JR Newsletter: 13 December 2015 (271)

One contribution this week, from David Perkins:

Update on the Sale of the Gorman Capped Bust Dimes 1809-1837  and the Miller Collection of Early U.S. Silver Dollars 1794-1803

 

Gorman Collection:  The Kirk Gorman Collection has 122 of the 123 known die marriages with an average grade of approximately AU50!  The Gorman Collection of Capped Bust Dimes 1809-1837 will be offered for sale in two parts, with the first part of the sale in January 2016 at the FUN Convention in Tampa, Florida. The second session will be held around the ANA World’s Fair of Money in Anaheim, California next summer. 

 

All of the Gorman Dimes were photographed by PCGS outside of the holders, then graded by PCGS.  None of the dimes have been sent in more than once for grading; in addition, none of the coins were sent to CAC.  92 of the dimes were “raw,” just the way Kirk Gorman collected them for the past two decades.  For Date and Type Collectors, all of Red Book and PCGS Registry Set Type coins are represented in this collection. 

 

Many of the Gorman Dimes can be viewed on the PCGS Registry under, “CAPPED BUST DIMES DIE VARIETY SET BY JOHN REICH, CIRCULATION STRIKES (1809-1837): GORMAN COLLECTION.”  You can click on this link to view Gorman’s Registry Set:  http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/alltimeset.aspx?s=135276

 

The cataloging of the dimes in the first of these two planned sales is now in the final stages.  All of the dimes are being cataloged by James Matthews, an collector and expert in this series. The catalog should be sent out (as a PDF) before Christmas to all those on my CB Dime distribution list.  There will be between 60 and 70 lots of Capped Bust Dimes, including a few additions (that are “Not from the Gorman Collection”).  If you would like to be added to this distribution list please send me an e-mail at wdperki(at)attglobal.net and I will add you to the list. 

 

As mentioned earlier, the first half of the Gorman Dime Collection will be sold starting in January 2016 and will consist of Fixed Price Lots (FPL) and a Sealed Bid (SBS) Auction sale.  Please note that the FPL Lots will be available for sale immediately upon receipt of the catalog, by phone or e-mail. Unsold FPL lots, and all of the SBS Lots, will be available at the FUN Convention in Tampa, Florida for viewing and sale.  The FPL will be consist mostly of R-1 to R-5 die marriages, along with lower and PCGS Details graded coins. The Sealed Bid Sale will generally offer the rarer die marriages and die states, and condition rarities.  The SBS will close on Friday night at 6:00pm EST. 

 

 

Miller Collection:  As most JR News readers know, I purchased the Miller Collection of Early U.S. Dollars 1794-1803 in partnership with Andy Lustig.  We have sold over $2M of the Miller early dollars to date!  There are many great coins still available for sale.

 

We will have over 100 early dollars at the PCGS Las Vegas show this coming week and at the FUN show in Tampa January 6-9, 2016.  I have a corner and a regular table at FUN along with Gerry Fortin, but we do not have the table numbers available at this time.  The two tables will be under “W. David Perkins, Numismatist” and Gerry Fortin Rare Coins. 

 

If you would like a listing of the sold and unsold early dollars from the Miller Collection please send me a note at wdperki(at)attglobal.net

 

 

W. David Perkins

Centennial, CO

JR Newsletter: 6 December 2015 (270)

Leading off this week's newsletter is a reminder from Jim Matthews for collectors of bust dimes:

Come one, come all and send me your Draped Bust and Capped Bust dime census grades! I have received several lists via email and regular mail, but please send me your census information if you haven't already. Its time to update our collections! Graded or raw, give it your best shot.

Jim Matthews' email is:

bustdollar(at)yahoo.com

Thank you!

Jim

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Next, Bob Stark wrote:

I share Winston's gratitude for the weekly JRCS Newsletter.  While it would be pleasurable to have many more articles,  especially related to our "crown " coin, the early dollar, one only has to think of how barren Sundays would be without the Newsletter.

Another important gain for our early federal coinage is to have a new, knowledgeable, and specialized dealer in our own Dave Perkins.

