JR Newsletter: 9 August 2015 (253)

Welcome to the "pre-ANA" issue of the JR Newsletter.  Fair warning to readers:  next weekend's issue of the JR Newsletter may be delayed by several hours or maybe even until Monday due to my travel and work schedule.  I look forward to hearing from others about their ANA show experiences.  With auction companies holding some significant sales, a half dollar sale by Sheridan Downey, and a half dime sale by W. David Perkins, I'm sure there will be plenty of tales to be told in the coming month!

Ralph Muñoz wrote:

Last week there was an announcement to purchase the new Bust Dime Variety Identification Guide from various dealers at the ANA.  I am not going to able to attend the ANA.  From whom will I be able to buy the book when it becomes available?

Thanks,

Ralph Muñoz

(editor's note:  I understand that after the show, books will be available from Rich Uhrich Rare Coins, Americana Rare Coins, David Wnuck Numismatics, and David Kahn Rare Coins)

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While we are on the subject of the new book on bust dimes, here's something from David Kahn:

David Kahn (www.DavidKahnRareCoins.com) and Brian Greer (www.BrianGreerRareCoins.com) will be sharing a table at the upcoming ANA Convention in Rosemont,IL, and invite everyone to stop by Table 724 to say hello.  They will have lots of new purchases making their debuts at this show.  Also, the new Bust Dime Variety Identification Guide , just now being published and written by Winston Zack, Louis Scuderi and Michael Sherrill, will be available at their table.  In addition, they have arranged to have all three authors available for a signing session, at table 724, on Wednesday August 12, from 10:00 AM to Noon.  You can buy a copy during that time, or bring the one you bought earlier to have signed.  The authors look forward to seeing you!

David Kahn

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Bob Stark wrote:

Only two doubled edged dollars are known, at least to me.  One, a 1795 B-5 (Flowing Hair) with its edge lettering in opposite directions;  so, upside down from each other.   Second, a 1799 B-11 (Bust) also passed through the Castaing process twice,  same side up.  Images and discoveries by Jonathan Kern.

First image is from Jonathan Kern's CoinWorld ad:

Next images are of the 1799 dollar:

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David Perkins wrote:

If anyone has an extra copy of Federal Half Dimes 1792-1837 by Russell Logan & John McCloskey and would like to sell it please let me know.  I have a friend that would like to purchase a copy.  I can be reached by e-mail at wdperki(at)attglobal.net 

Also:

W. David Perkins and Gerry Fortin – Tables 617 & 619 at the ANA Convention

 

W. David Perkins and Gerry Fortin will have a large selection of early U.S. silver at Tables 617 and 619 at the 2015 ANA Convention in Chicago.  Included is a lovely 1792 Half Disme in PCGS AU50 (OGH)!  We will have a large stock of half dimes to early dollars.

 

As most JR News readers and early Half Dime collectors know, at the ANA Perkins is holding his third Extraordinary Half Dime Sale, a Fixed Price and Sealed Bid Auction Sale with close to 100 Lots of Capped Bust Half Dimes 1829-1837.  These lots will be available for viewing, study, and purchase at the ANA Convention in Chicago.   You can request a catalog (PDF) via e-mail.

 

In addition, as previously announced, Perkins will be selling the Kirk Gorman Capped Bust Dime Collection starting at the January 2016 FUN Convention in Tampa, FL.  About a dozen Capped Bust Dimes from this collection will be on display at Tables 617-619 at the ANA Convention.   All of the Gorman dimes have been recently photographed (PCGS TruView Photographs, taken with all of the coins outside of the holders) and graded by PCGS.  You can sign up to be on the distribution list for the Gorman sale at the ANA, or send an e-mail to Dave at wdperki(at)attglobal.net 

 Dave will have a preliminary  list of the dimes in the Gorman Collection at his ANA Tables including, PCGS serial numbers to facilitate coin / photo look up on the PCGS website.

 

Please stop by and see us.  See you in Chicago!

 

W. David Perkins

Gerry Fortin

Thanks,

W. David Perkins
Centennial, CO

JR Newsletter: 2 August 2015 (252)

A few people provided me with some coin photos in response to my request last week.  Thank you!  Readers will be seeing some nice coins in the email message header.  Thanks especially to Lance Keigwin and Dave Wnuck!

Speaking of Lance Keigwin, he wrote a response to an inquiry by Ralph Muñoz:

Hi Ralph,

The PCGS Price Guide and PCGS's Coinfacts cite prices for conditions G4 ($54) through AU55 ($850). As everyone knows the Price Guide is just that, and the market can be very different. For example, an AU55 sold at the 8/12 ANA for $5175. (It is the only auction listed.)

