A Look Back at 2025 SeatedLib3991

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Todays coin will share something with all the coins here on, it will be in a Small White Anac holder. Here is my VF-20 1877-CC Seated Quarter. Have I mentioned how much I love the coins with the deep purplish/blue/golden iridescent toning? If not, here is another one. This coin is a great compliment to my 1878-CC Seated Quarter. Now if I could just find a 1876-CC I like. James

 

Merry Christmas Eve. My wife snapped the long neck spout off the kitchen sink last night so I will have to get this done now as the rest of my day I will be playing the role of "plumber' in our Christmas program.
This is again a Small White Anac Holder coin but is a departure from my regular collection. I have a small group of Reeded Edge Halves. This 1836 Cap Bust represents Christmas past when coins were hammered rather than steamed. I have a different taste when it comes to coins I think of as more Type then set. I fell in love with this coin on the spot; in hand it has booming luster and a type of toning all the coin dealers of yesteryear called "champagne"
Here is my Au-50 lettered edge Half.

 

Merry Christmas. Todays coin is my (SM Wht Anac Hldr) 1868 VF 35 Seated Half Dollar. One of the great joys of my life was building a fairly comprehensive set of Seated Halves. My original goal had been to do a date set (only lacked 1852); but I ended up with just under 100 coins.
One question most folks( new collectors etc.) want to ask about a collection is "Are there any sleeper dates?" The answer is yes.
Anyone out there who wants to build some sort of Seated Half set should know this: The Philly coins from 1862 to 1868 are going to take you WAY longer than you ever dreamed. If you check the combined NGC/PCGS population of 1868 coins you will find 256 coins. Just for example, 1869 has a combined pop of 626. Not like there are thousands but still; you have 3 times the chance of getting the 69. (Yes I knoe this is not a NGC/PCGS coin but the ratio stays similar). James

 

Another nice coin!
What is even cooler about the small white Anacs holder is the 5 digit cert number. Six and seven digits are common but five or less is much less frequently seen.

 

@ddddd . Thanks for pointing that out. I never noticed. James

 

As they use to say on Monty Python: "Now For Something Different!" Different indeed, I have collected very little but Seated coins for many years. I knew a few years ago I would have to find something more affordable to collect in the near future. I also know I am the kind of person who needs something to collect just as much as the blood and drugs and what not that goes with modern medecine.
I researched: ancient coins, State Quarters, 20th Century series sets, Presidential dollars and of course very low grade Seated material. I finally found my subject in October of this year; Barber Dimes.
Here is the thing about Barber dimes. There are numerous dates that can be had (allready slabbed) for less than $200 dollars. What is more, there are quite a few different varieties to look for but most of them bring little to no premium. That is fine by me, I'm not looking to pay off the ranch but rather find a new passion to persue. I have always believed in this ancient proverb: "You should always have something you desire in life, it gives you purpose, hope and passion to live."
Here is subject #1 of my new passion, AU-58 1902 Barber Dime (In old Anac holder of course). James

 

Also one more shout out to @KBBPLL . This member gave me a free copy of the Barber Redbook on Barber coins. It looked so new when I got it I'm not sure if he opened it. Thomas Hardy use to say there is only one kind of magic in this world; "The magic that happens when the right person picks up the right book". It has been that kind of book for me. Thanks again. James

 

I'm happy that you're putting it to good use. I had no need for a second copy and as I said previously, I prefer the certified populations tables in the 2nd edition over the market value comparisons that replaced them in the 3rd edition. Although both are sort of useless other than historical purposes.

From the images that 1902 10c could easily be MS63. Somebody must have breathed on it too much. I agree that a lot of very nice MS Barber dimes can be had for under $300. Have you considered joining BCCS?

 

@KBBPLL . I decided to wait until I am out of the hospital before I will rejoin LSCC or start a new club membership.
Jan. 20th I have a ERCP scope procedure to prepare me for radical cancer surgery on Feb. 6th.
My doctors are quite frank that I have 1 chance in 3 of surviving the operation; and then 1 chance in 3 of surviving to the 90 day recovery point.
Getting coin journals in the mail for a year would be to hard on my family if i don't make it. James

 

I'm very sorry to hear that James. Sending positive thoughts your way, as I'm sure everyone on here is. I've appreciated all your posts.

