An object lesson in numismatic precision

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by SuperDave, Feb 3, 2017.

  1. SuperDave

    SuperDave Free the Cartwheels!

    So, I've had this coin on layaway from Pinnacle Rarities. I paid off the layaway the other day, and true to form they shipped it the same day. Priority Mail 2-Day, Signature Required, as you'd rightly expect of a coin like this one. I swear, I only checked the Tracking sixteen times over those two days. :)

    This morning was the scheduled delivery, and right on time my Tracking Status was "Available at PO Box" by 8:30 this morning. I know they don't have the boxes full until 10:30, so just to be safe I somehow found the patience to wait until then to head out.

    Got to the PO, and there was only one pickup tag in my box. I'm expecting two packages, but the other wasn't tracked and shipped via slower method. Turned over the slip, and they handed me the "other" package....

    Blood pressure rising.

    I mentioned the fact that I had a tracked package acknowledged to be in their building that morning, and showed them the tracking data on my phone. The guy disappeared for a few minutes - I'm beginning to set new personal records for stress level - and reappeared empty-handed. Now, they're being nice about it, and it's no good for me to project stress, so I'm being as gentlemanly as possible. He copied down the tracking number from my phone, and went to consult the computer.

    I'm beginning to hear a roaring in my ears.

    Slight aside: Keep in mind, this coin cost more than twice the highest price I've ever paid for a single coin, even including the days when I was buying and flipping on Ebay. Owning it comes close to doubling the total value of my collection, and I've been eating peanut butter instead of meat for two months to pay for it. I have, to say the least, more than a little bit of my soul invested in this thing.

    So, the Post Office guy returns, and fills me in. It seems that, somehow, two digits of the PO Box number were transposed, and somebody's computer "fixed" the Zip Code to go with the PO Box. Now, I'm in Philadelphia, you'll understand there are more than a few individual zip codes and Post Offices,and each has a unique block of assigned PO Box numbers. Mine is five digits, to give you an idea. So, with the incorrect zip and Box number, the package went to the wrong Post Office....

    "Don't let them see you sweat, Dave." I knew exactly what had happened; I've transposed those exact two numbers before, and at some point (perhaps the moment I entered the data, perhaps not) somebody's computer (my own browser could possibly have done it) changed the Zip based on the box number. I might have even let it autofill the zip based on the box number I entered. Either way, the whole problem boils down to my own initial mistake, so I have no right to pass out any stress over the problem. I get the phone number for the other PO from the guy and thank him politely for unraveling the problem. Meanwhile, inside, I'm like

    OH MY GOD I JUST HAD A THOUSAND DOLLAR COIN DELIVERED TO THE WRONG ADDRESS

    My options were to A) Beat my forehead bloody against every brick building I can find, and they're all brick, or B) Call the other Post Office and see if I can keep this coin from recrossing the country. I chose the latter, and somehow managed to convince them to hold on to the package until I could get there. I even went so far as to have the password for my Pinnacle account available on my phone (I never allow such passwords onto my phone) so I cold show them my account data, with the Billing Address identical to that on my ID, and the shipping address matching what was on the package because that is (was, now) the shipping address they had on file for me.

    It didn't come to that; they understood the mistake and released the package to me after showing my ID matched the name of the recipient, who wasn't on their records at that box number anyways. I have the coin, and it'll be in the Lincoln thread later tonight after I conserve the slab, which has a couple annoying scratches in just the right places t screw up my imaging.

    Precision is imperative in numismatics, boys and girls. :)
     
    Andres2, Endeavor, dlhill132 and 14 others like this.
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  3. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Then why did ya leave out the part about the paramedics and the ambulance ? :D
     
  4. cpm9ball

    cpm9ball CANNOT RE-MEMBER

    If this had been April 1st, I might have believed Dave, but......................

    Chris;);)
     
    Endeavor and green18 like this.
  5. C-B-D

    C-B-D Well-Known Member

    I know you're putting them in another thread sometime later tonight but...
    20951-1370531476-88c7ce21c4539100b150f752c3ad9f0c.jpg
     
    spirityoda likes this.
  6. heavycam.monstervam

    heavycam.monstervam Outlaw Trucker & Coin Hillbilly

    A Lincoln? Seriously? Its a Lincoln?? :sorry:
    This better be the best looking Lincoln ive ever laid eyes upon.......
    Now my stress level is building:mad:
     
  7. V. Kurt Bellman

    V. Kurt Bellman Yes, I'm blunt! Get over your "feeeeelings".

    1909-S VDB? Maybe a high end Matte Proof? High mint state 1914-D? There are ones that make sense. I've seen Matte Proof Lincolns go as high as $40,000 personally. Not just reading a prices realized list.
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2017
  8. Oldrdawg

    Oldrdawg Active Member

    I'm with heavycam. To have that kind of price tag . . . I was hoping for a Morgan.
     
  9. V. Kurt Bellman

    V. Kurt Bellman Yes, I'm blunt! Get over your "feeeeelings".

    Would those be the same Morgans that nobody wanted when they were current? Face it, the Morgan dollar was the "Presidential dollar" of its era.
     
    -jeffB likes this.
  10. mikenoodle

    mikenoodle The Village Idiot Supporter

    My guess is that it's a Matte Proof Lincoln
     
  11. Cascade

    Cascade CAC Variety Nerd

    It is, or damn close to it ;)
     
  12. Cascade

    Cascade CAC Variety Nerd

    A 1909vdb MPL in 67+ with killer color went for over $250k a couple years ago. In 66RD they go for $60k+, 66RB $50k+
     
  13. SuperDave

    SuperDave Free the Cartwheels!

    You're going to have to wait for pics, because the slab is scratched and I have to polish it. If you're not willing to wait, it's now my full avatar, instead of half of it while I was still paying for it. There's a pic for ya. :)

    If you insist, wander over to PCGS CoinFacts. It's a 1910-S PCGS/CAC MS66RB, Pop 13/0 in color and the plate coin on the bottom right.
     
    Dave Waterstraat and mikenoodle like this.
  14. Michael K

    Michael K Well-Known Member

  15. mikenoodle

    mikenoodle The Village Idiot Supporter

    I saw what it was... we're not even close
     
  16. Johndoe2000$

    Johndoe2000$ Well-Known Member

    2 0 17........P ? :writer:
     
    Endeavor and micbraun like this.
  17. Cascade

    Cascade CAC Variety Nerd

    I hope you switch back. That two-face avatar was the bees knees!
     
  18. SuperDave

    SuperDave Free the Cartwheels!

    Foine. :p
     
    mikenoodle and Cascade like this.
  19. jtlee321

    jtlee321 Well-Known Member

    Oh man Dave!!! I've been anxiously awaiting for you to receive that coin. You told me about before Christmas and I was excited for you. You almost gave me a heart attack reading your story on the Post Office. I had been contemplating PM'ing you to see if you had been able to get it delivered yet.

    I'm anxiously awaiting your incredible images of it. Incidentally, I'm still waiting for my Lincoln that I put on layaway not long after your's. I hope to be able to get it soon, and I hope not to have the same story about getting it in hand. ;)

    Congrat's on finally getting it.
     
  20. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    See ! See ! And that was from a guy just reading the story !

    I told ya there were paramedics and an ambulance !!!! :D
     
    SuperDave likes this.
  21. bsowa1029

    bsowa1029 Franklin Half Addict

    Thank god it's not a Morgan. Dime a dozen coin. Most over rated coin out there.
     
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