Coin Photography

I just finished reading Mark Goodman's "Numismatic Photography" and want to encourage my CC club cousins to pick this booklet up. Goodman does a great job of explaining each different technique to the novice and then taking it up a notch for the expert before moving on to the next step.

One of the best aspects of the book for me was Goodman's style of explaining each process without presuming his reader already has certain photographic skills. The book gets as technical as you can stand. Goodman left me in the dust about 2/3 of the way through...which was furhter than I have gotten before with other instructional photographic books.

Seriously though...this is the gold standard manual and well worth the $25 bucks I shelled out.

Belay Off

Winter 2008 Curry's Chronicle Deadline - October 31, 2008!

Well hello all you C4OAers!

I just wanted to remind those of you viewing the blogsite that the deadline for article and letter to the editor submissions for the winter 2008 issue of Curry's Chronicle is October 31, 2008.

So, if you have news, stories, or information you're dying to share with fellow Carson City enthusiasts, or maybe a word of praise to the editor about the last issue, please make the effort and send in your typed submissions to mariesgate@sbcglobal.net. (For further instructions and options regarding how to submit articles to Curry's Chronicle, please reference the FYI pages in your most recent issue.)

Many thanks to all those who have already contributed their articles and letters to the editor for the winter 2008 edition, and we look forward to those yet to come!

-Maya

Trade Dollar talk

I had to read Mr Sneddon's article in the current issue of Curry's Chronicle several times and then compare his descriptions to my own Trade Dollars in order to get the most out of the article. Even still...I had to call Rusty to clarify a couple of points.

Does anyone know of a reference book or article that focuses on Trade Dollar varieties?

1876-CC 20-CENTER REALIZES $264,500!

Collectors talked about it for weeks. Many stopped by Superior's table at the Baltimore ANA just to catch a glimpse of it. And now, it's history. An 1876-CC 20-cent piece graded MS-62 by PCGS cost its new owner $264,500 in Superior's Pre-Long Beach sale, held on Monday, September 15 in Beverly Hills, CA.

The bidding stalled momentarily at the $225,000 level (not including the 15% buyer's fee), before the final bid of $230,000 captured the coveted prize. Add in an additonal 15% ($34,500) and you've got a new record-shattering price (for this date in this grade).

During the spring of 1876, the Carson City Mint struck 10,000 twenty-cent pieces. None of them were released for circulation (at least none that were reported), however, as the Treasury Dept. subsequently removed this denomination from the nation's monetary system. The following spring, in 1877, the superintendent at the Carson Mint received an order to melt down all twenty-cent pieces in inventory.

It is believed that approximately 9,980 1876-CC twenty-cent pieces were destroyed. A handful of them had been sent to the Assay Commission back east to be tested for standard weights and measures. Presumably, another small group of these storied coins eventually fell into the hands of collectors or other interested parties, and today (2008), it is estimated that 18 to 20 examples survive.

Prices for examples of this date/denomination in all grades have risen dramatically. In 1999, a specimen similar in quality to the coin showcased in this posting, failed to meet the consignor's reserve in a Heritage summer ANA sale. Five months later, it realized $69,000 in Heritage's 2000 FUN sale. In March and October 2001, two examples, graded MS-66, brought $161,000 and $138,000, respectively, in Superior and Heritage auctions.

FALL 2008 ISSUE OF CURRY'S CHRONICLE ON THE WAY

All registered C4OAers please be on the lookout for your copies of the Fall 2008 issue of Curry's Chronicle (mailed at the end of August). This special "lucky 13th" edition is packed with 11 info-jammed articles submitted by faithful members. Be sure to check out the FYI pages for a special announcement about our club's journal.

We're happy to announce that the C4OA has passed the 400-member sign-up mark. Yet we realize that many more Carson City coin enthusiasts out there still need to join the club.

We're now gathering new articles for the Winter 2008 issue and invite members to get their submissions in by the October 31 deadline.

With personal greetings from one of the newest members,

Maya Roberts

COIN WORLD DECLARES IT - ONLY ONE 1873-CC NO ARROWS DIME EXTANT

As you can see, in its August 18th edition, Coin World graciously retracted the incorrect information it reported about two 1873-CC No Arrows dimes surviving. To its credit, Coin World only published what PCGS reported in its Population Report.




We know that population totals listed in grading service records aren't always accurate, and certainly this is easily forgiven in regards to coins with larger surviving quantities. But in the case of a Unique coin like the '73-CC No Arrows dime, it's essential that population statistics remain 100% accurate. It would be like ESPN all of a sudden reporting that there were two Michael Phelpses at the Olympics. Imagine the confusion this would cause?


In all honesty, there's a greater chance that there's more than one '73-CC No Arrows dime on the planet than there is that a clone of Michael Phelps exists somewhere. But if and when a second '73-CC No Arrows surfaces, let's hope the numismatic press gives it at least as much coverage as it does the discovery of another 1943-S copper penny. I mean, come on now, which is the rarer coin and the one worthy of a front-page headline?

A MAGICAL WEEKEND

Greetings to all C4OA members and guests.

I invite all of you to check out Southgate Coins weblog to read my story of a very exciting weekend (August 8-9) that my wife Jo Ann and I had with Rusty and Marie Goe.

You can view it at Michael Parrott Guest Writer on Southgate Coin's Weblog

I was honored to have the privilege of being the first guest writer on Southgate's weblog. Rusty supplied the great pictures.

"What a truly wonderful weekend it was!"

Memories of C4OA Meeting at Baltimore World's Fair of Money

A group of about 18 C4OA members and guests gathered for the club's annual meeting at the World's Fair of Money in Baltimore on Thursday, July 31, 2008. We discussed a few business matters. Then I (Rusty) presented a brief talk on how my quest for knowledge about baseball and horse racing many years ago transferred over to the subject of the Carson City Mint and its coins. C4OA was launched to help all "CC" enthusiasts discover information that will enhance their collecting experience.

Next, Weimar White spoke on the subject "Why there was a need for a club like the C4OA." He provided his reasons in a four-point presentation, covering, 1. Learning about "CC" coins. 2. Preserving the history of the Carson City Mint. 3. The importance of Constitutional money. 4. The investment potential of "CC" coins.

Next, Michael Parrott spoke on "What the C4OA means to me." He shared how his contributing articles to Curry's Chronicle has turned him into a more confident writer.

We then adjourned, and had an informal discussion period.

Wish you all would have been there---maybe next year in Los Angeles.

8-Year-Old Boy Wins 1808 Coin Giveaway Away Competition

This posting doesn't have anything to do with the Carson City Mint or its coins--although it might someday because the kid in the story is interested in "CC" coins. But we thought you'd love the human-interest element invloved in this news release. (Click on link below)

8-Year-Old Boy Wins Coin Giveaway