David Finkelstein wrote:
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 JR Newsletter. Here is Part 2:
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Jim Matthews wrote:
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity and challenge to examine over 200 Capped Bust dimes and half dimes from a group that was purchased by a dealer friend as "culls," coins which are not generally holed and usually have dates but also show either damage or rather extensive wear; as such, these are considered less numismatically desirable than examples with less wear and no damage. This treasure trove of likely unsearched Capped Bust coinage is one I would consider to be an opportunity for enjoyment and a window into the history of our coinage, rather than a scourge of trouble to be avoided. I searched the entire group for a few favorite die varieties and came up with a half dozen coins of interest to me that I purchased for a modest price. I found two examples of the fairly common 1833 JR-4 dime with the reverse die retained cud, condition challenged but identifiable at a glance. Another fun coin in this group that caught my attention was an 1831 JR-5 with a very late, retained or possibly full cud at UNI which would perhaps earn a grade of AG-3 but more likely Fair-2 given the prodigious wear on the surfaces. The cud stood tall and protected the left side of the reverse from the decades of wear and use in circulation, as one might expect, while the right side suffered greatly from extensive wear. The most interesting rarity of the group was a Fair-2 example of the rare 1820 JR-12 variety, which is off to PCGS for confirmation to see if they agree with my leap of faith attribution on such a worn coin. I did not find a much-desired example of either the 1827 JR-10 or JR-14 variety, despite several 1827 dimes included in the group. Some of the coins showed little more than the central shield on the reverse due to wear, the obverse similar with stars worn away--and were thus not attributable to die marriage. Other 1827s with less wear were of more common die pairings. I also purchased a very worn 1824/2 dime as I simply cannot resist that date without problems, even in a Fair-2 grade for the usually seen JR-1 variety of that year.
One of the most curious though otherwise insignificant coins was a quite worn 1835 dime, which some now forgotten soul inscribed in neat, cursive surface etching in the year 1888 on the obverse as if to shout out the present year is 1888, not 1835! This told me two things. First, this 1835 dime was still in circulation in 1888 and someone thought this unusual enough at the time to inscribe the current year before sending it on its way again into circulation. Oh, the stories that coin could tell from its years of circulation, if only we could listen and see beyond its simple worn designs, with the additional date inscribed some 53 years after its launch into circulation. In the end, I confirmed my belief that the designs and die work of John Reich, launched in 1807 and holding forth in production long after his decade of engraving work at the Philadelphia Mint, continued in the cigar boxes of corner merchant stores throughout our states for many generations. Today's collectors need only to look and examine the worn treasures before them to see their august truths of these coins’ journeys into our current collections.
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Finally, a new opportunity from Brad Karoleff:
Here is the latest offering of books from the Russell Logan Library.
Reduced from last month's listing:
Early US Dimes, was $250, now $200.
Bowers on Commemorative half dollars, was $40, now $35.
Pollock on Patterns, was $50, now $40.
Taraszka on Eagles, was $100, now $85.
New listings:
Liberty Seated Collectors Club Collective Volumes 1-4. A few Coin World articles tipped in by Russ. Available new from LSCC for $136. These slightly used volumes are $100 for the group.
Die Varieties of Early US Coins by Robert P. Hilt, II. A somewhat controversial work by Mr. Hilt listing his theories on the early mint and their products. Still a valuable source of information. Remy Bourne bookplate inside front cover from a Kolbe auction, near mint. $65.00.
Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of US Half Cents 1793-1857. EAC membership application included- old address! This book often comes apart as the binding is not up to the weight of the volume. This is as mint a used copy as you will find. $75.
Walter Breen's A Coiners Caviar Encyclopedia of US and Colonial Proof Coins 1722-1977. Another Breen work in nearly mint condition formerly in the Bourne Library with bookplate from the same Kolbe sale. $75.
The History of US Coinage As Illustrated by the Garrett Collection by Q. David Bowers. Another nearly Mint book. $45.
First United States Mint, It's People and Its Operations by Frank Stewart. This is the hardbound edition from 1924 with maroon cover. Some small bumps on the corners but still very nice. $45.
Two books on pattern coins of the US. Adams/Woodin 1959 reprint and 6th edition Judd. Both show wear but are very usable. The pair for $30.
Second edition of Bolender's work on the Bust Dollars. The back cover was set on something sticky at one time that removed a few SMALL pieces of the binding. Otherwise, this is a really nice condition book. $50.
Two FIRST EDITION ERROR copies of The United States Early Silver Dollars by Jules Reiver. These very scarce first editions are full of errors and the printing was stopped after a portion of the run was completed. The copies remaining at Krause were destroyed and a second edition with corrections was prepared. The corrected edition has second printing on the title page. These are both in excellent condition. One is autographed by Jules dated 3/3/1999.
The unautographed copy is $75. The autographed copy is $100.
Thanks to everyone who purchased from the first group.
As before, first email to bkaroleff(at)yahoo.com gets the book. All prices are plus postage. Please let me know if you want book rate or flat rate priority mailing when providing your shipping address.
Thanks.
Brad
