Issue 3” in June 2005.  Steve noted that the rarity ratings for five die marriages were “demoted (from the 2004 study) due to the appearance of additional specimens.”  This Census thus provides a partial updated list (missing any changes for R-1 through R-3+ die marriages).

Back issues of the John Reich Journal are available for sale through Bryce Brown.  Not all issues are currently available – please check with Bryce for what issues that he has in stock. Bryce can be reached by e-mail at numismatics@att.net .  Last time I checked, Volume 24 / Issue 3 was not in stock, possibly there is a lot of Capped Bust half dollar collector demand for this issue as it has the latest Capped Bust Half Census and rarity ratings!

The most current source for the early half dollar rarity ratings that is available to the general public is found in Steve Herrman’s Auction & Mail Bid Prices Realized for Bust Half Dollars 1794 – 1839.  This is available from Steve for $24 in PDF format, $32 in printed form, or $38 for both.  This publication is typically updated two times per year.  Per Steve’s cover pages, it includes the “Rarity 3+ to Rarity 8 Die Varieties, Overdates & other Popular Varieties, Proofs, Mint Errors & Patterns, Countermarks, Contemporary Counterfeits, and Condition Census Specimens for all Die Varieties [Die Marriages].  For example the 1807 O-104 is still listed as R-5-.  Information included for each die marriage listed is Year, Var#, Description, Grade, Price, Date, Auction Name, and Lot#, all listed high to low by grade.

You can buy a single issue from Steve, or subscribe.  For example, I subscribe and get a printed copy as well as a PDF version that I can use on my laptop and iPad when I’m traveling or at coin shows (vs. bringing the printed copy along wherever I go).  Steve can be reached at herrman102(at)aol.com

The Bust Half Nut Club is also a source of information on the Pre-Turban and Capped Bust half dollars.  Steve Herman wrote in his June 2005 article, “the Bust Half Nut Club was established in the late 1960s as a group dedicated to the study and sharing of information about Bust half dollars attributed by Overton die marriage.  The primary focus over the years has been on Capped Bust half dollars (1807-1836).  However, an increasing number of members are also keenly interested in the Pre-Turban half dollars (1794-1807).  To be considered as a candidate for BHNC membership , an individual must own a minimum of 100 different Bust die marriages by Overton attribution, should be genuinely interested in obtaining new die marriages for their set, and must be sponsored by a current member who has verified the attribution and grades on their application.”  I am not a member, but BHNC members have another good source of rarity ratings and information on the die varieties of the early half dollars.

It is important to note that not every collector, researcher, author, or dealer will agree 100% on the rarity ratings for any series. 

I hope this helps answer your question.  I welcome any feedback on my reply to Rick’s question.  I can be reached by e-mail at wdperki(at)attglobal.net . Thanks.

W. David Perkins
Centennial, CO

------

Garrett Ziss wrote:

I am a JRCS member as well as a member of the “younger generation of collectors” that Brad Karoleff mentioned last week in his post regarding the potential digitization of the John Reich Journal. I am in favor of allowing the Newman Numismatic Portal (NNP) to digitize our journal for three reasons:

Reason #1: It would uphold the purpose of the JRCS.

As we see every week at the top of the JR Newsletter, “The purpose of the JRCS is to encourage the study of numismatics, particularly United States gold and silver coins minted before the introduction of the Seated Liberty design, and to provide technical and educational information concerning such coins.”

Allowing the NNP to digitize our journal would uphold the purpose of the JRCS. 

Reason #2: It would attract new Bust coin collectors.

Having our journal digitized on the NNP would expand our ability to attract new collectors (and hopefully new members) beyond the walls of a coin convention. While the focus is on attracting new collectors who are more likely to explore a website than attend a coin show, I also think that our presence on the NNP could capture the attention of another important group.  Last month at the Baltimore Show, an experienced collector mentioned to me that he recently started collecting Bust halves because he had maxed out on what he could afford in his current areas of collecting.  This type of collector is likely already a user of the NNP, so if our journal is available to view on the NNP, we could capture their attention when they search for a new area of collecting.
   
Reason #3: It would allow us to access the JRJ at a coin show.

The JRCS website provides a current JRJ Index by Issue, Topic/Denomination, and Author.  (Thanks to the JRCS member who updates this useful tool!). By using this JRJ Index in conjunction with our digitized journal on the NNP, we would be able to access the JRJ at a coin show when we need to refer to a specific piece of information.

As someone just starting out in the world of numismatics, the NNP has been a valuable resource from both the collector and researcher perspective. Before you cast your vote, please take a few minutes to explore the Newman Numismatic Portal https://nnp.wustl.edu/ and see what it has to offer.  (To specifically view examples of digitized publications from other specialty clubs, click here https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/periodicals). 

