1882-CC $5 Gold CC Coin of the Week - 02-14-10

Hi Garryn (Dad of two drummers!)

Try to make the C4OA meeting this August...It's always a very special event and more fun than anything you could imagine!

I'll tell you all about my brief return from drumming retirement as I played an "Off-Broadway" NYC show that temporarily relocated here in Vegas called The Altar Boyz. It was a fun drum book...great chart reading experience....good band...good show....loads of fun!! The show played for only 3 weeks and closed this past Sunday...too bad. There may be more dates in the future. We got some nice newspaper reviews too!

I'll be bringing some of my coins to our meeting in August where we always have a kind of "show and tell" session. These sessions provide a more valuable educational lesson than any school could ever hope to!

Michael the drummer

Hi Belay

I would like to say a few more things about my complete set of "CC" half eagles.

As we all know, there are about 70 to 85 "key-date" 1870-CC half eagles extant. Some are tied up in "type" collections and other collections where the complete set is not included. That leaves maybe 50 to 60 1870-CC $5 (or possibly even a little less) in which to build complete 19 coin sets. So, to complete a set in any grade is an accomplishment that stands out on its own.

My set certainly doesn't grade within the finest knowns but is a well-matched set that could only be put together by someone who is a genuine expert in the field, someone who has the ways, means and knowledge to be able to accomplish the task.

Some time ago in my life, I found that expert. He (and she actually) became my mentors. I chose them because in my personal opinion, they are the world's foremost experts on CC coinage (not to mention also that they are great peolpe!). We all know them as Rusty and Marie Goe at Southgate Coins in Reno, NV. This is why I don't really mention my coin dealings within my posts. I don't buy coins anymore from anyone else other than them. Even if I locate one, I will consult with them first before making a purchase.

Some may argue that I've lost the "thrill of the hunt" so to speak. Not so! I have accompanied my friend(s) and mentor(s) through many coin shows and have had ten-fold the learning and hunting experience I ever did back in what I'll call my "maverick" days of coin collecting. Over the years, with the help of my mentors, I have indeed gained a lot of knowledge. I still consider myself a novice though and I learn new things at each coin show or meeting that I attend. I personally stay away from "maverick" buying anymore...that particularly includes places like E-Bay. I'm not saying that its wrong for anyone else, its my own personal choice.

As we also know, coin collecting is an expensive hobby. I don't collect for investment sake...far from it. However, I don't invite expensive mistakes into my collecting experience either. That is why I prefer using my mentor(s), and as I said before, I never buy a coin without consulting them. Since I have gone to that method, I have not encountered one single "mistake".

When I show my coins on the COW posts, I realize that I'm including information that almost all of us already know. We C4OAers are truly a knowledgable group. But I always try to take in mind that there just may be a few first time readers out there who may desire this info. Similarly, you'll find the mintage figures for all the CC coins on the back page of every single issue of the Curry's Chronicle. There is an old saying "...when you know a lot about a subject, you'll have to endure hearing things over and over..."

For the sake of those possible first time readers of our COW posts, I will continue to include some of that basic info. I do try to keep that part short.

I love all our COW posters...some write longer essays and some shorter. Some include pictures and some not...but each of us has a different style and I honestly appreciate all of them equally.
I do think that this COW program is one of the best (and most fun) things to ever happen to our site. I love it!!

Again Belay, thank you for your thoughtful and most encouraging words.

Happy collecting to one and all

Don't forget our C4OA meeting in Carson City this coming August..."be there or be square!"

Michael the drummer

I will look that up, maybe there are some pics of you playing.

My son is playing at the Metro in Chicago which is a large venue for him. He is opening for a band called "Earthen Grave" which features a lady named Rachel Barton Pine, an accomplished virtuoso violinist, who in her other life is part of a heavy metal band, playing violin, no doubt.

My wife and I saw the play "Million Dollar Quartet". Great music, featuring Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins.

Garryn

That is totally awesome!!! Best of luck to your son!
I'd love to hear him play sometime.

Michael the drummer

I agree with your statement that coin collecting is an expensive hobby.
When one collects one or two coins of each date it does not seem so expensive, however when you start considering complete set of a given denomination expenses mount up fast.

For example, collecting a set of $5 gold (Carson City Mint) in XF-40 will set you back about $100,000 and in AU-55 it will be in the area of $300,000.

I am working on a set of $20 gold CC (18 coins only). In XF-45 it will cost me about $90,000 and in AU-55 it goes up to $225,000. The good thing is that I already have 12 coins, the bad thing is that my Social Security check is not big. I'll just take my time.


John Armonas

Thanks very much Mike.