Merry Christmas To All

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all C4OA Members!

Every time one Family Member asks me what I wish for Christmas, I want to scream out: A CARSON CITY COIN! Watching the last two postings, my kids would have to sell their houses to grant my wish!

I admire the Registry Sets and the Super Rarities, put please let's put some "CC" coins on the wish list. I can see Rusty Goe as Santa coming down the chimney and sprinkling some "good," some "fine," and of course some "very fine" "CC" presents into these stockings!

They don't demand that you hawk your wife and kids and they can start a child's interest on a road of total satisfaction in numismatics!

How do you do that? When I was young I couldn't imagine getting coins instead of toys or clothes. But today, the statehood quarter and presidential dollar issues give every one of us a reason every day to distribute these coins. Instead of dollar bills I get these new coinage issues at the bank and give them out. The faces the people make when they get one speak volumes! Maybe, just maybe, one of them will start collecting coins!

Great! Now us C4OA people are of course of the connoisseur "species" and that's well deserved!

Happy "CC" collecting in 2008!

RARE CC PROOF DIME IN SUPERIOR ORLANDO SALE

All CC fans! A rare 1876-CC Seated Liberty Proof dime will be sold in the Orlando Elite Auction January 5-6, 2008 by Superior Galleries. The coin is a PCGS Proof-65 and is the only specimen certified by PCGS. There are four known in NGC holders and one raw specimen in the Smithsonian Institute collection. Close inspection by the catalogers shows multiple impressions of the coining dies on a specially polished planchet. The coin exhibits "blue green & overlaying dove grey" toning on both sides giving it a fully original appearance. It is unknown as to why any Proof dimes were struck at the CC mint. Possibilities include presentation to dignitaries or perhaps an unofficial commemoration of the U.S. Centennial. The coin is in an old PCGS green holder. I certainly want to keep an eye on the auction of this special coin. Oh! What a coin to have!

"CC" GOLD FROM THE ELIASBERG SALE IN 1982

Twenty-five years ago, part one of the most famous collection of U.S. coins of all time sold at a Bowers and Ruddy auction in New York City. Billed at the time as "The United States Gold Coin Collection," everyone knew that these coins once belonged to Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., and were now part of the estate he left to his family when he died in 1976. An example of every known date/denomination combination from the U.S. gold coin series was represented in this sale. Two special coins, an 1870-S three dollar gold piece and an 1822 gold half eagle, set new price records when they sold for $687,500 each. All told, the aggregate prices realized for the sale totaled just under $12.5 million, establishing another new record.

While none of the "CC" coins from this sale achieved such lofty price levels as the record-setters, there were some incredible specimens offered. The absolutely finest "CC" gold coin in the auction was the amazing 1876-CC half eagle, listed in the catalog as an MS-65, and realizing the top price in the "CC" category at $26,400. Today, this awesome piece is encapsulated in a PCGS MS-66 holder, and would probably bring at least ten times what it sold for back in 1982 if it were offered for sale.

Other Carson City gold coin highlights from the Eliasberg sale, held between October 27 and 29, are as follows: (Prices realized are in parentheses)

1870-CC $5, catalogued as a VF-30, but easily an XF-45 by today's standards - ($2,420)

1892-CC $5, catalogued as an MS-65, but now in an NGC MS-66 holder - ($4,400)

1870-CC $10, catalogued as a VF-20, but probably at least an XF-40 - ($3,575)

1874-CC $10, catalogued as an MS-63, and now in a PCGS MS-63 holder - ($17,600)

1879-CC $10, catalogued as a VF-30, but probably closer to an XF-45 - ($3,575)

1881-CC $10, catalogued as an MS-63, but now in an NGC MS-64 holder - ($3,800)
(Recently sold for $74,750 at auction.)

1892-CC $10, catalogued as an MS-65 to MS-67, now a PCGS MS-64 - ($9,900)

1870-CC $20, catalogued as a VF-30, but probably closer to XF-45 - ($22,000)

1890-CC $20, catalogued as an MS-63, and no doubt deservingly so - ($2,970)

______________________

If you do the math on all of the above "CC" gold coins from the Eliasberg collection concerning their present values, you will discover that they have all appreciated in multiples of between ten and twenty times what they sold for back in 1982. The question is, where do we go from here? Will 2007 appear to collectors in 2032 as the "good old days" of pricing for "CC" gold issues? I think all of us can agree that 1982 sure appears that way right now.

