We have quite a few contributions this week, including some
really good reports from the EAC-JRCS Convention:
Phil Carrigan wrote:
I attended the EAC Convention in Newark, Ohio from Thursday until Sunday (May 2 to 5). This
my fifth EAC convention starting when or just after EAC invited JRCS members to
join them. I had another great time and better than most other shows I
attend. Why you may ask? The EAC Convention isn't as massive as
shows such as ANA, FUN, Baltimore and others but who believes big is the best (I
collect Capped Bust Half Dimes!).
What went on at the show?
The auction was conducted by McCawley & Grellman and offered half- and
large-cents. Dealers of note included Heritage, Dick Osburn, Brad
Karoleff, John Kraljevich (neat medals!), two literature dealers (Kolbe
& Fanning and John Burns), and two dozen others. Who attended: I
won't list individuals by name but collectors who have been at this for a few
decades (I can tell because they have gray hair!). They are friendly,
knowledgeable by sharing what they have learned, and relaxed.
This is not the intensity of Long Beach or FUN.
One practice of the
EAC JRCS has replicated is their "happening."
Months before the convention we saw in this Newsletter the half dime thru half
dollar varieties which those attending could bring and compare with other JRCS
collectors. Note, this is NOT who has the highest grade example.
Rather, it is examining die states and progression of the die as it
deteriorates. I brought my CBHD 1836 LM 1.1 & 1.2 and my 1820 JR-2
dime.
What else was rewarding? Two
presentations of many were highly enjoyable: Dane Neilsen spoke of his
collecting Matron-head large cents (all in stellar condition) and added focus
to who he obtained these coins from (usually other collectors as opposed to
copper dealers). His was a story told in a warm way. The other talk
was presented by Steve Ellsworth and covered security and, well beyond
coins. One tip: your vehicle breaks down on the road and you call
road service for help. What do you do next: move from the drivers
, seat to the front passenger seat. Why? The driver went for
help and will return, you are not out there alone.
Next year, EAC will hold their
convention in Colorado
Springs. Some
of us may have been there, if not, it is a nice place for numismatists
(an understated thought) and a great place for the family who enjoys superb
scenery. Give this a try.
Phil Carrigan, JRCS Member
--
Next, a report from Glenn Peterson:
The EAC/ JRCS
convention was held in rural Newark Ohio
with the excellent coordination of Rob and Emily Matuska. On Thursday night we
gathered for the "happenings" meeting and displayed numerous examples
brought by JRCS members of bust half dime 1836 LM 1, bust dime 1820 JR 2, bust
quarter 1836 B3 and bust halves 1807 O-111 and 1823 O-109.
We had 6
examples of the 1836 LM 1.1 and 12 examples of the 1836 LM 1.2. We also
displayed examples in mint state of the earlier uses of the reverse die DD as
described in the Logan-McCloskey reference on half dimes. The 1835 LM 7 had a
perfect reverse, the 1835 LM 8.1 had cracks between D and S1 and cracks above
A3, O. The die state of 1835 LM 9.1 showed these cracks and a clash under motto
and the 1835 LM 8.2 has cracks at T1, M and the crack at D S now progresses to
the scroll. Next the reverse die is paired with the obverse of 1836 with
thickening of the crack over E PLURIBUS on the 1836 LM
1.1. The die is paired again with the 1835 die LM 9.2 and we had two mint state
examples, one before the cud formed and one just after. Finally the die is used
again with 1836 LM 1.2 with a second cud forming STAT.
As it progresses the die sections become loose and the field of the coin rises
to the point of obliterating the letters TED of UNITED. Interestingly we had
six late state 1836 LM 1.2 graded AU 50, MS 63, MS 66, MS 62 and fine with
weakening and, finally, erasure of the letters TED. The metal from the planchet
filling this void in turn weakens the obverse stars 3 and 4. These stars were
sharp on the 50 and 63 grade examples weak on the 66 grade almost gone on the
62 grade and absent from the fine example. Wear on this circulated example
played a part but no letters or stars 3 and 4 were visible. Looking at these
one could almost imagine the dies breaking apart.
Next the 1820 JR 2
dime showed the faux pas of the coiner in the "office boy" reverse.