To view the JR-8 1829 bust dime on the Price Guide click on the "plus sign" icon next to PCGS coin number 4511 (1829 Small 10c). Die marriages drop down. The JR-8 is PCGS coin number 38833.

Coinfacts offers a more complete summary. Here's the link for the JR-8.
http://www.pcgscoinfacts.com/Coin/Detail/38833

It appears PCGS has graded only two JR-8's (where the attribution was paid for). Others may have been graded but not attributed.

See you at Rosemont?

Lance

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Sheridan Downey wrote with a reminder:

Mail Bid Sale No 41, featuring scads of high grade and rare bust halves (plus a couple of early dimes), closes Wednesday Aug. 12, just 10 days away.  Lot viewing by overnight mail ends Tuesday Aug. 4.   Hard copies of the catalog went in the mail last Monday.  The full catalog, photos of every coin, the Terms of Sale and a useful bid sheet are available for viewing, download and printing on my web site, www.sheridanscoins.com

The auction lots will be available for preview during the BHNC Corn Roast in Rosemont, Monday Aug. 10 and, of course, at my bourse tables all day Tuesday and Wednesday.  Bids may be entered via email or phone up until the time the Sale closes at 7 PM CDT on Wednesday.

Thanks,

Sheridan
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David Finkelstein wrote:

I will be conducting a Money Talks presentation at the ANA World’s Fair of Money in Chicago on Wednesday, August 12th at 4:00 PM in Room 6.  My presentation is titled “The Workflow of the First United States Mint”.  Mint related documents from the National Archives and Library of Congress that were not previously included in my John Reich Newsletter articles have been incorporated into my presentation.

My articles in the John Reich Newsletter will continue after the ANA World’s Fair of Money.

David Finkelstein

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From W. David Perkins and Gerry Fortin:

W. David Perkins and Gerry Fortin will have Tables 617 and 619 at the 2015 ANA in Chicago.  Among the highlights for JRCS Members and JR Newsletter readers are:

 - Close to 100 Capped Bust Half Dimes for viewing and sale, including a large quantity of better die marriages also including a number of R-6 and R-7 marriages available in a Sealed Bid Auction Sale (Ends 6:00PM CST Friday of the show)

- A dozen Choice and Rare Capped Bust Dimes (out of over 130 consigned for sale in 2016!).  If you haven’t already, you can sign up to receive the sale catalogs for the sale of the Gorman Collection in 2016

- Attractive 1792 Half Disme in PCGS AU50 (OGH)

- Not one but two 1829 Curl Base 2 Dimes (!), an important Red Book type coin, in PCGS VG08 CAC and NGC VG Details

- Lovely 1805 Bust Quarter in PCGS MS63+ (photo below), an 1822 Quarter in PCGS VF30, and other offerings

 - A nice selection of Early and Capped Bust Half Dollars, most off the market for a decade or more (many of these were just recently sent to PCGS for grading)

- 1795 through 1803 Flowing Hair and Draped Bust Dollars including selections from The Gentleman's Collection

See you in Chicago!

W. David Perkins & Gerry Fortin

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Finally, an update from Steve Tompkins:

Update on the new Early Half Dollar book:

Just wanted to say thank you to all those who have pre-ordered a copy and let you know that I will have the finished books with me at the upcoming ANA. I pick them up on Monday 8/10, so I will be unable to ship any until the following Monday. I will however be happy to deliver any that were pre-ordered directly at the show. Speaking of pre-orders…I am extending the special price of $79 until 8/8. So if you have been putting it off, you better get your order in before the 8^th to save some money!

www.earlyunitedstatescoins.com

Also I will be doing a book signing on Thursday from 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm and on Friday from 2 pm - 3 pm at the Central States Numismatic Society table - #1948. There will be book available for sale at the table throughout the show, but at the normal cover price of $89.

Looking forward to seeing everyone next week!

Steve Tompkins

JR Newsletter: 26 July 2015 (251)

Readers will be pleased with the myriad contributions this week!

