JR Newsletter: 20 April 2025 (664)

 First, a reminder from the JRCS:  If you wish to nominate someone for membership in the John Reich Collectors Society Hall of Fame, please let Brad Karoleff or Richard Meaney know as soon as possible.  Voting by the Hall of Fame Committee will take place in May.  Email addresses for nominations: bkaroleff(at)yahoo.com and jrnewsletter(at)gmail.com

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From David Perkins:

W. David Perkins Numismatics to have Table 1011 at next week’s Central States Show in Schaumburg, Il

 

W. David Perkins Numismatics and Jim Matthews will have Table 1011 at next week’s Central States Show. Bust Dime Lots from the James Matthews Reference Collection Sale.  Bidding for the first Sealed Bid Auction closes Wednesday April 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM MST (8:00 PM EST).  I prefer bids are sent to me by e-mail but will also be accepting bids at the show at our Table 1011. 

 

By now everyone on the Dime list should have the PDF copy of the catalog for Sealed Bid Sale 1.  If you do not, or if you would like a copy please let me know by sending an e-mail note.  Lots for Part 1 will be in Schaumberg at our Table for viewing.

 

I have an excellent selection of Early Dollars from 1795 to 1803. In grades from “Very Fine to MS63 (CAC)” and “R-1 to R-8!).  Many are plate coins and “finest knowns” for the die marriage.   These are from two long term collections and my inventory.  Some images are shared below.

 

Hope to see you in Schaumburg!  Thanks.

 

 

W. David Perkins

Centennial, CO

wdperki(at)attglobal.net

Cell 303-902-5366

JR Newsletter: 30 March 2025 (663)

We have a couple of newer contributions this week, plus a couple follow up contributions.

 

Steve Herrman wrote:

 

2025 Complete Edition of Auction & Mail Bid Prices Realized for Bust Half Dollars 1794-1839

 

This is a huge (2,678 pages), searchable PDF file that includes a formatted listing of the 78,000+ records in the AMBPR database in two different orders:

 

   • Full listing in Order by Overton Die Variety Number

   • Full listing in Order by Auction & Lot Number

 

Covers R4 to R8 die varieties, overdates & other popular varieties, proofs, mint errors & patterns, countermarks, contemporary counterfeits and condition census specimens for most major auctions since 1984! 

 

Since January 2011, all die varieties in each auction have been recorded, including certification numbers when available.

 

Distributed on USB Flash Drive, 2,678 pages, 58.7 MB

$60.00 postpaid

Note: This is a once in every five years publication.

[ Requires Adobe Reader. Compatible with Windows OS and Mac OS. ]

 

Contact Steve at herrman102(at)aol.com to order.

Payment may be made via bank check, via Zelle, or via PayPal (Friends & Family option).

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Jim Matthews wrote:

 

James Matthews is offering an 1833 LM-2 half dime, which remains a solid Rarity-6. This coin is certainly one of the finest seen at PCGS AU-53 with CAC approval. Other known high-grade examples include the Reiver coin which is NGC MS-62 which brought $10,350 in 2006 at Heritage and the Richard Meaney PCGS AU-55 which brought $6,950 a few years ago in the W. David Perkins Auction. I believe there is another PCGS AU-55 out there as well. In 4th position by a hair is this attractive PCGS AU-53. Toned with tawny gold over satin silver, the strike is sharp and the surfaces are pleasing. I am offering this coin to the JR News membership at $4,750. Please call or email me if you are interested in this rare half dime! 540-335-3288 or bustdollar(at)yahoo.com

 

Thank you and see you at Central States in Chicago if not before!

 

 

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Michael Williams wrote:

 

I appreciate the JRCS vibrant response to my recent book sale list. Thank You! In making the challenging decision to divest my numismatic library, I felt it appropriate to offer particular titles to JRCS members.  Doing so delighted me. These wonderful publications continue within the JRCS, a most remarkable club.

 

I want readers to know that I have reduced the price of the “dime book” to $495 …Early United States Dimes 1796-1837   Deluxe Edition, Signed by the five authors, Copy # 63 of 100  (Fine+)

 

Michael T Williams JRCS #523

541-968-7778

mtwilliams(at)nu-world.com

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Finally, from Brad Karoleff and Charles Horning:

 

We have had a very positive response to the sale of the Charles Horning collection of Draped Bust half dollars.  Many collectors have related to us that they will not be attending the CSNS convention in Chicago at the end of April and still wanted a chance to “get in on the ground floor” of the sale.  Charlie and I have reconsidered the sales rules to allow many of you to have an “early” shot at the coins.