COIN WORLD COVERS CURRY'S CHRONICLE FALL 2007 ISSUE

Greetings C4OA members. Have you checked out this issue of Coin World (Mon. Nov. 12, 2007)? Please do! On page 95 you will see a very nice review of the last issue (Fall 2007) of The Curry's Chronicle. The main theme of the review covers Ryan Baum's challenge medal (replicas with the reverse based off of Morgan dollars struck at the CC mint) specially made for each one of the sailors serving under him in Iraq. The obverse of his battalion coin proudly shows Teddy Roosevelt & the Romeo Rough Rider emblem. Also included are short but sweet reviews of our treasurer Paul Sudmeier's 4 coin 1893-CC final year of production set and My (Michael Parrott) 19 piece "real world" set of CC $5 gold half eagles. Now C4OA members who contribute articles to our Curry's Chronicle can get reviewed in a big time world publication like Coin World magazine! Way to go!!! Now...your turn!

CCCCOA MEMBER SUPPORT

DEAR VISITORS & DEAR MEMBERS,

AS VISITOR, YOU ARE WELCOME TO COMMENT ON ANY OF THE POSTS!

AS MEMBER, YOU ARE WELCOME TO SIGN-UP AS A BLOGSITE CONTRIBUTOR AND POST YOUR OWN ARTICLES OF INTEREST (INCLUDING UP TO 3 PICTURES) RELATING TO COLLECTING OF CARSON CITY COINS!

AS A MEMBER, TO GET THINGS ROLLING, YOU NEED TO SEND AN EMAIL TO: CCCCOA.SUPPORT@gmail.com REQUESTING AN INVITATION. (REMEMBER: INVITATIONS TO BECOME A CONTRIBUTOR ARE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS ONLY.)

MEMBERS: JUST FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE BLOGSITE AFTER YOU FOLLOW THE LINK TO YOUR INVITATION. SHOULD YOU ENCOUNTER ANY PROBLEMS, YOU ARE WELCOME TO REQUEST MY PHONE NUMBER AND I OR ONE OF OUR VOLUNTEERS WILL MORE THAN GLADLY HELP YOU!

THANKS & HAPPY BLOGGING,

CCCCOA.SUPPORT

BOOKS-BOOKS!

THERE ARE NUMEROUS BOOKS ON THE MARKET ABOUT OUR CARSON CITY COIN COLLECTING HOBBY.

RUSTY HAS TWO VOLUMES (AWARD WINING) MUST READS!
-THE MINT ON CARSON STREET
-JAMES CRAWFORD: MASTER OF THE MINT AT CARSON CITY.

I ALSO LIKE BOOKS WRITTEN ABOUT THE COMSTOCK LODE. EVERY TIME I PASS BY VIRGINIA CITY, I VISIT THE MARK TWAIN BOOKSTORE.

"Mark Twain may have defined a literary classic as 'a book which people praise and don't read,'" writes Cynthia Kennedy of Virginia City, "but this shop holds thousands of books people DO read. A creaking boardwalk leads to this mother lode of Nevada history, including photos and artifacts left from when the shop was the Mark Twain Museum of Memories." http://www.marktwainbooks.com/

GO CHECK IT OUT NEXT TIME YOU'RE THERE! YOU WONT REGRET IT.

SIERRABIKER

RECORD PRICE SET FOR 1876-CC TWENTY-CENT PIECE

A new record price was established for an 1876-CC twenty-cent piece at the Stack's 72nd Anniversary Sale held in New York on Wedsnesday, October 17, 2007. The price realized for this coin, graded MS-64 by PCGS, was $350,750. The bidding opened at $220,000 and immediately a flurry of hands went up. At the end, two bidders battled back and forth until one of them dropped out at the $300,000 level. The winning bid was $305,000 plus the fifteen percent buyer's fee of $45,750.

