If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
"Commem Fever" -- Is It Contagious?
All numismatic enthusiasts:
I have really enjoyed the reading that I've done in this group in the few weeks since I subscribed to it. There has been a multiplicity of ways in which I've benefited as a result of hanging out here. My sincere thanks to all who are regular posters here, for you have been a part of my enjoyment . .. . "Commemoratives" -- something that I'm so "green" about, if I stood still, I'd probably take root! For instance, are all commemorative coins (silver) either halves or dollars? And are they generally always found in mint state, or have some of them been circulated? I see a number of members here in the group who ostensibly have not only been infected with "commem fever", but who actually are suffering from an extreme case of the fever. I just wondered if there is some preventative "something" that I need to start taking immediately, or now that I have been exposed, are the odds high that I will soon become infected? -=LDL=- |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
I caught the fever a couple of years ago. I started with classics. But to
get coins of the high quality that I'm happy with, it costs a fortune! So I decided to sell the 8 or so high-grade classics I'd accumulated and started with MODERN commemoratives. For less money I have 40 modern classics all in either PCGS MS69 or PR69DCAM. Each one is problem free and a pleasure to look at. I used to view the classics as better looking than the modern and some of them are (Pilgrim, Antietam, Grant are my favorites), but there are some terrific moderns as well. I love the Smthsonian, with Liberty sitting on top of the earth holding a torch in one hand and a scroll that says "Art, History, Science" in the other hand. (Almost rivals the Hudson in creativity there.) The obverse design on the WWII dollars is incredible. So yes, I have commemorative fever. But it's just shifted a bit over time. "Larry Louks" wrote in message news:A_8Xa.39542$cF.13879@rwcrnsc53... All numismatic enthusiasts: I have really enjoyed the reading that I've done in this group in the few weeks since I subscribed to it. There has been a multiplicity of ways in which I've benefited as a result of hanging out here. My sincere thanks to all who are regular posters here, for you have been a part of my enjoyment .. . . "Commemoratives" -- something that I'm so "green" about, if I stood still, I'd probably take root! For instance, are all commemorative coins (silver) either halves or dollars? And are they generally always found in mint state, or have some of them been circulated? I see a number of members here in the group who ostensibly have not only been infected with "commem fever", but who actually are suffering from an extreme case of the fever. I just wondered if there is some preventative "something" that I need to start taking immediately, or now that I have been exposed, are the odds high that I will soon become infected? -=LDL=- |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
"Larry Louks" wrote in message
news:A_8Xa.39542$cF.13879@rwcrnsc53... All numismatic enthusiasts: I have really enjoyed the reading that I've done in this group in the few weeks since I subscribed to it. There has been a multiplicity of ways in which I've benefited as a result of hanging out here. My sincere thanks to all who are regular posters here, for you have been a part of my enjoyment . . . "Commemoratives" -- something that I'm so "green" about, if I stood still, I'd probably take root! For instance, are all commemorative coins (silver) either halves or dollars? And are they generally always found in mint state, or have some of them been circulated? I see a number of members here in the group who ostensibly have not only been infected with "commem fever", but who actually are suffering from an extreme case of the fever. I just wondered if there is some preventative "something" that I need to start taking immediately, or now that I have been exposed, are the odds high that I will soon become infected? -=LDL=- I still don't know that I'll go for the whole 50 coin type set. With a series like Franklins and Lincolns, I feel a need to complete them as a date/MM set. With the Commems, it seems to me that each coin stands on its own merit. There are some Commemoratives, like the Washington-Carver, the Spanish Trail and the Elgin which really do nothing for me. Others like the Pilgrim, the Hudson, the Texas and the Oregon Trail are knockout, must own coins to me. -- John Visit the RCCers favorite coins web page http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jcarne...ns/rccers.html |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
