JR Newsletter: 17 February 2013 (128)

Nathan Markowitz wrote:

I concur with Bob Stark and Jim Matthews as to their observation of the absence of edge errors on dollars.  I too have wondered what the numerous design elements may represent.  I wonder if anyone has ever considered Masonic symbolism as a possible explanation?  I am no scholar in this area yet it certainly may fit from a historical perspective.  Any Masonic experts in our club?

Nathan Markowitz

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 David Perkins wrote:

JRCS Early Silver Dollar Census

This notice is a reminder that if you have not already sent your JRCS Early Silver Dollar Census information to me it is time to do so now.  We hope to publish the next edition of the John Reich Journal in March 2013.  This issue will feature the Early Dollar Census.  

You can send me your census via e-mail at wdperki (at) attglobal.net .  If you would like to mail it to me, you can send to the JRCS Post Office Box address (inside the front cover of the Journal), or e-mail me and I will give you my address to mail the census to me.  Thanks.

Regards,

W. David Perkins

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Dave Johnson wrote:

Thank you for the newsletter--I have enjoyed it for a long time.  In response to Tom Little's question about the 1829 H10C, it appears to be an LM 15.1, an R4 variety.  A very nice half dime!

Dave Johnson

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Richard Meaney offers a slightly different opinion on Tom Little's half dime:

I agree with Dave Johnson that the 1829 half dime is of the LM-15 die marriage.  However, it appears to me that the N in UNITED has a die chip and that there is also a small die chip in the M of AMERICA.  These factors would make it a later remarriage:  1829 LM-15.2.  Some sharp-eyed collectors bid the coin to twice "book price" because of the scarcity of the die marriage (as Dave Johnson pointed out:  R-4) and the scarcity of the remarriage in higher grade.  The latest JRCS census shows an AU-58 as finest reported for this remarriage.  The Logan-McCloskey text states a brilliant uncirculated exampled was sold at Kagin's in 1979, so this would not likely be "finest known" but it sure is up there in condition census.  That coin would have been an upgrade for my collection too, but I did not see it before it ended.  Even if I had, I am sure I would not have won it above its actual closing price.

JR Newsletter: 10 February 2013 (127)

Bob Stark wrote:

Brad Karoleff's quest is of keen interest. Many years ago, Jules Reiver and I searched for early dollar edge varieties and errors. Jules even constructed a jig (that I must have someplace) to enable us to compare and examine edges.  While our project was not extensive, we had only our own coins, we found no varieties of interest and, surely, no errors. In view of the many varieties on the half dollars of the period, it seems surprising that no such dollars have surfaced, at least to my knowledge.  Jules, being a consummate photographer, considered superimposing images. However, the film variability at the time deterred us. Our thought was to use the properties of a parabolic mirror, as from a flashlight, with the coin at the center. I've seen some images since, so the technology is vastly better now. 

The ornamentation on the dollar also piqued my interests. I consulted several experts on the decorative arts of early America. None recognized the ornaments on the edge of the early dollars. The closest I came to a recognition was one expert who said that among early American furniture, house doors, etc. some ornamentation was popular (e.g., Chippendale). However, no one recognized the specific designs on the dollar edge. Their origin is still a mystery to me.   I'm glad to learn the experience of others.

Bob Stark

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Jim Matthews wrote:

Interesting on this request by Brad Karoleff. I don't recall ever seeing any edge errors either on early dollars. There certainly should be -- given what I've seen on other copper and silver denominations.

Jim

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Nathan Markowitz wrote:

Spring is just around the corner (ok, not quite so soon for those in the Northeast) and with spring comes the 2013 version of the EAC convention in Columbus (Newark), Ohio at the Cherry Valley Lodge http://www.cherryvalleylodge.com.  

This year's convention commences Thursday evening, May 2 and concludes Sunday afternoon, May 5.  Most of the "action" starts with the reception at 5pm on Thursday, May 2 followed by the "Happenings" display of colonial and federal copper, and the silver room where we display our treasures; educational activities conclude by Saturday afternoon.  If you have not had the chance to attend one of these conventions I strongly encourage you to avail yourselves of the opportunity; we should have a great turnout in the collector laden Midwest.

We are still seeking speakers and those willing to do displays for the convention. Early silver, early gold, and literature-related topics are welcome.  Please share your passion with others.  You will have one of the finest group of numismatists in one place...and you don't even need to sing.   Please contact me at cascades1787(at)yahoo.com if you are interested.

So, lets show our base metal colleagues some specie!

Nathan

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Tom Little wrote:

I sold an 1829 H10C on eBay last night that went hyperbolic to over $1000. I did not get variety attribution at NGC.  Could you let me know what the designation is on it?  Thanks...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=261164374953

Tom

JR Newsletter: 3 February 2013 (126)

Brad Karoleff wrote:

I am looking for illustrations of bust dollar edge errors. I would like to see any blank edges, doubled edges, partially doubled edges or incomplete edges. I am working on an article and would like to have some illustrations to include.  Full credit will be given for supplying coins or illustrations. 

Thanks!

Brad Karoleff

Bkaroleff (at) yahoo.com

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Michael Sullivan wrote:

As a numismatic literature collector for nearly 30 years, in addition to my more recent Early Dollar collecting, I occasionally have literature available related to early coinage.   For our half-dime collectors, I have available an original copy - hand priced of the Newlin Collection Sale conducted by John W. Haseltine in 1883.    For our early dime collectors, I have a nice original copy of the Davis-Logan-Lovejoy-McCloskey-Subjeck book published in 1984 available.

