Sunday, December 30, 2018

JR Newsletter: 30 December 2018 (426)



Sad news in the numismatic community is that John McCloskey passed away on December 15, 2018.  To say that John McCloskey was important to both the John Reich Collectors Society AND the Liberty Seated Collectors Club would be a gross understatement.  This week’s JR Newsletter will share some of the thoughts of those who knew John McCloskey. Readers are welcome to share additional remembrances for future issues of this newsletter.

From Brad Karoleff:

The latest issue of the JRJ should be in your hands by now.  Anyone who has not received their journal by the end of the week should contact me at bkaroleff(at)yahoo.com to obtain a replacement issue.  

The dues renewal notice is also included in the envelope along with the ballot for the Jules Reiver Literary Award.  Please send David a check to continue your membership and vote for your favorite article(s) from the last year.

Some thoughts on John McCloskey.

I don't remember just when I first met John McCloskey as it seems he was always around.  We lived within 50 miles of each other my entire adult life.  I often saw him at the local shows we both attended.  At first, I did not realize his standing in the collecting community as John would never advertise his expertise.  I have never met another genius as unassuming as John.  

We all know his profession as a member of the University of Dayton as a professor and eventually head of the math department.  This is evidence of his expertise as well as his ability for planning and administration.  Two qualities quite evident in his 40-year position as editor of The Gobrecht Journal where he put out the quarterly journal like clockwork.  

I remember years ago talking to Russ Logan about the dime and half dime books that he worked on with John.  He mentioned that anytime a deadline was set with the co-authors he need not worry about John's submission being on time.  Other dime book authors were not as punctual in getting their work done!

John was a perfectionist which precluded him from making headway in finishing his book on the gold coin die marriages before the disease that took John from us manifested itself.  Norma has often told me that she was most disappointed that John "never had the opportunity to sit at his desk and finish his book and write articles for publication."  We have all been deprived of the knowledge that John was never able to convey to the hobby.

John was instrumental in the formation of JRCS but did not take as active a role in the management of the society due to his involvement with LSCC.  He was always available for consultation and help whenever needed.  I remember asking him his opinion on articles submitted for publication.  John was always helpful and offered great advice and insight into producing a quality journal for publication.  He always stressed encouraging authors to contribute things for publication but to also make sure the information contained in the submission was truthful or represented as the author's opinion.  He and Russ were very instrumental in my development as the editor of the JRJ.  

Being so close to John allowed me to visit every now and then for a chat.  I wish I would have taken John and Norma up on their hospitality more often.  Getting to talk to them away from the hustle and bustle of the bourse floor was wonderful.  As everyone knows, John was recognized as an expert in many different aspects of numismatics.  This did not allow him much free time at coin shows for casual conversation.  Collectors and researchers were often asking him questions or advice on coins and research.  He was especially engaged at the LSCC meetings.  Norma would often sit back and just observe John "holding court" at the meetings.  This often gave me the opportunity to visit with her and catch up on what was happening in their lives.

John was an avid hiker and would often take time before or after major conventions to climb some of the mountains in the area of the convention.  He often told me about the beauty of nature he observed during these climbs.  Norma would accompany John on some of the easier climbs but John would tackle the more difficult ascents himself.  

John was also an avid golfer having obtained seven(!) holes in one.  I would often chastise him for taking so many and leaving me none.  I always wanted to play a round or two with John and we had talked about it leaving it for his retirement.  Alas, John was never able to really enjoy the retirement time he had earned.  

I always look at John as the Lou Gehrig of numismatics.  He was the "iron horse" of the LSCC serving his beloved club for over 40 years as a founder, officer and editor of its journal.  He helped form the JRCS and was a co-author of both the dime and half dime books and author of more articles than I can count.  He was a brilliant man that was always available for consultation and advice.  I would go as far as to say that he was the conscience of numismatics, at least as far as the LSCC and JRCS is concerned.  

We will never know how much more John would have been able to contribute to our beloved hobby.  We can only learn from his example and continue his work expanding on the base he has created for us.  That would be the best legacy we could leave for John, and one he would surely appreciate.