Prior to this record-setting event, the most recent sales of 1876-CC twenty-centers were of MS-66 specimens, with prices realized in the $250,000 range.

BOOK REVIEW: JAMES CRAWFORD "A SHORT FULL LIFE"

Hi to all C4OA members. You might be interested to know that in this month's issue (Oct. 2007) of the Numismatist (The A.N.A. Monthly publication), there is a very nice review of Rusty Goe's wonderful book "JAMES CRAWFORD Master of the Mint at Carson City - A short full life". Rusty's book is sure to capture many awards and is must reading for all C4OA members and Carson City coin fans. The Numismatist review is short but sweet and is among the first of many positive reviews that will undoubtedly be forthcoming.

1871-CC $5 Gold PCGS VF-25 Var. Winter 1-B

In the last issue of Curry's Chronicle there was an article by John W. McCloskey (RM-0188) entitled "A RARITY STUDY FOR 1871-CC HALF EAGLES". In the article he meticulously describes the known die varieties of this date. Please refer to his article for the descriptions. There are about 140 to 175 known survivors* in all grades and aproximately 70% of these are Var. 1-A.** Much rarer are the varieties 1-B & 1-C. They each represent about 15% of the surving total. Thanks to John's enlightening article, I have made the wonderful discovery that I have one of the rare 1871-CC $5 die varieties in my collection; in this case a Var. 1-B (again, only 15% of this date's total survivors are of this variety). My coin is a PCGS VF-25 in an old green holder, and I thought I would give everyone a view. My "hats off" to John McCloskey for the great article. It would be nice to see future "Curry's" articles on the die varieties of these low survivor population coins.

*Survivor figures from "Mint on Carson Street" - Rusty Goe **Varieties 1-A & 1-B attributed to Doug Winter & Lawrence Cutler

Problem Coins

When does a really rare coin

that is also a problem coin

cease to be desirable?

With all the hoopla surrounding the registry set craze and certified coins in general, the hobby normally discounts coins with problems. Currently there are no set standards to the price deductions of coins based on the degree of the problem. Coins that don't make it into one holder as a problem coin, may make it into another holder as a good coin. The problem may be "barely detectable" as with a light old cleaning, to quite bad as would be the case for a coin that was holed or damaged.

If the coin is an 1884 CC Morgan dollar with a problem, it's easy to pass, because a nicer coin can be found immediately at nearly every dealer's shop, show or auction house. But, if the coin happens to be a desirable rarity such as an 1870 cc quarter or 1873 cc dollar that's cleaned, how would you value it? Or, would you just pass knowing that these coins rarely surface. Please comment.

1873-CC With Arrows dime with porous surfaces on obverse.

The 1875-S/CC Trade Dollar

I have a couple questions about the 1875-S/CC trade dollar. Is this an expensive coin to buy? How many of these coins exist? I think that this would be a great coin to have.

A Question for CC coin experts

Here is a question about CC coins I get asked from time to time and I'm not exactly sure what or how to answer. Can anyone out there help with this question. here 'tis: There are 2 types of 1880-CC Morgan Dollars; the 1880-CC with the rev. of 79 & the 1880-CC rev. of 78 (sometimes an 1880/79-CC rev. of 78). These are two completely different reverses much like the 1875-CC Seated Dime. One version of that dime is the 1875-CC with CC above the bow and the 2nd version with the CC below but both issue types share the same obverse (just like the 1880 Morgans do). Those 2 issues constitute 2 different "types" turning a complete set of CC coins from 110 to 111 coins. Why then should the 1880-CC Morgan be treated any different? Why should there not be then 112 coins in a complete set of CC coins? If anyone can help answer this, please post a reply. All answers appreciated.

My Two New "CC" Coins

I've got 2 new coins to show: 1. 1876-CC $10 PCGS XF-45 I got right before the CC coin show 2007 and the 2nd, An 1878-CC Morgan PCGS MS-64 I got at the show. Both were purchased from the good guys at Southgate. The 1876-CC $10 is from a low mintage of only 4,696 and there are only about 135 to 155 known survivors (all grades). The 1878-CC Morgan is more available however this is a truly high end MS-64. I am very happy with both of these beauties.

