ddddd’s Box of 20 Updated (Version 7.0)

With it almost being a year since the last update, I figured it was a good time to document ddddd's box of 20 journey. In the last installment (December 2022) we saw two changes; it is the same number this time around. An awesome untoned star (for close to PL) Texas Commemorative Half Dollar went to a collector from IG that will appreciate it just as much as me. Then an excellent for the grade MS 62 Guatemala Peso was upgraded to an even better one with an MS 65 grade.

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).

 

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(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) 1961 PCGS MS 65 Washington Quarter


This quarter caught my attention in an auction where I was an underbidder. Fortunately I saw it again several months later and decided to bid stronger-I won for less than my original bid! This is also a date that is not common for color (by 1961 the US Mint was no longer using the the cardboard known to tone mint sets from most of the 1950s).

Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CXMRZNCrUlW/


(4) 1834 NGC AU 55 Capped Bust Half Dollar


I've owned several Capped Bust Halfs over the years and have always enjoyed them regardless of grade (I think these look nice from the low circulated grades all the way up to mint state). When I saw the combination of color and luster on this example, I knew it was the perfect one for my set.

Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb-ngJpOB0z/

(5) 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/


(6) 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/


(7) 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/

(8) 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/

(9) 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/


(10) No Date (~1885 to 1900) PCGS MS 63 HK-832 Token (Whipple Dollar)



Here is my "gold" Morgan.
I owned one a few years back but didn't hold onto it. Realizing my error, I decided to search for a replacement and the opportunity finally arrived in 2022 from a fellow collector on the PCGS forums. This held the 21st spot in my set until an opening allowed it to slide into the box of 20.

Thread: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-gold-morgan-not-quite-but-close-whipple-dollar.393296/

Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CaQ30xNu0XK/?img_index=1

 

(11) 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/

(12) 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/


(13) 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/

(14) 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/


(15) 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/


(16) 1894 Guatemala Peso PCGS MS 65



Another want list item found! This 1894 Guatemala Peso is a beautiful silver crown with prooflike surfaces and great luster. It replaced a solid MS 62 example (that I thought was as good as it would be until this one came along).

Video: None

(17) 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/

(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

 

Here are the coins that have left the box (finding new homes):

1935-D NGC MS 67 Star Texas Commemorative Half Dollar



1896 Guatemala Peso MS 62

 

Very nice collection!

 

That Double Struck Cent is yummy! I love it!

Thanks for sharing all your wonderful coins.

 

Wow,a fabulous and diverse box of 20. I think this is your most varied assortment to date. That Washington Quarter has incredible toning. I love the Japanese Yen, too. If the 1877s Trade Dollar goes missing, you will know who has it. It looks prooflike, with those amazing mirrors.

 

I agree with @Morgandude11 that this whole set is incredible, but that Trade Dollar is something else!! I can see why you pounced on it when you got the chance at it.

 

Unique and very beautiful. Those Guatemala coins win the prize for me, but then the Capped Bust deserves a honorable mention from me, but all are great.

 

Thank you!

The Bust Half was an eBay find. The seller had it priced high but took a reasonable offer (still well above guide but acceptable for the level of eye appeal).

The Isabella was a fortunate find in an unc details holders (questionable color). I didn't see anything wrong with it (nor did anyone on here when I did a guess the grade). It went with one of my PCGS subs and got the AU 58. I was hoping for a 63 but I'll take the straight grade (interesting that PCGS felt it was unc one time and then circulated the next but they might be more forgiving when it is a details grade).

The Whipple Dollar I learned about on the forums (I believe CU). And how could I pass up a "gold" Morgan to add to my set.

The Trade Dollar I had appreciated since I first saw it. I was glad that I received the chance to pick it up once available. It truly looks like a proof (and was more affordable than an actual proof).

The Guatemala Peso is certainly a gem. The MS 62 had outstanding luster and was semi-pl but this one is way more PL and deserves the grade.

Your Japanese Yen is nice as well. I've looked at quite a few over the years and some tend to have weaker luster or areas that have unappealing toning. These I like as blast white (don't mind rainbow toned but those are virtually nonexistent).

The Jadwigas are surprisingly tough to find certified. I eventually ended up with three but sold two others as this one was the best. Note that selling them was almost as difficult as buying (seems to be a small supply and fairly small demand too-which was somewhat unexpected as they have a great design and I figured there were plenty collectors with Polish roots that would want one). I'm sure you will find one that fits your set soon enough.

As far as the Peacock, that was me who picked up your example. I liked mine more so I parted ways with yours. But I can still make the claim of being a temporary steward of one of Lord M's coins.

 

Thank you! Despite not having many error coins, I have always been fascinated with them. So I was happy to include this one in the set.

 

Thanks! Besides eye appeal, I do look to have plenty of variety in the set. I like my Morgans but adding assortment sure makes things more fun.

 

Thanks! I was certainly glad when the opportunity arrived to pounce on the Trade Dollar!

 

Thanks! Guatemala sure did know how to craft a beautiful design!

 

Nice set Thanks for sharing my favs 1935d Texas comm and Hawaiian half!!

 

Thanks! The Texas was a one sided PL (maybe semi-pl if being conservative). It moved on to a new collector. The Hawaiian half had all the eye appeal I could ask for in an AU piece, so I'm happy to have it in the set.

 

Well I was here to remind you.