 

We are working on the final pricing this weekend and should have the list available soon.  We will also take orders beginning on Friday April 11 at NOON EDT.  If you are ordering more than one coin please list them in the order of your preference.  This will allow us to distribute the coins that have multiple orders to as many collectors as possible.  Coins 

 

We recently submitted a group of the coins to CAC for stickers.  The submission consisted of 37 coins that we had either purchased raw and had certified at PCGS, or ones that we obtained certified that did not have stickers.  We received the coveted Emerald sticker on 23 of those 37 coins.  The core die marriage/state collection thusly contains a total of 62 coins 5 of which are details graded and 35 have the CAC emerald sticker of approval.  This gives you an unprecedented opportunity to purchase superior quality coins from this scarce series of half dollars.

 

One coin was found to have hidden graffiti in an NGC holder, the 1806 O112 6 over inverted 6 marriage.  We have elected to submit it back to NGC to be removed from the marketplace through their guarantee program.  Charlie has also decided to retain two coins from the collection for “old times sake”.  Those two coins are yet to be determined but will be noted within the next week.

 

If anyone has questions about the coins I will be happy to answer them via either email or phone.  Should anyone want to personally inspect them in Cincinnati before the CSNS show you can make an appointment with me.

 

Thanks to all the collectors who have already expressed interest in the set and to those of you who will consider some of the coins for purchase.

 

Charlie and Brad

 

Brad Karoleff

bkaroleff(at)yahoo.com

Coins Plus, Cincinnati OH

 

 

 

 

 

 

JR Newsletter: 23 March 2025 (662)

We have a number of interesting contributions this week.  First, from Brad Karoleff:

 

JRCS and BHNC Members:

 

We have had a very positive response to the sale of the Charles Horning collection of Draped Bust half dollars.  Many collectors have related to us that they will not be attending the CSNS convention in Chicago at the end of April and still wanted a chance to “get in on the ground floor” of the sale.  Charlie and I have reconsidered the sales rules to allow many of you to have an “early” shot at the coins.

 

We are working on the final pricing this weekend and should have the list available soon.  We will also take orders beginning on Friday April 11 at NOON EDT.  If you are ordering more than one coin please list them in the order of your preference.  This will allow us to distribute the coins that have multiple orders to as many collectors as possible.  Coins 

 

We recently submitted a group of the coins to CAC for stickers.  The submission consisted of 37 coins that we had either purchased raw and had certified at PCGS, or ones that we obtained certified that did not have stickers.  We received the coveted Emerald sticker on 23 of those 37 coins.  The core die marriage/state collection thusly contains a total of 62 coins 5 of which are details graded and 35 have the CAC emerald sticker of approval.  This gives you an unprecedented opportunity to purchase superior quality coins from this scarce series of half dollars.

 

One coin was found to have hidden graffiti in an NGC holder, the 1806 O112 6 over inverted 6 marriage.  We have elected to submit it back to NGC to be removed from the marketplace through their guarantee program.  Charlie has also decided to retain two coins from the collection for “old times sake”.  Those two coins are yet to be determined but will be noted within the next week.

 

If anyone has questions about the coins I will be happy to answer them via either email or phone.  Should anyone want to personally inspect them in Cincinnati before the CSNS show you can make an appointment with me.

 

Thanks to all the collectors who have already expressed interest in the set and to those of you who will consider some of the coins for purchase.

 

Charlie and Brad

 

Brad Karoleff

bkaroleff(at)yahoo.com

Coins Plus, Cincinnati OH

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Next contribution is from Michael T Williams:

Michael T Williams

541-968-7778

mtwilliams(at)nu-world.com

JRCS # 523

 

Early US Coin Books For Sale 

 

**      Early United States Half Dollars Volume I   1794-1807

2015      Steve M Tompkins   H B  (near mint) $85

 

**       Early United States Dimes 1796-1837   Deluxe Edition

           Signed by the five authors   Copy # 63 of 100   (Fine+)   $725  

 

**      Eagle Poised on A Bank of Clouds   Harry E Salyards

           Signed to seller   1^st Edition    HB    (near mint)   $125

 

**     Reeded Edge Half Dollars 1836-1839    Dick Graham

          A Registry of Die Varieties (near mint)   $85

 

**     Federal Half Dimes 1792-1837   Logan & McCloskey

                                               HB (near mint)                        $70

 

**     Early United States Quarters   1796-1838

          Steve M Tompkins           HB (Fine+)             $85      

 

**     The Koenings Collection of 1839 Philadelphia Half Dollars

         Including Liberty Seated Half Dollars    (near mint)   $35

 

**     The Draped Bust Half Dollars of 1796-1797

          Jon P Amato PhD    Heritage Auctions  

          338 pages   SB    (Very Good)                          $50

 

Please add $5 for media shipping.  