Brad Karoleff  wrote:
The latest issue of the John Reich Journal, Volume 25, Issue 2 went out in the mail Friday. Anyone not receiving their copy by August 5th should contact me at bkaroleff(at)yahoo.com

See you at the ANA!
Brad
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David Finkelstein wrote with another original contribution:  "The Workflow of the First United States Mint - Part 5."  You can view David's article, including pictures, in a pdf format that will open on your computer by simply clicking this link: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/74a0e3c37d154d935bdeb2daf/files/DJF_MInt_Workflow_Part_5.pdf
 
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Steve Herrman composed a biography of JRCS Hall of Fame honoree Al C. Overton.  You can read the biography as a separate document by clicking this link:  https://gallery.mailchimp.com/74a0e3c37d154d935bdeb2daf/files/Overton_Biography.pdf  You can view the JRCS Hall of Fame web page at http://www.jrcs.org/hall_of_fame.html  to view the biographies written so far for honorees.
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Glenn Peterson wrote with an update on die marriage and die state studies at the ANA in August:

Hi JRCS members,

    I have heard from members about the selections of coins to study in the die state study to be held on Wednesday evening after the JRCS meeting. A member suggested and will bring his example of Bust Dollar 1799 B23 BB159. He is interested in seeing other die states for this die marriage so please bring along your 1799 B23 if you have one. Bust dime collectors have expressed interest in studying 1834 JR 6 which has a nice progression of cuds developing on the reverse. I am fortunate to have an XF45 example in my collection so bust dime members please bring your 1834 JR 6's to compare.. A reminder for bust half dime collectors please bring your 1829 LM 6's for study and bust quarters please bring your 1836 B1's for study. I have a number of die states of the 1836 B1 and am fortunate to have the remarriages of 1829 LM 6 so we can compare die states.

   I am looking forward to a great meeting and enjoyable time socializing with my JRCS friends.

Glenn Peterson

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Ralph Muñoz wrote with a request for fellow collectors of capped bust dimes:

I am baffled as to where to find price information for various grades of the JR8 1829 Bust Dime (in addition to all other varieties).  Is there a price guide or a reference you may guide me to? 

Thanks,
Ralph Muñoz
JRCS #30 and Life Member #20
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Next, we have a contribution from Barry Sunshine:

To all bust dime folks,

Winston Zack, Louis Scuderi, Michael Sherrill, and many other bust dime enthusiasts are very pleased to announce a new bust dime book that will be available at ANA. After nearly two years in the works and with contributions by many of the leading experts on bust dimes, the authors have created "Bust Dime Variety Identification Guide."  The book will assist collectors and dealers in attribution of all bust dimes through easy-to-follow explanations and color pictures. The book offers much more, too.  Readers will appreciate the summary information for each year of mintage, discussion of number of estimated known examples, explanation of die marriages of known Proofs, and updated rarity ratings by die marriage.  There are color pictures for each die marriage and a lot more information. This will be a must-own book for all bust dime collectors, cherry pickers, dealers in bust coinage, and anyone else that wants to learn more about bust dimes.

The book is at the printer right now and will be available at the Wednesday, August 12^th JRCS meeting at the ANA show.  If you can’t make the meeting, the book will also be available for $49 per copy at two tables on the bourse floor:  David Wnuck Numismatics (table #920) and David Kahn Rare Coins (table #724). After the show, books will be available from Rich Uhrich Rare Coins, Americana Rare Coins, David Wnuck Numismatics, and David Kahn Rare Coins.

An announcement flyer is attached.  Just click this link to open the file on your computer: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/74a0e3c37d154d935bdeb2daf/files/Bust_Dime_Variety_Identification_Guide.pdf

Many thanks,
Barry Sunshine

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Finally, something from the editor:

Readers may have noticed that with the newest format of the JR Newsletter email version (not internet blog version), I've been trying to include images of different coins each week as the "header" to the newsletter.  I would welcome readers' contributions of obverse/reverse bust coin photos (formatted the way the header image is formatted) for potential use in future issues.  I have zero nice images of early dimes or early dollars, hint hint!

Also, I will be assisting W. David Perkins at his table (#617) at the ANA for his sealed bid auction and fixed price sale of capped bust half dimes.  If JR Newsletter readers want to come by and talk about any subject related to capped bust half dimes with me, I welcome the opportunity!  I should be at table #617 on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.  David can get a hold of me on other days to come by the table if you happen to stop by when I am not there.

Richard Meaney

JR Newsletter: 19 July 2015 (250)

Dr. Glenn Peterson provides this week's only contribution:

Hi Members of JRCS,

     I wish to invite members and guests to come to the JRCS meeting at ANA on Wednesday, August 12th at 8 AM in Room 44 of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. We will have two presentations at the meeting. One will be given by our young numismatist member Garrett Ziss on the subject of bust coin images on paper currency. He has found several attributable images of bust coins on the paper money of that era. After Garrett's presentation, David Finkelstein will give a presentation about U.S. Mint history. I am sure members will find these presentations very interesting.