Brad Karoleff
--

David Perkins wrote:

I first met John McCloskey (in person) at the 1985 Central States Numismatic Society (CSNS) show in Minneapolis in 1985.  This was my first larger coin show, having “gotten back” into collecting in 1983.  I was a member of the Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) which John McCloskey had co-founded along with Kamal Awash.  John was the long time President and Editor of the club’s Gobrecht Journal.  By long time I mean around four decades!  John was also a founding member of the John Reich Collectors Society (JRCS) and a long-time Vice President of JRCS.  The first issue of the John Reich Journal was not published until January 1986 (Volume 1 / Issue 1), thus I first knew John through membership in the LSCC.  

I wrote a letter to John prior to the 1985 CSNS Convention offering to pick him up at the airport and drop him off at his hotel if he would come to my house and look at my collection and give me feedback.  I’d been collecting for two years or so and wanted feedback on the coins I’d purchased so far for my collection.  Much to my surprise and pleasure John agreed to do this.  

I picked John up and we drove to my house.  I had my Seated Dollar collection home from the bank, and one early dollar (1800 B-13, BB-193), mostly consisting of XF-AU coins.  At one point, John asked me if I used a glass when looking at my coins.  I remember saying that I did not, should I?  He said yes, but he added that he hadn’t noted any mistakes on the coins he had seen so far.  I guess that I had “young eyes” at the time with very good eyesight up close.  Or was lucky.  At the end, John asked me which coin did I think was his favorite.  It turned out it was an 1864 Dollar in VG-Fine, a well circulated Civil War Date.  

At the show, John took me around and introduced me to a number of collectors.  I remembering John introducing me among others to Mr. 1873, Harry X Boosel  and to Russell Logan, an author and later founder of JRCS.   I also was in attendance and talked with John at the November 1-2, 1986 Coinage of the Americas Conference titled, America’s Silver Coinage 1794-1891.  This conference was held at The American Numismatic Society (ANS), New York.  Russ Logan was in attendance also, handing out “sample copies” of Volume 1 / Issue 1 of the John Reich Journal.  I joined JRCS on the spot!  David Davis, Allen Lovejoy, and Jules Reiver were also there.  This was quite the event for me, having just gotten back into the hobby a few years earlier.  

Over the years I saw and talked with John at the major shows.  I remember that the 1801 Draped Bust Dime was a favorite of John’s.  He told me that he thought it was undervalued.  I’m guessing  that John has more than one of these in his collection!  Time will tell.  The photo of the 1801 Dime that serves as this week's "headline coin" is Courtesy of Heritage Auctions.  

John was a co-author of Early United States Dimes 1796 – 1837 (1984, John Reich Collectors Society) with David J. Davis, Russell J. Logan, Allen F. Lovejoy, and William L. Subjack.  John was also a co-author of Federal Half Dimes 1792-1837 (1998, John Reich Collectors Society) with Russel J. Logan.  This are widely used references for those collecting the early half dimes 1792-1837 and dimes 1796-1837.  

Below is a classic quote from the JRCS History found on the JRCS Website, discussing John’s role in both JRCS and the Dime Book:   

Although the census information and comradeship continued, the embryonic JRCS took a different direction after the sale of Stew’s collection as Dave, John McCloskey and Russ Logan agreed to author the book on the early dimes. The Dime Book supplied the catalyst for structuring JRCS on a more formal basis. On March 20, 1983, all five authors (now including Bill Subjack and Allen Lovejoy) met in Cleveland, Ohio to finalize the details for the Dime Book and lay the groundwork for organizing the John Reich Collectors Society.

Here is a direct link to the JRCS History:  http://jrcs.org/aboutjrcs_history.php

John wrote untold articles on early silver and gold for the John Reich Journal and for the Gobrecht Journal.  He was inducted into the JRCS Hall of Fame in 2012.  

JRCS, LSCC, and the hobby will miss John.  

W. David Perkins
Centennial, CO


wdperki(at)attglobal.net

--

From Jim Matthews:

My thoughts on John.

