Sunday, January 16, 2011

JR Newsletter: 16 January 2011 (19)

Not much input this week.

Jim sent something in:

Just wanted to take a second to thank you for sending me this informative newsletter every week. Keep up the great work. I'm not a variety collector, but do love the Seated coins' design, and pick up a piece now and then.

Since you asked for letters and photos of Seated material, I thought I'd attach a photo of one of my favorites, a PCGS, AU-50, 1861 Seated Half Dollar. I love its "old silver" patina. I hope the photos are clear enough for you to see. I have no idea whether it is any special sort of die marriage or not.

Thanks,
Jim











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Editor's Comments:

Stack's has some cool coins and other numismatic items up for auction in their "Americana Sale" of January 26-27.  You might want to check it out!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

JR Newsletter: 9 January 2011 (18)

Bob Stark wrote:

I'm very glad to have this JR NEWSLETTER and hope that forthcoming issues will also come my way. If there is an easy way for you to send me past issues (since Bill Luebke's issues), I'l be glad to have them. Thank you, Bob Stark

Editor's Reply: Every single issue of the JR Newsletter that I have done can be found archived on the internet at http://jr-newsletter.blogspot.com/

You can read current issues on that page then click "older posts" at the end of the page to read past issues.  Alternatively, on the right side of the page you will find a place labeled "Blog Archive" with links to items written since 2009. 


Robert also wrote that he spotted a message from Jeff Oertel about early dollar countermarks while reading some past JR Newsletter issues.  Robert wrote about early dollar countermarks and if anyone needs information on his writings or is interested in corresponding with Robert about early dollar countermarks, you can contact him through the editor of the JR Newsletter.   
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 David Davis wrote:

Mike Sullivan sent some information to me: The big "bust news" is Hesselgessler is selling his dollar collection in May at Long Beach!
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Fred Morgan wrote: 

I would like to know if a photo has been taken of the 1827 JR-14. Any information on this variety would be helpful. Is there a link, or article about the variety anywhere?

Editor's note:  I told Fred about the article in Coin World (issue of December 20) and that an in-depth article should be in the next JR Journal.  If others have more information, please send it in!
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 From Brad Karoleff and Richard Meaney:

We need your recommendations on which coins/die marriages/die states should be studied at the EAC/JRCS meeting upcoming this Spring.  If we don't have recommendations, those who attend the meeting representing JRCS will make the decision.

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From the JRCS:

Please submit nominations for the 2011 class of inductees into the JRCS Hall of Fame.  Last year, Russ Logan and Daniel Valentine were selected as the inaugural honorees.  The JRCS seeks nominees for induction into the JRCS Hall of Fame at the 2011 ANA show in Chicago.  We request nominees in two categories:  (1)  The JRCS era (people active in the hobby during the period of time the JRCS has been an ongoing society, and (2) Pre-JRCS era (people active in the hobby prior to the inception of the JRCS).  You can submit nominees by using the "add comments" button on the JRCS Blog, by responding to the weekly JR Newsletter email, or by contacting any officer of the JRCS by a means of your choice.
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Finally, a couple of brief comments from the FUN Show by Richard Meaney:

1.  I think a great rarity in capped bust half dimes flew under the radar in the Heritage auction.  An 1830 LM-1.1 encased in an NGC MS-65 "Proof-Like" holder sold for less than $6,500.  I was not a bidder (I have an MS61 example).  I fully expected this coin to fetch more than ten thousand dollars.  The coin was not attributed by remarriage, just by die marriage (as an LM-1).  Verifiable examples of this die remarriage are exceedingly scarce.
2.  A really cool 1837 LM-1 half dime sold at auction for less than $375.  The PCGS AU-53 coin had such a severe clash that the date was incuse (clashed) on the reverse!  I didn't buy it.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

JR Newsletter: 2 January 2011 (17)

Editor's Note:  You may have noticed that I delete the @ symbol from email addresses on this blog.  I do this so that spammers can't easily grab email addresses and send junk to various email accounts.  
 
Also, the JR Newsletter welcomes FUN Show reports!  Whether you spent an hour on the bourse or spent an entire week in Tampa for the pre-FUN activities and the full FUN Show, I'm sure others want to hear about your experiences!
 