Here are the pics of my 2 new coins (The Drummer 0023):

Colorful "CC" Show Finds

While traveling through Cincinatti Ohio this past week I had the opportunity to stop off at a Great coin show at the Sharonville Convention Center. Nice "CC" Coins are tough to find even at the larger shows but with a little time and searching a few deals may just come your way. Interestingly enough, the two coins I did purchase came by asking dealers if they had any Carson City coins tucked away any place and sure enough each of the dealers reached behind their tables and searched through their stock to produce what would be my only two purchases from the show.


First I saw a Beautiful Blue-, Green-, and Purple-colored 82-CC Morgan Dollar ANACS graded MS63, the dealer came down to 275 dollars, and a bit later in the show
another dealer sold me a nice original 77-CC
Quarter ANACS graded VG8 for just 22 Bucks! Who could pass up a deal like that? So it never hurts to ask a dealer if they have other "CC" Treats or Tricks up their coin box sleeves!

CC coins - CC coin show

Here are some pics of my CC $5 gold half eagles plus some nice pics of Rusty Goe at the James Crawford book signing at the CC mint coin show Aug. 25, 2007. Also are a few pics of the Comstock region, the Southgate crew and a few other goodies. let me know if you like them.
View pictures at: http://thedrummer.myphotoalbum.com

CC coins at shows/auctions

ALL C4OA MEMBERS Keep an eye out for any and all nice CC coins that hit the market (at shows or auctions). I invite all members to send in their CC findings to this site - post your own blog. This site is such a special gift for us and we can use it to our advantage.

Great News "Curry's Chronicle" Readers!

The Numismatic Literary Guild has released the winners of the annual writer’s competition for 2007, and guess what fabulous club made the list? That’s right, our very own Carson City Coin Collectors of America Club!

We actually won two awards out of the three offered for small publications in the category of Non-Profit or Club Numismatic Magazines. The first is Best Issue, Small Publication for the Winter 2006 edition of the journal. As well as Best Article, Small Publication for Rusty Goe’s article on Value-Added Coins from the Carson City Mint which appeared in the Fall 2006 journal.

C4OA members alike should all take pride in this wonderful news from the NLG. Being awarded two out of the three awards in the respected category says a lot about the quality of our publications and the members who contribute to it. So with that I say, “Congratulations!!!”

To view all the winners included in this year’s writing competition please visit the NLG website at http://www.numismaticliteraryguild.org/.

Amy Williams, Membership Services

Comstock/Carson Mint Seminar October 5,7 2006

To all c4oa members you can view my photos at http://jshusker.myphotoalbum.com enjoy!

What is Your Favorite "CC" Coin?

What is your favorite coin from the Carson City Mint, and why? Please click on "Comments" below and post your answer.

C4OA @ THE CARSON CITY COIN SHOW

Maya, Amy, Rusty & Marie

Tom Defina

Tony, Otto, Tom & Rusty

Sonja & Rusty

Michael & Joanne

Tony & Amy

LAST WEEKEND 8-25-26-2007 AT THE CARSON CITY COIN SHOW

SOME C4OA MEMBERS MET FOR AN INFORMAL GET-TOGETHER! TOM DEFINA ONCE MORE TRAVELED THE CONTINENT TO ENJOY THE CAMARADERIE AND CLUB ATMOSPHERE!

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE AT THE POST-SHOW DINNER WERE:

RUSTY AND MARIE GOE, WITH AMY AND MAYA FROM SOUTHGATE COINS, TONY AND MARYANN ARNOLD, MICHAEL AND JOANNE PARROTT, AND RICHARD AND MARIE BISHOP. ALSO ME, OTTO KLAY.

SOME GREAT STORIES WERE TOLD!!

WE WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE RUSTY ON HIS NEW BOOK ABOUT JAMES CRAWFORD!! WE HEAR THE BOOK SIGNING WAS A SUCCESS!

WAY TO GO RUSTY, WHATS NEXT??

