This section of the Newsletter is something new where WINS members can share with the club recent events that have taken place either in your own world or the numismatic world. And it's also for those members who claim to be visiting from another world ;-} But I won't get into that !!

But have you heard about a recent event at the Frederick Maryland Coin Show? It concerned one of these - 1974 aluminum cent. Now for those of you who do not recognize this coin - it is an example of a 1974 aluminum cent struck by the US Mint as part of a program to find a metal to replace copper used for striking cents. This example is currently housed in the Smithsonian as part of our National Numismatic Collection and was donated to the Collection by one of the Congressmen who were given the coins by the Mint when they were struck. These coins were distributed to several members of the Congressional Committees that had oversight of the US Mint at the time. When it was decided that the aluminum cents would not be used or issued for circulation - all of the coins were recalled. It is believed that there are currently 8 of these coins, which as of yet remain unaccounted for.

To make a long story short - it was reported on the Coin Universe - US Coin Forum that at this coin show a '74 aluminum cent traded hands. Several members of the CU Forum attended the show and got to view this coin first hand. One of them even was given permission to photograph the coin and the pictures were posted on the Forum as well. But later on - the new owner of the coin requested that the pictures be removed and they were. I have asked for permission to use these pictures in a future edition of the Newsletter but that permission has not been forthcoming as of yet.

The name of the buyer of this coin and the amount he paid for it (reportedly a substantial sum ) has not been released to my knowledge. The new owner is apparently concerned, and perhaps he should be, that the US Secret Service might not look kindly on his ownership of this coin.

Before making the purchase the buyer thoroughly examined the coin and weighed it. He was satisfied that it was genuine. There are of course those who doubt this authenticity - among them me. No - I was not at the show and I did not get to view the coin personally. But I do have copies of the pictures of the coin that were openly posted on a public coin forum and I have extensively compared them to the pictures of the coin currently held by the Smithsonian. Anyone who makes such a comparison can see several obvious differences in the strike characteristics of the two coins. Now this may be due to the use of different dies and as we all know - you cannot base a decision about a coin on a picture. It has been rumored though that PCGS has agreed to slab the coin if given the opportunity. And David Hall of PCGS has stated publicly that he would do so without notification to the authorities. So who knows - this may be one of the stories in a future Coin World or Numismatic News. I guess we'll see - or maybe we won't ??

For those of you who are members of the WINS Talk List - you know that I recently attended a local coin show here in Salt Lake City. In my opinion this was one of the better shows I have attended locally. There was a lot of good material and a lot of buying and selling going on between dealers and collectors alike. And from what I saw - the prices certainly weren't cheap for the most part. There was however a bargain or two to be found as you will see below ;-}
show pic
show pic 1
show pic 2

I found this particular item to be of great interest - '78 Morgan die It is a canceled die for an 1878 Morgan dollar. It is a canceled die for an 1878 Morgan dollar. I would have given almost anything to be able to purchase the item - I just wasn't willing to give the $11,500.00 the dealer wanted for it !!

As would be expected - there were a lot of toned coins available; both in slabs and raw. And as also might be expected there were a lot of high prices wanted for these toned coins - in many cases prices that I would not be willing to pay. But then that's why they make chocolate and vanilla.
coins pic 1
coins pic 2

Now I've recently been purchasing varied examples of World gold. I don't really know why - it's just one of those phases I go through I guess. That's how I collect. At one time I may be buying examples of Pillar dollars and another modern US. Right now I'm working on World gold. And when you can buy it for less than melt - it's kind of hard to say no ;-}
1915 100 corona obv
1915 100 corona rev

With these coins - I just like the design. There's something about the simplicity of it that appeals to me.
1927 Swiss 20 franc obv
1927 Swiss 20 franc rev
1947 Swiss 20 franc obv
1947 Swiss 20 franc rev

Now these little beauties are something else. This design or ones very similar to it have been in use for over 400 years. And of course I want to collect the entire series. C'mon now - I said I WANT to - I didn't say I could actually do it. But it's going to be fun trying ;-}
1927 Netherlands ducat obv
1927 Netherlands ducat rev
1928 Netherlands ducat obv
1928 Netherlands ducat rev

As I said earlier there were many toned coins available. And being a particular fan of the Peace dollar I am always on the lookout for nice examples. I have a fairly nice start on a high grade set of slabbed Peace dollars - but I also am fond of toned examples. And if you're a Peace dollar collector then you know that nice looking toned pieces are not that easy to find. There was this one dealer who's always at the local shows. And he always has coins I would like to buy. But they are always more money than I am willing to pay. This time was no exception. The dealer had an absolutely gorgeous '22 peace that had full rainbow toning on the reverse and was slabbed MS62 by NGC. But he was asking 5x list for this coin. I don't care how pretty they are - I'm not willing to pay that kind of premium. But then of course at another table I found this - for a very small premium !
'23 Peace obv
'23 Peace rev

And at another table I found this - which I managed to get for less than list. It is a '38 D/D and it has a stunning gold russet toning on both the reverse and obverse.
'38-D/D Buff obv
'38-D/D Buff rev

Now I don't normally collect these. But when I saw this piece I decided to take another look. It is almost completely mark free on both obverse and reverse and has wonderful full luster. I am far from an expert on grading Walkers - but this one sure seemed to be of gem quality to me. And for the price I just couldn't say no.
'42-S Walker obv
'42-S Walker rev

When I was photographing this coin I found something else. I found that when you turn it in the light just a certain way there appears a beautiful toning pattern that is beginning to happen. It is much more prevalent on the obverse and is just barely starting on the reverse. I just considered that a bonus ;-}
'42-S Walker tone obv
'42-S Walker tone rev

And then - just before I was ready to walk out of the show I ran across this. Talk about a fitting ending to a wonderful day. Anybody got 55 grand they want to lend me ??
PanPac round slug obv
PanPac round slug rev