Don't you know? Your Bank Tellers Are Taking Your Silver!

Just the other day I was happily greeted with not one, not two...but three separate bank tellers at my normal Friday drop spot.  As usual I fly in undetected from any need of bank rolls or loose half dollars in their trays and drawers.  I begin with a simple request to cash a check and withdraw some funds for our big trip.  Next, I proceed to ask for any half dollars, whether loose or rolled up.  At the very breathe of my final word in this request, the teller then moves the transaction forward by replying, "As a matter of fact I have $3.50 in halves, would you like them?"  It was so close, I saw some light colored edges in there and they were well within my grasps until...  The teller next door asks my teller, "Did you pull all the silver out of those?"  As quickly as I had those banked into my mental ownership bucket of beautiful 40% wonder, my wonderful teller grabbed the three out of the stack in no time.

"I have $2.00 I can give you, would you still like to have them?"  With a snide remark, I say "No thank you, seems I have no use for them anymore."

And that was that, it would turn out to be a lonely walk back to my car...

Life is a hobby, but your hobby is not your life! Enjoy it responsibly : )

Trending: 150th Anniversary of the Battle at Gettysburg Makes Numismatics of the Era HOT HOT HOT!

Missed Opportunity?

Call it what you will, with the upending focus on one of the bloodiest events in U.S. history, any Civil War related item is selling for many times more than what they were this same time last year.  While there are scores of speculators who dwelve into this specific period in history regularly, there are the late bloomers who only feel the need to pick up any civil war period (1861-1865) items because of the nationwide stories, press releases, and multi-generational interests surrounding its 150th anniversary of the Battle at Gettysburg.  And then they come to find out that they are spending at the minimum 2x the money for even the most worn out Indian Head Cent.  What I've come to find out in the recent weeks, especially as of this writing where we are in the heart of the 152nd anniversary of the onset of the war, any famous confederate 1861-O half dollar strikes are commanding nearly double the money, and more lower graded pieces are reaching for 3x the money in a setting like EBay.  Which is a crazy proposition considering that as we move on from the historic milestone, that coins such as the 61-O will slowly move back to 2012 prices.  So let's examine a few popular series of numismatics that are steaming hot movers for the 152nd summer of Civil War love:

1861-1865 Seated Liberty Coinage

One of the most popular collectibles regarding the Civil War era, the forementioned date range of the seated coinage are hot pickups at any time of the year.  Most collectors can obtain modest condition seated dimes and half dimes for less than $50.  Grab a New Orleans minted half with the diagnostic die cracks for authentic confederate flavor, these dies were reused and retooled by confederate minded individuals to keep striking these wonderful coins as newly prepped dies were simply not available.  The right die pairings equal big bucks in the series.

1861-1865 Indian Head Cents

The range of dates signifies a funky time in the making of the earlier small cents.  Not only were the coins white because of the copper and nickel mix, but they were thick in size.  I would say larger in thickness than your household nickel of today.  During 1864, a slick add in of Mr. Longacre's intial made it's way in the form of a letter "L" on the ribbon.  And the white metal combination was ditched in favor of the more recognizable 95% copper/5% zinc formulation.  Prices are still reasonable for most dates short of a 64-L or high mint state example.

Lots of problem free examples are available and are quite attractive.

Civil War Tokens & Store Cards

What you may not have known is that regular circulating coinage during the civil war were heavily hoarded.  With failed attempts of replacing the hoarded coins with paper currency, merchants decided to take matters into their own hands by producing their own form of "money" in the way of store cards and tokens.  Very affordable and plentiful for the armchair Civil War enthusiast, they provide a wide array of designs from many states.  There are store cards from rare vendors such as die sinkers and funeral parlors that are the strongest sellers in the list.  While patriotics and general store cards are among the most affordable and widely available.  Truly a series for all budgets!

And that concludes the brief market summary of the Civil War era collectibles.  What most should understand, is that it's not only a "right now" specific event where collectors should invest in this popular subject.  But should look at it in the aspect of a continuously driven market where these little guys will only appreciate in the years to come.  If you thought the 150th anniversary of the Civil War is crazy, just wait until the magnanimous 200th anniversary...now there shouldn't be any question in the validity of this tenuous era.