John was one of foundation members of the JRCS. Early on his driving force helped become the glue to mount the project of writing the original "Early United States Dimes -- 1796-1837."  When I first came along to one of their informal meetings in 1979 at the ANA in St. Louis, the group had yet to meet Allen Lovejoy. Jules Reiver served as ambassador to help along the book writing project. John's wife Norma was his constant companion for several decades. I remember telling the authors how much I wanted to read their book on dime varieties as there simply wasn't anything available that accurately described the die varieties available. Each of the authors avidly collected dimes from 1809 to 1837 and had developed their own methods for identification of the particular variety. Somehow all this information needed to be organized and laid out in a usable fashion for their book. Bill Subjack and Allen Lovejoy focused on the Draped Bust dimes and employed the same identification criteria. Die state information was included. All the 1000s of decisions had to be discussed, reviewed and accepted or rejected for inclusion. Writing a book is a far bigger challenge than most people realize, but creating one with five different authors and having it all make sense is a herculean task. John McCloskey helped with the organizational skills and laying out the format with the authors. In later years authors John McCloskey and Russ Logan again used their talents to write "Early Half Dimes 1792 - 1837" using the same format as employed in their Dime book of the prior decade. 

What is amazing to me is that John accomplished the writing of these books, and several others--while employed as a Mathematics professor at the University of Dayton Ohio, much of the time as the Department Head, raising a family, and spending countless hours working for both the JRCS as Vice President but also our sister club the Liberty Seated Collectors Club where John was President and primary editor for their journal. John was truly a tireless volunteer who wrote countless articles and conducted research on many series. His work on the Classic Head gold coins has not been widely published but certainly will be in the coming years, along with his study of the branch mint gold coins of various denominations. While a great many numismatists collect coins, John truly studied, and published articles about, the coins he loved and this decades-long act of giving will stand tall for many decades to come as future numismatists discover his genius through his writings. We all will miss him greatly.

Jim Matthews

--

From the editor:


Also, if you visit Gerry Fortin’s Daily Blog and scroll to the blog of December 25, you will see additional information about John’s life and contributions to numismatics.  A link to Gerry’s Blog is here:  http://seateddimevarieties.com/DailyBlog.htm

Sunday, December 23, 2018

JR Newsletter: 23 December 2018 (425)

Not surprisingly at this time of year, we received no contributions for this week's JR Newsletter.

Sunday, December 16, 2018

JR Newsletter: 16 December 2018 (424)

We have a number of contributions in this week’s JR Newsletter.  First, from Brad Karoleff:


The latest issue of the JRJ is at the printers!

I expect delivery soon and I will get them out ASAP. Hopefully they will arrive before the new year.

I would like to thank all the authors that contributed to our journal in the last year. You will be asked to vote for your favorite article(s) to receive the Jules Reiter Literary Award on the ballot included in the envelope.

It is also time to renew your membership. There is also a renewal form in your envelope. Please write a check and send it to David Perkins to keep your membership current.

With the issuance of this journal I will have nothing in the queue for the Spring issue. Please consider sending something for publication in the next issue. You can reach me at bkaroleff(at)yahoo.com with submissions or questions.

Happy holidays to all and hope to see you at FUN. Look me up at table 317 and say hello.

Brad
------

David Finkelstein and Christopher Pilliod gave a presentation at the JRCS General Meeting during the ANA World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia in August.  The presentation was on the first phase of a multi-phase project to determine the chemical composition of 1794 and 1795 US silver coins.  Part 1 of a multi-part article series was published in the September 23, 2018 John Reich Newsletter (JRN).  Part 2 was published in the October 7, 2018 JRN.  Part 3 was published in the October 21, 2018 JRN.  Part 4 was published in the November 4, 2018 JRN and revised in the November 11, 2018 JRN.  Here is the 5th and final part of their article series:

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/74a0e3c37d154d935bdeb2daf/files/905bbc0f-776b-4b84-acfe-41dabd7b8953/1794_95_Chem_Analysis_Part_5.pdf
------

Sheridan Downey wrote:  Readers may like to know that a preview version of my upcoming FUN Show auction (Mail Bid Sale #48) is now available on my web site:
https://www.sheridanscoins.com/inc_active-mb.php

Full descriptions and a catalog are in the works and should be available after Christmas.  The auction will close Friday, January 11.

