JR Newsletter: 8 February 2026 (687)

 Brad Karoleff wrote:

The deadline for the spring issue of The John Reich Journal is rapidly approaching. Please consider submitting something for publication as we are well short of a full issue.  

A couple of you have already promised something and your efforts are greatly appreciated.  Please see if you can wrap things up and submit them to us by the 15th.

Best, your begging editor.

Brad

JR Newsletter: 25 January 2026 (686)

Brad Karoleff wrote:

 

The spring issue of the John Reich Journal is quickly approaching and we need content. Please consider sending something to me asap at bkaroleff@yahoo.com

 

Thanks 

 

Brad

--

 

Winston Zack wrote:

 

A new category has been added to the JRCS website - Chopmarked Bust Coins (https://www.jrcs.org/jrcs_chopmarked_bust_coins.php). 

 

Only a couple pieces have been added so far. This weekend I plan to add the 1 example I own. If you own any such pieces, I hope you will consider contributing images of your example(s) to this sub-category of JRCS-related coinage to build a better picture on the scope of this subject matter. Also, if you are able to translate your chopmark, it would be great to add that information with your piece.

 

Enjoy,

Winston

JR Newsletter: 4 January 2026 (685)

MJ Sullivan wrote:

 

GREAT COLLECTIONS presents "Selections from the MJ Sullivan Collection of Early Half Dollars and Dollars"

 

(you can click on the link below to be taken to the items on Great Collections)

 

Selections from the MJ Sullivan Collection of Early Half Dollars and Dollars at GreatCollections Coin Auctions

 

This 29-coin, PCGS certified bust coinage offering will be sold by Great Collections following the FUN show.   The coins will be on display for preview at FUN.  The "Selections" include:

 

• Two R-6 Early Bust Half Dollars (1806 O-122, VF-30 and 1806 O-127a, VF-25 CAC Finest Known)
• Three high Grade 1795 Bust Dollars with large - visible Silver Plugs
• Superb 1795, BB-26, R-6 - Bolender Plate Coin ex: Elder
• Bust Dollar Rarities:
• 1795, BB-22 R-6+
• 1795, BB-25 "Missing Leaf", R-8 - finest of two known
• 1798, BB-103, R-7 - only straight graded example
• 1798, BB-110, R-6 - second finest known with large obverse crack
• 1798, BB-126, R-8 - only straight graded of two known
• 1803, BB-256, R-6 - second finest known
• Rare 1801 Proof Like Bust Dollar in MS-61
• Many XF and AU High Quality Coins from Sullivan's Die Marriage Collection
• Pedigrees Traced to:  Stirling, Miller, Cardinal, Hesselgesser, Hansen, Elder, AP Austin, Bolender, Friend, Husak, Perkins, Reiver, Mathews

 

 

Sullivan's core collection of key dates and Redbook varieties continues to be his passion to collect and improve.   This portion of the collection is not available for sale, but is viewable on PCGS Registry.

--

 

Rick Andrzej wrote:

 

For those cud enthusiasts on Bust Dimes, the following are in the Heritage January 12, 2026 Bust Coinage Showcase Auction.

 

1814 Sm. Dt. JR1 F15 - Late die state w/ Bulge

1829 JR5 - Rev. rim cud left of 'U'

1830 JR5 - Obv. cud dentils rt. of cap

1831 JR5 - Rev. cud 'UNI'

1832 JR3 - Rev. cud A3-Ar. hds.

1833 JR1 - Rev. ret. cud 'D' to motto returning left side 'E2' to rim

1834 JR6 - Rev. ret. Cuds 'ATES'; A3 thru Ar. Hds.

1835 JR3 - Rev. ret. Cud A1 to scroll, out thru A2

1830 JR1 - Rev. cud over'UNI' F/VG similar to the Reiver's coin. Should have been in the auction but Heritage graders thought it was too low grade or low value (less than $100)

                      to have graded and sold it in their ungraded coins, Gallery Auction in Texas held in August. They wouldn't give me a list of the 11 dimes they sold in the auction and I couldn't 

                      determine  which ones until all my bust dimes came back from PCGS.

