Table Of ContentLong,acre's Ledger
The Journal of the Flying Eagle and Indian Cent Collector's Society
Vol. 13.4; Issue#58 WWW.FLYINCLUB.ORG . December 2003
$172,500
Contellts
Featured Articles Columns
1 "Dig" Indian Cents By Dennis Bjorklund Market Action By Dr. Tim Larson
Collecting Reborn By Michael Ellis Grading Indian Cents -MS-60 to MS-63.
"Snow" Variety Checklist By Rick Snow ......................... By Rick Snow
The Penny Lady By Charmy Harker
Membership $20 per calender year - P.O. Box 162, LaFox, IL 60147
The Flying Eagle al1d Il1dial1 Cent Collectors Society
Our mission is to gather and disseminate information related to
James B. Longacre (1794-1869), with emphasis on his work as
ChiefEngraveroftheMint(1844 -1869) withaprimaryfocus onhis
Flying Eagle and Indian Cent coinage.
Founded 1991
Club Officers
President Chris Pilliod [email protected]
Vice President Tim Cart'wright [email protected]
Secretary Shelon Freed [email protected]
Treasurer Vern Sebby [email protected]
State Representatives Chairman W.O. Walker [email protected]
Editor Rick Snow [email protected]
Web Master Paul Houck [email protected]
State Representatives
s
The following individuals have indicated their willingness to help promote the club and it activities in their state.
NOTICE TO ALL STATE REPRESENTATIVES:
please forward your E-Mail address to The Editor immediately.
Alaska Robert L. Hall [email protected] Michigan Ronald Gammill [email protected]
Arizona Rick Snow [email protected] Nebraska Quent Hansen [email protected]
Delaware Jesse Fury [email protected] North Carolina. Bob Pedolskey [email protected]
California Mark Watson [email protected] New York WO. Walker [email protected]
Colorado 1110mas Ramm Ohio Jerry Wysong [email protected]
Florida Art O'Connell [email protected] Ohio JolmA. Guisinger III [email protected]
Georgia Ronald Cohen Oklahoma Mike El1is [email protected]
Idaho Marvin Erickson [email protected] Oregon Donald Kay
Illinois Mark Van Deusen [email protected] Pennsylvania Chris Pilliod [email protected]
Indiana David Brody South Carolina Jerry Sajbel [email protected]
Iowa Thomas Robertson Tennessee \Villiam Howard [email protected]
Kansas Mark McWherter Texas Francis Townsend [email protected]
Kentucky Everett Rall1sey [email protected] Virginia John Smith [email protected]
Louisiana Lynn Ourso [email protected] Virginia Joel Cherry [email protected]
Maryland Larry Steve LsteveJ [email protected] Washington Kenneth Hill hillj [email protected]
Massachusetts .. Rudi Rennert West Virgina John Savio [email protected]
Michigan S.Scott Smith Wisconsin Ronald Neuman
Please help the editor in updating any errors or changes. Ifyou would like to become a
state representative (there can be mbre than one per state) please contact the editor.
On the cover...
A new record for a Flying Eagle Cent was set on January 8th, 2003 when the "Gorrel1" 1856
MS-66 PCGS sold for $172,500 at Heritage's "Platinum Night" section oftheir FUN show "Signa
ture" Auction. The coin is a Snow-3 die pair and was sold as part ofthe Gorrell Sale in last year's
FUN show sale, also by Heritage. In that sale it sold for $1 03,500.
Image by Heritage Galleries.
Copyright 2004, The Flying Eagle and lnd)an Cent Collectors Society, "The Fly-In Club", An rights reserve("d. Articles, opinions and comrnl.":nts appeanng ,n Ihls journal
reneet the VIewS of their aulhors and mayor may not agree \"ith those of the editor or the socIety The society sped Iically reserves the .right to edit COP), to reqUIre payment
m advance. to suspend adv(;(tizlng privileges, or to decline any article. letter 10 the editor, advertisement Or other submitted matedal jn part or in whole at liS sole discretion. No
part of LtHs Journal may be reproduced, in whole or in part, by any means, withoul pennjssion from UIC Socjety
Printed by Insty Prints, Tucson,AZ
Longacre.s Ledger
2003 Vol. 13.4 Issue #58
Contents
Featured Articles Columns
I "Dig" Indian Cents Market Action
By Dennis Bjorklund 9
By Dr. Tim Larson 6
Collecting Reborn Grading Indian Cents -MS-60 to MS-63.