Jim Matthews wrote:
 
I've submitted quite a number of interesting books, catalogs and numismatically related items to the David Sklow sale closing February 12, 2011. Lot 496 is a complete set of John Reich Journals from the first issue through January 2004--a set of these is rarely offered!
 
I'm still looking for the 1827 JR-14--anyone found the second one yet? I thought I was doing well in 2010 to finally obtain a decent example of the 1827 JR-2 dime, and then another 1827 variety turns up....Man it's one step forward, and another one back!
 
I don't know much about the new merger between Stack's and Bowers and Merena, it was announced late Wednesday December 22nd as everyone in the office was trying to complete the Americana Auction cataloging and head off for the holidays, after days of long hours and hard work for all. Chris Napolitano is a solid leader and we're excited to see how far our combined companies can grow!
 
Wishing all a Happy New Year!
 
Jim Matthews
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Rich Hartzog wrote (in response to a question regarding availability of an "Early US Dimes" book:

While I do not have this, I do have the Quarterman publication: "The United States Half Dimes" by Valentine.  Brand new, direct from Quarterman.  Write me direct for prices and availability.  Rich Hartzog <hartzog (at) exonumia.com>

Happy Collecting!

Rich Hartzog
AAA Historical Americana - World Exonumia
POB 4143 Rockford IL 61110 (815)226-0771
http://www.exonumia.com hartzog (at) exonumia.com
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Regarding the EAC/JRCS Happenings. I had the pleasure of attending and helping out at one of these and I could not have asked for a better experience. I urge anyone who has the opportunity to get there, don't pass up the chance!  I know there has been some discussion for Early Half Dollars to include at the happenings, I'd like to nominate the 1808 O110. I'd love to see the die state progression, particularly the Star 7 crack, on a bunch of these coins side by side.
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Liz Coggan wrote:
Rare 1801 Draped Bust half dime LM-1, R-7 to be auctioned in a sealed bid sale at the FUN show in Tampa, FL

Please note, we will be conducting another sealed bid auction for another rare variety in the Draped Bust half dime series at the FUN show in Tampa, FL in January. We will be selling the 1801 LM-1 Rarity-7 which is VG-8 in condition. As you can see the coin is dark and difficult to photograph, so we encourage you to review the coin in person in Tampa. We will have the coin at our Table #1119. The bidding will commence at $6,500. Please contact me if you have interest in bidding and if you desire further details.  Bids will be accepted up until 2:00 pm on Friday, January 7, 2011.  Bids can be submitted via phone at 617-821-8430 (my cell); 1-800-343-6412 (the office) or via email at liz@jjteaparty.com. Good luck and see you at FUN!

Best wishes,
 Liz Coggan, J J Teaparty, Inc.

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Richard Meaney and Brad Karoleff wrote:
We encourage readers of the JR Newsletter to submit names for nomination to the JRCS Hall of Fame.  Two people will be selected for entrance to the JRCS Hall of Fame and names will be announced at the JRCS meeting during the ANA Show in Chicago.  There are two categories for which we seek nomination:  (1)  "JRCS Era" for people active in the hobby during the era in which the JRCS has been an active society, and (2) "Pre-JRCS Era" for people active in the hobby prior to the JRCS coming into existence.  As an example, Daniel Valentine (pre-JRCS Era) and Russ Logan (JRCS Era) were selected for the JRCS Hall of Fame in 2010.  
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Paul Hybert wrote:

2011 Summer ANA Call for Exhibits

The ANA's 2011 Anniversary convention will be held in suburban Chicago
on August 16-20, Tuesday through Saturday -- next to O'Hare airport, at
the same venue as in 1991 and 1999.  The ANA has some information
already on their web site, including hotel information. The Exhibits
Local Committee is looking for new, lapsed, and returning exhibitors.
Send all questions to us at
    ANA2011Exhibits (at) ChicagoCoinClub.org

The key ingredient for an exhibit is information. Think of your favorite
area in numismatics. You have acquired some interesting pieces, a few
stories, and have an idea of how it all goes together. All the makings
of an interesting exhibit! JRCS members were among the exhibitors in
2010 at Boston ANA; we identified some prospective exhibitors while at
the 2010 CSNS and ANA conventions, so now we have to close the deal and
find even more exhibitors. The URL for the main ANA exhibiting page is

http://www.money.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NumismaticEvents/ConventionExhibits/default.htm

