The time has arrived for another update in ddddd's evolving box of 20 journey. Last time (October 2021) saw nine changes. This installment isn't as extreme but still features three new coins. Two were within the same type but with quite different looks (a blast white example was replaced with a toner in one case and in the other a toner went goodbye in favor of a blast white coin!). The third was a denomination not previously reflected in the box. As always, a big inspiration has been the wonderful threads from our very own @lordmarcovan (he gets credit on every update and he certainly deserves it ). The order here is US (by denomination), followed by tokens, and finally world (Territorials fall into the world grouping).
(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/Cd9t1OnOLcw/ (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 NGC MS 67 Star Texas Commemorative Half Dollar Here we have another Classic Commemorative and another design that I adore. The spot used to feature a toned coin but when I saw the PL qualities and clean surfaces of this coin, I did something uncommon for me: let go of the toner in favor of a blast white gem. Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CdFB1qqO3Wa/ (7) 1881-S NGC MS 65* Morgan Dollar (now PCGS MS 65) 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) 1877 Trade Dollar PCGS AU 55 Yes this is a US Coin, but I'm placing it in the world section as the type was used in commerce abroad (plus it replaced a world coin formerly in this spot). For too long I did not have a Trade Dollar in my set and it wasn't for a lack of searching-I just hadn't seen the right one. When @Mkman123 decided to disperse some of his collection, I pounced on this coin. Recalling when he first posted it years ago, I realized this was the look I had desired (and couldn't find elsewhere). You just don't see many borderline deep mirror prooflike AU Trade Dollars! Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZavyTuLrIj/ (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) 1887 Mexico 8 Reales PCGS AU 58 A lovely blast white Mexico 8 Reales used to hold this spot. I upgraded to an even nicer toned example. The new coin also has PL surfaces and the colors pop in hand. I avoided this design for too long but a conversation with @Mkman123 convinced me to get the blast white and then upgrade to the current toner (and I'm glad he did). Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CXwSWP2rRbZ/ (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
Almost bought one of the tantalum turtles myself a few weeks back.. very very interesting coin Love the rest as well
An eBay seller from Kazakhstan auctioned a raw one recently and I thought there was a chance it would go low (since auctions for more obscure items can be overlooked if the right bidders aren't paying attention). That was not the case though. It went for $206 plus shipping. I missed out when these were first available in the $80 range but luckily won an auction from an eBay seller in Poland for around $120 (several years ago). So only a slight markup compared to current rates.
I have more than 20 as it's (basically) impossible to keep that limit. These are the 20 that I consider to be the best at this time. I do try to keep this portion of my collection to 20 (as can be seen here where three left in order to accommodate three new coins). I have other sets going that allow me to shift focus (and skirt the limit ).
Makes sense. I've debated going this route...I sold off a huge portion of my collection 2 years ago and used the funds on just 3-4 coins. Still have well over 20 though. I have some graded world silver rounds that came as gifts that I hate to sell. Also my completed 7070. Have a ton wrapped up in it but I have a hard time letting it go since I spent so much time completing it. The sale would sure help me get a few really nice coins though lol. Either way, awesome set!
You sure know how to pick them! The Isabella has been on my bucket list for quite a while and I doubt I’ll ever find one as nice as yours. The trade dollar stands out as well. I really like the toning patterns on the Spanish colonials. If I was ever going to do a box of 20 the 1807 8 reales would stay there for a long time.
I also have a 7070 (in a Dansco album) and that isn't a set I plan to sell anytime soon either. The box of 20 is a concept that helps one focus on quality over quantity even if the final number isn't 20. Years ago I used to bid on a bunch of coins that seemed like good deals, even if I had a passing interest in them. Nowadays I tend to skip over some of those and focus on coins that really speak to me (I still bid on and buy the occasional coin that I later wonder why I didn't stick to my rule, but I'm working on limiting that).
Thanks! The Isabella was on my list for years as well. I found several Columbians over that stretch but the Isabella eluded me until I took a chance on this one in a details holder (I would have liked it even if it remained a details coin but there really was no reason for it to be one). As far as the 1807, it was in the box for a few years but it wasn't near the top of my favorites. The Pillar Dollar is one that I adore (and was also a long process to find). Acquiring the 1887 toned Mexico 8 Reales made the 1807 expandable since the 1887 had nicer color (in my opinion).