E1 was punched too low, an extra punch was present between D and S, T3 is too
high and recut, S O recut, M double punched and ME of AMERICA joined at both
serifs. We had 4 nice examples grading 45, F 15 AU 50 and AU 58.
The bust
quarter 1836 B3 was represented with coins grading XF40,
MS 64, XF 45 and AU 50 The XF 40
graded coin was in die state a/b Showing aspects of die state b with crack
through 8 on obverse and through 2 on the reverse but no crack from rim-S1 bust
as described in die state "b" of Early Quarters of the United State
Mint. The remaining examples were die state d with just one showing all the
cracks described for this die marriage.
The 1807 O-111
bust half "Bearded Goddess" was represented with 7 examples, two
O-111a's with a thin crack chin to chest, 5 B's with a thicker crack chest to
chin through the eye splitting to
letters I and E on the LIBERTY headband. One beautiful XF+ example also had
three short cracks left of the one in the date and had the crack through E of
the headband extending through the cap and visible at the very top of the cap
near star 8. I have seen a later example that appeared to reach the rim above
the cap but none of these were of that advanced die state.
The 1823 O-109
an R5+ bust half was represented with 5 examples highlighted by a mint state 64
coin and a beautiful high AU details coin. Each coins showed the advanced die
state of this die marriage with cracks from 1 through the first 5 stars another
from the rim through star 5 across the cap to the rim and from rim through all
the right stars through the curls to the one joining the first crack. It was
great seeing this many high grade examples of this rare die marriage.
It was great fun meeting with colleagues from JRCS and
exhibiting these beautiful coins. Brad Karoleff, Steve Herrman, Jim Mathews,
Glenn Peterson, Ted Mc Cauley, Phil Carrigan and Kent Ingram assisted in
displaying these coins. Our colleagues in EAC were impressed with the
remarriages and late die states of the coins. I showed the half dimes and went
through each step in the progression of the die from 1835 to 1836 back to
1835 only to return to 1836 for the dramatic
breakup of the die. The copper collectors have very few remarriages in their
series and were fascinated at what occurred in silver coinage. I invite more
members in JRCS to join us in Colorado Springs
next year to share our collecting interest with so many collectors with diverse
interests.
The next day
after the happenings we had a bourse and, yes there were beautiful silver coins
available for the astute collector. I found an early die state of the 1828
O-101 half in AU 55 grade before the die chip forms at F. This coin is a critical
step in the remarriage 1827 O-108 to 1828 O-101 and back to 1827 O-108 with the
F filled. I plan to photograph this coin and the others as part of a
presentation at ANA on bust half
remarriages. So come to Chicago
at the BHNC meeting to hear more...
------
Brad Karoleff wrote:
JRCS is in need of a volunteer or two to help at the June
Baltimore numismatic expo. We need some one to host the 4:00 PM Friday
afternoon meeting. This will entail opening the meeting and moderating the
program. Which brings me to the next need. Is there anyone willing to give a
short presentation at the meeting? I will be attending the summer seminar
at the ANA and will not be in Baltimore.
Anyone wishing to volunteer for either (or both!) jobs please contact me ASAP.
Thank you.
Brad Karoleff
bkaroleff (at) yahoo.com
------
Steve Crain provided some additional information about
friend and fellow JRCS member Bob Hammond's passing: As was mentioned in the last edition of the JR
News, fellow JRCS member Robert J. Hammond passed away suddenly on April 22, 2013. I have been in
contact with his loving wife of 34 years, Shirley, who was his constant
companion at many national coin shows, and she sent me the following note,
addressed to the John Reich Collectors Society:
May 8, 2013
Dear John Reich Collectors Society:
I am saddened to inform you of my husband Bob Hammond and
his death on April 22, 2013.
Bob truly loved coin collecting and going to various coin
shows.
Our grandson, Tyler Hammond, encouraged me to call
Grandpop’s friends in the world of coins.
I am still in disbelief that Bob has passed away and no
longer with me.
Steve, many thanks for returning my phone call.
I am enclosing Bob’s obituary that was in the local paper.
Just cherish the memories of Bob and myself at the shows,
especially Baltimore Shows.
Love
in Christ,
Shirley
Hammond and family.