Direct links to useful pages at ANA can be found on the page of the
Local Exhibits Committee
   http://www.chicagocoinclub.org/events/2011/ana/lo/collector_gallery.html
and that page will be updated as more information becomes available.
Exhibiting does take a commitment of time -- the exhibits must be in
place by the early Tuesday afternoon opening of the convention, and the
exhibits cannot be removed until very late on Saturday afternoon (when
the convention closes). It is possible to use an agent for setup or
takedown, but that option has been little used during the last few
years. If you cannot stay all week, but do live not too far away, maybe
you could make two trips -- on PNG-day (or that evening, after work)
for setup, and on Saturday for the takedown.

Do not despair if you have a great idea for an exhibit but will visit
for only a day or two -- have you considered speaking at the Numismatic
Theatre? Each program typically starts on the hour and lasts about
30-40 minutes, and is followed with a time for questions from the
audience. In Boston, Brad Karoleff led a panel discussion on the early
U.S. mint -- the two hour program ended before all Busties topics were
covered, so maybe we can look forward to a continuation in 2011. Send
your questions to the Numismatic Theatre Local Committee at
   ANA2011Theatre (at) ChicagoCoinClub.org

Sunday, December 26, 2010

JR Newsletter: 26 December 2010 (16)

A couple of notes from the editor before I present this week's comments:

1.  If you wish to provide comments/responses for publications, all you need do is respond via email or web comments.

You can reply via web at http://jr-newsletter.blogspot.com/ by simply clicking on the "comments" link at the end of the current week's contributions.  Your editor reads the comments and ensures they are included in the subsequent week's email newsletter.

You can reply via email either by sending a reply to the weekly email newsletter that you receive at jrnewsletter(at)jrcs.org or send an email to jrnewsletter(at)gmail.com  -- I check each email account at least a couple times per week, including just before sending out the Sunday newsletter.

Each week, I get 10-20 replies to the mass email that I send out.  Many are "out of the office" automatic replies, some are "undeliverable" replies (mailbox full, for example), and some are just replies in which the sender just accidentally sent me back a copy of the newsletter.

If you have submitted comments that you expected to see published and those comments did not get published, please try sending the comments to me via one of the methods that I have listed above.

2.  The weekly email can be seen in easier-to-read format (along with better/larger images) at http://jr-newsletter.blogspot.com/ 

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This week's contributions:

Nathan Markowitz wrote:


Springtime in the Pacific Northwest is just around the corner and we are well into the final planning for the EAC/JRCS convention to be held May 12-15 at the Doubletree Lloyd Center hotel in Portland Oregon.  This is not a traditional commercial show(though there are lots of dealers); its sort of like the JRCS room we have at ANA except for three straight days.j

For those who do not know Oregon or the Northwest May is nothing short of stunning.  Portland is blessed with numerous gardens: Chinese, Japanese, Rhododendron, and the massive international Rose Garden.  The Coast and Mt Hood are 1.5 hours away and downhill skiing is still ongoing at Mt Hood.  We are the microbrew capitol of america.  

We will be organizing a Columbia Gorge Waterfall tour on Saturday and a Winery Tour on Thursday.  Finally, for those who might have trouble convincing a non collector but shopping spouse to accompany you....Oregon has NO SALES TAX and the convention is right next door to prime shopping venues and a vibrant downtown.

Some details:

Thursday May 12:  Copper Grading Seminar 10-noon
                                Winery Tour:  Noon-5PM
                                Reception:  Yummy northwest food 5:30
                                Happenings:  Show your coins!  7:30-10PM....see below

Friday May 13:      Bourse open
                               Educational seminars on copper, silver, history
                               Keynote speaker/dinner

Saturday May 14:  Bourse open
                               Educational seminars/waterfall tour
                               Copper auction

Sunday May 15     Bourse closes 3 pm
                               Adjourn

A comment on the happenings:  This is a multiroom display to show off specific varieties of coins.  There will be a colonial, large cent, half cent, and bust silver room.  After five years we have already seen a wonderful array of early silver and I strongly encourage everyone to bring some examples to display; high grades are NOT necessary!

