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21 Jan 2017

GOLD 25-CENT INUIT ARCTIC FOX CANADIAN COIN

Coins-World | Longstrider

Below is my example of the new 2017 25-Cent Pure Gold Coin- Predator vs. Prey: Inuit Arctic Fox. One of the coins in the Canadian series Predator vs. Prey. This coin is very small at 11 millimeters, the smallest coin made by the Royal Canadian Mint, making it very hard for me to photograph with my equipment. As such I have added three pictures from the Canadian Mint web site. The coin is in proof finish with serrated edge. Is has a total weight of 0.5 grams of 99.99% gold. The mintage is 6500. The reverse is designed by Inuit artist Andrew Qappik in the Inuit art style. The obverse is done by Susanna Blunt featuring Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The design of the coin has a number of natural prey animals in and about the body of the arctic fox. As a numismatic eye test, how many can you identify? Thanks for looking and I hope you enjoy my blog.

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14 Dec 2016

Mercury Dime 2016 Centennial Gold Coin

Coins | Longstrider

 So, I was lucky enough to be be successful in ordering the Mercury Dime 2016 Centennial Gold Coin at the original time of offering. I was charged $205.00 plus tax for a total of $209.95. I believe it was yesterday the Mint announced they were putting back up the unsold dimes. As of this writing, they are going to charge $200.00 plus tax. I wouldn't usually get all bent out of shape over this amount of money but this is different. I grow weary of the US Mint sticking it to us collectors. What kind of shape are these dimes in? Were they sent out and returned? What about third party grading? Technically wouldn't they be within the first 30 days of release. After all they sold out within minutes and are now being put back up on the second day of sale?? No one knows!! I called the mint up and politely explained my situation and asked when I could expect receiving my refund on the pricing difference. I swear that the woman actually snickered at my request. She LAUGHED at me. How do you feel about this treatment and the entire Gold Centennial Coin Program! This is just my opinion. I could be wrong. Thanks for reading this blob/rant!!

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22 Sep 2016

1916 Gold Standing Liberty Coin

Coins | Longstrider

   So it seems to me that the US Mint has misjudged the public and us, their customers, again. I received an email from the mint yesterday, 21 September, notifying me that they have removed the household limit on the new 2016 Gold Liberty Commemorative Standing Liberty Quarter. I guess us regular folks didn't care to purchase this item at the inflated price. Today it is listed for $ 485.00..Anyone that wanted one has bought it by now. All this loosening of the rules now allows their REAL customer base, the third party people, the tele-marketers, to buy as many coins as they want. As Usual. How does this help me. Just an average collector that was out priced on this item that should be in silver!!  Don't forget there are over 9000 gold dimes still lying around no one knows what to do with. What do you think??  Thanks for looking. Just my opinion. I could be wrong!!

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10 Sep 2016

1987 W U.S. CONSTITUTION BICENTENNIAL

Coins | Longstrider

  I don't usually buy gold coins but I really like this one. I originally saw it on an auction a couple of years ago but didn't bid on it. I've kicked myself in the butt ever since. Happily, this coin came up for bids recently. This time I bid on it and got it for a very good price. I guess everyone else was sleeping. This coin has a mintage of 651,659 in Proof grades. It was minted at West Point. Being in Proof 70 Ultra Cameo the designs really pop out. Both the obverse and reverse engravings are spectacular and inspiring. Being only .008 of an ounce less pure gold than the new Standing Liberty Commemorative, I think I got a lot better coin for a lot less money. Just my opinion. I could be wrong! Thanks for looking!

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08 Jul 2016

2016 GOLD MERCURY DIME QUESTION

Coins | Longstrider

 I was one of the lucky few people who were able to order the Gold Mercury Dime from the mint. I bought this as a gift for my wife who is a Mercury Dime collector. I had no desire to have this coin graded at the time nor do I now. I have seen some ads for different graded dimes that got me thinking. This led to a question I am hoping all you fellow numismatists can answer. This coin, as you all know, sold out in lets be generous and say an hour. Given this fact, how is it that NGC and PCGS have offered Early Release type labels on some of their slabbed coins? For example, NGC has set a cut off date for this label as May 23, 2016. Since ALL these coins sold out in an hour, shouldn't all the slabbed coins get this designation? Why should one pay extra for the "early" label given these facts? As of today, Coin World states that nearly 9,000 of these coins are still unsold as they were returned for some reason. It seems to me these should be the only gold dimes that don't get the designation, if and when they are ever sold. I hope someone can answer my question. I know it seems trite but I would like an answer without calling NGC or PCGS. That's too easy..

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06 May 2015

NOT PERFECT 1851 GOLD $1

Coins | Longstrider

I have here a coin denomination I have always been fascinated by: the Gold Dollar. In this case it is a 1851. You will notice it is graded by NGC as Unc Details Improperly Cleaned. This coin in problem free condition is listed as about $265-$300'ish. At the time I won this coin, it was at auction, I didn't have that much money in my coin budget. I was able to get this coin at less than half that price. I believe buying less than perfect coins is a good way to get coins you are interested in but can't afford right now. You have the coin to study and enjoy while you build up your budget for a better grade coin. Once you are able to get that coin of your dreams you have the other one to sell or trade. I should add that I only do this with third party graded coins. This is just my opinion I could be wrong. How does everybody else feel about this strategy? I hope to use this same strategy to buy a $3 gold Indian Princess Head! I think I will show this coin in the My Collection area to tell a little about it. I am proud of it!

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29 Jan 2015

First Coin Graded and Slabbed

Coins | Longstrider

This is the very first coin I bought with the intention of sending it in to NGC and having it graded and slabbed. That was an agonizing period of time waiting for it to come back and see what it did. I thought it was about an AU but honestly was hoping for anything other than cleaned or scratched or any kind of damaged grade. Very happy when it came back about what I was hoping for! It really made me feel relieved. I think I'll stick to coins already slabbed for a while. 

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