By Micheal Ellis 10 By Rick Snow 22
"Snow" variety checklist
By Rick Snow 10
The "Penny" Lady Presidents letter..... 5
By Charmy Harter 25 Advertising rates 29
Submission guidelines Submission deadlines
Tfyou have a substantive article you would like to Please submit ali articles, letters, columns, press releases,
contribute, please follow these guidelines: advertisements no later than the following dates to assure
-,j If you have internet access, you can send text to the inclusion.
editor's E-mail address below. Unfonnatted text or
MS word preferred. Please save images as seperate Issue Deadline Issue date
files (JPG or TTF preferred) #592004 Vol. 14.1 February 15,2004 March 2004
\i' You may also send files and iOlages on a 3.5" PC #602004 Vol. 14.2 May 15, 2004 June 2004
formated disk or CD-W disk to the Editors address #612004 Vol. 14.3 August 15,2004 September 2004
below. #622003 Vol. 14.4 November 15,2004 December 2004
.,j Hard copies ofthe article and pictures may also be
included.
Please forward all articles immediately!
'./ Images ofmaterials can be made by the editor for use in
the Journal. Please include the necessary return The Feb. 15th. deadline has been
postage with the submission. temporarily extended!
'./ Please feel free to contact the editor if you have any
questions.
Editor
Rick Snow
PO. Box 65645
Tucson, AZ 85728
(866) 323-2646
www.indiancent.com
[email protected]
4 Longacre's Ledger
Presidents Letter
Chris Pilliod
This is my 16th letter as president. Man, the market I have also whiled away a few
seems to be hopping right now. I see a lot more collec visits with an old friend who is
tors (including myself) hobbling along the bourse floors a charter member ofthe club,
these days. As well as on eBay. Hottest on the list seem George Petersen Jr ofPhila
to be Civil War Tokens, nice choice brown XF to MS delphia. George also goes by Dave-one ofthose
Indian cents, Buffalo nickels, San Francisco and Carson guys with two first names. George is one ofthe few
City Seated dimes and anything unique and unusual, people I know that has lived in the same house for 50
including errors. years, so it was interesting listeningto his reminiscing
about the neighborhood he grew up in. George is one
I did something interesting on eBay recently. I re ofthe nicest guys you'll meet who loves Indian cents.
searched completed items for 1877 AG Indian cents Ifyou ever getto Philly I'm sure he'd welcome you. If
(full dates but partial rims) and reviewed hammer prices you need directions just look for the smoke rising
forthese. I.foundsix piece~ that sold-although a~out behind his house. George has a penchant for burning
halfwere lIsted as Good-4 s that were truly~G03 s. fires in his backyard in the cold months. He started
Regardless the average hammer prices ofthIS search collecting in 1962 when a boyhood friend introduced
was $305 per piece. Now I can recall in the late 19~0's himto the hobby. They'dsaltthrough oldcoins his
and early 1990's being able to buy all theAG 1877 s I buddy's father would bring home and pull outthe
wanted for between $50 and $100. goodies. Later in life his focus narrowed to fudian cent
Strongbuybids coupledwith a surplus ofauction varieties and errors as well as BustHalves. His
houses eagertogiveappealingcommissionscombineto favorite pieces in his collection are a double-struck
entice many long-time collectors. I have spokento a 1893 Indian cent with the second strike 50% off-
fewofouroldermemberswho areeithercontemplating center, and a 1885
selling their collections or already have embarked on this
road with great success.
Announcments
1909-8 donated Flying Eagle and Indian Cent class
Special thanks to Dale Chaney for his generous contribution scheduled for ANAseminar
ofhis counterfeit 1909-SIndianCenttotheFly-InClub
Richard Snow will be teaching a course on Flying Eagle and
counterfeit Library. Dale's coin was feature in the June :4003
Indian Cents at the ANA Summer Seminar, second session,
issue ofLongacre's Ledger, page 17.
from July 3 to July 9. The course will include all aspects of
collecting Flying Eagle and Indian Cents including regular
issues, Proofs, Patterns and varieties. Counterfeits will be
Please renew your membership discussed, as will grading and other collector topics.
