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

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

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 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

 

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
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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
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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

JR Newsletter: 21 August 2016 (307)

We have two contributions this week.  First, from David Quint:

Regarding Jim Carr's article in the July 2016 JR Journal (A New Draped Bust Half Dime Variety), I must say that at first I was quite skeptical, especially considering the condition of the coin. But after studying the pics for a good long while I'm pretty convinced he did find a new die marriage (1800 LM-5?). There's practically zero design element remaining on the obverse, but he's right, the final 3 stars look to be from the Libekty obverse (and don't look like any other variety) and the reverse is clearly Reverse C. It's pretty amazing when somebody identifies a new variety with such a damaged and worn coin, so kudos to Jim. I'm curious as to whether anybody disagrees with this attribution.

David Quint

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Second, a report from the owner of the Easton Collection on his trip to the Summer ANA in Anaheim:

 

While I heard a lot of negative comments about the location, I made the trip from Connecticut to ANA. I must admit that a $100 cab fare from LAX to the show was a bit excessive. I try to attend the ANA because of the surprises it offers to me as well as seeing my coin friends that I otherwise wouldn’t get to see.

Arrived Wednesday night and stayed at the Hilton Hotel just a few steps from the convention center. Wednesday night met several dealer friends at the hotel bar and talked coins and life for a couple of hours. 

List of my experiences –

1-      I enjoy attending the show for the possibility of finding THE coin – one dealer showed me a 1825 JR1 in PCGS 65+. It was a real WOW coin that I immediately fell in love with. The coin was beautifully toned and 100% original. In February, I missed out on the Pogue 1825 dime and was disappointed missing out on that one, so I was extremely thrilled to have this coin offered to me. I gave the coin to Todd so he can take one of his great photos. I attend ANA to have this type of coin offered to me – mission accomplished for the show.

2-      Friday, I received a PCGS award for my registry set of Capped Bust Dimes at the PCGS luncheon.  Great seeing some friends at the luncheon – Thank you PCGS!

3-      A couple of years ago, I started an 1862 mint set cabinet and I was excited to add an 1862S $5 Liberty Half Eagle. The coin is one of the finest known and its totally original and nicely toned.

4-      I participated in the David Perkins auction of the Kirk Gorman Capped Bust Dimes – this is the last part of the auction and I really wanted the  1824/2 JR-2. On Saturday, Dave Perkins informed me that I was the highest bidder. I was waiting for that JR2 for over 4 years. David did a great job bringing those coins to auction and I thanked him for his lead on Kirk’s coins.

5-      I gave PCGS a few coins to grade and they crossed all my coins including my Newman 1822 25/50 quarter. Never tried crossing that coin so it felt like a win when it crossed even thought I thought that all the coins should cross.

6-      Attended the NLG Bash on Thursday night and it was great seeing all the folks receiving awards for their contributions to the advancement of coins.

7-      One of my NY friends showed me the most recent Coinage magazine that was offered free at the show and there was an article about the May Pogue auction. WOW!  The article included my name with my commentary. Others that were cited in the article are David Bowers and Scott Travers – Pretty cool company for me being included. 

8-      The number of collectors attending the show was lighter than I expected and that was too bad as they missed out on all the lectures, auctions coin deals and coin talk at the hotel bar. Even with the light attendance, I finally met a Bust Dime collector that I have been communicating with over the last several years but had never met.

9-      Attended Rick Snow's talk on his new idea on how coins should be graded. He was very interesting and good to hear. If you didn’t listen to his talk, then you should definitely listen to him.

10-   Sorry, I could attend the JRCS meeting on Wednesday morning.

11-   Flight home was uneventful and good to be home and back to work.

JR Newsletter: 14 August 2016 (306)

I arrived back to my home in Alaska around 1:00 AM on Sunday the 14th after an entire week of "coin nirvana" at the ANA World's Fair of Money, held at the Anaheim (California) Convention Center.  Some quick thoughts:

- always great to reconnect with my friends in numismatics.  Spending time with collector/dealer/researcher comrades is THE highlight of any coin show for me.

- it was especially pleasant to meet some of the West Coast and Southern California collectors that I've only talked or corresponded with in the past.

- I collect Capped Bust Half Dimes and to a much lesser extent, other bust coinage.  As such, I visited with dealers who specialize in my areas of interest. It seemed to me that the dealers who had a healthy selection of those coins were doing a pretty good business. Busier days saw a number of bust coin sellers two deep with collectors waiting to view the coins or talk with the dealer.

- I assisted David Perkins with a small sealed bid sale of half dimes. Four Logan-McCloskey plate coins and one R6 die marriage were sold in the auction. Despite the auction being a last-minute addition to David's ANA plans, it was great to see demand for the plate coins remaining strong. The coins were in PCGS "details" holders; however, they averaged more than $800 each in price  realized (including 15% buyer premium)!

- although it was unannounced, mostly for security reasons, I brought my entire collection of half dimes to the show for "show and tell."  It was quite fun to share my collection with fellow numismatists!

- Perkins also held the final sale and auction of Kirk Gorman's dimes. I enjoyed playing a small role in the sale. I'm hopeful that a dime specialist will contribute some thoughts from the Gorman sale.  I did like to observe the knowledge and enthusiasm for dimes just oozing out of specialists as they viewed and discussed the dimes.

