Coin Talk

What You Need To Know About: Wear
By Jason Poe

This is the fourth in an extended series I am writing about the basics of grading. Whereas contact marks are far more important on higher grade coins (especially Uncirculated coins, which by definition have no wear), the level of detail remaining becomes much more important as a coin passes through circulation. For people just entering the hobby, terms like Uncirculated may have already lost you. Don’t worry! I’ll explain it all here in this article.

To begin, coins are divided into two broad categories: Uncirculated and Circulated (I use capitals here for emphasis). The dividing distinction is that the first have no wear, the second have wear visible. Coins displaying any wear, even if only the slightest trace of rub on the highest points of the coin, are called circulated. It also doesn’t technically matter where the wear came from – whether it’s from actually changing hands in circulation or from sitting in a velvet coin...

I really looked forward to the Chicago ANA show this year, especially since I hadn’t set up a coin show since the Long Beach show in June. I had also signed up for the PNG pre-show for the first time and was anxious to get some great “early bird” buys. Here is me so happy to be going to the Chicago ANA!







FRIDAY



Since my hubby drops me off on his way to work, I arrived at the John Wayne airport a couple hours before my flight and sailed through TSA with no problems.

This was my first time travelling to an ANA World's Fair of Money, but I did attend the 2009 show in Los Angeles which was not far from home.

I had been vacationing with family in Missouri and had planned to end the trip to the Midwest by driving up to Chicago to see some family and friends and also to go to the big show.

Anyways, I did have a good time at the show, despite all of the craziness surrounding the gold Kennedy half release and the few greedy dealers who made all dealers at the show look like scum. I was able to sell several coins I brought to the show and I also bought a few cool pieces too. Will not be including details/photos on that though as I don't want to be spamming the forum.

Here's a shot of the lobby just before the show opened up at 10am on Tuesday 8/5. And another shot of ANA President Walt Ostromecki giving the opening remarks.


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This is likely the first show report that I have ever written prior to coming home, but the events of the last week seemed too important to wait until my travel plans allowed me to get settled. Please also note that this is probably the first show report where I complain loudly and note that these complaints are my opinions only and may or may not echo the opinions, feelings or sentiments of other dealers or collectors. This is especially important to keep in mind since I share table space on the Numismatic Americana table at larger shows even though Thomas Bush Numismatics and Numismatic Americana are two independent proprietorships.

Before I write about the show, I will write about the gold JFK sales that took place during the show. Truly, this is why the current show report is being written so soon after the show and not later after all other work is completed. At this time I am still in a state of disbelief that the decision makers within the ANA and the US Mint could allow...

A big thank you to Haleiwa for directions to the CC Mint. Was only able to spend about a half hour there as the kids were extremely anxious to reach our final destination. Well worth the $5 it cost to go in!!! Just South of Reno, Nevada the mint is towards the south end of town right on the main street (HW-395) and across from the Golden Nugget (how appropo). Took many pictures and a few pictures here which I hope are okay to post. Bought a little something and I though there would be no collecting this trip. Quite honestly I didn't realize I would be driving right past it on our way to the mountains so bad planning on my part! I could have spent a few hours there as there was more to see than just the mint. The museum goes into mining, guns, and Nevada history. They were almost ready to start the coin press when I left . That would have been really neat to see and boy the questions I would have had!!! Hope you enjoy the photos! ~ Darryl...

Within each of your respective collections, there is undoubtedly coins of great value and beauty. But, I would imagine that everyone of us also has a coin (or coins) that we have acquired over the years (or decades) that have a special story that is worth a greater value to the owner of the coin than it could ever fetch if listed for sale.

I thought it would be fun to share some of those stories...so here is one of mine.

I first began collecting coins when I was in the 6th grade or so, that would have been around 1996. Not long after I started collecting, I found this little coin shop called "Al's Stamps and Coins." It was a smaller shop owned by an older gentleman (Al) who was semi-retired and used the shop to make a little extra money and hang around with his regulars (also older semi-retired guys...and me) and tell crazy old stories. In a lot of ways, it was like a scene from Cheers...except in a coin shop rather than a pub.

Al's shop didn't have the best inventory,...

Our Beloved Sovereign Has Died.

On this date (August 1) three hundred years ago (1714), our most glorious Queen was finally released from her earthly suffering. Queen Anne had hoped in death to be finally reunited with both her last surviving child the Duke of Gloucester (d. 1700) and her loving husband, the always affable (but somewhat dim-witted) Prince George of Denmark (d. 1708).

Below are small sections of 25 U.S. Coins out of my collection -- all are legal tender, though some might be commemoratives.

How many can you get right?

If a design is shared amongst various denominations, you can identify it by the major design type only.

I wish to introduce my 3-coin type set, but also to provide some additional information concerning these coins.

History

As many collectors know, the Liberty head dime, quarter, and half was minted from 1892-1916 and replaced the tired 50+ year-old seated liberty design for the same denominations. Initially, it was thought that a competition among the nation’s top 10 artists would produce compelling designs, but these artists complained about the insufficient compensation, legal restrictions, the limited timeframe to comply, and thus declined to participate. Thus, in response, the Treasury invited the general public to submit designs and some 300 entries were received of which only two were worthy of consideration. The Mint Director considered the contest a “wretched failure” and he then directed his Chief Engraver, Charles Barber to complete the task. This may have been the game plan all along with Barber being one of...