Please accept the appologies from the Editor, Rick Snow for Contact the ANA at 1-800-367-9723, Education
the very late arrival ofthis issue ofthe Longacre's Ledger. department, extension 126 or 153 for information.
With increased coin market activity and two book projects
stealing much ofmy time, I could not afford to act in a timely
Whitman to publish
manner to get it out as scheduled.
"The Official Red Book of
I have been getting good articles, but need more
assitance to keep the Ledger being issued on time in the Flying Eagle and Indian Cents"
future. Please let me know ifyou can help. Rick Snow has been chosen to author the Flying Eagle and
Indian Cent volume ofWhitman's series ofAmerica's most
popular classic coins. It is expected to be released this
summer.
The Flying Eagle and Indian Cent Collectors Society 5
Market Action(cid:1)
By Dr. Tim Larson(cid:1)
"Platinum Night"
The 2004 FUN auctions highlighted 3 major collections The first night ofthe Heritage auction 1-7-04 was titled
of Flying eagle and Indian Cents. It was great to see so many Platinum Night. As Heritage proclaimed, it featured the "rarest of
nice coins in one week. In very general terms, prices realized the rare". It was anchored by two gold-coin collections and quite
reflected the quality ofthe coins, nice coins doing quite well. a number ofpremium pattern, silver, commemorative and copper
It was hard to tell ifthe "Registry Effect" was important or coinage. Among the later were 7 Flying Eagle Cents and a single
not, with the exception ofthe 1856 S3 MS66 that sold for a !HC. The highlight for FE fans was the finest known 1856 S3,
strong $172,500! PCGS MS66. This coin sold at last years FUN show for $103,500
and brought an astounding $172,500 this year.
The William Walser Collection
On 1-6-04 the Walser Collection ofProofIndian Head 1856PCGS MS62 S3 $13,800
Cents was auctioned by American Numismatic Rarities. This This coin was actually a S9. a Proo/in a MS holder
collection is #2 All Time in the PCGS Registry for IRC proofs, missattributed by the cataloger.
basic set, without varieties. A complete listing ofthe collec 1856 PCGS MS63 83 $14,950
tion and grades is available at PCGS .com. Quite a number of This is correctly attributed by peGs.
coins didn't sell because they didn't meet reserve. A listing of 1856 PCGS MS65 89 $48,875
what did sell follows. This is a Proo/in a MS holde,~
1856 PCGS MS66 S3 $172,500
1862 PCGS PR66 Cam $3,220 This is correctly attributed by PCGs. This coin sold last year
1863 PCGS PR65 Cam $3,220 for $]03,500 at the FUN show. It set a new record/or a small
1866PCGSPR64RD $2,185 cent.
1871 PCGSPR65RD $1,898 1856PCGSPR64S9 $16,100
1878PCGS PR65RD $1,265 This is correctly attributed by PCGs.
1879 PCGS PR67RD $3,910 1856 PCGS PR64S9 $13,800
1880PCGS PR67RD $3,680 Another correctly attributed coin.
1881 PCGS PR66RD $1,495 185817NGCMS64S1 $9,775
1882PCGSPR64RD $408 1877 PCGS PR66RD $16,100
1883 PCGS PR66RB $920
1884PCGS PR67RD $4,600
1885 PCGS PR66RD $3,220
1887 PCGS PR65RB $368
1888 PCGS PR65RB $414
!889 PCGS PR65RB $472
1891 PCGS PR64RD $369
1893 PCGS PR65RD $1,265
1898 PCGS PR66RD $1,495
1900 PCGS PR65RD $1,380
1901PCGSPR66RD $1,495
I902 PCGSPR66RD $1,438
1903 PCGS PR65RD $926
1904PCGS PR65RD $920
1905 PCGS PR65RD $978
1906PCG8PR66RD $l,438
1907PCGSPR66RD $3,450
1909PCGSPR66RD $1,438
6 Longacre's Ledger
On Thursday 1-8-04, two major collections were auctioned by 1878 PCGS PR66RD $2,300
Heritage (West Palm Beach and Richard Collections). The West 1879 PCGSPR67Cam $9,488
Palm Beach Collection consisted ofvery high grade Proofs. It Tiedfor finest known.
include the only 1864 With L, PR3 in PR64RD. This outstanding 1880 PCGS PR67RD $4,025
collection holds the #1 PCGS Registry position (All Time) for Tiedjorfinest known.