Carson Mint/Comstock Seminar Images - October 2006

Carson Mint/Comstock Seminar, More Images - October 2006

Group seated for dinner
at Adele's in Carson City

Rusty and chef at Adele's Restaurant

Carson Mint/Comstock Seminar, More Images - October 2006

(At left) Group in front of V & T car. (Center) Train ride through Comstock. (At right) Amy

C4OA Meeting at ANA in MILWAUKEE

Some of the members of the c4oa were at the annual c4oa meeting in Miliwaukee. We all got to meet our member from Japan. I included a picture of him in the blog below. Rusty gave a short talk about the club and our new blogsite. Then Weimar White spoke about his collection of " CC" coins and also about coin preservation. On a sad note I learned that Treasurer Paul Sudmeier had bypass surgery---all of us c4oa members wish him a speedy recovery. Members of the c4oa that want to get on the blogsite to post messages, images, etc. can contact me at jeffshaw_1056@yahoo.com so I can give you the link to go online, I encourage all members to use the blogsite.

Jeff, Rusty, Tom, Weimar and Darrell

Images From the Annual C4OA Meeting in Milwaukee

Weimar, Rusty & Dave

Weimar

Rusty

Jeff & Rusty

Mitsuru Okada

Time for the Fun to Begin!

Hello Everybody! I want to invite all C4OA members to request an invitation to join this new club blogsite. You will have the information in the next issue of Curry's Chronicle, which you will be receiving during the first two weeks in September. If you can't wait, just contact us at Southgate Coins, either by phone, by email or through our website.

In no time at all I want all sorts of messages about everything related to the Carson City Mint posted on this blogsite; and I want all C4OA members that participate to begin replying to one another through posts and comments. And, oh yeah, by the way, I want some neat pictures posted on this blogsite, too.

Let's get it going!

Amy

C4OA Membership Services

ANA electorate rejects incumbents!!

COIN WORLD AUGUST 13, 2007
Newcomers captured all SEVEN board of governors seats in the American Numismatic Association's 2007 national election and in doing so ousted three incumbents, a feat unprecedented in ANA history.

Only thru the voting process in a democratic country,
have we the People' the power to make such difference!

So please vote any time you have the Chance!

The ANA, our home Plate so to speak, has to be the Pinnacle of Trust, our foremost trusted source of guidance in the field of Coin collecting.

We love to hear your comments, O.K.

The Launch of C4OA's New Blogsite

We are making great progress in getting this C4OA blogsite launched. In no time at all we will be posting archived articles from Curry's Chronicle about numerous topics related to the Carson City Mint and the many fascinating coins produced there.

Members will be able to post their messages and actually communicate with other members via this blogsite.

Before long, dozens of images will be displayed on this site, like this one of the reverse of an 1891-CC Spitting Eagle Morgan silver dollar.



A new era in coin collecting has dawned! Get ready to join in.

Rusty Goe

COIN SHOW! COIN SHOW!

AUGUST 25 AND 26, 2007

COIN SHOW AT NEVADA STATE MUSEUM (FORMERLY THE CARSON CITY MINT) IN CARSON CITY IS A MUST!

REFER TO CURRY'S CHRONICLE SUMMER 2007 EDITION, FOR DETAILS OR CALL THE STATE NEVADA MUSEUM (775) 687-4810

C4OA IS PLANNING AN INFORMAL DINNER MEETING THE EVENING OF SATURDAY AUGUST 25TH. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND!

ANY OUT OF TOWNERS PLANNING TO VISIT THE SHOW THAT HAVEN'T BEEN HERE, I'M AVAILABLE FOR A TOUR OF VIRGINIA CITY AND CARSON CITY!
OTTO.

MEETINGS

REMINDER:
Annual C4OA Club Meeting, August 9th at ANA Convention,
at 1PM, in Room 101-C
is approaching fast!
Who's going?

CURRY'S CHRONICLE

CURRY'S CHRONICLE IS:

THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE

CARSON CITY COIN COLLECTORS OF AMERICA

The Journal features articles submitted by members with valuable information about everything related to the Carson City Mint and the many fascinating coins produced there.

Additional copies and back issues are available as long supplies last

(The inaugural issue from summer 2005 is out of print).

Send six bucks per copy to:

P.O. Box 16776 Boise , ID 83715

or

Southgate Coins

5032 S. Viringia St.

Reno, NV 89502