Original Bag of 1964 Kennedy Halves, Opened & Graded by NGC

"First Day of Issue" has literally zero relation to "first strike" or "first dies used."

You have to think - the release of these half dollars was a major national event. The coins were released on March 24 (of note - 5 days *after* the date on the tag on this bag). It was a coordinated, publicized, nationwide release. People lined up around the block just to get one.

In order to coordinate that release, millions upon millions were struck in advance and shipped to banks nationwide. The coins in this bag are not special in any way, other than the bag has remained unopened until this point.

For more on the release of the Kennedy, read the (surprisingly good) Wikipedia article here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennedy_half_dollar

 

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It doesn't but a lot of people do like first day of issue. That said when you say "looks very official" and absurd things like that its just laugh out loud sad.

The TPGs play a very important role in collecting and to have the head of the major TPG put out a video like this is just sad

 

NGC and Tomaska have had an uncomfortably close relationship for decades. Tomaska says "jump" and NGC asks "how high?"

Have you seen the absolutely hideous custom slabs he directed them to inflict upon us? https://www.randicoins.com/

 

I'm ok with having Salzberg put out a video showing the unboxing or opening of a cool item like this. It's neat to see. I wish there were videos of them opening something like the Battle Creek or Redmond hoard. I would actually like more videos like this, of Salzberg or David Lange or somebody like that showing the grading of major collections or important items. Something like the Newman collection comes in, make a video or series of videos showing us the process and some neat items. I'd watch the heck out of those.

What I don't like is how NGC is acting as the official branding team for Tomaska.

 

I don’t disagree at all. However what was put out really didnt help the brand with the implications of well it looks good type stuff. Especially for things like that where it’s kinda questionable to begin with and if you or I sent a bucket in like that....

What frustrates me the most is just how much that video makes TPGs look like a joke

Edited to add as a history nerd and coin nerd I would love to see videos of the shipwreck coins being uncovered after being brought up

 

Franklin 'Celebrating Maternity' Label!

 

I'm no bag expert but doubt they used FDI back then nor wrote it on a tag. To me it's a duck

 

goldfinger1969 My rebuttal would be the 1937-D Three Legged Buffalo variety. It is technically a worn die (over polished). One minted before the damage has little value.

 

My rebuttal to you would be - many of us don't consider that a variety. I'd call that a late die state. Some late die states may have excessive die wear, die breaks, cracks, cuds, or missing details from excessive die lapping.

In my opinion, a die "variety" is created when the die is made. An S/S or an E/A is a die variety. Three legs or 2 feathers or Bugs Bunny is a die state. Sure, they might be sought after - but I don't consider them varieties.

 

Sure there is.. If those were my coins I sent to NGC I would be thinking "Whoa buddy.. I don't want your fingerprints on any of my coins!"

 

Over and over again, every single professional grader will tell you, not a single one of them wears gloves. Doesn't matter NGC, PCGS, ICG, ANACS - no professional grader wears gloves while grading. Gloves actually impede them, and make them clumsier and more likely to drop a coin. There are numerous behind-the-scenes in-the-grading-room videos you can see, and not a single person wears gloves. In several of them, they explain why because many people would think otherwise.

If you keep your hands clean, it isn't a concern.

 

I thought MS65 was minimum for Gem or BU. I also thought MS63 was the minimum for Choice Uncirculated. Wouldn't Choice BU be a contradiction in terms? I know the term BU is used rather loosely but doesn't anyone else think NGC stooped low on these coins? PS My favorite hype grade is BU/AU or 'slider.' I actually saw it on slab from a 4th or 5th tier grading company.

 

I just took a hard look at the ungraded "Choice Brilliant" Kennedy half for $495. I've had coins come back from the Big Three with 'Details' for a scratch smaller than the one that adorns John's cheek. Nasty!

 

The adjectival grades aren't used as often any more, but they were once quite common. In some places, "Brilliant Uncirculated" was a step up from "Uncirculated" and was considered to be the equivalent of at least MS-63 in today's understanding.

Adjectival Grade Equivalent Numerical Grade
Uncirculated MS-60, MS-61, MS-62
Select or Choice Uncirculated MS-63
Choice Uncirculated MS-63, MS-64
Gem Uncirculated MS-65, MS-66
Superb Gem Uncirculated MS-67, MS-68, MS-69
Perfect Uncirculated MS-70

 

This coin has some nasty scratches all over with some really deep ones behind Ben's forehead. Another example of the axiom, "Buy the coin, not the slab."

 

Ok Ok.. I got it.. sheesh

Some of us just think it's a bit more appropriate

 

I have to agree with your view. But the coins that you mentioned are marketed as varieties. Coin collection albums even have a space for the Three Legger. I own a 1918/7-D which is a real variety and the 3 leg 'variety' just to complete the Buffalo set. I have a near complete set of 2 feather nickels just because it was fun years ago to cherry pick them for next to nothing. I don't know if you saw that I collect mainly MPD, RPD, RPM/OMM, and Doubled Dies. Would you agree that the 3 Legged and the like should be labelled as 'mint errors'? I am going to make an effort from this point on.

 

'64 Kennedy is a most common coin. They (mint) produced more Kennedy half dollars than the entire run of Franklin half's.

Trying to make rarities out of otherwise common coins. Click bait. Granny bait. Mastur........

 

I have made the decision to differentiate 'Varieties' from 'errors'. I am very an*l about most things numismatic, I will make an effort to keep things right.

 

Thank you for posting the table. It was what I have believed to be true for the last decade.