� � �I want to start by wishing everyone a happy and prosperous New Years. As most of you know, I’m not a member of any coin clubs. I have been thinking about joining a club and have checked into the prospect a couple of times. My local coin dealer that I do business with is the President of 2 such clubs in my area. On the 6th of Dec., 2021 I attended my first coin club meeting. Mark, the president did give me a heads up that this club has a auction and started at 1900 (7 p.m.) and to be there at about 1830 (6:30 p.m.). I showed up at 18:45, and Mark was right; they auctioned off quite a few pieces and then the meeting ended. I did participate by purchasing the last item which is the 1858 small letters Flying Eagle that is pictured with this post. It was graded as a “good” and I think that’s the proper grade for this coin. The flip had $15 on it but bidding started at $10 which is the price that I paid, which I thought was a pretty good price for a flying eagle! I was a little disappointed with the meeting because I really thought that after the auction there would be some discussions of the pieces sold or some other aspects of the hobby. I haven’t talked to Mark since the meeting, but if he brings the subject up I may explain how I feel about the club’s agenda. The other 2 pieces pictured here are the last coins that I bought in 2021.

� � �Most everyone that reads my posts knows that I’m a veteran so naturally the 2012 Infantry commemorative caught my eye and was affordable. It’s still enclosed in a flip, but that will change as soon as my inventory is completed. It will be slabbed and stored along with my other military coins. This coin was designed by Joel Iskowitz (obverse), Ronald D. Sanders (reverse), weighs 26.73 grams, is composed of .900 silver, and .100 copper. It is 38.1 mm in diameter, has a reeded edge and was minted at the West Point mint. The mintage numbers are 44,348 uncirculated and 161,151 proof pieces. Although my active duty years were spent in the artillery, this is a very attractive coin and it’s depiction is accurate for the branch of service it represents. There are quite a few modern commemoratives in my collection, but most are in my collection of prestige proof sets.

� � The Matron Head large cent was possibly designed by Robert Scot or John Birch; weighs 10.89 grams, is composed of copper, is 28-29 mm in diameter, has a plain edge and was minted in Philadelphia. It’s mintage is 2,357,732. What I thought most interesting about this particular coin is the grading system that’s used to assign it’s grade. I’m currently looking into the “Newcomb” grading system which is apparently used in conjunction with the Sheldon system. I graded the below Matron Head as a N1-G4. Currently, it’s the only large cent that I own, so it will eventually be housed in a slab. I’m considering adding a better condition large cent to my collection at a later date. I already have 2 Flying Eagles in my collection, so the one below will join the other 2.

� � �I’ve usually put up a post before now, but as I’ve indicated in previous posts, I’m right in the middle of my annual inventory. Not only that, but I’m changing over to a “digital” format for my inventory. I was considering creating a digital journal also, but I’ve scrapped that plan and will continue with my “pen and paper” red ledger �entries. Currently I’m up to December of last year with my digital inventory. I would estimate that it’s probably 70% to 75% complete. I have completed the sheets portion of my spreadsheet and 95% of my tables within my sheets. The only thing that’s currently dragging me down is the data entry portion. Just as soon as I complete that part, there’s still some extra work to be done as far as forms, pivot tables, and relationships of the sheets and tables. I’m the kind of person that will continue until I get it like I think it should be, which is saying a “mouth full”! I know my patience isn’t my strong suit, but I will persevere �😓. !�

� � �As always, stay safe, HEALTHY, and coronavirus free. I would like to leave you with a Mark Twain saying: The 2 most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day when you find out why! � �