     We will be having an open house for members of JRCS and guests on Wednesday evening. At that meeting we will conduct a die state study of selected bust half dimes, dimes, quarters and dollars. Members have voiced their preference of certain marriages to study for half dimes and quarters, but we have not yet heard from members about which bust dime and bust dollar would be interesting to study. 

BUST DIME COLLECTORS AND BUST DOLLAR COLLECTORS PLEASE CONTACT ME gpeters(at)tds.net ABOUT DIE MARRIAGES THAT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO STUDY AT THE MEETING. 

Members have suggested we study bust half dime 1829 LM-6 at the meeting and quarter collectors have suggested that we study 1836 B1 as these coins have very interesting die states. PLEASE BRING YOUR EXAMPLES OF THESE DIE MARRIAGES TO THE OPEN HOUSE FOR STUDY. The bust half dollar die state study will be done separately in conjunction with the Bust Half Nut Club meeting Thursday 2:00 PM and will focus on 1828 half dollars. Please bring your 1828 bust half dollars on Thursday afternoon.

       Making friendships with fellow numismatists and sharing information about the coins we collect enhances the hobby. Please join us.

Glenn Peterson MD

JR Newsletter: 12 July 2015 (249)

We have LOTS of information in today's JR Newsletter.

First, from the editor:

Thank you for the feedback on the changes to the weekly JR Newsletter.  It seems that we have fixed the problem of many people receiving multiple copies of the newsletter in their email inbox.  We are now working on a better way to present documents in the form of PDF files.  Many readers reported difficulty accessing, reading, and downloading David Finkelstein's article from last week, so we will give that another shot this week.

Richard Meaney
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David Finkelstein's article, "The Workflow Of The First United States Mint – Part 4," is linked here:

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/74a0e3c37d154d935bdeb2daf/files/DJF_MInt_Workflow_Part_4_01.pdf

We trust the new method of attachment will make it much easier for you to enjoy this article, download it to your computer, or print it.
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Steve Tompkins wrote with an announcement about a new book:



It’s at the printer!
Now taking pre-orders at a discounted
price for delivery in August…

A NEW Book on the
Early Half Dollar Series...

The first all new work on the subject since 1970!

In this exciting new hardbound work, proudly printed and bound in the U.S.A., you will find over 500 pages covering each known die marriage for the years 1794-1807. This is surrounded by sections covering design, manufacture, new theories, and explanations for why certain things were done, based on Mint documentation and evidence found on the coins themselves. Included are quick finding charts and pictorial identifiers for each year; detailed listings of die stages; as well as, oversized color photos of every die marriage. New updated rarity ratings are included, as well as pedigrees & a pictorial condition census for all R-6 to R-8 rated die marriages.

Every die marriage is now listed in emission sequence (the order they were struck in) and therefore a new numbering system was needed and was incorporated, with a handy conversion chart in both the front and back of the book for ease in transition from the older designations.

The appendices contain interesting information on, among other things, patterns, die trials, private re-strikes, error coins, counterstamps, etc., along with many useful charts, die re-marriage listings, master die/hub listings, reproductions of original Mint documents and much, much more! This is the first volume of several that will cover the entire lettered edge half dollar series from 1794 through 1836.

The pre-order price for one copy is $79.00 delivered. This price is only good for a limited time (see below). Copies can be ordered by either sending payment to:

Steve M. Tompkins
P.O. Box 844
Peculiar, MO 64078

Or you can go to my web site www.earlyunitedstatescoins.com and send payment via secured checkout from a PayPal account.

Orders will be filled as soon as the finished books are received from the printer, currently this should be the first week in August.

Order yours now before the price goes up!
(The regular cover price is $89 plus shipping after August 5th...)

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The next two contributions come from W. David Perkins and will be of special interest to collectors of Capped Bust Half Dimes and Early Dimes.

First, the half dime announcement:

2015 ANA Extraordinary Half Dime Sale

 A note was sent out yesterday, Saturday, July 11, 2015, to all JRCS Members, JR Newsletter readers, and others that are on our early half dime distribution list regarding the 2015 ANA Extraordinary Half Dime Sale.  If you are not on this distribution list and would like to be, please send your name and e-mail address to me at wdperki(at)attglobal.net and I will add you to the list.  I will also forward a copy of the note sent yesterday, along with the preliminary copy of the Sealed Bid sale catalog was attached in PDF format to the note.

