A more or less annual tradition, here I review some cool coins that I owned which found new homes this year. We start with a nicely toned Panama Balboa. It's a cool design and you don't see too many colorful examples. I decided to keep my blast white lustrous example that I have owned longer. Now for something on the other end of the spectrum-not toned nor high grade. This is as lowball as you can get with the Poor 1 grade. I had not seen a US Philippines coin in such a grade before so it was fun owning it but the lowball demand extended to this series and I took advantage of that on eBay. Back to the colorful side, we have an enchanting reverse toner Morgan. A common date but very flashy! I sold it earlier in the year, reacquired it, and then sold it again! It went away twice so maybe it will come back again. Back to the oddball side, we have a DCGS holdered Franklin. Notice that it has a stand built in so that one can display it (although storing it is tough...it doesn't quite fit in any "box"). Another fun fact: DCGS started doing an edge view (as seen in the third photo) before NGC or PCGS. This one had stood on my bookshelf for many years but when I saw someone was putting together a set of unusual slabs, I decided it was time to offer it to him as I had enjoyed it for a while and have since mainly moved on from the unusual slab set (not completely as I still like some of these). To close it out, there are two coins that made my top 10 of 2024. They have their original descriptions copied below. Both were awesome (they had to be to make the top 10) but to make room for new additions, I decided to let these go. 1991 Silver Eagle PCGS MS-68 ...this is the second of two Silver Eagle additions. I really liked the pattern combined with the bright colors. 1974-S Eisenhower Dollar Silver PCGS Proof-69 DCAM ...while I have owned toned Ikes before, none have been "keepers" (ended up selling the few over the years). This one has found a spot in the collection with its bright colors and high grade (for a toned coin, it is more common to see 65-68 and not 69).
I love the coins with the toning. You can have Santa drop them off over my house for Hot Cocoa and cookies!!
Oh, that Balboa would've been welcome with me! I generally don't have much interest in Ikes, but man, the target toning on that one is amazing!
Some pretty coins. I know how hard it is to let loose of old friends. Been doing a lot of that myself this year.
That ASE reverse looks a lot like what I'd seen presented here years ago as "gassed in the slab" toning. But I'm not sure how anyone would managed to do that on only the reverse, and clearly PCGS thought it was kosher, as they slabbed the thing reverse-forward. What I've learned from this: I'm still not ready to make judgement calls on toning!
It was definitely a nice Balboa! I have held on to an equally nicely toned Dominican Peso (spoiler alert: that one will be featured in the top 10 thread for 2025). And yes the target toning was great on the Ike. I decided I want even more from a keeper Ike. It does not have to be as high of a grade but full coverage would be preferable (toning on the entire obverse or reverse).
Thank you! It can be difficult. I did add some other items (in part thanks to selling these) so that helped make up for releasing some cool coins.
From what I have seen, the gassed in the slab coins do not create this "even" of a pattern. It certainly could have been helped but I think that happened outside of the slab and then PCGS straight graded it. My overall feelings towards toned ASEs have changed over the years. Initially I was skeptical of most and avoided them. Over time, I have still been skeptical of many but I am drawn to the more dramatic ones (something with a cool pattern and vibrant colors). I have added some to my collection and don't regret it as the eye appeal stands out to me.
The reverse on the Morgan is stunning. I would not have let that one go once, lets alone twice! I always enjoy your end of year buying and selling posts. I would have a very hard time letting go of some of the stunners that have past through your hands. Most of my "keepers" aren't as nice as your "sellers", LOL.