Garrett Ziss
JRCS #1465
------

Jeff Reichenberger wrote:
 
Regarding the question of whether or not to allow the Newman Numismatic Portal to digitize the JR Journal, I can offer that the Numismatists of Wisconsin (NOW) board also discussed this last year and concluded we absolutely should allow it. To have the entirety of issues (50+ years) available for research, exposed nationally, to anyone can only be good for the club, good for the hobby. The question: "will members quit the club because they can read the journal on line?" came up, and we moved to wait two years - as is proposed by JRCS - before sending in the most current issues. Another consideration was that in spite of that fingertip access (NNP) to our digital archives, the vast majority of our members prefer reading our hard copy magazine verses online reading, and it is believed that few, if any, would circumvent the nominal $10 membership fee just to read the magazine on the NNP. Nevertheless, we did implement the two year policy.

The most difficult aspect of getting it done was the gathering of the entire volume and shipping it to NNP. Luckily, we have one member who is kind enough to store all the cartons of our archives in his shop, and also we have had another member who took it upon himself to have every issue of NOW NEWS bound into hardcover volumes before he was deceased, and still another member who filled in the pieces that escaped binding. The process took approximately two months. NNP shipped them back to us and our NOW NEWS was online before we knew it. They made the process easy and free to the club. Now if anyone is interested in any Wisconsin numismatic item, or perhaps some of the early ambitions of Chet Krause, they may find some interesting information in NOW NEWS.

My opinion is that JRCS should allow digitization by the Newman Numismatic Portal.
 
 Jeff Reichenberger


Sunday, December 4, 2016

JR Newsletter: 4 December 2016 (322)




We have a number of contributions this week.  First, a question concerning half dollars. 

Rick Beale wrote:

Is there an updated list of Overton numbers versus their rarities?

For instance: 1807 O-101 r.1, O-102 r.2, O-103 r.3, etc.

------

Brad Karoleff wrote:

The next issue of the John Reich Journal is being mailed this weekend to the membership.  This is the last issue for Volume 26.  You will find a dues notice in the envelope, please send your renewal check to JRCS Secretary Steve Crain in a timely manner.  Life members and members who have prepaid dues need not send any more money, but the Jules Reiver Literary Award ballot is on the reverse side of the dues notice.  Please vote for your favorite article from the last year.  The winner will be announced at the ANA meeting next year in Denver.

There is also another ballot in your envelope.  We are asking the membership to decide whether we should allow the Newman Numismatic Portal to digitize our journal for their research website.  We would reserve issues for two years before they would be included in the database to retain benefits to the membership.  This is a Yes/No vote with a simple majority ruling.  Please take the time to vote on this important issue and return it to Steve Crain with your dues check and Reiver ballot.

There was some discussion on this matter at the last two ANA meetings of the society.  It was decided by the board that a general vote was the best answer rather than allowing the members at the meeting to be the only voices heard.

There are, of course, pros and cons to the situation.  I would hope members on each side of the issue would post their thoughts here so undecided members can have some reference before they vote.  A couple of the issues raised include the ever expanding use of online research, especially by the younger generation of collectors.  It would be good exposure for the club to be included in the program.  Many of the other specialty clubs have already allowed their journals to be digitized.  The main argument against the issue is that it may devalue the resale value of the old journals.  The last couple of sets that sold are now fairly shy of the $500 mark, I think we have reached a "basal value" for the set.  Also, most of us are not really banking on the value of our libraries to fund our retirement accounts.

I am in favor of letting the Newman Portal digitize The John Reich Journal for use on their website.  How about you?

Happy Holidays to all and hope to see you at the FUN show in January.  Remember, we will have a meeting there including an educational presentation.

Brad Karoleff
------

From David Perkins:

Early Dollars at the FUN Convention in Ft. Lauderdale, January 5-7, 2017

The December 2016 issue of Coin World reported that Bruce Morelan’s PCGS Registry Set of United States Silver Dollars 1794-1803 will be on display at the 2017 FUN Show in Ft. Lauderdale Thursday through early Saturday afternoon, January 5-7th.   This Registry Date and Major Type Set consists of 12 early dollars graded PCGS MS64 to Specimen 66 and will be displayed at the PCGS Table at FUN.  I’ve seen a number of these Dollars in the past, but never all 12 at one time.

The 1794 Dollar grades PCGS Specimen 66, and is the only 1794 Dollar known today with a silver plug center.  It is one of only six 1794 Dollars known in Mint State.