Holiday Best Wishes,

Bob Stark

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 David Finkelstein wrote:

Two documents obtained from the American Philosophical Society have updated my understanding of the workflow of the first United States Mint.  See the article here:  https://gallery.mailchimp.com/74a0e3c37d154d935bdeb2daf/files/DJF_MInt_Partial_Coin_Returns.pdf

David

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To close out this week's contributions, Sheridan Downey wrote:

 

Readers should know that Mail Bid Sale #42 is set.  It will close Jan. 7, during the FUN Show in Tampa, with on-site lot preview occurring Jan. 6-7 at my bourse table.  There are 113 lots in the sale.  A list is going up on my web site now and should be complete later today.  Head to www.sheridanscoins.com and click on "Active Auction."  

Bidding will commence in a couple of weeks.  Collectors should go ahead and register now via the links found in the upper right corner of the web pages.  In the meantime, I'm happy to field questions from anyone.  That includes arranging preview of lots by mail.  

Happy Holidays to all.

Sheridan

JR Newsletter: 29 November 2015 (269)

Winston Zack wrote with this week's sole contribution:

This Thanksgiving I would like to extend my thanks to Richard Meaney for another wonderful year and his dedication to keeping this weekly JR Newsletter alive and kicking.

Further, to all the collectors and researchers, for which there are too many to list individually, who have helped me with my projects and research, past, present and future, you have been an invaluable resource. For this I am thankful to you and this organization for bringing us nerds together.

Happy Thanksgiving JR Newsletter readers,

Winston Zack

JR Newsletter: 22 November 2015 (268)

Our first contribution this week comes from David Finkelstein in the form of an original work: "Charles Gilchrist," By David Finkelstein.  Click the following link to access the article:

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

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Ron Guth wrote:

Thank you to Lance Keigwin for his kind words in the Nov 15 JRCS Newsletter and for helping us make sure the information on PCGS CoinFacts is accurate and reflective of current information.  For those of you who have not been on the site, it is worth it just for the images alone of all the early Half Dollars from the Pogue, Link, Friend, and other collections, plus images in all the other series.  Less well known is that we are developing pictorial Condition Census listings for most US coins based on a synthesis of auction prices realized, which are often rife with duplication because of repeat appearances and upgrades.  For some series, this is the first time that a useful Condition Census listing has been attempted.  This is a work-in-progress, which is why input from our friends like Lance is so valued and appreciated.

Ron Guth
President
PCGS CoinFacts - the Internet Encyclopedia of U.S. Coins
www.PCGSCoinFacts.com
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Next, Peter Mosiondz, Jr. wrote with some books for sale:

The Cent Book: 1816-1839, John D. Wright (1992). 335 pp. 27 plates. Rarity table. HB. White Leatherette. Signed. New. $45.00

United States Gold Coins: An Illustrated History, Q. David Bowers. 425 pp. HB. Red Leatherette. As New. $20.00

The United States Half Dimes, David W. Valentine (1975 Quarterman Reprint). Incorporates additional works by Newlin, Breen, Davis, and Ahwash, 273 pp. HB. DJ protected in Brodart Mylar. New. $10.00

Million Dollar Nickels: Mysteries of the Illicit 1913 Liberty Head Nickels Revealed, Paul Montgomery, Mark Borckardt and Ray Knight. HB. DJ protected in Brodart Mylar. New. $9.00.

Standing Liberty Quarters (4th Edition), J.H. Cline. 237 pp. B&W photos. SB. New. $6.00

Illegal Tender: Gold, Greed and the Mystery of the Lost 1933 Double Eagle, David Tripp. SB. New. $6.00

The Numismatist's Bedside Companion, Q. David Bowers. 224 pp. SB. As New. $7.00

The Other Side of the Coin, Edward C. Rochette. 151 pp. SB. New. $7.00

Plus $4.00 Media Mail postage. Subject unsold.

Peter Mosiondz, Jr.
26 Cameron Circle
Laurel Springs, NJ 08021-4861
856-627-6865
choochoopete(at)comcast.net
Life Member ANA 4786
EAC 1486
JRCS 867

JR Newsletter: 15 November 2015 (267)

One contribution this week.  Lance Keigwin wrote:

I encourage anyone who finds a flaw in PCGS's Coinfacts to email Ron Guth (RGuth[at]collectors.com) directly. Same for problems with pop reports or the PCGS price guide.

