Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;dimeguy, post: 918043, member: 19855&quot;]<b>Well, since you asked...</b></p><p><br /></p><p>Since you asked, and to facilitate discussion, I will gladly abide by your request! Thoughts on the coin, you asked? It has to simply be one of the greatest coins in all American history. (Yeah, that will stir debate...) The coin looks absolutely great in uncirculated conditions. It has so much detail on both sides, which is rare for an American coin,&nbsp; that prestine designs provide an almost flawless and awe-inspiring appreciation of Weinman&#039;s art. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>And let us not forget my absolutely favorite topic of coin collecting....symbolism. Yes, I even think symbolism is more important than how to grade the coin or even the history behind it. Taking the obverse, I think the winged cap says it all! Liberty has been shown with many accessories through American coinage, (torches, drapes, crowns, etc.) each representing a different aspect of America&#039;s liberties, but it wasn&#039;t until Liberty&#039;s winged cap that I truly associated freedom of thought with the concept of one of our most sacred liberties. Then, if you look at Liberty herself on the coin, I must say those eyes can almost bore into the collector&#039;s soul. Granted, it&#039;s not the most feminine portrait of Lady Liberty, but it has to be one of the most memorable.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>And what of the reverse? You have a fasce and a battle ax, symbolizing strength through national unity but readiness to defend our freedoms. And want better representation of peace than the olive branch? That coin has every aspect that a nation should be on the tiniest reverse! Unity, Peace, Defense! I dare collectors/readers out there to find me a more complex symbollically able reverse in American coinage. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>So, thoughts on my collection? I love my collection. It was the second set I completed. I had an initial standard for compiling a collection of VF-XF. However, as I got into the later dates I upgraded to Unc. Then, naturally I kept upgrading until almost all of my 30&#039;s and onward are AU or greater. Eventually I bored of upgrading and went on to other projects (modern small dollars and Franklins.) Granted, this makes the set look a little unbalanced, but it&#039;s mine and I love it, especially those dimes that have seen some history that are in the VF-XF range. I will post some tomorrow afternoon sometime.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Finally, 1916 D. Over-rated. Yes, I understand it&#039;s the key. But, to young novice collectors like myself it will continue to remain an intangible hole in my album, along with the 1942/1 P and D. No sense in paying outrageous money just for a &quot;complete&quot; collection. Mine is complete to my satisfaction that that is fine by me. I do think it is interesting how the 1936 S and D varieties were so much more difficult for me to find in XF than even 1921&#039;s. Maybe it was just my coin source, but still... I do try to find varieties were applicable and incorporate them into my collection. It may just be my imagination or me making my mind think I see variations in size for mintmarks, but there are so many to look for besides those recognized in Redbook. Makes hunting all the more fun! </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Well, those are my biased thoughts. Hopefully some were so biased to spur debate and conversation. Now that it&#039;s almost 1 AM in Mobile, time for dreaming about Mercs.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in