The 1795 Draped Bust, Small Eagle Dollar in PCGS MS66 is ex. Eliasberg where it was raw and graded MS-67, prooflike when it was first sold at public auction in April 1997.  Its pedigree can be traced to the June 25-29, 1912 Henry Chapman George H. Earle Sale.

These are only two of the highlights of this spectacular early dollar collection!  There are 10 more exceptional early dollars in the set, with pedigrees to match.  Here is the link to this set on the PCGS Registry:  http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/alltimeset.aspx?s=87430

I will have six cases of early U.S. silver and other coins for sale at FUN, including approximately 45 early dollars in grades VF-Mint State, with most in XF-AU grades.  All are graded by PCGS.  Many of these dollars are the condition census to finest known for the die marriage, and many are plate coins in the second edition of the Bowers book on early dollars.  These silver dollars can also be seen on my website (website address below).

Heritage Auctions will be offering for sale at auction the Childs-Miller 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar in PCGS XF40.  This is a very original 1794 Dollar.  A preview of this lot is available online at Heritage Auctions:


Hope to see you at FUN!

W. David Perkins
Centennial, CO


(Editor's Note:  Perkins also provided a PCGS photo of this week's "headline coin" (1796 dollar that will be part of the display at FUN)
------

Finally, from Ron Guth:

In response to prompting by Glenn Marx, Bust Quarter collector extraordinaire, the PCGS Set Registry has created two new variety sets in the Capped Bust Quarter series:



We have also removed the enigmatic 1818 "B-11" variety from all sets, thus making it possible for collectors to complete a variety set by Browning numbers.  If an 1818 B-11 ever shows up or is confirmed, we will add it back in.


Ron Guth
President
PCGS CoinFacts - the Internet Encyclopedia of U.S. Coins

Sunday, November 27, 2016

JR Newsletter: 27 November 2016 (321)

We received no new contributions for this week's newsletter.

Sunday, November 20, 2016

JR Newsletter: 20 November 2016 (320)





We have two contributions this week.  First, Winston Zack provided a follow-up from an inquiry he made previously:

I just want to say we have some awesome people in the JRCS. Our members (you know who you are) go above and beyond in answering questions, especially my question last week on castaing machine technology and edge lettering of CBHs - what an obscure topic! I greatly appreciate the 5-7 responses I received, and I hope some of those responses are included in a future JR Newsletter.

Again, thank you all.

Winston
------

Also, David Perkins wrote:

We are working on publishing and mailing the next issue of the John Reich Journal.  It should be mailed in the next 2-4 weeks.

If anyone is in contact with JRCS Member Eric Krauss please have him contact me, or forward his e-mail address to me.  I need his current mailing address for the JRCS Data Base.  I can be contacted at wdperki(at)attglobal.net, or 303-902-5366.

Thanks.

W. David Perkins, Treasurer JRCS
Centennial, CO

Sunday, November 13, 2016

JR Newsletter: 13 November 2016 (319)






This week's sole contribution comes from Winston Zack:

I would like to know if anyone here has worked [extensively] with a castaing machine, and/or has compared the edge lettering of the same variety of CBHs and noticed differences in letter alignment - specifically the spacing between OR and HALF.

Specifically, I would like to know how consistently edge lettering was applied to CBHs. And whether there was often/sometimes gaps between the two halves of the edge dies.

These questions arise because as I'm studying the edges of counterfeit CBHs of the same variety I'm noticing definite differences in spacing between the two halves of the edge dies, and I want to know if these differences relate to the counterfeiters presumably more crude castaing equipment or if this is just the natural results of castaing equipment in general.

Feel free to email me separately (stoneman101(at)gmail.com) and/or reply here.

Thanks,
Winston

Sunday, November 6, 2016

JR Newsletter: 6 November 2016 (318)







All of this week's contributions come from participants in the just-ended Baltimore show.  First, we received this from Glenn Peterson:

     I was pleased to represent our club  in chairing a regional meeting of John Reich Collector Society in Baltimore on Friday, November 4th. We had the largest-ever turnout for a regional meeting with 25 people. Among the attendees were  many advanced collectors of bust coins, a number of collectors of other series of coins and several guests just learning about JRCS. 

     We had a discussion about the bust quarter census to be published in the next journal. I highlighted the great increase in participation since the last census of April 2014. The total number of coins reported rose from 1,495 to 1,973.  Several advanced collectors joined the census with some astonishing coins from the Pogue and Gardner collections. I was pleased to show photos of some of these remarkable coins. We also discussed bust coin errors and several members displayed double struck, off-center and clipped planchet quarters. I was pleased to have an enthusiastic conversation about these coins. A fun time for all!