We need to finalize the listing for die marriages to display.  It is important that we choose ones where a number of examples will be displayed:


Early Quarters:  We have selected 1806 Browning 5 and 1806 Browning 6
Early Half Dimes:  ???
Early Dollars:  ???
Early Halves:  I have seen some discussion:  decision?
Early Dimes:  ???

Lets use this forum to finalize these varieties.  When I first did the quarters in 2006 fully 25% of the examples came from copper collectors so we need to get the word out!

Remember, we are guests at the EAC convention but are warmly welcomed.  The only comment I hear from the "pure copper" folks is that they want to see more of us.  If you can drive here, please attend.  If you are far away, please feel free to contact me if you want to learn more about the area and make this  a destination trip for your family:  cascades1787(at)yahoo.com

See you in May
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Rick Beale wrote:

Anyone know where I can get a copy of the book "Early US Dimes 1796 - 1837" by Davis et al ? I'll be at Tampa FUN if that helps.

Ricky B

editor's comment:  When I hear from someone who needs that book, I typically refer them to Rich Uhrich.  Rich typically has a good selection of books, including "EUSD" 
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Dennis Villanucci wrote:

This 1835 Bust Half Dollar (O.105) is counterstamped multiple times with "EXCHANGE HOTEL".  At first look, it appeared to me that the letters were punched individually, but the consistency of the mis-matched lettering styles in each stamping suggests that they were imparted with a prepared punch.  Note that the "E's" in the counterstamp are different, and that this difference is identical in each of the stampings.  Also, the letters in "HOTEL" have no serifs while the lettering in "EXCHANGE" has distinct serifs.

The only reference that I can find for the Exchange Hotel is in Brunk (#21920 -  #21950; Jones Exchange Hotel, 77 Dock St. Phila).  For those examples, the counterstamp is in-line rather than arched as on this 1835 half, and most are on foreign hosts.
Does anyone have further information on this counterstamp?

editor's note:  Click on this image to view a much larger version:


Sunday, December 19, 2010

JR Newsletter: 19 December 2010 (15)

Just one contribution this week.
 
Jim Matthews wrote:
 
Congratulations to WZ on finding the late retained cud on the 1834 JR-4 dime! I haven't seen one of those yet and will now be looking for an example with the cud. That's a great find.
 
Russ Logan always said he believed all the reverse dies were used until a cud formed, at least from the period of 1829 on to 1837 from what we've seen, this appears to be true. There were seven reverse dies last used in 1829, but so far JRCS collectors have only found developed cuds on two of those (JR-4 and JR-5 from 1829). By the end of the series in 1837 the last few remaining reverses dies may have been retired for the design chance to the Gobrecht series, but any other dies are fertile grounds for searching to find cuds. There are at least a half dozen dies that were last used in the 1830s with no known cuds on them, so keep on searching!
 
Jim

Sunday, December 12, 2010

JR Newsletter: 12 December 2010 (14)

Not much input this week, but the input we have includes images!

Hunter Wunch wrote:

I wanted to share pictures of my 1834 JR-4 which shows die cracks in the area of the discovery CUD.  The first zoomed image doesn't show the crack above the "T", but after shedding some light on the situation you can faintly see it through the crust.  Hope this helps with the die state progression.

Hunter




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Editor's Note:  You can leave comments here on the blog or send contributions to me at jrnewsletter (at) jrcs.org

Sunday, December 5, 2010

JR Newsletter: 5 December 2010 (13)

From WZ:
 
Just Discovered 1834 JR-4 Capped Bust Dime with Reverse Cud over IT in UNITED!
 
While I may not be up to date on this particular R3 die marriage, I was unable to locate any examples with die cracks, let alone a Cud, in the area of interest.  Additionally, the EUSD does not mention any die cracks or Cud on this Die Marriage.
 
Upon examining the coin more closely, no other die cracks are visible on the Obverse or Reverse.  The EUSD mentions a crack from "Rim to Upper Leaf" on the reverse, but my example does not exhibit it - likely from its low grade and/or foreign material in that location.
 