All the best,
Sheridan
------

Finally, from Richard Meaney, Editor of JR Newsletter:  Many of you wrote and asked how I fared in the recent earthquake in Alaska.  Seems the epicenter of the large quake was less than 15 miles from my home!  My wife, daughter, dog, and I were all unharmed.  We wish we could say the same for our home.  Nearly every component of the house was damaged in some way, including floors, walls, windows, plumbing, stairs and stair rails, doors, and even various ceilings.  Fortunately, the heat still works, we have were able to get some temporary fixes on some plumbing issues, and we can still live in the house.  Another fortunate choice was to carry earthquake insurance.  After we pay about $45,000, the insurance company will pick up the rest of the repair tab.  So we are trying to look at it from the perspective of, "hey, we get our whole house updated (it was built in 2006) and it will cost just the price of a new SUV."


So with that update, I want to offer my second set of JR Journals for sale to whomever would like to buy the set at a darn good price.  The set is complete from Volume 1, Issue 1 (original card stock covers, not the photocopy) to present (Volume 28, Issue 2).  If interested, write to me at richard.meaney(at)yahoo.com 

I will sell it shipped via media mail for $350.  If you wish a quicker shipping method, price will be $375.  As I sort through items in my "library" (not shelves, but just stacks of books these days!), I may offer additional items as a means to defray our earthquake insurance deductible. 


NOTE:  This set of JR Journals has already been sold

Richard



Sunday, December 9, 2018

JR Newsletter: 9 December 2018 (423)




The latest issue of The Asylum, the journal of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society (NBS) has an advertisement inside the back cover offering for $10.00 (plus $5.00 shipping to U.S. addresses) the second (current) edition Q. David Bowers book, The Encyclopedia of United States Silver Dollars 1794 to 1803.  The list price per Stack’s is $49.97. I think I paid a $40.00 “pre-order price” for my first copy.   If you’ve any interest in the learning more about the early dollars or adding this book to your Numismatic Library this is a pretty good deal!  I don’t see that this offer was limited to members of NBS, and the “Call to Order” phone number is listed as 866-811-1804.

Also offered at the same pricing level are three other books by Q. David Bowers.  Coins and Collectors, Golden Anniversary IssueThe 1822 Gold Half Eagle:  Story of a Rarity, and Treasures from the D. Brent Pogue Rare Coin Cabinet.  

There is a limit of 2 copies of each book per address.  You’ll need to confirm details with Stack’s – I’m just reporting these offers to fellow JR News readers who might not have been aware of this offer.

Gerry Fortin, Jim Matthews, and I will have Tables 535 and 634 at the 2019 FUN Convention.  Please stop by if you are attending the show.  



W. David Perkins
Centennial, CO

Sunday, December 2, 2018

JR Newsletter: 2 December 2018 (422)


First this week, an announcement of the next census for the JR Journal:

Half Dime Census:

The officers of the JRCS are soliciting your half dime inventory information for inclusion in the Spring 2019 issue of the John Reich Journal.

 Please email your complete inventory listing, including all duplicates, of all your 1792, Draped Bust, Flowing Hair and Capped Bust half dimes to me. Any format that my iMac computer can read will work, so most spreadsheets and word processing files will be fine.  Even if you have a written list, you can take a picture of that written list and email it to me if you would like.  Please make the subject line of your email “Half Dime Census” and include your name and JRCS number.  

My email address is: richard.meaney(at)yahoo.com

 If you prefer, you may mail paper copies to me here:

Richard Meaney
3060 N Lazy Eight Court, Suite 2
PMB 294
Wasilla AK 99654

Please include the following information to the best of your ability:

-      Grade of each coin.  Grading company info (NGC, ANACS, CAC, PCGS, raw) is not needed.
-      Die Marriage or remarriage for each coin
-      Cud information for your coins with known cuds.  For example, if you report an 1830 LM-5 half dime in VF-20, I will assume the coin does not have a cud.  If you have one with a cud, something like “1830 LM-5 VF20 cud” will suffice.
-      If you would like to participate, but wish for your contribution to remain anonymous, just let me know.

Please respond no later than March 7, 2019 to ensure inclusion of your collection in this census. This is a hard cut-off date.  Questions? Let me know!

Richard Meaney
JRCS LM47
------

Next, from David Perkins:

Draped Bust Dollars:  The Series in Perspective – Parts I & II
For those interested in the early U.S. Silver Dollars 1794 to 1804 the Greysheet (Coin Dealer Newsletter (CDN)) has published an article by Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez, Editor, titled, “Draped Bust Dollars:  The Series in Perspective – Parts I & II.”  I love the early dollars, and have been collecting, researching, and writing about them for over 30 years now.  I was interviewed for this article.