  Glenn Peterson
------

We also received a report from David Perkins:

JRCS Meeting at the Whitman Baltimore Convention

The JRCS meeting at the Whitman Baltimore coin show this past week was a good one.  If my count was right, there were 27 people in attendance, the most ever I believe for a Regional Meeting by a large margin.  Five of the 27 were guests (non-members).  Those in attendance had a wide variety of collecting interests, mostly but not exclusively the early United States silver coinage.

Dr. Glenn Peterson hosted the Baltimore JRCS meeting.  The topic was the early quarters of the United States and the upcoming JRCS Quarter Census that will be published in the next issue of the Journal.  Dr. Peterson started with a series of slides with photos of some very beautiful, rare, and high grade early quarters that are “new to the Census” in 2016.  He then talked about the upcoming Quarter Census, followed by another slide show (with old fashioned real slides!) of early silver error coins of different denominations.  There were many good questions and discussion points throughout.

After the meeting adjourned, members and guests shared coins they had brought for show and tell.  One highlight was a beautiful and recently completed date set (1796-1837) of early dimes, put together over 20 years “on a modest budget.”  All of the dimes were graded by PCGS, with grades ranging from VF to AU.  Five of the dimes were from the Gorman Capped Bust Dime Reference Collection sale which was sold in two parts in 2016 by this author.

 On my way back to my table after the meeting I saw an old fashioned pile of circulated Capped Bust Half Dimes for sale at Jim Matthews' table.  This was fun to see!  I’m not sure what that coin is on Jim’s business card though….

Overall, the Baltimore show was a very good one, with many serious collectors and dealers in attendance.

W. David Perkins, Numismatist
Centennial, CO




------

Finally, we received the following from the aforementioned Jim Matthews:

The Baltimore Show was frankly more active than I had anticipated. After months of wearisome election battles and relentless revelations, it was nice to set that part of our lives aside and focus on buying and selling coins! The usual suspects were in attendance at the show, and everyone seemed to have a good time--collectors were generally able to secure desired pieces for their collections from the numerous dealers at the show.

One unexpected surprise was Winston Zack appearing at the show from far away San Diego, California! He shared numerous examples of contemporary counterfeit coins that are being used for his huge research project of documenting and writing a two (or more) volume book on these historic and often overlooked pieces of our numismatic history. Some of the Seated coins--struck from hand cut dies created by now forgotten counterfeiters, were so comical in their crudity that I burst out laughing. Examining these folk art pieces captures so much of the American ingenuity spirit--that prior generations of people actually took the time to stamp out their own money with small common tools and whatever know-how and ability they had. These mom and pop enterprises continue all through our history, from the earliest colonial coins through our current coinage--one need look no further than the 1944 "Henning" Jefferson nickels, created and stamped out in a certain Mr. Henning's basement to be used to pay the hated toll on the New Jersey Turnpike! Some of these counterfeiting operations were huge factories which churned out countless examples of these counterfeit coins. This is an area of research that simply has been overlooked for far too long, with the exception being the superlative work by Keith Davignon on Contemporary Counterfeit Capped Bust Half Dollars. Needless to say many numismatists have long awaited such a book documenting these fascinating coins.

All in all, Baltimore once again put on a great show for dealers and collectors, and everyone I talked with seemed to have their modest expectations well exceeded.

Jim Matthews

Sunday, October 30, 2016

JR Newsletter: 30 October 2016 (317)



David Perkins wrote with this week's only contribution:

First of all, I very much enjoyed Rick Andrews' contribution and photos to last week’s issue of the JR Newsletter.  Like many JRCS members, collectors, and students of early silver, I love late die states and cuds! 
 
I will again have Table 818 at next week’s Whitman Baltimore Convention, where I will be setting up with Gerry Fortin.  Together we will have 12 cases of better quality Flowing Hair, Draped Bust, Capped Bust, Seated and other coins for sale. 
 
Included in my cases are a number of better Draped and Capped Bust Dimes, over a dozen new Capped Bust Half Dollars (including 13 CBHs in AU grades), and over 50 early dollars.  I will also have a fair number of half dimes and early quarters.  Gerry picked up an exceptional 1802/1 Silver Dollar in PCGS AU55 CAC at last week’s Denver Coin Show, and should have an awesome 1839 Liberty Seated Dime struck from a shattered die.  Even if you don’t collect Seated coins you will enjoy seeing and studying this neat late die state example.  Most of these coins can been seen on our websites. Our website addresses are listed below.
 