Proof Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cents (the later for both the 1881 PCGS PR67RD $5,175
basic and variety sets). Tiedjorfinest known.
1882PCGSPR67RD $6,555
West Palm Beach CoUection Tied/or finest known.
1883 PCGS PR67RD $7,763
1856 PCGS PR66 S3 $47,150 Tied for finest known.
This is correctly attributed -the only S3 determined to be a 1884PCGSPR66RD $2,415
proof This is obviously a special striking. It sdark brown in 1885PCGSPR66RD $2,990
colOJ; it may have been bronzed at the Mint. This coin was 1886 PCGS PR66RDTy 1 $3,565
discussed in Longacre s Ledger 11.3, September 2001 pg. 24 Tiedfor finest known.
"The saga ofa f856 Flying Eagfe Cent". 1886PCGSPR65CamTy2 $12,650
1857PCGSPR65 $18,975 1887PCGS PR66RD $7,188
Tied for finest known. Tied jorfinest known.
1858 PCGS LL PR65 Cam $20,700 1888 PCGS PR66 Cam $17,250
Tiedforfinest known. Tiedfor finest known.
1858 PCGS SLPR65 Cam $24,150 1889PCGSPR66RD $4,485
1859 PCGS PR66 Cam $17,825 Tied jarfinest known.
1860PCGS PR66 $7,475 1890 PCGS PR65RD $2,300
Tiedfor finest known. 1891 PCGS PR65 Cam $2,760
1861 PCGS PR66 $16,100 1892PCGSPR65RD $2,185
Tiedfor finest known. 1893 PCGS PR67RD $8,625
1862PCGSPR67Cam $10,350 Tied forfinest known.
1863 PCGS PR66 $4,715 1894PCGSPR66Cam $3,450
1864PCGS PR66 Cam $6,612 Finest Cameo
1864PCGS PR66CamNoL $28,750 J895 PCGS PR66 Cam $4,140
Finest Known Finest Cameo
1864PCGS PR64RD With L $118,450 1896 PCGS PR65 Cam $5,290
s
This coin was featured on the cover ofLongacre Ledger f2.2, Finest Cameo
June 2002. It had set the previous record price for a small cent 1897PCGSPR67Cam $10,350
when it soldfor $138.000 at the "Long Beach" sale by Heritage 1898 PCGS PR67 Cam $13,800
in June 2002. It is the unique PR3 die pair. Tiedjorfinest known.
1865PCGSPR66RD $11,500 1899PCGSPR66RD $1,610
Tied forfinest known. 1900 PCGS PR66RD $2,703
1866 PCGS PR66 Cam $8,050 1901 PCGS PR65RD $863
Tiedforfinest known. 1902 PCGS PR67RD $5,463
1867 PCGS PR66 Cam $17,825 1903 PCGS PR66RD $1,581
Finest Known 1904 PCGS PR65RD $920
1868 PCGS PR65 Cam $5,750 1905 PCGS PR67RD $9,200
1869 PCGS PR66 Cam $7,475 Tied/or finest known.
Tiedfor finest known. 1906 PCGS PR67RD $9,775
1870PCGSPR66RD $5,290 Tied jor.finest known.
Tied/orfinest known. 1907 PCGS PR66RD $2,530
1871 PCGSPR65RD $1,898 1908 PCGS PR65RD $863
1872 PCGS PR66RD $6,038 1909PCGSPR66RD $1,725
Tiedforfinest known.
]873 PCGS PR66 Cam $10,063 The "Richard" Collection
Tiedjarfinest known. The Richard collection consisted of Mint State and Proof
\874 PCGS PR66 Cam $10,350 Indian Head Cents in gem full red. This collection was the #3
1875 PCGS PR66 RD $1 1,500 active PCGS Registry set at the time, currently #4 in the "All
Tied jor.finest 1010Wn. Time Finest" listing. Highlights included the tough to find
1876PCGSPR65RD $1,610 65RD dates 1877 and 1872 along with a 1909-S in MS66RD.
