He can no more get in trouble from the federal Government for altering the entire coin than he could for only altering a portion of the coin. Certain collectors and numismatists may not like it, but its not against the law. You see, these are over strikes on "actual" or "real" coins which have been guaranteed their face value by the US Government. The 1963 90% Silvers are done on 1964 90% Silver coins which were assayed by the US and as such are legal tender. The coins after they are "altered" still retain that legal tender status but their "collector" status is what creates the controversy. This is not the first time that "overstruck" coins have been made and there are a few issues in the distant past which are now part of "must have" collections. This whole thing started after Daniel Carr purchased a surplus Graebner Press from the Denver mint and then Daniel got to thinking: "What would a 1964-D Peace Dollar "really" look like (since there are absolutely no photo's of authentic 1964-D Peace Dollars even though the Denver Mint did produce a certain quantity which were quickly melted)? He crafted dies with the intent of overstriking common Peace dollars with his new "fantasy design". That concept was readily accepted by certain factions within the collecting community and the product quickly sold out. Today, his Fantasy OverStruck Peace Dollars usually command premiums in the $350 range which is well above the $125-$175 issue price. From there, he branched into other Fantasy Pieces such as a 1964 Franklin Half Dollar, 1975 Dated Eisenhower Dollars, 1933 Buffalo Nickles, etc. Is it illegal? He's been in operation Nationally for several years yet has not been shut down. Is it unethical? Some say yes, others say no since the fantasy overstikes he produces are coins which WERE NOT produced and released by the US Mint. (This addresses the counterfeiting argument as well) He does have a following.
Before we devote pages of this thread to a Daniel Carr discussion, the opinions have already been discussed in great length in this thread: http://www.cointalk.com/t204044/
Couple more... couldn't resist these either. For my shield nickels with major varieties set: http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=72283 Complete nickel proof set isn't looking bad either! http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/alltimeset.aspx?s=68063
Just picked this great toner (part of a complete "P" mint set) for a little over $25 shipped. The silver content pretty much paid for the entire cost, so the effective toning premium = 0! The toning seems to be the type often seen on Morgans -- cool, soft rainbow toning, with a lot of "cool sea green-blue" as well.
LOL! I see you just couldn't resist! "I don't plan on bidding Lyds. They're all yours. I've reached my coin budget for the month, just doing some market-watching. (I kept mum about my last score from Shane until after I won, but all the tonerheads on this board watch his auctions anyway, so I'm not sure it would have made any difference.)" Yer hooked I tell ya!
.. couple more for the key date section of the collection. For some reason I really like the VG10 key's in Walker and Barber series.. lived in look I guess.
Lol. I lied. I got that thing for a song: $40. I know it's a higher pop, but still...the other bidders were asleep at the wheel or something.
I'm really starting to get in to these Hobo's! J. Hughey :devil: Infact, I triple posted this bad boy! Creepy / Buffs / Newest