Lastly, a reminder that JRCS members and guests are invited to attend the JRCS meeting and club program while at Baltimore.  The meeting is scheduled from 4:30 to 5:30pm in Room 301.  Dr. Glenn Peterson will be giving a talk on the early Quarters and the upcoming Quarter Census to be published in the John Reich Journal.  Hope to see you there, and if you can please try to bring a coin or two to share with the members!
 
Please stop by to see us and say hello at Table 818 in Baltimore! 
 
W. David Perkins, Numismatist
Centennial, CO
 
 

Sunday, October 23, 2016

JR Newsletter: 23 October 2016 (316)





We have a few contributions this week, including the first from Rick Andrews that features some photos.

Rick Andrews wrote:

Wanted to share my recent good fortune and add to Jim Matthews' reference on the retained cuds on 1833 JR-4 dimes. I also have a similar JR-4 with retained cud in an ANACS AU55. In addition I have provided photos of a late die state similar to Reiver's state g that I have.

While not a cud, I obtained a 1814 extremely late die state JR-2 just as described in the "Bust Dime Variety Identification Guide". The photos aren't the best but you can see what I referenced. The obverse is missing star 10 & most of star 11. The reverse has two bulges, one on America blocking 'e to a and the other beginning of United, 'U down thru left side of leaves. This is also similar to the Reiver's 1814 JR-2 listed as NCS, damaged, VF Details. (editor's note: the obverse photo of the 1814 was not recoverable, so just the reverse is provided)

My only addition the last couple of months was an upgrade of a 1823 bust dime from the Gorman collection, but October has turned out to be a great month. Collectors have told me and I have experienced that finding nice coins seems to come in bunches. I found the 1814 last week at the Indiana Numismatics coin show in Indianapolis. Also I bought a nice VF 1831 O-117 R4 from Brad Karoleff. Earlier in the month I obtained a 1823 broken 3 bust half, though only in fine, for my Bust Half Red Book variety set. Now I won from GreatCollections.com an 1833 JR-2 R4+ (oversized dentil below 1) NGC VF30 as an upgrade. I have a JR-2 NGC Fine 12 available if anyone needs one.

I hope others can have a great month and enjoy the experience of finding key or just very nice bust material. Continue to have fun and enjoy the hobby.

Rick Andrews






------

From Brad Karoleff:

The next issue of the John Reich Journal is due out soon but I have a problem.

We do not have enough submissions to fill the issue.  Do you have anything ready for publication that you can send?  The Bust Quarter census will be in this issue, so anything relating to the quarters would be complimentary.  Your submission does not have to be on quarters, anything will help.

Thanks,
Brad
------

From Peter Mosiondz, Jr:

I have some coin books that I want to sell.

Coins and Collectors, Q. David Bowers. 1988 Bowers and Merena reprint. 214 pages. SB. New. $5.00

A Guide Book of United States Coins 2017: The Official Red Book, R.S. Yeoman and Kenneth Bressett.     464 pages. Spiral Bound. New. $7.00

 Virgil Brand: The Man and His Era, Q. David Bowers. 248 pages. HB. New. $15.00

The History of United States Coinage as Illustrated by the Garrett Collection, Q. David Bowers. 572 pages.  HB. New. $20.00

The Early Coins of America, Sylvester S. Crosby. 1983 Quarterman reprint. DJ protected in Brodart Mylar. 378 pages plus appendix and plates. New. $15.00

United States Large Cents 1793-1857, Warren A. Lapp and Herbert A. Silberman. 1975 Quarterman reprint. 647 pages. HB. DJ protected in Brodart Mylar. $10.00

Add $4.00 Media Mail postage. 

I will not be available to answer calls or emails on Sunday October 23. 
Only one each is available.

Peter Mosiondz, Jr.
26 Cameron Circle
Laurel Springs, NJ 08021-4861

Phone: 856-627-6865
Email: choochoopete(at)comcast.net



Sunday, October 16, 2016

JR Newsletter: 16 October 2016 (315)

An announcement from Glenn Peterson serves as our sole contribution for the week and as a response to Winston Zack's inquiry from the last newsletter:

JRCS members:
     I will be chairing the JRCS meeting at the Baltimore Whitman show on November 4th at 4:30 pm. We will be in room 301. I will be discussing the Bust Quarter census which will appear in the next journal. Please come and join us for the meeting.
Glenn Peterson MD

Sunday, October 9, 2016

JR Newsletter: 9 October 2016 (314)




We have a few contributions this week. 

First, Ralph Muñoz wrote about the Kolbe and Fanning Book Sale #143:

I just received my catalog in the mail yesterday.  Kobe & Fanning Numismatic Booksellers (http://www.numislit.com/) is offering a complete set of the John Reich Journal Vols. 1-24 (Whole Numbers 1-74), plus the first two issues of Vol. 25 including the index volumes after Vols. 10 and 20.  Estimate $500.  