If you are interested, you can contact me at numisbookmjs (at) gmail.com

Michael Sullivan

JR Newsletter: 27 January 2013 (125)

One contribution this week

Bob Conrad wrote:

Loved the half dimes! Way to go. The LM-12 looks especially sweet. I'm happy with VF-XF and am up to 34 varieties. I e-mailed Winston Zack on his 1837 LM-2, so we'll see!

 

Thanks for all you do,

 

Bob Conrad

 

editor's note:  Here is an image of Winston's 1837 LM-2 from the FUN Show:

 

 

JR Newsletter: 20 January 2013 (124)

Winston Zack wrote:

I spent 3 days at the FUN show (Wednesday to Friday).  I had a great time despite my allergies kicking me in the face; although I'm not sure which would have been better, freezing in Chicago or having warm Florida weather and allergies!?!  I had a very successful show.  I was able to add 6 or 7 Capped Bust Dimes to my die marriage collection - 3 new die marriages and 3-4 more upgrades, including some of the tougher R5 die marriages.  My collection of Capped Bust Dime die marriages is now at 115 out of 123, and that number may soon grow to 116 or 117!

My collection aside, I was finally able to attend my first JRCS meeting on Friday morning.  It was great!  David Finkelstein gave a great presentation on "die punches and group-strength" of early gold coins.  I was also able to finally put A LOT of names to faces.  That was by far the quickest hour of the show for me.

To finish, I picked up an extra 1837 LM-2 Capped Bust Half Dime.  I have two examples now, one in VF-30 and the other I would call VF-35, and I only need one in my collection.  If anyone here reading this is interested in adding one of these examples to their collection please email me (stoneman101 (at) gmail.com) and I will send you pics and my asking price(s).

Cheers,
Winston

Editor's Note:  I saw the 1837 LM-2 half dime that Winston got at the show and thought it to be a very attractive piece.
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Richard Meaney wrote:

Wow!  What a great show FUN 2013 was!  Not only did I add two significant half dimes to my collection, but also I got to work behind a dealer's table for the first time at a major show.

First, the progress on the collection:  A fellow collector alerted me a couple of months ago to an 1829 LM-12 half dime that he and another person had found and were attempting to cross into a PCGS holder.  The 1829 LM-12 die marriage is an R-6 coin and I was excited at the prospect of an upgrade.  Two hours into the FUN Show, he found me and told me that the coin was waiting for me in its new PCGS AU55 holder.  I went to see it and bought it on the spot.  No haggling required, as I had been searching for an upgrade for this die marriage for YEARS.  If that wasn't enough, I had the good fortune to make a win-win trade with another collector.  I traded a VGish 1832 LM-9.2 half dime (a strong R-7 remarriage) for a raw 1829 LM-8 half dime (a strong R-6).  During the show I submitted the 1829 half dime to PCGS and received it back on Saturday morning in an AU-55 holder.  To say I was ecstatic about adding two R-6 half dimes to my collection at one show would be a significant numismatic understatement!

Second, I had a wonderful time working with Rich Uhrich, proprietor of Rich Uhrich Rare Coins.  I worked "on the other side of the table" on both Friday and Saturday.  It was great fun and a huge learning experience to help Rich in the purchase and sale of many coins.  I got to meet a lot of people, many of whom are likely reading this newsletter right now!  I got to handle and show some ultra-rare coins that Rich had in his inventory.  One thing that really surprised me was how red-hot Bust Dimes were at this show.  Collectors and dealers alike were snapping up Bust Dimes in all grades from well-circulated to Mint State.  If my schedule permits, I hope to do this again at the Summer ANA!

Images of my two Capped Bust Half Dime acquisitions are below (1829 LM-12 first, then 1829 LM-8):

JR Newsletter: 13 January 2013 (123)

There should be LOTS more to report next week (including a report about experiences at the FUN Show by this newsletter's editor), but for this week, I have just one item...a BLOCKBUSTER!

The Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society is selling some of its items from the extensive collection assembled over 90-plus years.  All sale proceeds will be used to support various not-for-profit organizations as well as continuing the Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society's mission of funding operations and exhibits at the Newman Money Museum at Washington University in St. Louis.

Eric P. Newman, now almost 102 years of age, remains an American numismatist still engaged in scholarly writing and research.  He hopes that others will be able to share his excitement and passion for numismatics and enjoy the history, artistry, and collecting of these items.

For any inquiries, please contact Stuart Levine at stuartlevine (at) comcast.net

JR Newsletter: 6 January 2013 (122)

No contributions this week.  Perhaps some quick post-FUN reports will arrive in time for publication next Sunday? 

If you are attending FUN, some things you can look forward to (based on recent contributions to this newsletter):

-Sheridan Downey has some enticing bust halves for sale (table 213)
-Rich Uhrich has an 1806 O-108 half in PCGS F-12 available via auction (table 312)

In other FUN news:

If you wish to meet the author of "A Registry of Die Varieties of Reeded Edge Half Dollars 1836-1839," you should stop by Rich Uhrich's table on Wednesday afternoon (for early birds) or Thursday and say hello to Dick Graham.

If you are truly unable to find something more enjoyable to do at the FUN show and wish to meet the editor of this newsletter, I too will be at Rich Uhrich's table, albeit on different days than Dick Graham.  I will be there on Friday and Saturday, except for lunch time, of course.

Happy hunting if you do attend FUN.  I hope to see many of you there!