thedeadpoint

Mark, I received the stamps today. Many thanks for the contest. Lovely stamps. Too bad coin collecting is the better of the two big American hobbies!

So no major destinations nearby? I was wondering if a busload of tourists in Ocala was the reason you found that diverse haul.

Good haul. I come across a star note maybe once a year. How close are you to major tourist destinations (Daytona, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Meyers, etc)?

Check out this article posted recently in Coinvalues: Roosevelt Dimes unsung Roosevelt dimes unsung 7/13/2009 By Al Doyle COIN VALUES Market Analyst If a U.S. coin series had to be picked as the biggest laggard in the market, Roosevelt dimes would rank among the top candidates. First struck in 1946, the design comes across as bland when compared to the much more artistic Winged Liberty Head dime of 1916 to 1945. Add in the coin's small size and secondary status as pocket change in the 21st century, and the climate created does nothing to attract collectors. Few dealers make much of an effort to keep a large selection of dates in stock. If recent mail-order price lists are an indication, even Brilliant Uncirculated examples from as far back as 1954 can be found for what amounts to melt value plus a service fee. The same apathy hung thick over Washington quarter dollars in 1998 and Jefferson 5-cent coins in 2004. New designs for those two denominations did more to inspire beginning and veteran hobbyists alike to take a serious interest in those once-neglected series than any advertising campaign could have generated. To say that a new dime design is overdue – even on a short-term basis – is a huge understatement. Plenty of potential themes exist, but the challenge would be in placing a memorable portrait within the confines of a 10-cent piece. A few specialists seek out well-struck dimes designated as "full torch" by the Numismatic Guaranty Corp. and "full bands" by the Professional Coin Grading Service. Full torch/bands Roosevelt dimes must display completely struck horizontal bands without any weakness or contact marks. Prices vary widely depending on the strike characteristics of various dates, and there are large spreads between PCGS and NGC-graded coins. A 1947 PCGS Mint State 67 full bands dime that recently sold at auction for $280 plus the buyer's fee is a high-end sale by Roosevelt dime standards. While this is a very small market now, any future surge of popularity in the Roosevelt series could mean quick, substantial growth in the number of collectors seeking the ultimate in quality. Original Brilliant Uncirculated rolls and Uncirculated Mint sets may hold some undiscovered gems for those who enjoy cherrypicking raw coins.

I only see the pic of the 1886-S if that is what Matt is referring to.

I like this one despite the obvious flaws. Gives it more character.

I never knew that. Thanks, sy.

Do you have any nice circulated ones to show us, Art? I'd love to see how they wear.

Oh boy, his hair looks dark - late 50's male.

The reverse is well-centered, Jeff. I think the vertical folds just outside of "United States of America" and "Five Hundred Dollars" are actually complimentary considering its wear. As for PCGS vs PMG, I'll have to go look at my holders. I bought a nice note last week but I am not satisfied with the scan. I keep meaning to photograph it, but I'm lazy.

Maybe it's because of the toning or because of the design, but that does not "look" like a coin, but a medal instead.

Yeah. I don't know if it is us that make this thread so well-viewed. Something about your signature or your website directs a lot of people too. There aren't many words in this thread that would bring google searches here.

Where'd you find it, Clive? Is there a sizable chance that you own coins he used to make the catalog?

Give it to someone who appreciates it. I don't like releasing notes because they just end up shredded. Wait, want to use it as a prize for the "thread of the month" for June?

Any significance to the tree?

Agree with all the suggestions above.

That Pfennig is about a simple design as you've posted, Vern. Nice!

17.5 mm is so tiny!

I was off by a year. Always thought this was a fascinating variety. Sold for $48K+ in 2006. From Heritage Auctions Archives: 1968 10C No S PR68 Cameo PCGS. The 1968 and 1975 No S proof dimes are arguably the rarest of all 20th century dimes. At first they resemble a Philadelphia coin, but proofs were not struck in that mint in 1968. The San Francisco Mint closed after 1955 and reopened in 1968 with proof coinage produced there. Occasionally proof coins are seen without a mintmark, and these pieces bring enormous premiums. More than 3 million proof dimes were struck in 1968, and in his 1988 reference Breen estimated that "about 6 (are) known." Since that time a few more have surfaced, but probably no more than 12-14 pieces are known today without the S mintmark. Only 16 pieces have been certified by the two major services both as non-cameo and cameo coins (no Deep Cameo pieces have been graded). In order to solve the No S problem, beginning in 1985 the Mint in Philadelphia placed the S mintmark on each year's master die for proofs. This has proved an effective deterrent as only one mintmark-free issue has occurred since (the 1990 No S cent).

Is the 1969 no S proof the super rare one? or am I thinking of another denomination?

Wow! Nice haul, Finn!

My first 2009 coin! A log cabin cent!

"engliushe engliushe wouulde beue buettuere"???? What's with all the extra "u"s and "e"s?!