I have reported several errors and each has been corrected. For example, the 1806 O.105 half dollar was incorrectly listed as a large stars variety instead of small stars. Fixing that was not trivial but Ron saw it through. He has also made corrections to smaller issues like obvious price guide errors and incorrect coin photos.

Ron was very receptive to my messages.

Lance Keigwin

JR Newsletter: 8 November 2015 (266)

Lots of input for this week's newsletter.  First, we have an original contribution from David Finkelstein:

Click this link to read, "Dr. David Rittenhouse – Part 3."

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/74a0e3c37d154d935bdeb2daf/files/DJF_MInt_Rittenhouse_P3.pdf

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Brad Karoleff wrote:

The next issue of the JR Journal is coming up and we could use a couple submissions to fill out the issue.

Please send your article, letter to the editor or anything else you would like to see published for consideration to the editor at bkaroleff-at-yahoo.com

Thanks and happy upcoming holidays to all.

Please note that we have a room reserved for the upcoming FUN show in TAMPA this year on Friday.  Please stay tuned for more information and plan on joining us in sunny Florida this January.

Brad
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We also have continued discussion over early dollars:

Robert Stark wrote:

Thanks to John Kroon for the early dollar information and links.  I wasn't aware of the rankings; usually paying little attention to them.

I have the Hesselgesser PCGS AU50 PQ CAC as described in the Goldberg Sale in May 2012. I also have the Spies Specimen from the December 1974 Stack's Sale cited as "Fine to Very Fine. A Rarity 7 item and well worth a premium bid."

Clearly, there is value in collectors of early dollars communicating among themselves. I'm at rstark-at-udel.edu
--

David Perkins wrote:

John Kroon wrote in last week’s JR News:

There is a mistake in the PCGS population data which is shown in the Miller Collection of Early Dollars.  For the 1800 Wide Date, Low Eight, Americai (BB-191) variety, the PCGS data shows the total pop as 1.  That coin would be the Miller PCGS MS 62 +.

I own an 1800 Wide Date, Low Eight, Americai PCGS XF 45, CAC.  The PCGS insert for my coin states BB-191, which clearly establishes my XF 45 as an 1800 Wide Date, Low Eight, Americai.  The Cardinal Collection has a BB 191 in PCGS AU 58, and the Hesselgesser shows an AU 50.   The total PCGS pop data for this variety BB-191 should be at least 4, (not 1, as listed in the Miller Collection PCGS total pop column).   The 4 coins are the Miller MS 62+, the Cardinal AU 58, the Hesselgesser AU 50, and my XF 45.

I too have been puzzled by PCGS listing the Total Pop as 1 for the 1800 Wide Date, Low 8 AMERICAI Dollar in the Miller Registry Set.  The Miller 1800 “Wide Date, Low 8 AMERICAI” dollar in PCGS MS62+ is listed to the right of the photos and entry for this dollar in this category as having a total pop of 1 and none finer.  In fact, this is the finest known and only Mint State example of this type, but not the only example of this type graded by PCGS.  This coin is numbered as “PCGS # 40081” in the Registry Set.

 Looking in PCGS Coin Facts, I located PCGS coin # 86888 (which is also noted as coin # 40081, which also is confusing to me).

John listed 4 coins of this type known to him.  Coin Facts shows that PCGS has graded 14 coins in their population report for their coin # 86888, the “1800 $1 Wide Dt, Low 8, AMERICAI (Regular Strike)” type.  Here is the link to this pop report:  http://www.pcgscoinfacts.com/Coin/Detail/86888 .

Here is the pop report, in the format, “Grade (Quantity Graded)”: 12 (1) / 15(1) / 20 (1) / 30 (1) / 35 (2) / 40 (2) / 45 (2) / 50 (2) / 53 (1) / 58 (1) / 62 – None.  The PCGS Pop Report in the Registry Set shows only one coin graded, the PCGS MS62+.  This PCGS Coin Facts pop report includes the 14 coins graded F-12 to AU-58, with none higher than AU-58 and none in MS62 or higher (no P62+!).  This is an obvious contradiction.