1877 PCGS PR67RD $47,150
Tied/or finest known.
The Flying Eagle and Indian Cent Collectors Society 7
"Richard" Collection Mint State "Richard" Collection Proofs
1859PCGSMS65 $2,185 1859PCGSPR65 $4,140
1860PCGSMS66 $2,185 1860 PCGS PR65 $4,426
1861 PCGS MS66 $1,955 1861 PCGSPR64 $2,415
1862PCGSMS66 $2,760 1862PCGSPR66Cam $3,151
1863 PCGS MS65 $748 1863 PCGS PR66 Cam $5,880
1864PCGSMS65 $1,380 1864 PCGS PR66 Deep Cam $8,625
1864 PCGS MS66RD No L $2,933 1864 PCOS PR65RDNoL $5,175
1864PCGSMS65RDWithL $3,105 1865 PCGS PR65RD $4,887
1865 PCGS MS65RD Fancy 5 $2,760 1866PCGSPR65RD Cam $4,140
1866 PCGS MS65RD $5,980 1867PCGSPR65RDCam $4,370
1867 PCGS MS65RD $8,050 1868PCGSPR65RD $4,715
1868 PCGS MS65RD $3,1 05 1869PCGSPR64RD $1,063
1869 PCGS MS65RD $3,565 1870PCGSPR65RD $1,840
1870 PCGS MS65RD $4,255 1871 PCGSPR65RD $1,725
1871 PCGS MS64RD $2,760 1872PCGSPR65RD $1,725
1872 PCGS MS65RD $17,250 1873 PCGS PR65RD $2,070
1873 PCGS MS65RD Open 3 $6,900 1874PCGSPR65RD $1,841
1874 PCGS MS65RD $2,473 1875PCGSPR65RD $1,725
1875 PCGS MS65RD $3,220 1876 PCGS PR65RD $1,840
1876 PCGS MS65RD $3,450 1877 PCGS PR65RD $8,625
1877PCGSMS65RD $17,250 1878PCGSPR65RDCam $1,035
1878 PCGS MS65RD $1,553 1879 PCGS PR67RD $3,680
1879 PCGS MS65RD $776 1880 PCGS PR66RD $1,610
t880PCGS MS65RD $891 1881 PCGSPR65RD $851
1881 PCGS MS66RD $1,783 I882PCGSPR66RD $3,162
1882 PCGS MS66RD $2,530 1883 PCGS PR65RD Cam $2.,530
1883 PCGSMS66RD $3,795 1884PCGSPR67RD $4,600
1884 PCGS MS66RD $4,888 1885 PCGS PR66RD $2,875
1885 PCGS MS65RD $1,236 1886 PCGS PR65RD Ty 1 $2,070
1886PCGSMS65RDTy 1 $3,680 1887 PCGS PR65RD $4,255
1887 PCGS MS65RD $748 1888 PCGS PR65RD $3,450
188~ PCGS MS65RD $2,875 1889PCGSPR65RD $1,150
1889PCGS MS65RD $2,760 1890PCGSPR65RD $1,265
1890PCGSMS65RD $1,035 1891 PCGSPR65RDCam $2,530
1891 PCGS MS66RD $9,200 1892 PCGS PR66RD Cam $5,290
1892PCGSMS65RD $1,265 1893 PCGS PR66RD Cam $3,680
1893 PCGS MS65RD $780 1894PCGSPR66RD $1,725
1894PCGS MS66RD $3,910 1895 PCGS PR65RD $920
1895 PCGS MS65RD $575 1896PCGSPR65RD $1,495
1896PCGSMS66RD $5,750 1897PCGSPR65RDCam $2,415
1897PCGSMS65RD $805 I898PCGS PR65RD $862
1898 PCGS MS66RD $1,840 1899PCGSPR65RD $1,150
1899 PCGS MS65RD $403 1900 PCGS PR67RD Cam $8,625
1900 PCGS MS65RD $552 1901 PCGS PR65RD $862
1901 PCGS MS66RD $920 1902PCGS PR65RD $920
1902 PCGS MS65RD $460 1903 PCGS PR65RD $1,035
1903 PCGS MS66RD $1,200 1904PCGSPR65RD $1,840
1904 PCGS MS65RD $489 1905 PCGS PR65RD $862
1905 PCGS MS65RD $431 1906PCGSPR65RD $1,035
1906 PCGS MS65RD $431 1907 PCGS PR66RD $2,530
1907 PCGS MS65RD $420 1908 PCGS PR65RD $806
1908 PCGS MS65RD $449 1909PCGS PR66RD $3,220
1908-SPCGSMS65RD $1,265
1909PCGSMS66RD $1,012
1909-SPCGSMS66RD $13,800
8 Longacre's Ledger
I "DIG" Indian Cents.(cid:1)
By Dennis Bjorklund(cid:1)
Here's a quick scan of 3 1869 Indians I've dug. A fourth was scout camp from the 1920's, He found a 1793 chain cent. On a
too dark to scan, but it has a strong liberty. It's also chipping return trip he found 1912 and 1914-D Quarter Eagles in the