- large shows like the ANA are great opportunities to add to one's collection. I was pleased to find upgrades for my half dime set.  I purchased a beautiful AU58 1829 LM-7.3 from David Kahn that has greater eye appeal (to me) than my current set piece, which is MS63.  Also, David Kahn had an 1829 LM-16.2 in MS63 that will replace my XF45.  I was fortunate to place my XF45 with a friend who needed a nice example of this surprisingly-difficult-to-find remarriage.  Speaking of eye appeal, I found a pretty MS63 1835 LM-4 at the table of Jim Matthews. Jim and I struck a deal and the colorful coin will replace my MS61 (CAC) set piece.  Jim had other nice coins in a variety of denominations and series!  Finally, I added two seated dollars to a short set I'm building (only coins dated in the 1840s), thanks to David Perkins.

- I've certainly left out a few important things from this write-up, perhaps another time...

I do hope others will share their experiences from the 2016 ANA World's Fair of Money

Richard Meaney

JR Newsletter: 7 August 2016 (305)

The ANA Summer Show has likely already started for many JR Newsletter readers.  For others, the start of the show is a day or so away.  First contribution this week is a reminder (and some news) from David Perkins:

A reminder that the Kirk Gorman Collection of Capped Bust Dimes has a fixed price sale ongoing and a sealed bid seal to be conducted during the ANA (bids close Friday evening). 

Also, there is a HALF DIME sealed bid auction consisting of four LOGAN-McCLOSKEY PLATE COINS and a PCGS/CAC R-6 half dime.  The half dime auction closes on THURSDAY.  To learn more, contact David at wdperki(at)attglobal.net, or Phone 303-902-5366.  

For specific questions on the half dimes, you may also contact Richard Meaney at richard.meaney(at)yahoo.com (he wrote the catalog for the half dimes).

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Another reminder about the JRCS Meeting:

John Reich Collectors Society General Meeting:  To be held on Wednesday, August 10^th from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM in room Huntington BC at the host hotel (Hilton Anaheim Hotel).  A highlight of the meeting will be an educational presentation by David Finkelstein.  David will present "Alexander Hamilton’s Influence on the Silver Coinage of 1794 and 1795."  All JRCS members, prospective members, and other interested parties are welcome to attend.

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Len Augsburger wrote:

The Newman Portal will be at the ANA convention in Anaheim, CA next week.  Stop by and visit, or attend one of our presentations. Our schedule is:

Wednesday, August 10: table #261, all day

Friday, August 12: The Newman Portal will be presenting at the NBS general meeting (11:30am), Huntington conference room.

Saturday, August 13: The Newman Portal will be presenting at the ANA Money Talks forum (10am), Avila conference room.

See you in Anaheim!

Len Augsburger
Project Coordinator, Newman Numismatic Portal
Washington University in St. Louis

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Pete Mosiondz, Jr. wrote

A few books did not sell from my last listing so in an effort to clear them out I reduced the prices and also found a couple of new items.

Thanks and best regards,

Pete

The Early Coins of America, Sylvester Crosby (1983 Quarterman Reprint). The best edition with the expanded 20 page bibliographical foreword by Eric P. Newman. 381 pages. 10 plates, 2 manuscripts. HB. DJ protected in Brodart Mylar. New. $10.00

Copper Quotes (CQR), Jack Robinson. 20th and final edition (4-30-2011). Spiralbound. New. $20.00

Abe Kosoff: Dean of Numismatics, Q. David Bowers. 351 pages. SB. New. $10.00

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

ANS Magazine, 2015 complete set of four issues. SB. New. $10.00

Coin World Set of Five Special Issues: The 1960s, The 1970s. The 1980s, The 1990s and The 2000s. SB. New. $5.00

Subject unsold. Add $4.00 Media Mail postage to all orders.

Peter Mosiondz, Jr.

26 Cameron Circle

Laurel Springs, NJ 08021-4861

856-627-6865

choochoopete(at)comcast.net

JR Newsletter: 31 July 2016 (304)

The American Numismatic Association's World's Fair of Money is right around the corner!  Some events of interest for JRCS members and other readers of the JR Newsletter will include:

John Reich Collectors Society General Meeting:  To be held on Wednesday, August 10^th from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM in room Huntington BC at the host hotel (Hilton Anaheim Hotel).  A highlight of the meeting will be an educational presentation by David Finkelstein.  David will present "Alexander Hamilton’s Influence on the Silver Coinage of 1794 and 1795."  All JRCS members, prospective members, and other interested parties are welcome to attend.

Sheridan Downey's Mail Bid Auction #43:  Sheridan's auction closes at 6:00 PDT on Wednesday, August 10^th.  Sheridan will be at tables 730 and 732.  Read more about the auction here:  https://www.sheridanscoins.com/inc_active-mb.php

W. David Perkins' Sealed Bid and Fixed Price Sales for Capped Bust Dimes from the Kirk Gorman Collection:  David will be at tables 451 and 453. 

The ANA-sponsored, free "Money Talks" lectures are offered Thursday through Saturday, August 11-13, 2016, in the Avila Room of the Hilton Anaheim Hotel.  Some notable presentations include the following:

Friday, August 12 at 10:00 AM, “The 1794 Congressional Committee Appointed to Examine the Mint,” by David Finkelstein.

Saturday, August 13 at 3:00 PM, “Connections: Black Pepper, The Mountain that Eats Men and JohnReich,” by Brad Karoleff.