I waited 13 years for a chance to buy this coin!

I am a maternal descendent of the two Adams presidents of the United States (John Adams and John Quincy Adams). Ever since I learned that the Massachusetts Historical Society sold the family coin collection of John Quincy Adams (the sixth president) in 1971, I have wanted one of the coins with that provenance.

Around 2012, my friend Gil purchased this Roman Republican serrate denarius with a JQA pedigree, from Civitas Galleries- for what I considered to be a song. I pestered him countless times to sell it to me, but he held on tight.

There is a JQA-pedigreed coin coming up for auction on January 15th, and I liked it. I was prepared to bid as high as $1K to get it- and even then was not overly optimistic about my chances (*update- that particular coin closed for $1,200 plus fees).

But lo and behold, Gil just contacted me and offered me, via private sale, his coin I've so long admired. At the $600 delivered I just paid him, he will triple his money (he got the thing quite cheaply 13 years ago, as I mentioned). But good for him. I am delighted to finally obtain my JQA coin, and for a price I'm quite satisfied with. It was a pedigree I was willing to pay for.

Aside from the provenance (it was Lot 510 in the 1971 sale), it happens to be a nice coin. It will also be my first serrate denarius.




My famous ancestor was the first US president to be photographed. It seems like he always had a rather stern or sour expression. I would not want to have opposed him in the courtroom when he was practicing law!



*Yes, I used the terms "pedigree" and "provenance" interchangeably. Mea culpa.

 

How awesome, LM. The best things in life are waiting for!

 

Yes, and I’m going to find out. I will submit the coin to NGC at the FUN show and will present the documentation in hopes they’ll add the pedigree to the slab label. That’s been hit or miss with them in the past.

One potential advantage is that this coin was apparently a stand-alone lot in the 1971 sale, as opposed to some JQA pieces that were broken out of lots in the sale that originally included multiple coins. (So those have diluted provenance like “part of Lot xxx”).

 

My father-in-law kinda-sorta has the look, if not the sideburns.

 

Awesome! Who else has any?

 

Solid buy at 40 bucks!