Plus there are other interesting books for those members looking to add some hard to get reference materials to their libraries.

Ralph Munoz
JRCS #30
------

Winston Zack inquired:

Will the JRCS have a meeting and/or educational presentation at the Baltimore show next month?
------

Pete Mosiondz, Jr. wrote:

I was pleased to obtain a very nice coin recently and would like to share some thoughts with our friends. 

More often than not when I look at an encapsulated coin I say to myself, “How did they arrive at that determination?” Most of the time I feel that a particular coin is overgraded. 

I remember meeting Abe Kosoff many years ago when I was beginning to dabble in coins as a part-time dealer. I asked him for some guidance based on his many years of experience. He was very gracious and spent quite a bit of time with me, more than I could have ever hoped for. The one thing that always stayed in my mind was his strong opinion on grading. This was before he became involved with organizing the American Numismatic Association Certification Service. He told me to always look at a coin objectively and not with rose-colored glasses. He suggested recognizing and evaluating the coin’s negative aspects (detractions and imperfections) then recognizing and evaluating the coin’s positive aspects (strengths). Evaluate the overall eye appeal. Does it look nice or maybe not so nice? Finally, and most importantly, always be conservative in your grading. In other words never “stretch” the grade. 

At the time we were using Brown and Dunn or Jim Ruddy’s new Photograde book. Abe was adapting the Sheldon grading system for other coins as well, especially in his auction sales.

 I must say that the professional graders who graded the 1823 Capped Bust Half Dollar (image below), that I happily obtained from a dealer friend recently, must have had Abe’s thoughts in mind. I thought to myself, “Why isn’t this an AU coin?” Do you agree, or am I wearing rose-colored glasses? By the way, it is an O-105.

Pete Mosiondz, Jr.
Email: choochoopete(at)comcast.net






Sunday, October 2, 2016

JR Newsletter: 2 October 2016 (313)

Jim Matthews wrote:

I finally acquired a nice AU55 example of one of the more common cuds known for my dime collection from the coins sold by W. David Perkins of the Kirk Gorman Collection. The variety I found so challenging is the 1833 JR-4. Actually a low grade example of this variety was one of my first retained cuds purchased. My friend Don Valenziano heard of my budding interest in these late die state coins and showed me this fabulous example with the reverse die broken and moving in three connecting pieces from the E in UNITED down to the scroll and all along the upper portion of that side to the first A in AMERICA. Despite the wear, this is still one of the latest examples I've seen with the initial retained cud from the left side to the edge of A in STATES, another crack down through the E of that word, and the final crack splitting the first A of AMERICA, all these cracks connect to the scroll from the rim above.

Over the decades I've acquired about 30 examples in varying states of decay of the 1833 JR-4 with a retained cud. I've since sold back a few into the market place. I began to think myself somewhat obsessed with studying the varying die states of this variety, but then encountered other collectors who had acquired extensive hoards with similar penchants for certain dates or varieties, and realized its all part of the scholarship of this hobby and not so much a question of my sanity.

Over the past few years I've been working on getting my Capped Bust dimes graded by PCGS, it's a laborious process as many coins simply aren't worth the cost of grading, so those remain in their natural raw state. Others I've sent in for this process. One of these was my 1833 JR-4 with a retained cud (actually a fairly early example of this cud) from the Russell J. Logan Collection which graded XF40, a nice grade for that coin. I also had another decent example with the retained cud that came back VF30 from PCGS that I'm going to sell. So at long last I have a solid AU55 example to represent this seemingly common cud in my collection.

Jim

Sunday, September 25, 2016

JR Newsletter: 25 September 2016 (312)

 
 
 
This week, we have a contribution from Mike McDaniel and another Monterey Bay, CA  JRCS member:
 
"It is with sincere sadness that we inform you of the recent passing of fellow JRCS member Al Wood.  After retirement from his job in the aerospace industry in the Silicon Valley in 2015, Al opened "Al's Coins" in Scotts Valley, CA.  Al will be fondly remembered for his friendliness, honesty, sense of humor, and love of numismatics, especially Capped Bust Half Dollars.  Rest in Peace, Al."
 
 
Thanks,
 
Mike McDaniel

Sunday, September 18, 2016

JR Newsletter: 18 September 2016 (311)

This must be the season of bust coin doldrums.  No contributions again this week, so please enjoy a photo of my brother holding the first salmon he ever caught (this is a pink salmon, also known as a "humpy" -- for obvious reasons)

-Editor

Sunday, September 11, 2016

JR Newsletter: 11 September 2016 (310)







We received no contributions for this week's JR Newsletter, so please enjoy this photo of my daughter's first halibut.

