JR Newsletter: 13 May 2018 (395)

Pete Smith wrote about a recent sale:

I recently became aware of a sale by Silver City Auctions, March 21, 2018, lot 147. The coin was described as an 1802 half dime in uncertified XF and sold for $2900. There are probably many diagnostics but I noticed the position of the first star near the hair curl. This is a very expensive fake.

Did this slip by the numismatic community unnoticed? Does the auction company frequently offer fake coins? I am not aware of any outrage published in the numismatic press.

Can any JRCS member identify the host coin, or is this a new fabrication? Will there be others out there?

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John Okerson wrote:

I am a collector and pre-1839 coins are of considerable interest because many have character  - cuds, cracks and such.  I worked on US Silver coins with cuds, cracks and curiosities before 1892 for several years, but there are so many items, it is tough to even collect their pictures, no less the coins themselves.  CBRE halves is a 4 year series and even so, has over 30 coins that strike my interest.  The 1836 RE and 1838-O are difficult and not likely to be added anytime soon.  When I was offered an unattributed 1839-O GR-4, I couldn’t turn it down.  Moving forward is not easy – there are a good number of coins available, but most are pretty, but not cracked pieces.  Hopefully someone will have some and be willing to sell or at least share a copyright-free picture with me.  I have Dick Graham’s book and it shows some of them though often in small size.  I like pictures of 2 to 5 MB in size and high resolution.  My plan includes reviewing Jules Reiver’s Variety Identification Manual for this series.  As of now, I haven’t checked my Breen Encyclopedia for what tidbits may be hidden there.

Please feel free to contact me at johnokerson(at)gmail.com or leave me a phone message at 901-338-8999.

Looking forward to hearing from you. 

John Okerson

JR Newsletter: 6 May 2018 (394)

Although we have no specific contributions from readers this week, your editor thought this would be a good time to highlight two items from the most recent issue of the John Reich Journal (April 2018, Volume 28, Issue 1):

1.  The JRCS "Buy or Bid Sale" is on pages 38-40.  The sale is intended to offset the cost of designing the new JRCS web site (which can be seen here:  http://www.jrcs.org/index.php ).  Among items available, one finds a complete set of JR Journals through Volume 22, Issue 1, including the very tough to find Volume 1, Issue 1.  Half dimes, dimes, quarters, and a half dollar are also available for bidding/buying.  Plus there are more items, check it out!

2.  David Perkins is collecting census information for bust dollars (see page 2 of the latest JR Journal).  Send your census information to wdperki(at)attglobal.net

JR Newsletter: 29 April 2018 (393)

Brad Karoleff wrote to advise that the latest issue of the John Reich Journal has been mailed.  In it you will find the JRCS Buy or Bid Sale.  Your bids and purchases will help to offset the cost of the website construction of the past year.

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As a reminder, Nominations for the JRCS Hall of Fame class of 2018 are now OPEN, but only for a short while longer. You can nominate candidates for either the veteran (those who contributed before the advent of JRCS) or the modern (those who have been members of JRCS) categories. Please include any pertinent information about the nominee that you feel necessary. Nominees will then be voted on by the HOF committee and the inductees will be announced at the annual meeting at the ANA convention in the summer. Please forward your nominations to bkaroleff(at)yahoo.com or to jrnewsletter(at)gmail.com 

JR Newsletter: 22 April 2018 (392)

Nathan Markowitz wrote:

I want to remind all JRCS members that you are cordially invited to the 2018 EAC convention in Traverse City Michigan Thursday May 3 through Sunday May 6 at the Grand Traverse Resort https://www.grandtraverseresort.com/.  There is no charge to attend and we can attend all events except one needs to be an EAC member to bid in the auction Saturday night.

The convention chair has arranged a Silver happenings room for anyone wanted to display their early silver die marriages Thursday evening.  There will be a colonial, half cent, and large cent room as well.  Please let me know if you plan to attend and have anything of particular interest to display.

Nathan, cascades1787(at)yahoo.com

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David Kahn wrote:

Brian Greer and David Kahn will be sharing a corner booth at Central States this week.  Please stop by and see our great selection of Bust, Seated and lots more too!  Table 705.

Thanks!

Dave

JR Newsletter: 15 April 2018 (391)

Nathan Markowitz wrote:

I was pleased to recently acquire an early die state of an 1807 Browning 2 quarter dollar (pictured below next to a typical late state example).  Despite looking for some years I have only seen two high grade examples. I even wondered if the few early unbroken reverses were saved as an explanation. 

(Other notable early silver coins with rare early states include two personal favorites:  the 1798 dollars B-5 and B-16 which are also duly admired for their dramatic breaks yet rarely exist unbroken)

I would be eager to see images of additional examples of 1807 B-2 in circulated grades without the telltale reverse break...please post if you happen to have one

Nathan

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Nominees for JRCS Hall of Fame

Nominations for the JRCS Hall of Fame class of 2018 are OPEN for a few more weeks.

The membership is encouraged to send nominations for the Hall of Fame at any time. You can nominate candidates for either the veteran (those who contributed before the advent of JRCS) or the modern (those who have been members of JRCS) categories. Please include any pertinent information about the nominee that you feel necessary. Nominees will then be voted on by the HOF committee and the inductees will be announced at the annual meeting at the ANA convention in the summer. We look forward to seeing your nominations!

Please forward your nominations to bkaroleff(at)yahoo.com or to jrnewsletter(at)gmail.com

JR Newsletter: 8 April 2018 (390)

Bryce Brown wrote:

I'm holding a "50% off" sale of JR Journal past issues to try to reduce the JRCS inventory.  This offer is valid for all orders received in April.  Don't delay, because I only have one or two of many of the scarce issues.

http://brycebooks.squarespace.com/storage/Lit-Periodicals-display.htm

Thanks!

Bryce

numismatics(at)att.net

Bryce Brown

PO Box 16

Avon, CT  06001-0016

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Charles Louie wrote:

Greetings from Paris ...

Here are three of the photographs that I took yesterday at the Paris Mint Museum, le Musée de Monnaie.

The old Castaing Machine is no longer there, since my last visit of the museum several years ago.  The museum just reopened in the fall of 2017, after a complete renovation.

I wonder if I should write a short report on this machine which was used by the French Mint to add letterings to the edges of the coins in the late 1600s, a machine which I have never seen, but which I am sure is known to a few American numismatists.  What are your thoughts?

All the best from Paris,

Charles Louie

JR Newsletter: 1 April 2018 (389)

We received no new contributions for this week's newsletter.