"Larry Louks" wrote in message news:A_8Xa.39542$cF.13879@rwcrnsc53... "Commemoratives" -- something that I'm so "green" about, if I stood still, I'd probably take root! For instance, are all commemorative coins (silver) either halves or dollars? And are they generally always found in mint state, or have some of them been circulated? I see a number of members here in the group who ostensibly have not only been infected with "commem fever", but who actually are suffering from an extreme case of the fever. I just wondered if there is some preventative "something" that I need to start taking immediately, or now that I have been exposed, are the odds high that I will soon become infected? -=LDL=- You talking about "Classic" Commemoratives or moderns?? Get yourself a Red Book. Best $10.00 or so you'll ever spend for your collection.. The vast majority of Classics are halves. One was a dollar, the Layfayette. One was a Quarter, the Isabella Quarter. They can be bought in almost any condition from circulated up to MS69 (I think, unless MS68 is the ceiling.. I forget).. depending on which one. Many have been cleaned. Many were improperly stored, by today's standard, simply because many of them were $1.00 souvenirs from fairs or special (or meaningless) celebrations, and no particular care was taken in storing them. Many were stored on sales cards resulting in spectacular toning as they reacted with the paper over decades. Although you didn't ask, there are also a small number of Gold Classic Commemoratives. IMO, and I'm sure a lot of others would agree, was the Gold set sold to commemorate the 1915 Pan Pacific Exhibition in SF. They could be bought individually or in a cased set. The empty case ALONE sells for a thousand bucks or two.. If you're talking about Modern Commemoratives (1982-Present), silver and clad Halves, Silver Dollars, $5.00 Golds and $10.00 Golds, and one ringed BiMetallic Gold and Platinum $10.00 "Eagle" sized from 2000.. Harv |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
"Larry Louks" wrote in message news:A_8Xa.39542$cF.13879@rwcrnsc53... All numismatic enthusiasts: I have really enjoyed the reading that I've done in this group in the few weeks since I subscribed to it. There has been a multiplicity of ways in which I've benefited as a result of hanging out here. My sincere thanks to all who are regular posters here, for you have been a part of my enjoyment .. . . "Commemoratives" -- something that I'm so "green" about, if I stood still, I'd probably take root! For instance, are all commemorative coins (silver) either halves or dollars? And are they generally always found in mint state, or have some of them been circulated? I see a number of members here in the group who ostensibly have not only been infected with "commem fever", but who actually are suffering from an extreme case of the fever. I just wondered if there is some preventative "something" that I need to start taking immediately, or now that I have been exposed, are the odds high that I will soon become infected? -=LDL=- One commemorative quarter, the 1893 Isabella; 48 classic commemorative halfs, 1892 thru 1954; one classic commemorative dollar, the 1900 Lafayette; modern commemorative halfs from 1982, modern commemorative silver dollars from 1983; Commemorative gold, as early as 1903, I believe. Divide commemoratives into two groups, the classic from 1892 to 1954 and the modern from 1982 to present. All coins can be collectible and I have never tired from seeing a nice Mercury dime, WL half, Indian head cent, wheat back cent, or frosty Morgan dollar. My favorite to collect are classic commemorative halfs, for these reasons; 1. Variety. 48 different half dollar designs between 1892 and 1954. Some designs are great, some are good, some are sad. But each gives one something a little different to study. 2. Low mintages. 48 half dollar designs, 142 different dates and mint marks, but only 12.07 million total mintage for all 48/142. That is enough classic halfs to allow one in 22 Americans to own one example of any kind, and the interest for classic halfs goes beyond the USA. Mintages run from 2,003 for the 1935/34-D Boone to 2 million plus for the 1952 Washington/Carver half. 69 dates and mint marks with less than 10,000 mintage. 3. Investment potential. Not at all guaranteed, but when I introduced myself to classic halfs back in 1998, I speculated that the state quarter issuance would generate new interest in the coin collecting hobby I speculated that millions would collect the new state quarters. I surmised that of the millions, there would be thousands who would delve deeper into the hobby. Of those thousands, I speculated there would be a number with nice discretionary $s to finance their new hobby. I figured, as the years went by, that hundreds of new collectors would discover and pursue classic commemorative halfs. With such low mintages, I felt the pressures on the prices would be immense, even with new collectors only numbering in the hundreds. I still believe there is the potential for tremendous price increases in this series over the next few years and only regret that I have not been able to afford to make more purchases for the sake of speculation. This same price pressure will be seen throughout the hobby, in all series, but I feel that in many instances the supply will adequately meet the new demands without exponential price increases, but not so with any issue with very low mintages. With those, prices could double, triple,...?. 4. History. Lot's of fun here. Lots of classic halfs issuances were sprung from nothing more than the desire to make some bucks. Low mintages were intentionally contrived. Distribution was manipulated for the benefit of a few. Many designs have two stories, one historical and one hysterical. 5. Fun. I may have been all wet, but I remember one of my attractions was the Bridgeport half, portraying PT Barnum on the obverse. I couldn't believe a US coin would portray P. T. Barnum. It still sounds like something one could make into a good winning bet at a bar. Virtually all classic commemorative halfs designs have a percentage that have either circulated or suffered mishandling, mishandling either at the mint or in the hands of unsophisticated collectors. Most classic halfs did not sell out and had quantities returned to the mint for melting. The Columbian Expo half was distributed into commerce after the inventory did not sell out. Not true with the modern commems, a circulated modern would likely be stolen goods. HTH. Bill |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