- Editor

Monday, September 5, 2016

JR Newsletter: 4 September 2016 (309)

This newsletter is a bit late, but somebody has to catch those fish in Alaska, and it might as well be me!  I was out for the last few days fishing on the Kenai Peninsula with my brother.  Halibut, trout, and salmon were the targets for his visit and we succeeded.  Enough of that, on to the coins!

Jerry Zonca wrote:
 
I was helping a friend at the Blue Ridge Numismatic Association annual show this past weekend in Dalton, GA when he mentioned a counterfeit 1816 CBHD that he purchased several years ago at a show in Dalton. We talked about it for awhile and I asked if he kept the pictures that he took of the coin. After searching his pics he emailed them to me. Barry Ciociola mentioned that this is only the second counterfeit 1816 that he has seen in all of his years as a dealer.
 
Later at the same show he sold it to another dealer. I have attached the pics that he sent to me (see images below). They were taken with a cell phone camera, so, the quality is not very good.
 
Jerry Zonca
BHNC# 150




------
 David Perkins wrote:
 
Last week I wrote about a 1799 Dollar “Counterstamped with the head of Benjamin Franklin” that was listed on a 1943 invoice from B. G. Johnson to F.C.C. Boyd  that I had come across on the Newman Numismatic Portal.  I’m happy to report that three people wrote me, all with related responses.  It appears that a Civil War Token Die was used to strike this “portrait of Ben Franklin”  onto the obverse of a 1799 Dollar.  I wrote,
The last item on the invoice was a 1799 Silver Dollar, “Counterstamped with head of Benjamin Franklin.”  It was called Very fine, and sold for $40.00.  If anyone knows anything about this important counterstamped Dollar, please contact me at wdperki(at)attglobal.net .  I have never seen or heard of this, despite a  strong interest in counterstamped Early Dollars 1794-1803. 
From John Okerson:
I found it in The Medals of Franklin by Phil W. Greenslet edited by David E. Schenkman of 1993 by Token and Medal Society, Inc. page 212 as item GT-705.  The description says “(same as GT-701; struck on U.S. 1799 silver dollar) (blank except for coin design) silver 39 mm, R-10 (Fuld Civil War token 153/B1)”. 
I looked at Fuld’s Photographic Plates for Patriotic Civil War Tokens, Volume 1 and found what appears to be the counterstamp token on Plate VI as number 153.  This is a recent addition to NNP, so you should be able to download it there quite easily.   
 From Roger Lalich: 
 This is a civil war token die.
 See Civil War Token Society Journal vol. 6, no. 2, page 46 (available on Newman Portal).
From David Gladfelter:
David, this coin (or token) is listed in the current  (fifth) edition of the Fuld patriotic Civil War token catalog as die combination 153/0, overstruck on a silver planchet (code fo), rarity R10 (unique), with comment "over 1799 U.S. dollar". In the current (second) edition of the "Official Red Book Guide Book of Civil War Tokens," page 130, Q. David Bowers notes that die 153, which is only 18mm in diameter, has been used to make "numismatic strikes", still exists, and "has been used to make modern strikings." Most notably, ANA president J. Henri Ripstra used it to strike a personal token in aluminum or white metal that was distributed at the 1939 ANA convention in New York City. Because of the small size of this die, it would be more correct to call the 153/0 a counterstamp than an overstrike.
I thank everyone for their interest and assistance!  Thanks.
W. David Perkins
Centennial, CO











 

Sunday, August 28, 2016

JR Newsletter: 28 August 2016 (308)


We have a number of contributions this week.  First, Glenn Peterson writes about the upcoming Bust Quarter census:

Hi JRCS members,
  I have volunteered to do the JRCS quarter census. If you have already sent your census to me, THANK YOU. If you have not yet sent the quarter census, PLEASE SEND YOUR QUARTER CENSUS to gpeters(at)tds.net

You may use any format, but if the template written by Winston Zack is helpful.  You may send me the census of the first chart of this template (MS Excel file):  https://gallery.mailchimp.com/74a0e3c37d154d935bdeb2daf/files/Quarter_Template.xlsx

Glenn Peterson
------

Next, a note from Garrett Ziss:

When you get a chance, check out the interesting article on JR Newsletter Editor, Richard Meaney, in the September issue of Coin World (page 144).  In the interview, Paul Gilkes covers topics such as Mr. Meaney's early coin collecting interests, his focus on bust half dimes, his editorship of the JR Newsletter, and his distinguished military career.