                      Check out the 1829 JR1 Ex. Lg. 10c R4+. I misrepresented the grade when I reported it as an AU in the past Bust dime census.

 

Happy New Year everyone.

Rick Andrzej

 

 

 

JR Newsletter: 28 December 2025 (684)

 We have an "anonymous" contribution:

A member is selling the remaining collection (~80 dimes) of Bust Dimes in the Heritage January 12, 2026 Bust Coinage Showcase Auction.

As his collection was mostly purchased raw over the past 30+ years he is wondering what members more recent experience was on grades received from PCGS on the early type

Bust Dimes. He feels quite a few were graded lower if they showed weakness in the strike, weak rims or were cuds. Also, if showing slight marks or issues, they indicated cleaned and were downgraded by about 5 points. Talked with reputable Midwest dealers and their thoughts were graders there were much younger and experienced in more modern and post 1836

Coins.  Thought same type marks or weakness seen on Bust Half dollars are not mentioned or indicated by PCGS. Has PCGS become more stringent in grading Bust Dimes?

Readers are encouraged to send their responses to the JR Newsletter for publication next week!

--

From the editor:  There will be no JR Newsletter, regardless of the number of contributions received, on January 11th.  The editor will be traveling the American Southwest and be without a computer.

JR Newsletter: 21 December 2025 (683)

Gary Rosner wrote:

Last night I listed a 1837 LM-3, R.5 F/VF that has problems on ebay, here is a link:

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/116937487156

 

If you have any collector friends that need this variety, please let them know.

JRCS members can contact me directly and buy it for 10% less.

 

My ebay store name is “orgmr” and I have some other bust coins listed.

In the future I plan to list more as well so come back to look now and then.

 

Gary Rosner

3cnickel(at)gmail.com

JR Newsletter: 7 December 2025 (682)

Steve Herrman wrote:

Just a reminder that Steve Herrman was elected Treasurer at the 2025 ANA WFOM. He also continues to serve as Secretary.

Inquiries regarding membership status questions and renewal should be sent to Steve at the address below or send an email to herrman102(at)aol.com

   Stephen J. Herrman

   JRCS Treasurer

   PO Box 6083

   Broomfield, CO 80021-6083

All current members should have received a copy of the latest Journal (Volume 35, Issue 3) with an enclosed ballot for voting on the Jules Reiver Literary Award. Please also check for an enclosed dues reminder for Volume 36 (155 members received one). NOTE: Dues may be submitted for multiple volumes. Dues are $30 per year.

Make bank checks for dues payable to JRCS. Payment may also be remitted via Zelle or via PayPal Friends & Family. For instructions, please email Steve.

Also, please keep us informed if you have a change to your mailing address and/or your email address. Many email addresses in the membership database are missing or out of date, and we need them to contact you if there is an issue.

JR Newsletter: 30 November 2025 (681)

 Winston Zack wrote:

My first Fixed-Price List sale of primarily contemporary counterfeit Capped Bust half dollars is now posted on my website at - https://www.badmetalcoin.com/shop. This sale highlights the collection of long-time collector, Larry Schmidt. Larry assembled his advanced collection of more than 100 die struck counterfeit CBH varieties over several decades. For this collection's subject matter, this is a level of completion and achievement that fewer than 10 numismatists (per my estimate) have ever ascended to, notably due to how rare or scarce many of these varieties are.

All pieces are offered on a first-come basis. If you see something you really would like to add to your collection, getting in touch sooner gives you a better chance at owning it. You can download a copy of the FPL by simply clicking the document at the top of the page titled 'Fixed Price List #1' and it will download for you. There are 98 lots of mostly counterfeit CBHs, but also several other type pieces at the end and some counterfeit coin detectors. 

Thanks for looking, 

Winston