This coin joins an extensive list of Capped Bust Dime's with known Cuds.  Per the March 2009 (Vol. 19, Issue 3) JRJ Census, 29 Die Marriages listed the presence of a Cud (Full or Retained), followed shortly thereafter in another JRJ article by the addition of the 1830 JR-2 retained Cud.
 
I would like to know if anyone else has an example of this Cud, or a die crack in this location?  If so, would you mind sharing in a follow-up JR Newsletter so that we can better understand the die progression of this die marriage - whether the reverse die chipped off instantly or exhibited signs of cracking followed by failure.
 
Thanks,
-WZ
 
Images of the coin (click to enlarge photos slightly):




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Mike Camp wrote:

Brad Karoleff wrote on 11-28-10, "I would like to hear suggestions on which die marriages we should present for study at the upcoming EAC/JRCS meeting for the "Happenings" part of the EAC Show..."
 
A reply to Brad Karoleff from Mike Camp former JRCS member #89.
 
I would like to nominate the 1827 O-102 half dollar die marriage.
 
It is a plentiful population marriage, which allows the study of many die stages.
Not only the Obv./Rev. but also it's third edge.
The 1827 O-102 comes in four different edge pairs!
It also falls into an unusually place in the Leaman-Gunnet edge study,
which is very helpful tool in researching die states.

And or maybe answering a question, was 1826 O-114 struck in 1827?
The L/G study shows NO production for O-114 in 1826 using the Edge Order
but it does appear in 1827.
 
I proposed a question to the Coin Zip membership about the possibility of a remarriage
with the 1826 O-114 and possibly adding more information of the useage of a second
screw press in this year.
1827 the most dies used in a year (62) for the series & largest mintage estimate
up to 1831.
 
Now 1826 O-114 and 1827 O-102 are said to share a reverse die.
A member posted a picture of an EDS of 1826 O-114, with a sharp unfilled "N" of United.
But 1827 O-102 does comes in a state with minor filling of the "N" (a radiused bottom),
and the LDS state of 1826 O-114 shows a nearly filled "N".
 
And Brad Higgins stated' "the edge comparison is needed to confirm this.
If the owners of entombed specimens would unshackled theirs.
Further this coin is common enough for many examples to study, whether raw or slabbed.
 
Thanks Mike
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From Jim Matthews:

Recent discussion among the JRCS members includes making available a number of copies of the 1984 Early United States Dimes 1796 - 1837 as there seems to be continuing demand for copies, yet few are available in the marketplace. The copyright of the books lies with the five authors or their estates. I believe this to be a great idea as long as the authors agree, and thankfully am not a lawyer to have to know all the nuances of the law related to these things.
 
On another thought that has been discussed, a second and revised edition of the dime book could be undertaken, one that includes expanded information on die states, remarriages of certain varieties and of course updated rarity ratings, along with the inclusion of the new 1803 JR-5 die variety. Without a doubt, a major revision like this would take considerable time to accomplish, despite the fact that the information, photographs and knowledge would be forthcoming from the many collectors! 
 
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Richard Meaney wrote:

I read Brad Karoleff's request for coins to study at the EAC "Happenings" and thought it would be neat for half dime collectors to offer a "type set of capped bust half dimes."  Most of us don't think too much about the different design types of half dimes, since we are too busy trying to find out if a certain coin has the desired characteristics for a specific die marriage we need or want.  Consider what a type set of capped bust half dimes might entail and how easy it would be to differentiate between the different types while showing a half dime novice the differences:

-Three Pale Gules
-Two Pale Gules

-Border Dentils
-Beaded Dentils
-Narrow Dentils

-Regular Date
-Small Date

-Regular 5C
-Small 5C

-Regular Arrows
-Modified Arrows of 1834 LM-2 and LM-3

I realize that there could be all sorts of additions to the eleven basic design types I have listed, but I wanted to keep the list manageable for whomever gets to show off the coins.  Anyway, I hope my suggestion generates some other discussion on the topic.  Now that I've written all that, I'm sure some of you are scratching your heads, wondering "what modified arrows of 1834" is he talking about?  I don't know if something has ever been written about it, but I sure see a different design type on the arrowheads of 1834 LM-2 and LM-3 half dimes!