Garrett Ziss
JRCS #1465
------

Finally, David Perkins wrote with a story from his recent experience using the Newman Numismatic Portal (which can be found on the internet at this link:  https://nnp.wustl.edu/):

Have you spent any time on the (Eric) Newman Numismatic Portal?  As a collector, researcher, and author on the early United States Silver Dollars 1794-1803, I’ve been following the progress and waiting for certain documents to be scanned and posted to the Newman Portal. 
 
Len Augsburger was kind enough to forward a link to me to the Burdette G. Johnson (BGJ) Invoices for 1940-1947.  As most readers know, Eric P. Newman (EPN) and BGJ purchased much of the Col. E.H.R. Green Collection estate, including all of the early dollars 1794-1803.

I was looking through the invoices on the Portal yesterday and early this morning, focusing on collectors and dealers that I know had an interest in the early dollars.  One of the obvious collectors was F.C.C. Boyd.  His large and mostly complete early dollar collection (by Type and Die Marriage) was sold by Numismatic Gallery at public auction on January 20, 1945 and was titled, Part I / World’s Greatest Collection (WGC) of United States Silver Coins.

What caught my eye immediately was page 2 of a BGJ invoice to Boyd from 1943 (the invoice was not dated in the Newman Portal, but was issued between February 11, 1943 and June 29, 1943).  The first page of the invoice was for two early dollars with altered dates that were altered “to 1804.”  One called fine was $20.00; one in “V. good” was $12.50.  Today these might be 10 times these prices, if you can ever find one. 

The second Boyd invoice was even more interesting to me, and will be to those who collect by die marriage.  The first dollar was a 1795 Flowing Hair Dollar described as, “Haseltine-8.  Very fine, extremely rare” at $40.00.  This coin was sold as Lot 9 in the 1945 WGC, where cataloged noting, “A very fine specimen with wear on high spots of head and eagle; sharp stars and lettering.  This is an excessively rare variety and Hazeltine (Sic) stated “have seen but a single specimen.”  It realized $75.00 on a $100.00 estimate, or approximately double what Boyd had paid for it in 1943, only a couple of years earlier.  Thus we can add the Col. Green pedigree to this famous coin, which now reads, Col. E.H.R. Green-F.C.C. Boyd-M. H. Bolender (and the Bolender Plate Coin)-Kenneth P. Austin-Alfred and Jacque Ostheimer-H. Roland Willasch-James Mathews-Warren Miller.  This important coin is currently for sale as part of the Miller Collection.  It is graded PCGS XF40, and is the only 1795 H-8, B-8, BB-18 Dollar graded by PCGS.

The second 1795 FH Dollar on the invoice was listed as, “H. 10. Unc., semi-proof surface at $75.00.”  This die marriage was an R-7 at the time, with maybe 3-4 examples known.  It was the highest graded example of all examples known at this time, and remains so today by some distance; the next closest example known to me is the Miller Specimen, graded PCGS XF45, which was sold as part of the Miller Collection and now resides in a prominent Eastern collection. There are 13-14 examples known to me for the H-10, B-10, BB-22 die marriage, depending on if one of the known examples is the Haseltine Specimen (1881), or not.  We also now add Col. Green to the pedigree, making it H.O. Granberg-F.C.C. Boyd (WGC)-Harold Bareford-James Matthews-“Various Intermediaries-Dr. Robert Hesselgesser.”  It was sold by Ira and Larry Goldberg as part of the extensive Hesselgesser early dollar collection.  It’s location is unknown to me today.  It has sold in the past at a low six figure price, many multiples of the $75.00 price that Boyd paid in 1943!  In 1945, it sold for $150.00 on a $110.00 estimate.

The third item of curiosity for me was a 1795 “Fillet Head” Dollar (today called “Draped Bust” by most) with a “Counterstamped head of the sun (? Best I can tell), described as the “only specimen of this counterstamp we have ever seen.” 

The last item on the invoice was a 1799 Silver Dollar, “Counterstamped with head of Benjamin Franklin.”  It was called Very fine, and sold for $40.00.  If anyone knows anything about this important counterstamped Dollar, please contact me at wdperki(at)attglobal.net 

I have never seen or heard of this, despite a  strong interest in counterstamped Early Dollars 1794-1803. Neither of these counterstamped dollars were part of the 1945 WGC Sale. 

I’d like to thank Len Augsburger and Eric Newman for their vision and for posting so many valuable items to the Newman Portal.  I can’t wait to see more of “what is out there!”  Thanks.

W. David Perkins
Centennial, CO