Coin Talk
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Tools You Should Be Using
Tools You Should Be UsingThis will be a multi-part series introducing some helpful tools that will make finding the coins you want easier, faster, automated, repeatable, and removing as many false-positives as possible with your auction searches.
Part 1: eBay Advanced Search Query
On eBay, there is searching, and then there is searching. I for one, can't even image wading through thousands of auctions without knowing how to used the advanced eBay search and filtering. Here are the basics:
Quotation marks: Searches for the exact word or phrase
Parentheses around keywords separated by commas: Act as an OR operator
Minus sign (-): Acts as a NOT operator
These can be strong together, with multiple instances of each, but there is a max of around 100 characters that the eBay search box allows for, after that it will get truncated and ignored, or sometimes there will be an... -
[ancients] a coin from the Purple People
PHOENICIA, Byblos. Uzzibaal. 350-335 BC*
AR dishekel, 13.3 gm
Obv: Three hoplites with shields in war galley left, roaring lion's head on prow, waves below galley; hippocamp left below; Z O (N O?) in field
Rev: Phoenician inscription*; lion attacking bull left
Ref: SNG Copenhagen 132, BMC 26.95, 4.
acquired August 2014
*Notes
- The date of this issue varies depending on source and ranges from 400 to 335 BC.
- Various references translate the inscription to ‘zb‘l mlk gbl (Ozbaal, king of Byblus).
Masters of the sea
Positioned at the easternmost Mediterranean, Phoenicians capitalized on the waterways and were renowned for their seamanship. Keeled-hull ships allowed them to sail the open seas and as a result, the Phoenicians developed a flourishing sea trade and unmatched naval power. You might consider them the world's first traveling salesmen.
Phoenician colonies... -
New Book on Chopmarked Coins
Chopmarked Coins: A History; the silver coins used in China 1600-1935 by Colin James Gullberg (iAsure Group JEAN Publications, June 2014, 187 pages, 8-1/2 x 11, color ill., $40 + S&H). Order from the author Colin Gullberg <chopmarknews@gmail.com>.
For most collectors in most times and places, these were just damaged coins, worth less than unmarked coins in the same grade. For merchant sailor and numismatist, Frank M. Rose, they became a passion. For over 25 years, his 1987 work, Chopmarks, stood alone. Now, it has a worthy companion.
This is a narrative about collecting, a history of economics in China, and an overview of a huge, unexplored area of numismatics. It is the tip of the iceberg.
Gullberg illustrates the history of western silver coins in China with examples from his own collection, the Rose collection, and several other sources such as the British Museum, and Stacks Bowers. Coins are arranged by their initial year of issue. An example... -
There and Back Again, My ANA Chicago 2014 WFM Tale
Another ANA Chicago World's Fair of Money report?!
Yes! Normally I wouldn't write, but this was my first major show aside from Long Beach and the atrocities endured were far too many to not discuss! I knew it would be a tremendous pleasure and the chance to have the flight and lodging paid for with 1 or 2 gold Kennedy's made it justifiable. I booked a flight that landed at 5:30 AM on the 5th, which seemed like a perfect time to grab a cab and get in line for my credentials and then pop into the Gold line! We drove past the Convention Center on the way to Motel 6 and the cab driver couldn't believe all the crazy people lined up; he laughed and said it's never, ever been this bad before. My stomach churned a little as my chances diminished....but it would still be fun! I walked back from the Motel to get in line just as a few people were doing headcounts, I was around #660. No gold today, but still needed the "creds". The people in front of me were very nice and mentioned... -
What You Need To Know About: Wear
What You Need To Know About: Wear
By Jason Poe
This is the fourth in an extended series I am writing about the basics of grading. Whereas contact marks are far more important on higher grade coins (especially Uncirculated coins, which by definition have no wear), the level of detail remaining becomes much more important as a coin passes through circulation. For people just entering the hobby, terms like Uncirculated may have already lost you. Don’t worry! I’ll explain it all here in this article.