Part I is dated November 29, 2018 is described as, “Early American coins are among the most widely collected and studied issues in all of numismatics.  Of the federal issues that the United States Mint coined in the 1790s and 1800s, perhaps no other silver coins have captured the hearts of collectors in the way the early American dollars have.  Struck from 1794 through 1804, these so-called “Bust” dollars, which include the Flowing Hair and Draped Bust types, have maintained a prominent place in numismatic cabinets since at least the mid 19th century.” 

Three major topics are discussed; Mystery Meets History With the Draped Bust Dollar, Draped Bust Dollars Scarce by Today’s Standards, and Truly Original Bust Dollars are rare.


  
Part II is dated November 30, 2018 with the McMorrow-Hernandez noting, “This blog post is the second segment of a two-art series analyzing the Draped Bust dollar of 1795-1804, one of the most popular early American coin series.”

Part II topics include Bust Dollar Pricing Trends and Draped Bust Dollar Varieties and Collecting Strategies.


I hope you enjoy the two articles. 

Website link to Flowing Hair Dollars:  http://www.davidperkinsrarecoins.com/silver.html?cat=132

Website link to Draped Bust Dollars:  http://www.davidperkinsrarecoins.com/silver.html?cat=131



W. David Perkins
Centennial, CO
------

Finally, Brad Karoleff wrote:

From last week’s list of Logan Library items for sale, the Overton has sold.  ALL OTHER ITEMS ARE NOW 20% OFF the listed prices.

As always, first to respond buys the lot plus shipping, either Book Rate or Priority; buyer’s choice.

1.  Five COAC books.  Coinages of the Americas Conference books issued by the ANS in NYC.  A collection of papers presented at the ANS during their conferences.  Included here are the following with some Logan tipins:

1986 America's Silver Coinage with some autographs
1989 America's Gold Coinage
1993 America's Silver Dollars
1996 America's Large Cent
1998 Circulating Counterfeits of the Americas

Great research by many of the Hobby's luminaries.  A must have for anyone's library.  All are very fine or better.
All 5 books for $175.

2.  United States Half Dimes by Valentine, the Durst reprint fine or better.
     Early Half Dollar Die Varieties by Overton, the 1970 edition, fifth printing, like new with dust jacket.
     The United States Early Silver Dollars by Bolender, 1950.  Some water staining and wear.  Not pretty but usable.  Includes Russ Tipins.
     Penny Whimsy by Sheldon, Quarterman reprint Fine with dustjacket exhibiting some tears.

All 4 books for $100.

3.  Selections from the Numismatist by the ANA, 1960, Fine with corner bump.
     The Fantastic 1804 Dollar, 1962 fine with Logan Tipins.

Both books for $65.

4.  Medals of the United States Mint by R W Julian, 1977 in near mint condition with, what else but more Logan Tipins.  $125.

5.  5 Volumes of Stacks auction catalogs of the famous John Ford Collection.  Included here are parts 3, 5, 6, 7 and 15. All are excellent condition with some light soiling.  

All 5 catalogs for $125.

6.  3 Important auction catalogs.  

W Earl Spies silver dollars by Stack's 1974 no PR excellent condition.
Will W Neil collection by Mehl 1947, with PR but slightly bent.
The United States Gold Collection by Bowers and Ruddy 1982, with PR corner bend to cover but still nice.

All 3 catalogs for $75.

7.  4 volume set of the Harry Bass Jr collection sold by Bowers and Merena, 1999-2000.  All catalogs show some light problems but are near mint, no PR.   Set of 4 for $125.

8.  3 volume set of the Norweb collection sold by Bowers and Merena, 1987-88.  First two volumes with PR.  All 3 show use and there are notes on individual lots made by Russ at the sale.  Set of 3 for $100.

9.  Lot of 3 items for the Eliasberg collection!  First, a prepublication copy of part of the catalog that Russ reviewed.  A hardbound copy of Louis E Eliasberg, Sr, King of Coins by QDB signed to Russ.  Lastly a Hardbound copy of the sale with the autographed bookplate numbered 112.  The books are near mint and there are Logan Tipins.  The lot for $150.

