ddddd’s Box of 20 Updated (Version 4.0)

Over the years, I’ve been motivated to build my own box of 20. The idea has appealed to me as it gives a lot of freedom. One is able to go into many directions and explore new areas. A big inspiration has been the wonderful threads from our very own @lordmarcovan (he gets credit on every update and he certainly deserves it ). What follows is the fourth installment.

It has been a year since the last update and there have been some big changes. Nine coins have been replaced. Some of these were sold as I replaced them with coins I liked more (they will be mentioned at the end). A couple have moved to the box of 21-50, which is fairly strong too-it just has a bit less variety. I'm a big fan of Morgans and Columbians. This go-around, I've decided to limit the main box to just one of each. The others are great coins and I wouldn't kick them out of the collection, so they find a spot in a different location (it's not easy to cut my collection down to just 20 so this is the "creative" workaround). There are also other sets I work on which are outside of the box of 20 (and even the box of 21-50). That allows me to have several projects so that I don't get stuck if no coins appear that are worthy of the box of 20.

The order here is US (by denomination), followed by tokens, and finally world (Territorials fall into the world grouping).

 

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(1) 1961-D NGC MS 62 BN Lincoln Cent


Error coins have always piqued my interest. My goal was to find something that stands out and this one does a great job. I've dubbed it "Headbutting Lincoln."

Video: none

(2) 1961-D PCGS MS 66+ Roosevelt Dime


While I’m not big on dimes (I tend to appreciate the larger coins more), this one bucked the trend. The fantastic color won me over and it’s earned a spot in my set.

Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/B4OHRh4gBPP/



(3) 1958-D NGC MS 64* FBL Franklin Half Dollar


Lovely rainbows adorn both sides of this Franklin. While a common date-even with color-it hasn’t been easy for me to find a better one.

Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt7ACyvF8tS/


(4) 1892 NGC AU 58 Star Columbian Expo Commemorative Half Dollar

This marked the beginning of the Classic Commemorative series (along with the 1892 dated coin plus the Isabella Quarter). The Columbian Expo was an iconic event that helped showcase Chicago and multiple innovations. The toning highlights the coin.

Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CUvvvkYL5sl/


(5) 1893 PCGS AU 58 Isabella Quarter


A nice pair for the Columbian, the Isabella Quarter has long been on my want list. I was fortunate to buy this one in an UNC details holder (QC, which I disagreed with) and then have it straight grade as AU 58. The color is solid and the pl surfaces add to the eye appeal.

Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CTgREleL1_B/

(6) 1935-D PCCS MS 66 Texas Commemorative Half Dollar


Here we have another Classic Commemorative and another design that I adore. The coin has an appealing array of colors on the reverse.

Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxv-M3oleNT/

(7) 1881-S NGC MS 65* Morgan Dollar

An awesome toned Morgan-this one has it all (color, luster, and clean surfaces for the grade).

Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CAYLA0QHUrH/

(8) 1837 (circa 1900-1906) NGC AU 58 CD Peacock Token

This is a token with a cool design and one I first learned about from a LordM thread. The color is a bonus.

Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/BxLvBffFaWb/

(9) 1984 PCGS PR 67 Squared Quarter



After admiring these for some time, I finally acquired an example. This is also the first I've seen with dramatic toning.

The brainchild of Andor Orand, this was "the first square coin-item with sharp corners and serrated edges struck in a die with collar, and the first coin-token designed with the aid of a computer" (quoted from his website). They were produced and sold by Square Deal Productions, Inc. New York and minted by the Medallic Art Company in Danbury, CT. After Square Deal Productions was dissolved in 1984, the dies were donated to the Smithsonian Museum.

Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CVOx39FL6Bp/

(10) 1780 Austria Thaler Restrike PCGS MS 67

This Maria Theresa Thaler is a modern restrike and a common coin, but the eye appeal is well above average.

Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/B3qa1ulgYVF/

 

(11) 1768 Mexico 8 Reales PCGS VF 35

Besides having the distinction of being the oldest coin in this set, this "Pillar Dollar" is one of the most famous world coins. I've been on the hunt for a while and finally found a beautiful example.

Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CFctgFJn4uK/


(12) 1807 Peru 8 Reales PCGS AU 58

The coin known and used around the world, the 8 Reales was always on my list. This one hails from Peru and is as nice as I could find for an AU 58.

Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/B6bzxwRnIG2/

(13) 1883 Hawaii Half Dollar PCGS AU 55


Struck at the US Mint in San Francisco (dies prepared in Philadelphia), the Hawaii Half displays King Kalakaua. It is another semi-pl with great detail for an AU coin.

Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/B3543NtAmiM/


(14) 1893 Mexico 8 Reales NGC MS 62



A lovely Mexico 8 Reales. This coin has PL surfaces and pops in hand. I avoided this design for too long but a conversation with @Mkman123 convinced me to get this example (and I'm glad he did).

Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CQZFZgprN62/


(15) 1896 Guatemala Peso MS 62



Another want list item found! This 1896 Guatemala Peso is a beautiful silver crown with blazing luster.
Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CVTDULgre4K/

(16) 1904 Japan Yen NGC MS 63



A great design that keeps gaining popularity. The luster is strong on this example.
Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CLfyoADrUNr/

(17) (1904) Stuttgart City Klippe



A detailed city view of Stuttgart and a message of “Happy New Year” ("Prosit Neujahr") are featured on this silver Klippe. Issued by the Stuttgart Numismatic Association around 1904 (estimated), it is rather attractive and fairly scarce (this being the only graded example at PCGS).

Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CMNV526LBYi/

(18) 1932 Poland 10z Queen Jadwiga NGC AU 58

After much searching, I finally acquired a Queen Jadwiga Polish 10z; a beautiful design and surprisingly challenging to find lately.

Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CT569OYLseF/

(19) 2004 Portugal 8 Euro Stylized Goal Keeper PCGS MS 65



Somewhat of a unicorn, nothing about this coin is standard. You have an oddball denomination of 8 Euro, a modern commemorative coin that was technically considered circulating (with a mintage of 1,500,000), and an abstract design of a goalkeeper making a save. It's also the only example graded at PCGS and on top of that, features amazing colors! The coin was issued by Portugal as they were hosting the 2004 European Football (soccer) Championship-an event as unusual as the coin given the unexpected triumph of Greece over Portugal in the final.

Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CVN8oOdLvwj/

(20) 2017 Kazakhstan 100 Tenge NGC PF 70 UCAM


Moderns can be beautiful and this one drew me in. A bimetallic coin, it effectively uses tantalum for the turtle’s shell while the rest of the design is well executed in silver. Another bonus was that I received the 70 grade (not something that I often chase, but still fun to see it when sending in your own raw coins).

Video: none

 

Here are the coins that have left the box (all sold but one, which is being sold):










These moved to the box of 21-50:

A special #21
My favorite untoned Morgan; the obverse is pl and best of all it came from a friend. It is the starting point (and long has been) of the box of 21-50.

 

very very nice 20 I love the turtle.. almost bought one of those myself recently

 

great collection!!!!! You should do a box of 20 world coins, would be awesome! Really love the 8reales, the yen and the guatemala peso!!!!!

 

Very nice!

 

Well world has a slight edge at 11-9 (if we count the Hawaii as part of world).

I don’t think there would be enough to get to 20 world (at least without having a few more moderns). There are two really nice world that just missed the cut (one modern and one older).

 

Thank you! The turtle is quite cool. They aren’t really available in the US though. I bought mine from a seller in Poland several years ago. I foolishly didn’t pick one up when I first saw it, so had to pay a premium (luckily not as high as some ask nowadays).

 

Awesome coins! Well done!

 

Definitely eclectic. Well done!

 

Thank you all!

 

Absolutely fabulous box. You know I love the toning. Some wonderful choices. A couple of monster Morgans, and other beautiful stuff!

 

Thank you!

 

@spirityoda see Coin #18 for the Queen Jadwiga (that you may recall I mentioned in an earlier thread). You helped convince me to pull the trigger on the example I found from a German eBay seller. It was priced fairly and arrived quickly. I'm glad to have it in the box.

 

Glad you finally got that 1. It is very nice. Your collection is amazing. My favorite of your coins is the Hawaii half dollar. Loved the toners. That double struck cent is great. A box of 100 sounds like a good idea for me, but I have 1,200+ coins. I am pretty sure I have a top 10, but limiting myself will not work out for me.

 

An AMAZING group of 20! Your choices really exhibit your eye for coins, as well as your unique tastes (the headbutting Lincoln [which I LOVE], and the Eight-Euro soccer coin). That Guatemala Peso and Klippe are great, too.

It's ALL great, really. I can't stop looking at 'em...
Thanks for sharing!

Edit: I have to say, they were TOUGH on your One-Yen... Sheesh..

 

But just going through the exercise of trying to do your Top Ten would be rewarding for you (and us!), especially if you've got killer pieces. And you could create a thread here at CT showing us your coins like the OP.

 

Loved seeing that squared quarter. Thanks for the posts.

 

Thank you!
The Hawaii is one of my favorites too. I bought it off a bad eBay photo; I put trust into the seller's description of it being nice and he was right! It's only lightly toned but it just has a charm to it that appeals to me. Plus it's semi-pl, which I like on business strikes.

As far as limiting yourself to a box of x, it is difficult and that is why I'm not a purist. This is my favorite 20 but as mentioned, I have quite a few more coins. I also have other collections that are "on the side" like my ex-Soviet nations set. I agree with @mlov43 that going through the exercise of picking your favorite 10 (or 20) would be fun for both you and us. And remember that it can always change (you can have a different group of favorites tomorrow than you have today).