With Down Silver Prices, Patience Becomes a Virtue

Finding the right times to buy physical bullion in any form when the overall precious metals segment is down,will test every ounce of patience for the prospective investor.  First you have to call dozens of companies to see if they have the stock to sell that is reflected on the current market trends.  If that doesn't work out, calling out the secondary resources such as dealers and brokers for the bullion is the definitive next step.  At the end of the phone calls, emails, pop ins and any other method of communications, you may end up empty and you might just lose out.  The stark reality to today's bearish bullion market is simple.  These outfits that sell bullion in its purest form are simply running on empty themselves, or they're withholding their allotment until silver climbs back to levels where they've made their initial buys at.  Even if you can find some to buy, nine times out of ten they will be asking some abysmal premium that is reflective of $30/oz. silver or $1,700/oz. gold.

Keep in mind what most successful investors practice, when PM prices are down, investors become collectors of rarities.  When PM prices are up, they return to being investors in bullion.  The determined will adapt to the market trends, which will make them money in all scenarios.  No longer will you have to play the same game that most other linear minded investors do.  Keep this handy tip in mind and patience will not be the only virtue that you will possess.  Keep on stacking and hunting my friends!

Coin Roll Hunter Finds Acclaimed 1955 Doubled Die Cent!

Amazing finds are often hard to find, but when mountainman2 on coincommunity.com found the highly acclaimed 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Wheatie on June 28th, the emotions started to pour.  Initially, MM2 picked up a bank box of cents from his local bank and does what every aspiring treasure hunter sets out to do, and that's to find the pick of a lifetime.  And boy did he nail it.  The 1955 was a dark patina, pretty grimey, but the diagnostics were unmistakable.  Few members doubted the authenticity, and rightfully so as there are counterfeit examples that exist in the market.  MM2 enlisted the aide of C.D. Daughtrey of coppercoins.net to verify the diagnostics by using nice, high quality images provided by the owner.  After a day or so, Mr. Daughtrey was able to deliver the great news to MM2.

As of now, the owner is going to submit this coin to a third party grader to get the "genuine" tag, as a real grade is not expected with the reverse damage.  This way there won't be any doubt to the authenticity if the even he decides to sell what would be dubbed, the most sought after Lincoln cent in history.  Initial estimates look for the coin to achieve $1,000-$1,200.

Now a bigger incentive for prospectors to continue bugging our banks for rolls!

Preparing for Silver's Season of the Running with the Bulls

Predictions are a long and funny joke running around the precious metals market these days.  A burning candle at the end of summer's play usually signifies a tide shifting in the economy.  Holiday spending brings a ramp up in manufacturing, an increase in jewelry sales, and a long borne ideal that precious metals "should" be heading higher in outworldly markets are all characteristic examples of after-summer market should be's.  Sadly, the last four years of silver activity has been anything but consistent.  High prices in 2010 didn't occur during the holidays, in fact, it was the beginning of the year through May, close to the end of the fiscal year for business.  In addition, it's been told that gold should be dropping to a closer ratio to silver by now or silver rising sharply to that same ratio, nope, not even close.  So what makes us think that our precious metals market should be running with the bulls at the end of the year?

Investing in silver, let alone precious metals, should be treated like preparing for a big natural disaster.  Buying insurance in the event something bad happens, but mostly never does, but there's the peace of mind.  Preparation and longevity are the keys to being a successful investor in this market.  Even if you buy now, I sure would pull the trigger with the low $27 spot prices of silver, you can ensure that you're locked into a historically positive performing investment.  It's better to have ownership of the paper or physical means than to not have it when the time arises that silver is shooting to the stratosphere.  In essence, making a move now will not look foolish, but an intelligent move to make sure you have a play in the metals market come October through the end of the year.

