The Reeded Edge, Capped Bust half dollars were first pieces of that denomination that the Philadelphia Mint struck on a steam press. Some type...
If a coin is strictly Mint State, how can you tell where it has been? It's not like it can tell you, "I was in a cash register or purse at one...
Do you really have to have a PR-70, @HawkeEye? According to the Bluesheet, bid for a PCGS PR-69 is $2,850 and a PR-70 is $12,000. Can you really...
Yes, "Uncirculated" is an unfortunate term. A coin can be used in commerce for a short while and still be Mint State or like it was fresh from the...
I'll toss in a ringer, a Feuchwanger three cent piece. This was the most common type. [ATTACH] [ATTACH] Here is one of the "almost" Proof only...
It has to do with the overall look of the pieces. The half dollar has some spots that appear to be what was left after the coin was dipped....
Here is a 1936 Proof half dollar that is graded PR-66. These coins came in cellulose sleeves. Over time the cellulose imparted a haze on the...
Yes, I was confused by your first post. As a collector the raw set has an attraction for me. I prefer the modern mint issues in the original...
The was a book published about collecting coins as a retiree. That might help.
That set contains coins that have original surfaces. It makes a big difference. The question is, are they choice original surfaces? You usually...
I don’t think that any for these coins will get high grades, and certainly nothing close to PR-68. The silver coins have been dipped, and...
It is not easy to say what is wrong with a coin like this from photos. Many 1897-O dollars come with indifferent luster which adds to the...
It looks like it’s made of silver. If so, it’s in the R.W. Julian book as PR-30. PR = presidential. It was a privately issued piece that had...
I think that the Two Cent Piece got quite a bit of use. A lot of Two Cent pieces that survive today are in Good condition, even the coins at the...
At least some “Coin Facts” numbers are on the low side. That has been my experience with early gold. When I was putting together and exhibit of...
The citizens rejected the Twenty Cent Piece because they too often confused it with the quarter, which was a similar size and had a similar design...
Here is a view of the coin show above at an angle to show the luster. [ATTACH]
I think that the Head of '94 design was the most attractive of all. Some copper collectors think that the 1793 Pole to Cap cents were the most...
Here is an example of the next generation of Pole to Cap cents, a 1795. This is a Sheldon 76b which is the most common variety in the series. The...
I think that 21-I is the right attribution. Unfortunately some of the diagnostic points are not clear on this piece. It would also help if you...
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