Please add $15 for padded flat rate Priority.

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The final contribution comes from David Perkins:

 

W. David Perkins Numismatics will have a new table location for the Whitman-Baltimore Coin Show next week.  This replaces the four corner table section that Gerry Fortin and I had together for the last 10 years or so.  I will be setting up with Jim Matthews and we will have Table 822.  

 

We will have two cases of Bust Dimes, all from the Jim Matthews Reference Collection assembled over the last 40+ years.  This collection has 92 of the 93 die marriages and a large selection of Dimes with Cuds, many quite rare.  These will be sold in 2025 and 2026 via a series of Sealed Bid Auctions and Fixed Price Lists.

 

Send me an e-mail if you would like to be on my Early Dime distribution list and receive the catalogs for this sale and / or participate in the sales.   

 

Steve Herrman of JRCS is photographing all the Dimes and we are posting them on the Newman Portal working with Len Augsburger and his team.  Here is a link to the photos posted so far:

 

https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/imagecollection/518211 . Click on the photos to enlarge and view the data on the particular Dime you clicked on.

 

We are also close to having the catalog done for the first Sealed Bid Sale.  We will have sealed bid lot and fixed price list coins at Baltimore for viewing (at Table 822).   The first Sealed Bid Sale will end right after the 2025 Central States Show in Schaumburg, IL, with the first Fixed Price Sale following soon after.  

 

 

I will also have a nice selection of Early U.S. Silver Dollars 1795 to 1803, including some R-8 and R-7 Die Marriages. Both of us will also have early type.

 

 

Hope to see you in Baltimore.  Thanks.

  

W. David Perkins

Centennial, CO
wdperki(at)attglobal.net

Cell 303-902-5366

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A reminder from the editor:  If you wish to submit a nomination for the JRCS Hall of Fame, please do so soon.  Nominations will be handed to the Hall of Fame Committee with a target time of May.  Send an email to the editor (jrnewsletter(at)gmail.com) or to JRCS President Brad Karoleff (his email address is above).

 

 

 

 

 

 

JR Newsletter: 9 March 2025 (661)

Brad Karoleff wrote:

 

The new issue of the John Reich Journal is back from the printers and should be mailed next week.  You should expect to see them popping up in your mailbox very soon.

 

I think it contains one of the most important and best articles we have seen in a LONG time.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I have in bringing it to you.

 

Remember to pay your dues if you receive a notice in with your journal and vote for your favorite article from Volume 34.  A deserving author will receive the Jules Reiver Literary Award for their efforts.

 

Also remember to nominate someone for the JRCS Hall of Fame.  You can send your nominations to Richard Meaney via email (jrnewsletter(at)gmail.com), text or snail mail. 

 

I also need articles to include in the next issue of our journal.  If you have a submission please get in contact with me soon.  The next issue is on a hard deadline to be in your hands in the middle of July to announce the annual meeting at the ANA.  I would like to have submissions in hand no later than June 1st and earlier if possible.

 

Thanks, and hope to see many of you at the CSNS convention in Chicago at the end of April.  I will be selling the Charles D. Horning collection of Draped Bust Half Dollars and W. David Perkins will be selling the James Matthews collection of Capped Bust Dimes.  The show promises to be a great one for the collectors of early silver this year.

 

Brad Karoleff

JR Newsletter: 23 February 2025 (660)

Bill Luebke’s sister, Judy, wrote:

 

As you may have heard by now, William (Bill) Luebke, passed on August 23, 2024. Bill's coins are currently with Heritage Auctions. Some of his coins are being auctioned at the auctions listed below. Bill's family would appreciate it very much if you would take a look see and bid if you find something that appeals to you. 

 

Thank you for any help you may provide it making these auctions successful. We know that Bill would have appreciated it also. He worked many years building his wonderful collection of coins and took great pride in making it the best that he could.

 

Sincerely, Judy, Bill's sister

 

Editor’s Note:  You may search with the term Old Chelsea to find Bill’s coins on Heritage.

 

Auction #	Auction Name		Auction Open For Bidding	Auction Ends
#1381	2025 February 27 - March 2 Long Beach Expo US Coins Signature® Auction		Feb 7, 2025	Mar 2, 2025
#63325	2025 March 10 Old Chelsea Collection US Coins Showcase Auction		Feb 7, 2025	Mar 10, 2025
#132512	Tuesday & Wednesday US Coins Select Auction		Mar 12, 2025	Mar 19, 2025
#61485	2025 March 24 Spotlight: Roman Provincial Ancient Coins Showcase Auction		Feb 23, 2025	Mar 24, 2025

 

 

JR Newsletter: 9 February 2025 (659)

In response to the story Jim Matthews shared about an 1832 JR6 dime, Ron Sohns and Keith Davignon wrote:

 

Excellent story Jim!  It pays to keep at a coin mystery until it is solved.