So when exactly is a good time to prepare for a bullish silver market?  Right now, when the market is cool and the summer breezes are warm.  Anything scrap with a purity of .999, .925 , .900 and even .800 are phenomenal choices.  They are a bargain close to melt than any "made for market" bullion that the world's mints sell.  Scrap or junk silver is so plentiful right now, most dealers are taking a loss to make the sale, often times selling with no premium whatsoever.  So if you have some free money sitting around for a silver investment, try going after some of these pieces before early September rolls around.  You won't get the bargain if you wait longer, let alone the opportunity to prepare of what could be a burgeoning silver season.

America the Beautiful Quarters Are Flies On the Wall

Stranger than fiction these days, can anyone imagine what it's like to be the modern collector that often steps over pre-1965 silver to find America the Beautiful quarters?  Following on the heels of an exhaustive campaign for value driven Americana, speaking in terms to the state quarters fiasco, the ATB series comes with little to no fanfare as a mere followup with the hopes that it will succeed like it's predecessor did.  And it's with good reason, ATB quarters rival the state editions with a fraction of the mintage, making their existance in circulation null and void.

A long suppressed coin roll hunter found a scant few in his $1000 box run, as scarce as finding pre-1965 90% silver and probably long overlooked as a possible collector piece 100 years from now.  And if you think this is remotely relevant, then how about the massive five ounce hockey pucks the mint has decided to produce at miniscule rates to shadow the ATB series?  It's a clear and deepening trend toward, what's a fad/trend today that we can take advantage of tomorrow and be profitable?  Or how can we capitalize on a hot precious metals market?  But you know what, I think what it really comes to is...so when are we expecting the release of the five ounce gold and palladium variety of the ATB?  Yeah right...and now we know why collectors and bullion stackers are a dwindling breed every day.  The existing releases of five ounce silver bullions are selling as slow as the final run of new Pontiac Azteks while they have no problem charging a knife wielding premium in relation to the actual bullion value.

The ATB is longing to be what the two and three cent pieces are in it's day, a low mintage fly on the wall.  And it's also awaiting another 7+ years of agonizing releases with even lower mintages.  In conclusion, it's with this careless and ungratifying gimmick driven marketing that might one day turn the coin collecting hobby into stamp collectors obscurity.

Why the US Mint Needs to Go Old School to Save Our Coinage??

Let's face it, when it comes to our modern coinage, the US Mint is no longer winning the popularity contest of classic, etched in memory, designs.  Instead, what is generated on our monetary landscape, are countless low relief designs that are uninspiring to the eye.  And as thankfully as we can attribute the proper credit, our high tech machines and computers are making it all easy.  What I think is happening in this day and age, is a feeling of "content" in regards to how these coins are designed and laid out for a specific release.  There  really are not engravers preparing the final die plates, but only the conceptual cast molds.  The first initial mock up, is generally hand graved, but the final product becomes computer rendered and finally laser etched to prepare the final dies to be used in the minting process.  The transition began sometime in the mid-1980's at the advent of modern commemorative coinage.  Additionally, the heralded American Silver Eagle had been a by-product of computer generated design.

The Need To Go Back To Open Design Competitions


Let's take a step back in time for a moment...  George T. Morgan was the "go to" mint engraver for engineering some of the most wonderful designs in US coinage history.  After a lull in our dollar coin, the Morgan series proved to be an American icon.  It's what made the west, and it turned some pretty remarkable trademarks with the utilization of the unique New Orleans and Carson City facilities.  Morgan dollars have become some of the most sought after pieces to this day, not just because of the silver content, but of what symbol they have created in the 19th century.  What Morgan and Barber accomplished, opened a wide door for future opportunities within the craft of engraving and design.  And the beginning of open design competitions paved the way for overnight success for would be artists that want a piece of the pie.  The treasury department recognized this and quickly sent out broadcasts for the next series, and the next and so on.