 

Todays coin starts with a little explaining because it is the big 2nd coin in my new Barber Dime set and also the coin that matches the following page (46) from the Cherry Picker Guide Fourth edition Vol II.

Hope you can see it says (2016) they haveonly found 1 of these so far. Mine makes #8 by my search.

 

I will be the first to call this beginners luck. I doubt I will have a few dozen more experiences like this but if you ever see a post of me comparing coin collecting to being an 8 year old kid on Christmas morning; this is what i'm talking about.
By my count this coin has 6 different digits I can see peeking out of the denticles. The messydesk guy was kind enough to verify my find. ( I wil try and post a pic of the sticker but computer is acting crazy this morning.

 

This is my 1906-D AU-55 Anac sm. hld. Barber dime. James

 

Tomorrow I will post my final coin of 2025. I prefer to talk exclusifly coins on coin sites but hope you will let me explain the cancer story.
I am well aware the vast majority of people find out about pancreatic cancer too late. I have lost more than a half dozen various family members to this disease. My story is different. I have spent over 32 years battling a pair of genetic diseases. One called Familial pancreatitis and involves a brain defect that cause numerous episodes of a condition called (acute pancreatitis); 26 in my case. The other is called hereditary pancreatitis and is a physical defect in the pancreas that again causes acute pancreatitis. The odds of having both are 50 in 1 billion. the odds of getting pancreatic cancer are considered 100% and usually happens before the age of 55.
I have spent the last 15 years, and in particular, the last 3 preparing for this steel death cage match. When I was 48 3 top doctors begged me to have my pancreas removed. The 90 day survival rate was 7.85 percent and required a 3 year in hospital stay. I turned it down.
This coming year I will have a procedure called the triple whipple performed. We hope to remove the cancer tumor before the cancer gets out and into my blood stream. If the cancer gets out my 1 year survival rate is put at 15%. If I can over come being a fragile diabetic, high cholesterol, neropathy, fibermyalgia, heat damage to the lower left ventricle, and avoid getting toxins from my destroyed pancreas in my system my 5 year survival rate is 44%. I thank anyone who took an interest and welcome all prayers. Prayers really do work. James

 

@samclemens3991 some amazing coins posted so far and we are praying for you. I look forward to the 2026 recap.

 

My last coin of 2025 is 50% accident, 50% dumb luck. I have for many years put a nominal bid on a coin I really like but don't want to forget at auction time. (This puts it in your bids list). I thought I put $10 but I actually put $100. It was also Veterans Day so a holiday (No staff at HA). then I realized That is just what I would have bid so it worked out in the end.
@KBBPLL . You mentioned someone must have breathed on my 1902. Same guy must have breathed on this coin too. I am a circulated collector guy and was hoping to see exactly where the first signs of wear begin on a Barber coin. At least I have my 1906-D to go by.
Here is my AU 58 "Details" 1907-O Barber Dime. When I think of cleaned I think of dull lifeless coins that often have grey or black splotches. You have to look at this coin more as if it were a proof. Straight on you just see a brilliant coin but if you tilt the coin around you will see faint hairlines with 2X magnification. Funny thing is that of the 3 coins I have this one has the best luster in hand.
1907-O is also suppose to be the hardest Barber Dime to find well struck but i have also heard that is now discounted. Either way my coin has an excellent strike. So, here is my last coin of 2025.

 

@KBBPLL . Looking ahead to 2026 Heritage is giving Barber collectors a massive opportunity in the New Year. I don't know if you still actively collect Barber coins. If you do. know this, on January 26th (1 day before my 65th Birthday), Heritage is auctioning off hundreds of Barbers. I think you mentioned AU-58 coins. I think I have about 50 in my tracking list alone.
I have what will be a now 44 year tradition to kick of every New Year with a new coin. I will have my budget saved up and my sight set on at least one coin. Chances like this only come once every year or two. So I just might do the rare thing and get 2 or more if I'm lucky. james

 

@ddddd . Thanks for your attention and support. Our collecting interests may vary but I do think we are kindred spirits when it comes to coins. James
PS I have gone back and looked at that Coke Slug many times. Strange and wonderful at the same time