 

Ron Sohns

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Great story, Jim!

 

Keith D

JR Newsletter: 2 February 2025 (658)

Jim Matthews shared a story about an 1832 JR-6 (photo provided below):

 

 

I have collected cuds and various oddments of Capped Bust dimes for 45 years. One of these oddments was reported in the 2015 publication of the Bust Dime Variety Identification Guide in 2015 by Zack, Scuderi, Sherrill, no doubt at my suggestion. This reference is on page 97 in the second paragraph which reports as follows "JR-6 is also known with an obverse cud above Star 2 (possibly unique)." 

 

One thing about this coin bothered me, it was not the final use of the obverse die as 1832 JR-7 was struck later, so how did this so-called obverse cud disappear? Was it a later remarriage? Since no other confirming obverse cud example turned up in several years this anomaly needed further examination. I showed this coin to my coin dealer friend Steve who studied the cud and we talked about the possibilities of if it even was a cud. Of course, I wanted it to be a cud, but felt like it might be something else. The other option was solder on the edge of the coin which looked like an edge cud. The shape of the cud appeared like others on different dies that are known, and thus appeared to be correct for what a cud should like.

 

As we examined this strange cud like lump, the only other possibility was that it was solder. Then Steve checked the edge carefully, a slight disturbance was found near the cud, and the reeding was perfectly straight, but with late die state cuds where a piece of the die had broken away, the reeding should be bent and raised into the cud void. Then Steve checked the rim at 3 o'clock and another disturbance was noted, where the reeding was filed down ever so slightly. Of course, this coin had been part of a bracelet and removed! So, the cud was nothing but a patch of wayward solder from a time when this coin was used in jewelry.

 

The history of this coin is interesting as it was first purchased by Mike Marker, an early dime collector and cousin of the then JRCS President David Davis. Davis ended up with this coin long ago and gave it to me in 2009 for my cud collection. It slipped into my dime collection without proper examination with the *hope* that it was a very rare obverse cud. Now the proper and experienced examination by Steve has debunked this cud to be nothing more than post minting damage. 

 

One of the great things about collecting is we are always learning new things, and have to keep an open mind to see things as they are, and not how we hope them to be.

 

Jim Matthews

 

 

JR Newsletter: 26 January 2025 (657)

 In response to the news of the sale of the Jim Matthews collection of bust dimes through David Perkins Rare Coins, Bob Feldman wrote:

At this time there are three 1802 JR1 dimes known, two 1796 JR7 dimes known , and two 1827 JR14 dimes known. I own one of the 1827 JR14 dimes. These are the three most collectors never obtain.

Bob Feldman

JR Newsletter: 19 January 2025 (656)

Steve Herrman wrote:

 

PRE-TURBAN BUST HALF DOLLAR CENSUS

(submissions needed by February 15, 2025)

 

The next issue of the John Reich Journal will include the Pre-Turban Bust Half Dollar Census. Please list your census information (your name and JRCS number, dates, Overton die marriage numbers, and numerical grades), including any duplicates you may have.

 

Steve Herrman will collect your submissions and author the article. There is an Excel template available to list your coins. Click on the link below to download.

 

http://www.jrcs.org/online-resources/2025%20Pre-Turban%20Bust%20Half%20Dollar%20Census%20Template.xlsx

 

Please email your census information to Steve at herrman102(at)aol.com

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James Higby wrote:

 

For the record, I was there when ANACS graded coins and accompanied their opinion with a black and white photo certificate.  At that time, I had been in the hobby for three decades and welcomed the first significant progress in teaching people how to grade by including more than just jawboning on paper.  Since that time great improvements have been made in both grading guides and protective holders.  In my eyes, however, putting a sticker on the holder that says the coin is at the top of a particular grade designation is superfluous and leads the witness. That's just my opinion, and I don't charge for it.  Unfortunately, the beans cost us collectors extra whether we need it or not.

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A couple of reminders from the editor of the JR Newsletter:

1. If you wish to submit a nomination for the JRCS Hall of Fame, you may submit names to the editor and he will handle the Hall of Fame voting process with a committee of voters.

2. If you have contributions to the JR Newsletter (or Hall of Fame nominations), please send them via email to jrnewsletter(at)gmail.com