Our early US commemorative coinage launched the campaign of "outside" artists to test their skills at designing some of the storied pieces we collect today.  Give credit to James Earle and Laura Gardin Fraser for masterpiecing what would become the most popular of such coin, the Oregon Trail Commemorative.  The pair won the rights to design the master concept for the coin, a splendid obverse of a wagon riding through the prairie sun while the reverse has a backdrop of the United States with the depiction of an indian with an outstretched arm to stop these travelers.  Today, it's the consumate key piece that most collectors want in any grade.  This is what today's coins need, symbolic, traditional, high relief, and unique content to symbolize our coinage.  We need to go out and find our talent in the field, to this day, there are many more willing professionals that want the chance to make an impact in today's numismatics.  In the end, the coins don't need to be silver anymore, but they do need to be works of art that inspires tangible thought about what America needs it's roots to return to.

Treasure Hunter Finds Rare 1870-CC Seated Half While Metal Detecting

Back in mid-May, a buddy of mine, Joe had the opportunity to come across one of the rarest Seated Half Dollars known in existence.  There she was, an 1870-CC gray plug sitting in some dirt in a remote field in upstate New York, little what he knew what treasure was hiding among the attached dirt and grime of that little gray disc.  The most remarkable aspect of this story wasn't just the find, but the fact he used an entry level $250 Garrett Ace 250 metal detector to pull what could price out to be...a new car, a 2 carat engagement ring, or simply pay off $15-20k in bills!  With that said, get the big picture as to the potential value?

There was some early speculation among buddy numismatics of the authenticity of the aforementioned 1870-CC half, as most believe that only these would exist more on the west coast.  The closer you are to the Carson City mint, the more likely you will come across a Carson City minted coin in any denomination.  So in turn, words like "counterfeit" or "fake" made its way around the room of tenured collectors like wild fire.  There was only one thing Joe could do to debunk the mystery, and at the advice of his fellow collectors, he sent it off to NGC to get graded and authenticated.  But before hand, the coin made it's way to NCS, a company that restores coins better than any doctor in the business.  If everything plays out according to plan, this will chronicle to be one of the best finds in metal detecting history in the U.S.

So here we are a month and a half later, the coin came back a nice AU-50 Details by NGC.  It's a high grade, and the details designation won't detract would be buyers from obtaining one of the rarest half dollars.  And it's a remarkable grade for something that's been buried for over 100 years.  For more on this story and the current progression of this year's Philadelphia Heritage auction, check out: http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=119362&whichpage=1

US Half Cents: Why You Should be Collecting Me?

Some long time numismatists would argue the collectibility of half cents largely because they are a mere shadow of the more widely sought after large cent denomination coins.  I would tend to disagree as both denominations hold their own unique pedigree in the coin collecting hobby.  Half cents, while sharing most of the same design characteristics in it's 64 year tenure, is a completely approachable type set from a budget standpoint.  Comparable years to the large cents will generally sell for 30-40% less for the mid-grade type pieces.  Which makes buying popular Draped Bust and Classic Head types more affordable and they are the most popular design elements in the entire run.  For instance, try buying a VF graded Classic Head large cent in it's populous year (1810?) compared to say, and an 1828 Classic Head example in the half cent of the same grade.  It's a near night and day cost comparison, and we're talking hundreds of dollars!  So as can any collector see, it's truly a budget conscious type for those wanting the legacy of 200+ year old coinage.  Advantage: Half Cents!

The next great anomaly for half cents, is its low cost availability for its itsy-bitsy mintage figures.  An 1803 half cent is reported to have less than 100,000 pieces produced in it's time.  What you may not know, is that nice graded pieces command no more than $100-150 for VF-ish grades.  The same goes for the short lived braided hair range of half cents, at the most there was more than 100k pieces produced for only a couple years (1851 & 1853).  The prices might seem quite a bit more for the braided hair cents, but look at how much higher grade pieces go for (XF+) and decide that it is a more appealing item to have and collect than comparable large cents.  Most braided hair pieces were at one point hoarded and there are lots of high-end condition pieces available in the secondary market at super affordable prices.  Collectors will clearly see the difference in cost for the grade and overall mintage figures with little online auction research.  Advantage: Half Cents again!

