1878 rotated reverse

Several months ago i purchased a 1878 dollar with a 45 degree rotation on the reverse. I didn't find enough information on this coin to submint a article for Curry's Chronicle, maybe someone who has some information on these coins could write a article about these interesting coins.

Hello and Happy Autumn to all C4OAers!

Even though winter has not technically begun, as your C4OA membership services representative, I am proud to announce that the winter 2008 edition of Curry's Chronicle has already been shipped from our printers. (Of course, that means that we are a whopping eleven days ahead of schedule!)

I have already published the winter 2008 Curry’s Chronicle table of contents, containing eight articles that will be appearing in this issue, so please browse the right-hand column of the blogsite to view them. I think that reading them should give you that familiar tingle of anticipation.

For those of you that contributed to this chronicle by submitting articles and letters to the editor, we solemnly thank you, and hope that you continue contributing. For those of you that have not submitted anything, I hope this issue assures you that no matter what your expertise level is, your articles and letters to the editor will be treasured, and they will become apart of the C4OA legacy.

Aside from the anticipation of receiving your Curry's Chronicle, I hope that you all have a wonderful end-of-November, and a very special Thanksgiving holiday.

Warmest regards,

Maya

NCS talk

Question to all you numismasters...

I have an important type coin that I purchased in an NCS holder. I have no intention of selling the coin, and frankly was very lucky to have found this piece, graded "MS details" by NCS, since it would be an absolute monster in an NGC or PCGS Mint State holder.

I am starting to see a lot of coins in PCGS holders graded "Original". Am I correct to assume this is their way of capturing more "holdering" business that otherwise would have been sent back in a body bag? If so, then good for them. There are no worries as long as the action is not misleading or missinterpreted by the public.

But here's the real $64,000 question...who's holder in the long run will provide my "would be monster coin" with the most upside value gain...the "NCS, MS Details holder" or the "PCGS - Original holder"?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts. It's your lead....Off Belay

Article in Numismatic News-Southgate 1808 half dollar giveaway

Greetings C4OA members and all "CC" fans. There's a nice article in the latest issue (Nov. 11, 2008) of the Numismatic News business section (page 44) about the four month long, six question competition that Southgate Coins hosted earlier this year. The prize was an 1808 capped bust half dollar and the contest was won by Garrett Allen, an 8-year-old Reno boy. The article contains an interview with Garrett and includes a nice picture. It's a great article about a wonderful event that shows another positive aspect of our C4OA club. Congrats to Garrett

Another 1870-CC Double Eagle

In the November 3 Coin World, on the reverse side of the cover page, is an ad for the next Bowers and Merena auction and an 1870-CC double eagle is pictured. NGC EF-45. I am just starting a post to track the results. :)

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.