10.  Lastly for now.  A copy of the 1970 Revised Edition of Overton first printing SIGNED!  Overton passed soon after the issuance of his Revised Edition of his masterpiece.  They are very scarce with his signature, especially not dedicated to someone, as this one is showing only his signature.  Russ' working copy used as a checklist with notations.  Included is a conversion table from the first edition numbers to the ones we use today.  Book shows significant wear and has the notations mentioned before.  A great piece of half dollar history.   Yours for $150.

Please reply to bkaroleff(at)yahoo.com to order any of these books for your library.  Include your mailing address with your response and I will notify you of whether you were the winning bidder or not.  


Sunday, November 25, 2018

JR Newsletter: 25 November 2018 (421)


This week's contribution comes from Brad Karoleff:

Here is the latest group of items from the Logan Library for sale.

As always, first to respond buys the lot plus shipping, either Book Rate or Priority; buyers choice.

1.  5 COAC books.  Coinages of the Americas conference books issued by the ANS in NYC.  A collection of papers presented at the ANS during their conferences.  Included here are the following with some Logan tipins:

1986 America's Silver Coinage with some autographs
1989 America's Gold Coinage
1993 America's Silver Dollars
1996 America's Large Cent
1998 Circulating Counterfeits of the Americas

Great research by many of the Hobby's luminaries.  A must have for anyone's library.  All are very fine or better.
All 5 books for $175.

2.  United States Half Dimes by Valentine, the Durst reprint fine or better.
     Early Half Dollar Die Varieties by Overton, the 1970 edition, fifth printing, like new with dust jacket.
     The United States Early Silver Dollars by Bolender, 1950.  Some water staining and wear.  Not pretty but usable.  Includes Russ Tipins.
     Penny Whimsy by Sheldon, Quarterman reprint Fine with dustjacket exhibiting some tears.

All 4 books for $100.

3.  Selections from the Numismatist by the ANA, 1960, Fine with corner bump.
     The Fantastic 1804 Dollar, 1962 fine with Logan Tipins.

Both books for $65.

4.  Medals of the United States Mint by R W Julian, 1977 in near mint condition with, what else but more Logan Tipins.  $125.

5.  5 Volumes of Stacks auction catalogs of the famous John Ford Collection.  Included here are parts 3 5, 6, 7 and 15. All are excellent condition with some light soiling.  

All 5 catalogs for $125.

6.  3 Important auction catalogs.  W Earl Spies silver dollars by Stack's 1974 no PR excellent conditon.
                                                     Will W Neil collection by Mehl 1947, with PR but slightly bent.
                                                      The United States Gold Collection by Bowers and Ruddy 1982, with PR corner bend to cover but still nice.
All 3 catalogs for $75.

7.  4 volume set of the Harry Bass Jr collection sold by Bowers and Merena, 1999-2000.  All catalogs show some light problems but are near mint, no PR.   Set of 4 for $125.

8.  3 volume set of the Norweb collection sold by Bowers and Merena, 1987-88.  First two volumes with PR.  All 3 show use and there are notes on individual lots made by Russ at the sale.  Set of 3 for $100.

9.  Lot of 3 items for the Eliasberg collection!  First, a prepublication copy of part of the catalog that Russ reviewed.  A hardbound copy of Louis E Eliasberg, Sr, King of Coins by QDB signed to Russ.  Lastly a Hardbound copy of the sale with the autographed bookplate numbered 112.  The books are near mint and there are Logan Tipins.  The lot for $150.

10.  Lastly for now.  A copy of the 1970 Revised Edition of Overton first printing SIGNED!  Overton passed soon after the issuance of his Revised Edition of his masterpiece.  They are very scarce with his signature, especially not dedicated to someone, as this one is showing only his signature.  Russ' working copy used as a checklist with notations.  Included is a conversion table from the first edition numbers to the ones we use today.  Book shows significant wear and has the notations mentioned before.  A great piece of half dollar history.   Yours for $150.

Please reply to bkaroleff(at)yahoo.com to order any of these books for your library.  Include your mailing address with your response and I will notify you of whether you were the winning bidder or not.  Best of luck and Happy Holidays to all.

Brad Karoleff