And finally, collectors can have their cake and eat it as well, these half cents are Sheldon/Newcomb attributable too!  Early draped bust coinage for the copper denoms, have many die pairings and varieties that aficionados yearn for.  General armchair cent collectors usually don't pay too much attention to Sheldon or Newcomb attributions, but cherry pickers make their living doing this as these attributions sell for a lot bigger money than perceived Red Book pricing to the right collectors.  Properly attributed half cents sell real well in the secondary market and collectors of such pieces have been paying top dollar for the rarity that eludes them.  Pick up a book like Penny Whimsy if you plan on trying out old copper and you won't go wrong.  It's the ultimate resource and half cent collectors will find plenty of reasons why it's a no-brainer collectible.  Advantage: Tie.

So all in all, at a cost perspective to collectibility standpoint, half cents no doubt takes home the golden trophy. Low mintage, affordable grades, and the same affinity of design as the large cents, are you convinced yet?

Fancy Currency Serial Numbers - Does the note need to be in great condition to be worth the most?

Collectors of fancy serial numbers, star notes, and low print run blocks always strive to most extreme and rare combinations in existence. Generally, collectors of star and low print run block notes would need to be in extraordinary condition to reward any sort of premium return.  Fancy serial number collectors on the other hand, will pretty much scoop up any condition note short of rag status and will pay all the money for it in the end.  So what exactly are the fancy serial number patterns most collectors will pay more for in circulated condition and up?

Low & High Serial Numbers - These are a tough find in circulation anyways and most notes are found straight from a new bank strap to begin with.  The price increase can be tremendous for those first or last 100 serials in any condition.  However, notes like the one pictured to the side of this article, need to be in that crisp higher condition to warrant all the premium.  What's the price difference?  How about $100-150 for grade sensitivity.

Ladders 1-8 or 8-1 - First of all, any straight 1-8 or reverse ladder serial will garner a ton of money in any condition.  They're tough to find, only two exist per block, and they are probably the prettiest fancy serial one will come across.  Brand new 2009 series ladders have sold for upwards of $1k+!

7 or 8 in a row - Just as tough as a ladder, the "in a row" serials are a tough note to find in circulation.  What can collectors do to have a chance at scoring one of these?  Real easy, go to your bank and pick up some BEP fresh bank straps.  The odds are long but if you find one, that's easily a $500-1k note all day long, even ungraded!  Worn and circulated examples don't really exist in this serial pattern, which is why most "in a row" notes are sold in Choice Crisp or higher.

Amazing Georgia Quarter Planchet Strike Error - A $1k Investment Turned to $5k!!

One of our good friends on Cointalk (CharlesNC) recently sold his amazing 1999 Georgia Planchet Strike Error.  What chronicles to be an amazing find in the error world, publications such as CONECA thrive on such finds.  What this error is, is simply a Georgia Statehood Quarter struck on a nickel planchet.  It's conceivable that a nickel had been originally struck with it's devices and upon exiting the machine, was lodged in the mobile hopper device that accepts the coins as they are struck and sent out to packaging.  And when the hopper is transferred to the quarter producing dies, the lodged struck nickel planchet falls into the die and is subsequently struck with the design you see here.

From the get go, this coin was originally acquired through a sale with a fellow coin collector who had decided to quit the hobby.  CharlesNC (Cointalk Handle) obtained a number of errors and varieties, but the Georgia quarter was the most interesting.  Charles then submitted the piece to PCGS, came back with the error designation and decided it to be a great idea to auction it on EBay to test the waters.  What some believed the coin would conservatively price out around $1500-$2000 actually sold for $5000.  A 500% return in what would be a notable error coin for the marketplace.  Photos of the quarter are headlined on the side of the article page.  Enjoy the breathtaking photos of such a nice find!

