Not to mention the class very cool coin. Don't you sometime wonder why it just didn't break ? The coin that is......
I had to pull the trigger on this one. Newman 17-WW, one of the most difficult "collectible" die varieties. Kessler lists conditional rarity of R-H7 to R-8. This one spent some time trying to grow a Fugio tree, but is still identifiable as the motto and 3/4 cinqfoils are visible on the obverse, coupled with the UNITED right and position of the Es on the reverse. Everything is wrong with this one, but with the rarity of this die pair, I'll likely never be able to upgrade.
1854-0 $3 PCGS MS 62 is the finest graded by PCGS. This coin was purchased recently from The Pogue Collection. PCGS has graded 568 lower grades. Pogue in 2005 purchased the entire Hanks and Asso the entire Collection. Other owners include old-time McHenery and Great Lakes B Simpson is the owner of second best a MS 61 according to records at PCGS .He bought it from HA so I Imagine it's at least a 62 or higher today. HA does more upgrades than any other companies in my opinion. It is a major profit center unknown to unsuspecting collectors. You should always have your coins reviewed by NGC or PCGS. You can't trust a company to do everything they promise today when they can get away with almost anything. p
Hugh, those $3 golds make my mouth water especially since I am on the hunt for one for my modest collection. I won't ask how much though. One of your competitors has one of the Pogues on the block and I have a pretty good idea...Too much for me! But thanks for posting! The 1860-o quarter ain't too shabby, either.
Congrats to Jester for picking up a rare Fugio. I have a scarce Nova Constellatio sort of like that, eye candy to a specialist but otherwise pretty homely.