around the edges which is typical for dug-up Indians in this area, same hole' I! Almost a year later at a different site he was
Indian Head, MD. So far I've dug 126 Indians and 4 Flying blessed with his second 1793 chain cent!! ~!!! A special hunt
Eagles. The only dates I haveu't found are 1856, 1860 Tl, 1861, with 200 people detecting was held at a union camp site in
1864CN, 1871, 1872, 1876, 1877, 1885,1886,1889,1892, 1908-S, Fredericksburg, VA. I heard someone found a Rare Confeder
1909-S. ate Virginia Button. When I found the guy, he was digging a
I find Indians very regularly. Sometimes I find one on every hut hole. There was 20 people watching him when he found a
trip. If the Indians are there, that may mean Miss Seated Liberty beautiful Eagle beltplate. Then the lucky guy found a 1853
might be in your goodie bag next. Some other coins I've found Ten Dollar gold coin, with 20 witnesses! I And as yOll may
include: have guessed -many Indians turned up that weekend. A guy
2 Seated Half Dimes 3 Shield Nickels I met in Ohio cashed in over 800 Indian heads he's found
8 Seated Dimes 2 Liberty Cap Large Cents over the years. Imagine the other coins he's found with them!
I Seated Quarter 7 Draped Bust Large Cents
1828 Bust Quarter 35 Later date Large Cents
1829 Bust Dime 1892-0 SilverDollar
5 Two-Cent pieces 1914-D Lincoln Cent.
2 Three-Cent Silvers UNC DETAILS NET EF 45
1828 25C 2576190
CORRODED-DAMAGED
All these coins where surrounded by Indian Cents. I've also
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
found some neat colonial coins also. King George's, Irish \
Halfpennies, Connecticut Coppers, Vermont coppers, and Spanish
Silver. I even found a hammered coin from the 1600's.
Most of this stuff was found on heavily detected sites. Virgin
sites are tough to find. At one site near my house, I had the
privilege to be the first one there with a detector. I found 41 coins
(mostly Indians) dated 1798-1882 along with some silver
spoons, Civil War buttons and a U.S. cartridge box plate. There
were five fire pit lings next to a spring in the middle of nowhere,
untouched, waiting for me to unlock there secrets. Unfortunately,
now a house sits on this site. Gone forever.
Some of my friends have made spectacular finds as well. My
friend, Andy in Lancaster, PA has two 1877 Indians he's dug. , - - \.~"lt:"1~I:.,.- - ~
Another buddy, Rich in central PA was researching an old boy
The Flying Eagle and Indian Cent Collectors Society 9
Collecting Reborn(cid:1)
By Michael Ellis(cid:1)
Oklahoma State Representative(cid:1)
A guy walks into a hotel bar late on Monday afternoon Liberty Quarter, or a Barber Half, Quarter or Dime. Even more
just before it closes, and orders a cup ofcoffee. He drinks rarely, but upon occasion, I would discover a weJ]-worn Indian
that coffee quickly, says "thanks," and leaves the bar. Late Cent. How these coins of yesteryear fascinated me and how
the next day, the same guy comes into the bar again and thrilled I was to hold one of these coins in my hand.
orders another cup ofcoffee, drinks it quickly, and leaves.
