Got a chance to finally photograph my newest classic commemorative. MS-64 apparently, though I find it hard to tell with these commemoratives as the strike quality varies so much between each issue. Now for the surprising part....I don't actually hate it. I know this is the lesser in $ out of all the commemorative in the set, so mentally I was prepared to hate it...but I don't! Am I a big fan of the side with the USA map in low relief? No, plus I'm sure there's a state missing from looking at it. But the portrait side is definitely interesting in the hand. It has a certain nice quality to it that I don't think is captured well in images. Sometimes you just have to see a coin in person to get it, as it doesn't suit media as well as the eye. So yeah, nice surprise. I'm happy with it. Here's Booker T. again to compare and contrast the last two commemorative issues of that era. Still think I like Booker T better between these two coins, but Washington/Carver is definitely nicer than I expected.
The Washington-Carver issue was the last commemorative coin until the Modern series started in 1982. Nice photos!
These coins are very prone to marks on the portraits. The thing I don’t care for on the Washington - Carver piece is the marks above the United States map on the reverse. I think that it should be smoother there for the MS-64 grade. I have not looked at prices for these coins for years, but I don’t imagine that makes much of a difference.
Probably stands out more in that photo because of the way the light hit it, but the marks are not too obvious to the naked eye. At any rate, it was $40. Probably would have cost me more to buy one raw and send it in to get graded than buying it second hand like this. Even if MS-63, it would hardly make a difference here price wise. My guess is someone though it would grade a little higher and sent it in, or they had one or two empty spots in a large bulk order and decided to fill one with this coin. Whatever the reason, glad they did it, because I was sure I'd have to get this one in an ANACS holder instead of PCGS or NGC. Not that there's anything wrong with ANACS (I have some coins in them), but if given the choice at the same price, I'll take the other two first.
Wow, I never noticed this before, but it looks like the map was drawn by a 4th grader! None of the states are proportional. Texas is out of whack, Kansas & Nebraska are just jammed in there & look how big New Mexico is!!! New York is whacko, but I think I can make out Rhode Island. And Arizona looks so "trim"...sheesh!
I think Delaware is gone. I see New Jersey, but Delaware seems missing in action unless my eyes are just not seeing it.
Both of these coins are in MS-64 holders. The reverse of the Washington - Carver piece once stated that the funds from the sale of the coins "would be used to prevent the spread of Communism among American Negros." The State Department complained about that, the wording was changed to what you see today.
I think it is technically there, but the border is gone...Johns specimen seems a bit more obvious. OMG, look at Maryland & Misery!!!
All 'isims' are evil.......It's my one gripe about the Carver Washington. That said, John, the coins you've posted look to me to be '65 at the least. As for you sir @Sallent, I applaud your new collecting endeavor. Like you, I lusted for the 'classic' series in my formidable years. I'd open a Red Book back in the early sixties and wish upon a star. Older age, and more of a disposable income offered me opportunity. I've assembled what I like the best with no regard as to ever completing a full set of 144, but I have full sets of the Bookers and Carvers in '65 or better. Carvers are especially pricey above '65. Bookers more attainable, even in '66 and '67. Have fun, be patient, and don't grab the first thing that hits you in the eye. Some of my best coups have been made by waiting for the right time to buy.........
Many folks have a tough time grading the Booker T and the Carver. Much of what look like contact marks on the obverse were already there before the coin was struck. I call it chatter that the strike did not remove. Many Jefferson Nickels have the same issue.