If you click on “Images for PCGS coin # 86888 you get a photo of the Miller P62+, along with two 50s, two 45s, one 35, one 15, and one 12.

If you go to the PCGS Price Guide you find only two choices that fit this type with prices listed on the main page, neither of which are exactly right for this type – 1800 AMERICAI, coin # 6892, and 1800 Wide Date, Low 8.  There is no pricing given for the 1800 Wide Date, Low 8 AMERICAI type.

John stated that he owns an example of the 1800 B-11, BB-191 AMERICAI, which the equivalent die marriage for the PCGS Registry type officially called 1800 Wide Date, Low 8 AMERICAI (Regular Strike). 

There exists an 1800 B-19, BB-192 AMERICAI die marriage which is still another PCGS type, called the 1800 AMERICAI by PCGS (and others).  The same reverse die was used to strike these two AMERICAI die marriages, with BB-191, B-11 probably having been struck first.  An 1800 B-11, BB-191 die marriage falls under this type also, but is a more valuable coin if classified as the correct die marriage or correct type rather than “just an 1800 AMERICAI.”

One other die marriage should be mentioned.  This is 1800 B-10, BB-190.  This mates the obverse of 1800 B-11, BB-191 with the previously used reverse die 1800 B-5, BB-189.  This as a type coin is called the 1800 Wide Date, Low 8 by PCGS (and 1800 Very Wide Date, Low 8) in the Red Book.

In conclusion, John observations are correct.  The PCGS Pop Report as listed in the PCGS Registry for the early dollar type set is wrong unless PCGS intended it to mean “one in Mint State, none finer” as discussed earlier.  This makes no sense to me as they say Total Pop of 1 also. 

The Coin Facts Pop Report for coin # 86888 (and #40081) is more accurate as it shows a number of coins in different grades for this PCGS type.  And all dollars of this type if correctly noted will be examples of the 1800 B-11, BB-191 die marriage.

The 1800 B-11, BB-191 die marriage is R-5 and is Conditionally Rare in grades of XF45 and higher, with only one Mint State example known, the Miller-Amon Carter coin graded PCGS MS62+.   Less than 10 examples are known to me in AU grades.  The 1800 B-19, BB-190 die marriage is R-2, with multiple examples known in Mint State.  1800 B-11, BB-191 dollars if correctly attributed to die marriage and / or type realize much higher prices in the market.

W. David Perkins
Centennial, CO
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John Kroon also wrote:

In reviewing the PCGS pop reports for the various registry sets, one finds other discrepancies.  The Hesselgesser set PCGS total pop for BB-191 shows 2.  The Cardinal set PCGS total pop for BB-191 shows 0.  Yet the comments box immediately to the right of the 0 discuss the AU-58 coin.  How can the total pop be 0, when the comments reference an AU-58 coin?  Other registry sets state 1 for the total pop of BB-191.

For your reference, my 1800 PCGS XF-45 CAC BB-191 is certificate 25536867

Regards,

John Kroon

JR Newsletter: 1 November 2015 (265)

John Kroon wrote:

 

There is a mistake in the PCGS population data which is shown in the Miller Collection of Early Dollars.  For the 1800 Wide Date, Low Eight, Americai (BB-191) variety, the PCGS data shows the total pop as 1.  That coin would be the Miller PCGS MS 62 +.

 

I own an 1800 Wide Date, Low Eight, Americai PCGS XF 45, CAC.  The PCGS insert for my coin states BB-191, which clearly establishes my XF 45 as an 1800 Wide Date, Low Eight, Americai.  The Cardinal Collection has a BB 191 in PCGS AU 58, and the Hesselgesser shows an AU 50.   The total PCGS pop data for this variety BB-191 should be at least 4, (not 1, as listed in the Miller Collection PCGS total pop column).   The 4 coins are the Miller MS 62+, the Cardinal AU 58, the Hesselgesser AU 50, and my XF 45

http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/composite.aspx?c=123

John Kroon