From David Perkins: A Few Highlights from the 2017 FUN Convention and Show
Picture
an overflowing football field filled with coin tables, collectors, and
dealers and that is what this year’s FUN Convention in Ft. Lauderdale
looked like to me. The bourse probably stretched wider than a hundred
yards!
For
me, FUN was an enjoyable show. First of all, I was able to view a lot
of great coins. In particular, I got to see many early dollars
1794-1803 and more early quarters than you’d normally see at any show.
As
previewed in the December 4, 2016 issue of JR News, the Bruce Morelan
Collection of Early Dollars 1794 to 1803 was on display at the PCGS
table. I had a fair number of collectors come by my table and mention
this great display and collection. In addition, the Brent Pogue Draped
Bust, Small Eagle Dollars were in a case at the Stack’s table which was
located close by. I stopped and looked at the Pogue Dollars a couple of
times as I was crossing the bourse. How often in your lifetime will
you get to see this many high grade early dollars in one location!
A
JRCS member was successful in the Heritage Auction being the winner
bidder on a lovely and very desirable 1799 B-23, BB-159 Dollar, struck
from the latest die state known to me, with a large arc-like die break
and other die cracks across the obverse. At least five JRCS members
that I know, including me, wanted this coin! This coin graded PCGS XF45
CAC and had great eye appeal, color, and surfaces. This coin is
pedigreed to the early dollar collection of the late Martin “Marty”
Oghigian, although this was not mentioned in the catalog description.
There is only one Mint State example known with this late die state, the
Amon Carter, Jr. Collection Specimen. All of the other examples that I
know of or have seen grade VF or lower. There are under ten examples
of this late die state known to me.
We
had fun (pun intended!) with this coin and the late die state at my
bourse table the day after the auction while comparing two examples of
this late die state 1799 Dollar. The owner of a nice VF example had
brought an enlarged photo (8-10 inches in diameter!) of his example with
him to FUN to compare. I called the owner of the new XF45 example on
the phone and he brought his coin to the table and the three of us along
with Bob Stark were able to study and compare the two coins. The die
states on these two 1799 Dollars were deemed by all to be virtually
identical.
A long-time dealer from Maine had a very full case of early Draped Bust and Capped Bust Quarters at his table, teasing
many of us for a couple of days as they weren’t available for sale.
And then they were. Another collector had a good portion if his
collection at FUN which I enjoyed viewing for a second time. I had seen
this collection once in the past. In addition I had one case with 20
Capped and Draped Bust quarters for sale. Before the show was over I
was able to add to my inventory a lovely 1806/5 Draped Bust Quarter in
P58 CAC (ex. Rory Rea) from this Maine Collection, along with two
exceptionally nice and choice for the grade Capped Bust 25C die
marriages from another collector’s collection.
The
JRCS meeting Friday morning was a short one, but a good one. There
were about 20 JRCS members in attendance. Dave Finkelstein’s talk on
the Workflow of the First U.S. Mint was a good one. David left us
hanging a little after showing us a letter that a 1794 Dollar was given
to George Washington for his inspection. All of us were wondering where
it is, or which one of the known examples it is!
And
lastly, it was great to see so many collector and dealer friends. And
at the FUN Show I was able to thank Julian Leidman in person for sending
me information regarding a previous JR News story about the collector whose
name was on the envelope of the mailing envelope for a Bolender catalog
that I own and mentioned a few weeks ago in JR News. Julian wrote,
“[The collector] pictured on the envelope might have moved to VA, as he
had some early dollars; one of which may have been a 1794 with a
counterstamp on it, which was removed by dealer Phil Lampkin in the
1970's and sold as damaged.” Thanks again Julian!
W. David Perkins
Centennial, CO