Again, late on Wednesday, he comes in, orders and drinks a
cup of coffee, goes in the bathroom, whips out a shotgWl, I sta.yed away from coins for the next 20 plus years for the most
and shoots the toilet to pieces. The fourth day the guy part, although I did collect a few lower graded coins in the 1980s.
returns to the bar and orders coffee, but the bartender tells I suppose I still had a certain fascination with coins during this
the guy that he can't serve him and that he would have to time, but did not pursue the hobby actively until nearly four years
leave, based on his behavior of the previous day. The guy ago.
tells the bartender that he was just following his training
guidelines. The bartender, puzzled, asks him, "What do you In early 2000, I retired from theAlmy. A friend ofmine, who had
mean?" The guy replies, "I'm in training for a Government retired several years prior, "drug" me to a small, local coin show. I
job. I come in late, drink coffee, shoot the crap, and leave had never attended a coin show. I bought a 1908-S VF Indian
early." Cent, for about $70.00. Up until that time, it was, by far, the most
money I had ever spent on a coin. From that point on, I was
The only relationship this article has with the above hooked. I started going to all the local and regional shows I could
paragraph is that I work for the Federal Government. While attend, intent on collecting circulated, but nice, Buffalo Nickels,
the benefits are good, the pay is not. UnfOrhmately for me Mercury Dimes, and Indian Cents. In the fall of2000 I bought my
from a financial standpoint, I've developed an affinity for first "nice" uncirculated coin, a nearly red MS-64 1895 Indian. I
high quality Flying Eagle and Indian Cents. It's very difficult continued to attempt to collect all three series for the next year
for one to assemble a high quality collection on a limited and a half, but something had happened to me by purchasing that
budget. It's difficult, but not impossible. I believe it can be uncirculated '95 Indian: I developed an affinity for mint Slate
done with patience and self-education. While I realize that coins. However, I soon realized t11at I couldn't afford 10 collect all
nearly all ofthe readers ofthis article will have many more three series in uncirculated grades. I just didn't have the financial
years ofserious collecting experience than me, I would like to resources. Besides, I wanted to attempt to make substantial
share a little ofmy history and collecting experience with progress assembling at least one particular series. Having to
fellow club members: decide which series was of most interest to me, as well as the most
attainable from a financial standpoint in uncirculated grades, I
I started collecting at about the age often in the 1950's sold the Buffalo Nickels. I continued to acquire mint state Indians
with a group ofthree or four grade school age friends. Since and Meres, but simultaneously trying to acquire both series again
we rarely had the spending money to purchase coins from became, over time, too much ofa financial strain. I couldn't
dealers, we looked through all the coins we could in circula afford to collect both series in the grades I preferred. I had to
tion. We would periodically go to the bank a buy a couple of choose. The final decision was easy for me. I sold the Mercury
rolls of cents or nickels, and we always checked our change Dimes and chose the Indians.
and our parents' change, seeking one of the well-known
elusive rare coins such as a '09-S VDB or 14-D. I don't re.call Exactly why I chose the Indians is a little difficult for me to
anyone finding one of the really rare pieces, but I do recall explain. First, the aesthetic design ofthe Flying Eagle-Indian Cent
one ofmy friends finding a '31-S Lincoln Cent in a bank roll in series appeals to me in a way that other denominations/series do
about AU condition. How thrilled we all were. not. Second, the nearly sixty years during which the series was
issued was a time of great change, socio-economic development
As I entered my junior high school years, I would periodi and exploration. It is extremely fascinating for me to hold a nice
cally stay with my maternal Grandmother who operated a Indian Cent or Flying Eagle and wonder where the coin has been
coffee shop in downtown Seattle. I would wait tables, wash for the last 100-150 years.
dishes, and she would pay me and teach me about the
business. But, best of all, I was able to check out all the Along the way, I've made several aggravating mistakes. I
change. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Mercury Dimes, purchased a ' 16-D Mercury in a green PCI holder that turned out
Buffalo Nickels, and Walking Liberty Half dollars were to have an added "D." I was able to return the coin but that deal
common in change. Occasionally, I would find a Standing cost me $500.00. I bought a '58 SLFlyingEaglegraded by PCGS
as MS62 that I was positive would upgrade. I cracked it out ofthe
10 Longacre's Ledger