John Carney wrote:
"Larry Louks" wrote in message news:A_8Xa.39542$cF.13879@rwcrnsc53... All numismatic enthusiasts: I have really enjoyed the reading that I've done in this group in the few weeks since I subscribed to it. There has been a multiplicity of ways in which I've benefited as a result of hanging out here. My sincere thanks to all who are regular posters here, for you have been a part of my enjoyment . . . "Commemoratives" -- something that I'm so "green" about, if I stood still, I'd probably take root! For instance, are all commemorative coins (silver) either halves or dollars? And are they generally always found in mint state, or have some of them been circulated? I see a number of members here in the group who ostensibly have not only been infected with "commem fever", but who actually are suffering from an extreme case of the fever. I just wondered if there is some preventative "something" that I need to start taking immediately, or now that I have been exposed, are the odds high that I will soon become infected? -=LDL=- I still don't know that I'll go for the whole 50 coin type set. With a series like Franklins and Lincolns, I feel a need to complete them as a date/MM set. With the Commems, it seems to me that each coin stands on its own merit. There are some Commemoratives, like the Washington-Carver, the Spanish Trail and the Elgin which really do nothing for me. Others like the Pilgrim, the Hudson, the Texas and the Oregon Trail are knockout, must own coins to me. I agree, but hurriedly add the 'California' coins, Jubilee, Bay Bridge, San Diego. Alan 'all design issues' |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Steve355 wrote:
Alan & Erin Williams wrote in message ... (snip) There are two places there to vaccinate yourself against Commem Fever. One is in the section on 'Commemorative Silver'. Look for the Monroe Commemorative Half. Look at the pricing for that coin in MS-60 ($47). Now look at the price listed for MS-65. If that does not arrest the disease, look at the Illustration under 'Modern Commemoratives', 'Special Olympics Games'. Alan 'repeat as needed' But if you read Bowers' book, you'll be hooked... Steve Absolutely true. ;-) One of my favorite reads. I got mine on EbaY and spent three worrisome weeks waiting for it to arrive 'book rate'. Alan 'Turtleback Shipping Ltd.' |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Buy a few and you will be hooked. But you should decide if you are going
classic or modern and then if you want unc or proof. I prefer modern. I just plain love them. I started with the silver dollars, then went to the havles, then the gold, and now just ordered the Wrights Bros. commem. It really is CONTAGIUOS. lol |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
"John Carney" wrote in message ...
"Larry Louks" wrote in message news:A_8Xa.39542$cF.13879@rwcrnsc53... All numismatic enthusiasts: I have really enjoyed the reading that I've done in this group in the few weeks since I subscribed to it. There has been a multiplicity of ways in which I've benefited as a result of hanging out here. My sincere thanks to all who are regular posters here, for you have been a part of my enjoyment . . . "Commemoratives" -- something that I'm so "green" about, if I stood still, I'd probably take root! For instance, are all commemorative coins (silver) either halves or dollars? And are they generally always found in mint state, or have some of them been circulated? I see a number of members here in the group who ostensibly have not only been infected with "commem fever", but who actually are suffering from an extreme case of the fever. I just wondered if there is some preventative "something" that I need to start taking immediately, or now that I have been exposed, are the odds high that I will soon become infected? -=LDL=- I still don't know that I'll go for the whole 50 coin type set. With a series like Franklins and Lincolns, I feel a need to complete them as a date/MM set. With the Commems, it seems to me that each coin stands on its own merit. There are some Commemoratives, like the Washington-Carver, the Spanish Trail and the Elgin which really do nothing for me. Others like the Pilgrim, the Hudson, the Texas and the Oregon Trail are knockout, must own coins to me. The Spanish Trail is a god awful looking coin; but if you collect the half type set, you'll eventually hold your nose and buy it. It was my last commem to finish the set.... Steve |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
"Steve355" wrote The Spanish Trail is a god awful looking coin; but if you collect the half type set, you'll eventually hold your nose and buy it. It was my last commem to finish the set.... Steve I think Bob Rudd just might force me to buy one. ) -- John Visit the RCCers favorite coins web page http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jcarne...ns/rccers.html |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
lucrative | Mathew Hadley | Juke Boxes | 1 | October 10th 04 04:22 PM |
FS: 1977 OPC "Saturday Night Fever" 66-Card Set | J.R. Sinclair | Cards:- non-sport | 0 | October 5th 04 06:26 AM |
Numismatic Fever | Larry Louks | Coins | 7 | July 25th 03 06:35 AM |