At the 2015 ANA there will be a Sealed Bid Auction Sale (SBS) of Capped Bust Half Dimes 1829-1837, with between 17-20 lots.  The half dimes in this sale tend to be the rarer die marriages and die states (including cuds!), Condition Census specimens, plate coins in the LM Half Dime book, and coins with better pedigrees.  Lots will be available for viewing at Tables 617 and 619 at the ANA Convention next month in Chicago.  Bids will be accepted until 6:00pm CST on Friday night, via phone, e-mail, fax or in-person.  Collectors are welcome to have a fellow collector or trusted dealer view lots for them at the ANA Convention.

There are over 60 Capped Bust Half Dimes on the Extraordinary Half Dime Fixed Price List, all grading from XF45 to MS65.  In addition, there is a second “Standard Fixed Price List” with 20 coins grading XF40 and below, and half dimes in PCGS and NGC Details holders.  All in all close to 100 Capped Bust Half Dimes will be offered in the 2015 ANA Sale.  Fixed price lots will be available for sale just prior to the ANA Convention, as in past sales.

 All coins are photographed and described in detail in the catalogs.

Thanks.
W. David Perkins
Centennial, CO
--

Perkins' announcement concerning Early Dimes:

Announcing the W. David Perkins Sale of the Kirk Gorman Capped Bust Dime Reference Collection - First Session Scheduled to be Held at January 2016 FUN Show in Tampa

W. David Perkins will be offering for sale the Kirk Gorman Reference Collection of Capped Bust Dimes 1809-1837 beginning at the January 2016 FUN Convention in Tampa, Florida.  As in the early half dime and other sales Dave has conducted in the past, the dimes will be sold in a combination Sealed Bid Auction and Fixed Price List Sale or Sales at the January FUN and Summer ANA conventions.  Many JRCS members and JR News readers know Kirk personally, and that Kirk has collected and researched the Capped Bust Dimes for nearly two decades.

The Gorman collection has 122 of the 123 known die marriages, missing only the 1827 JR-14, an R-8 marriage.  According to the 2013 JRCS Capped Bust Dime Census, the average grade of the collection is “AU-51,” the second highest average grade in the Census.  There are a total of 130 Capped Bust dimes consigned to the sale.  The collection includes LM book Plate Coins, and dimes pedigreed to Eliasberg, Subjack, Lovejoy, and others.

Approximately two thirds of the dimes in this “old time” collection were “raw” when I received them, and the other one third were in PCGS and NGC holders.  All 130 coins were sent by me to PCGS this week for PCGS Trueview photography outside of the holders, grading, attribution (attribution confirmation, as all of the dimes are attributed), and crossing into new PCGS holders.  The die marriage numbers will all be included on the labels of the new holders.  A number of the Capped Bust Dime die marriage photos are currently missing in PCGS Coin Facts – the Gorman collection importantly should fill in all but one of the missing photos.

 It is unlikely any of the Gorman dimes will be back from PCGS in time for viewing at the 2015 ANA Convention in Chicago.  Photographs for most of the collection should be available shortly after the ANA Show in Chicago.

 If you would like to be included in my Capped Bust Dime Collector and Dealer Distribution List for this sale as well as future offerings, please send me a note at wdperki(at)attglobal.net with your name and e-mail address and I will add your name to the list.  You can also see me at the ANA Convention in August in Chicago at Tables 617 and 619 (under W. David Perkins, Numismatist).

Those on this Distribution List will receive information and the sale catalogs for this and other early dime sales in the future.  You do not have to be a JRCS member or JR Newsletter reader to be on this distribution list – you are welcome to pass this information on to your friends and fellow collectors so that their names can be added to this list. (Please note that if you are already on my early Half Dime Distribution List you will still need to send me a note asking to be included on the dime list).

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or would like additional information at this time.  I can be reached via e-mail at wperki(at)attglobal.net, or Cell Phone 303-902-5366.  Or you can see me at the ANA Convention in Chicago at Tables 617 and 619.  Thanks.

W. David Perkins
Centennial, Colorado
 

JR Newsletter: 5 July 2015 (248)

We have one contribution this week.  David Finkelstein wrote, "The Workflow of the First United States Mint -- Part 4"

You can view and then download his work by clicking on this link:  http://pdfsr.com/pdf/djf-mint-workflow-part-4.pdf

JR Newsletter: 28 June 2015 (247)

The sole contribution this week comes from Dave Rutherford:

On my site www.busthalfprices.com, Draped and Capped Bust Half price information from over 962 auctions and over 59,655 transactions dating back to the late 1980s is available for $20 per year (a portion of the subscription price will be donated to the JRCS and the BHNC). 

 

This information can be sorted and limited in various ways. New information is added as it becomes available. The public part of the site has information such as “errata” for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th editions of the Overton half dollar reference.

 

Thanks,

Dave Rutherford