To begin, coins are divided into two broad categories: Uncirculated and Circulated (I use capitals here for emphasis). The dividing distinction is that the first have no wear, the second have wear visible. Coins displaying any wear, even if only the slightest trace of rub on the highest points of the coin, are called circulated. It also doesn’t technically matter where the wear came from – whether it’s from actually changing hands in circulation or from sitting in a velvet coin... -
Charmy's BIG HUGE 2014 Chicago ANA Show Report w/TONS of Pics!!!
I really looked forward to the Chicago ANA show this year, especially since I hadn’t set up a coin show since the Long Beach show in June. I had also signed up for the PNG pre-show for the first time and was anxious to get some great “early bird” buys. Here is me so happy to be going to the Chicago ANA!
FRIDAY
Since my hubby drops me off on his way to work, I arrived at the John Wayne airport a couple hours before my flight and sailed through TSA with no problems. -
Brief ANA Show Report with a few dozen pics (not just the Gold Kennedy!)
This was my first time travelling to an ANA World's Fair of Money, but I did attend the 2009 show in Los Angeles which was not far from home.
I had been vacationing with family in Missouri and had planned to end the trip to the Midwest by driving up to Chicago to see some family and friends and also to go to the big show.
Anyways, I did have a good time at the show, despite all of the craziness surrounding the gold Kennedy half release and the few greedy dealers who made all dealers at the show look like scum. I was able to sell several coins I brought to the show and I also bought a few cool pieces too. Will not be including details/photos on that though as I don't want to be spamming the forum.
Here's a shot of the lobby just before the show opened up at 10am on Tuesday 8/5. And another shot of ANA President Walt Ostromecki giving the opening remarks.
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Chicago ANA Show Report
This is likely the first show report that I have ever written prior to coming home, but the events of the last week seemed too important to wait until my travel plans allowed me to get settled. Please also note that this is probably the first show report where I complain loudly and note that these complaints are my opinions only and may or may not echo the opinions, feelings or sentiments of other dealers or collectors. This is especially important to keep in mind since I share table space on the Numismatic Americana table at larger shows even though Thomas Bush Numismatics and Numismatic Americana are two independent proprietorships.
Before I write about the show, I will write about the gold JFK sales that took place during the show. Truly, this is why the current show report is being written so soon after the show and not later after all other work is completed. At this time I am still in a state of disbelief that the decision makers within the ANA and the US Mint could allow... -
My Visit to the CC Mint
A big thank you to Haleiwa for directions to the CC Mint. Was only able to spend about a half hour there as the kids were extremely anxious to reach our final destination. Well worth the $5 it cost to go in!!! Just South of Reno, Nevada the mint is towards the south end of town right on the main street (HW-395) and across from the Golden Nugget (how appropo). Took many pictures and a few pictures here which I hope are okay to post. Bought a little something and I though there would be no collecting this trip. Quite honestly I didn't realize I would be driving right past it on our way to the mountains so bad planning on my part! I could have spent a few hours there as there was more to see than just the mint. The museum goes into mining, guns, and Nevada history. They were almost ready to start the coin press when I left . That would have been really neat to see and boy the questions I would have had!!! Hope you enjoy the photos! ~ Darryl... -
A Coin...With a Story
Within each of your respective collections, there is undoubtedly coins of great value and beauty. But, I would imagine that everyone of us also has a coin (or coins) that we have acquired over the years (or decades) that have a special story that is worth a greater value to the owner of the coin than it could ever fetch if listed for sale.
I thought it would be fun to share some of those stories...so here is one of mine.
I first began collecting coins when I was in the 6th grade or so, that would have been around 1996. Not long after I started collecting, I found this little coin shop called "Al's Stamps and Coins." It was a smaller shop owned by an older gentleman (Al) who was semi-retired and used the shop to make a little extra money and hang around with his regulars (also older semi-retired guys...and me) and tell crazy old stories. In a lot of ways, it was like a scene from Cheers...except in a coin shop rather than a pub.
Al's shop didn't have the best inventory,...
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