Robert J. Hammond
CWO3 Robert J. Hammond, 70, of Emmaus, passed away suddenly, on Monday, April 22, 2013, in Lehigh
Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. He was the husband of Shirley E. (Remaley) Hammond.
They celebrated 34 years of marriage in October 2012. Born in Fountain Hill, he
was the son of the late Milton T. and Kathryn D. (Gaal) Hammond. Bob graduated
from Liberty High
School in 1960 and Moravian
College in 1969. He served his
country in the U.S. Navy for 30 years both Active and Reserve Duty, retiring as
CWO3. Bob worked for Bethlehem Steel, Acme Markets and most recently for 22
years in the bulk mailing department at the U.S. Postal Service in Hanover Twp.
He attended Lehigh Valley
Baptist Church
in Emmaus. He was a member of Navy Enlisted Reserve Association (NERA) of Lehigh
Valley and many Historical
Societies in Eastern Pa. Bob had an interest in History and Genealogy and was
involved in Scouting.
Survivors: In addition to his loving wife Shirley;
are sons, Jack Hammond and his wife, Kim of Breinigsville, Thomas Hammond and
his wife, Sarah of Catasaqua, Philip Hammond and his wife, Ann of Bethlehem
Twp.; daughters, Sherri Hammond and her companion, Brian Wachter of Emmaus,
Mary Clouse and her husband, Ken of Havertown, Jean Deubler and her husband,
Jamey of Winter Haven, FL, Anne Williams and her husband, Nathaniel of Emmaus;
brothers, Rev. Donald Hammond and his wife, Nancy of Kimberly, ID, Rev. Gary
Hammond of Bethlehem; sister, Jean Rothert (widow of Robert) of Charlotte, NC;
11 grandsons, Tyler, Jamey Jr., Trevor, Bailey, Andrew, Ethan, Alexander,
William, Michael, Paul and Joshua; 3 granddaughters, Tiana, Briana and Adrianne
and another baby due in September.
Services: Funeral Services will be
held 11 a.m., Saturday, April 27, in the Long Funeral Home, 500 Linden Street,
Bethlehem, where friends may call Friday, April 26, from 7-9 p.m. A memory
tribute may be placed at
www.longfuneralhome.com.
Contributions: To NERA of Lehigh
Valley, P.O.
Box 4265, Bethlehem, PA
18018. 610-866-8059
------
Finally, Steve Crain provided us with an update on balloting
for the 2012 Jule Reiver Literary Award:
2012 Jules Reiver Numismatic Literary Award Ballot
Unfortunately, the ballot for the
2012 Jules Reiver Numismatic Literary Award which was enclosed with the last
issue of the John Reich Journal (Volume 23, Issue 1; April, 2013) contained two
errors of omission. The first oversight was that we did not make clear exactly
what members were to do with their completed ballots, or where to send them. In
previous years, the ballot was printed on the reverse side of the dues notice, and it was to be sent to
the same address as the dues payments. This year we separated the dues notice
and the Reiver ballot, and sent them out in two different issues of the JR
Journal. In doing so, the return address for the completed ballots was
inadvertently omitted.
The second, and certainly the
most egregious, error of omission was that two of the JR Journal articles from
Volume 22, which should have been included in the balloting, were omitted from
the ballot. In my own defense, when making up the Jules Reiver Numismatic
Literary Award ballot, I simply copied the table of contents from the three
issues of Volume 22. Who knew that these same two articles were also omitted
from the table of contents of their respective issues?
After some discussion with other
officers of the JRCS, we have decided that the only fair and equitable thing to
do is to issue another ballot, which will be enclosed in the next issue of the
John Reich Journal (Volume 23, Issue 2), complete with all of the eligible articles, and with instructions of where to
send the completed ballot. The authors of the two omitted articles have been
very understanding about this error, but in fairness to them and their
excellent articles, we felt that this was the proper course of action. If
you have already mailed your ballot, it will be destroyed, and you should mail
the new, amended ballot when it is received to the mailing address which will
be printed on the ballot. If you have not yet mailed your ballot, simply
wait until you receive the corrected ballot. We appreciate everyone’s
understanding on this issue.
Steve Crain
