The diagonal streaks are plating imperfections, and the swirls are stains from something. Neither is going to make the coin worth more than face...
I would have GTG'ed 64 on this one. The pictures alone can't convince me this is a 65. (Standard grading-by-web-photos disclaimers apply, of...
The engraved part of the die shown above is about the size of a silver dollar. If he's doing 1 or 2 ounce silver rounds in high relief on his 400...
From Ron Landis on Facebook: "It won't be long now! The new Gallery Mint Museum website will be up soon. I'll be releasing several new silver art...
Looks like you could actually net $40-50 on an eBay flip. Interesting. I'd use a disposable e-mail address and phone number if I ordered, though.
I wouldn't say "After 55 years," but rather "After a few years." The CDN underwent a pretty significant change when it was taken over by John...
If there's no doubling on the obverse, then it is VAM 99. Both 29 and 99 are tough and interesting varieties, although being low grade there...
VAM 1 not existing is correct. There is no "normal die" 1880-CC. Only two die pairs have the top arrow feather slanted with the large CC -- VAM...
I'm not aware of other mints striking James I coinage. The Aberystwyth mint wasn't set up until 1637, and shortly thereafter, during the civil...
Looks like environmental damage to me. Sea salvage, perhaps?
Yes. I have the set in the PCGS Registry Showcases in the "Other" category, which is basically the equivalent of the most remote section of a...
Just came in the mail today. [IMG]
"The physical condition of a coin may change over time with improper handling or storage..." I'm guessing the coin was white when put in the...
I would recommend books about coins you need or want to learn about. The Whitman "guide book" series is pretty good. If you have other series...
That's a complaint I've heard a lot. The first step is to get a new wiki running. The second will be to come up with a policy to improve the...
Another thing I recommend is the ANA Summer Seminar class "Collecting and Investing in Morgan Silver Dollars." (Disclaimer: I teach it.)
Yes. We're going to migrate to a new and improved wiki and message board. We're just starting to test out candidate platforms for this. Last...
As long as the word "Shipwreck" keeps bringing a premium, the coins will be too expensive. Hmmm... Maybe I'll start describing some of my uglier...
That's pretty much where I am with a lot of stuff. Classic Commems you can do that way, since the coin you want is out there and not super hard...
That assumption is predicated on the system being right the first time for all coins and grading practices never changing. Fluid grading...
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