Revisiting the Advent of the Next-Gen $100 Bill - Why the New Bill Could be an Error Collector's Dream

The design and engineering characteristics are nothing short of amazing on the next generation $100 bill.  As the following article from July 2010 will illustrate, newer and more revolutionary printing will accompany more and more flaws in the printing processes.  Therefore, all those road blocks have since postponed the release of the new bill.  What collectors and strap searchers will find in these new bills will be nothing short of plentiful.  Offset printing, mismatched serials, ink bleeds, and a wide variety of errors are just a scratch of the surface.  Here's the c/net article that first broke ground on the printing process at the BEP:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-20009315-52.html

It could be another 12-18 months before we see the new bills in circulation, but it will be a fascinating release as the new design will forever initiate a new structure for future Federal Reserve Notes to come.  The old "green back" will soon be just an afterthought...and ultimately a more collectible piece for those that want to revisit the olden days.

The Flip & Profit Coin of the Month - 2011 D US Army Commemorative

A quickie update for the second week of the year.  If you haven't jumped on board the 2011 25th ASE train, then here's the next big buy and flip opportunity.

2011 D US Army Commemorative Clad Half MS69 PCGS or NGC (New Release or First Strike)
With an initial mint release price of about $20, nobody could have predicted the runaway success of the US Army commem.  With a mintage of just 39,461 pieces for the Uncirculated example and 68,349 proofs, it's a low mintage run profiling one of the most storied branches of the US armed forces. Realised eBay auction prices have ended conservatively this week in the $85-100 range for the slabbed examples.  Some have toppled $125-150 for the auctions that have ended on an evening timeline!! 

Despite big prices, the good news is that there are deals still to be found.  Collectors will have to scour third party sites like Paradise Mint and Littleton, but believe it or not you can still double your money by taking advantage of these prices.  How long the trend will last is anybody's question, but I can see some stabilizing  here in the next month or so (through February 2012).  I predict a range of $50-60 on average a fair estimate.  And what's even more enticing to buy the raw pieces, is that there are no MS70 examples as of yet!  I would venture to guess a first graded of such will command astronomical money. Still not too bad for a "clad" coin that lots of people bought for $20.

Update 1/9/2012 2:56pm:  In addition to the mint, nearly all 3rd party vendors has reported selling out the uncirculated clad version of this coin.  A couple sources carry the lesser expensive proofs, but for the same money that the uncirculated pieces were going for.  As of this time, local dealers and auction sites will generate the best chances of finding this commemorative.  Buyer beware of the prices, they are extremely volatile at this point. 

Bank Note Fancy Serial Numbers - Premium Configurations Collectors Look For

Here's a quick listing of some sample currency serial number configurations.  Be sure to check your paper notes from change, the bank, and everywhere else you receive these at.  Additionally, be sure to check sites like eBay, Heritage, and reputable dealers with online albums to get a general idea of how much these uncommon and rare bank notes go for.  Without further adieu, here is your list of fancy number combos:

*Low numbers - I 00000025 G   generally anything under 500 is considered a low number and will get you a premium
*High numbers - I 99999975 G   again the same applies here, the more nines up to the first 6 is key
*Trinary           - I 62232626 G   not a huge premium for these, but they are neat and uncommon
*Binary            - I 27777272 G  
*Radar             - I 21155112 G   Tough to find and neat, dollar varieties sell for good money, lots of collectors for these notes
*Super Radar   - I 94444449 G   Super difficult to find and very collectible
*Solid 8           - I 88888888 G   Every digit is the same for all 8 numbers
*Solid 7           - I 44444544 G   7 of the digits are the same, not necessarily in a row
*7 in a row       - I 77777771 G   More of a premium and scarce, huge money to be made here
*Ladder           - I 12345678 G   Every digit is one higher or lower than the previous digit
*Repeater        - I 12371237 G   Second half of the serial number is the same as the first half
*Radar Repeat - I 60066006 G   Both are a radar and a repeater
*Binary Repeat - I 51515151 G   Extremely tough, the first two numbers repeat over
*Double Quad  - I 11114444 G   The first four digits are the same and the second four are the same

Aside from the fancy number notes, be sure to keep your eye out on star notes, red, blue and lime seals, and other older notes.  Have fun searching those cash straps and enjoy!