This week's letters (06/11/13)

Heirs need to know value of coins before selling
As I read letters in Numismatic News and hear of people passing away and their collections being sold by family members who have little or no knowledge of what they are selling, I am reminded of an article that appeared in NN Feb. 8, 2000.
Written by Bob Merrill, “Muscle-head sells Daddy’s collection” should be required reading for those who are left in that selling position! I have a laminated copy in each of my safes to remind those who I leave behind, that they should know what they have before they attempt to sell my coins.
With some of the coin values that we are seeing these days, a reprint of Bob’s article may well be of good use to many of your readers’ families. I’m sure that it will get a few good laughs too!
Dennis Matuszewski
Windsor, N.Y.

Great weekend of finds on trip to Charleston
On a recent trip to Charleston, S.C., I was fortunate to acquire several excellent finds. I received a 2013-P nickel, two 2013-P dimes, a 2013-P Perry’s Victory quarter, a 1968-S Lincoln, a 1970-S Lincoln and several 2013-P Lincolns in change. But the best acquisition was a 1916-D wheat cent that is in fairly good condition. It was a great weekend!
John Crist
Bluefield, Va.

Purchase of ‘S’ mintmark quarters unprofitable
What makes an America the Beautiful quarter worth 60 cents? Answer: When it is made by the U.S. Mint with an “S” mintmark and some fool like me is willing to pay $19.95 + $4.95 shipping for a roll of them so he can get a couple for his collections.
Now I’ve got over 200 quarters I can’t get rid of unless I spend them. I tried eBay and sold one five-coin set and made a grand profit of 50 cents not, of course, counting my time and packaging to prepare and mail them.
The dealers I’ve contacted don’t want to buy them as they are already overloaded, so I guess I’ll be using some “expensive quarters” to buy some stuff in the near future.
Arnold L. Rothenbuescher
Venice, Fla.

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CSNS show a success on many levels
On behalf of ANA staff members Emily Silver and David Truesdell, Vice President Dr. Walter Ostromecki and ourselves, we want to thank the Central States Numismatic Society (CSNS) for providing a table for the American Numismatic Association (ANA) at the 74th anniversary convention in Schaumburg, Ill, on April 22-27. We were able to sign up or renew 25 members for the association. A special thanks to dealer Anthony Terranova, from New York for donating money for shipment of the coin show kit.
This was the second year that CSNS held their show at the outstanding Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center. The 270-plus dealer bourse was sold out and business appeared to be very good for the dealers. Security was excellent. Heritage Auctions held several fabulous coin and paper money sales. World class exhibits filled the entire back area of the hall and educational programs were superb. Attending the entire show and also presenting programs were President Abraham Lincoln (Dennis Boggs) and Frederick Douglas (Bill Grimmette). Elongated CSNS give-a-ways produced by Ray Dillard.
The CSNS Board, volunteers, exhibitors, judges and speakers were treated to a wonderful dinner on Friday at nearby Maggiano’s Little Italy. An awards breakfast was held on Saturday and Nancy was honored to receive their Medal of Merit. Linda Wolka won Best-in-Show with her beautiful exhibit of Martin Luther. CSNS had a well-attended Club Representatives breakfast and workshop on Friday morning. Several coin clubs had tables at the show, and also held meetings. A scout coin collecting merit badge clinic was held and YN’s enjoyed the Treasure Hunt and the ANA table was part of the stops.
General Chairman Kevin Foley with assistance by Patricia Finner, Bourse Chairman Jerry Lebo and Patricia Foley, Exhibits chairman Fran Lockwood, Chief Judge Jack D. Huggins Jr., Education chairman Ray Lockwood, YNs chairman David Heinrich, Security chairman Tom Casper, President James Moores, his board and the many volunteers all did a masterful job in setting up, running, and breaking down the show. We look forward to the 75th CSNS convention in this same location on April 23-26, 2014.
Nancy and John Wilson
Ocala, Fla.

Adding Liberty coin designs will hike costs
I read with mixed feelings the Citizens Coinage Advisory Commission proposal to circulate new Liberty coin designs alongside the president coins (dimes, quarters and halves) we already have.
I have always loved the Liberty type coins and would love to see them return. However, the other half of me is dreading the price increase to mint and proof sets, especially the silver proof set with additional coins. The reasoning is “who wants to remove a president from a coin?”
But I think the real reason for dual circulating coins is the added profit they’ll rake in.
John Murphy
Lindenhurst, N.Y.

Mint price too high for 2-coin ‘W’ silver Eagle set
I am eagerly awaiting the May 9 release date for the two-coin “W” mintmark silver Eagle set, but it is going to be a crap shoot to see which of the three enhanced finishes you’ll end up with. At the issue price of $139.95 each, the thought of buying three sets to try and get one of each will break the bank.
As usual the Mint’s pricing is all out of whack compared to the actual price of an ounce of silver, but I still can’t wait to add more eagles to the nest,
Michael P. Schmeyer
Halsey Valley, N.Y

Article launched quest for War nickel set
I want to thank Numismatic News on a great article titled “War nickels make a compact set.”
I have been collecting coins for about five years and my attention has primarily been on late 19th and early 20th century U.S. type coins. The reason for this is not only the values associated with these coins and the fact that the majority of these coins are 90 percent silver, but also the historical significance and unique designs of these pieces, which seem much more elegant than the coins of today.
I never considered adding Jefferson nickels to my collection until I read the lovely article in your April 30 issue written by Paul Green. The historical significance of these Jefferson War nickels and how this special set were born is truly enlightening.
After reading the article, I visited my local dealer the very next day and requested all 11 coins in Gem BU grade. My dealer immediately provided me with his best selections, where each coin came from an original bank roll. The price point for this grade was also amazingly affordable. As a bonus the 1943-D has full steps to boot! The fact that the War nickel’s composition includes 35 percent silver is only another added bonus.
Thanks to this article I was successful in completing my first mini-set.
Nick A. Gheorghiu
Bayside, N.Y.

Young collector can afford higher priced coins
I recently stopped to see a coin dealer. After looking over his stock and not seeing anything that stuck out to me I started asking the dealer if he had certain coins that I was not seeing.
When I asked him if he had any 1909-S VDBs his first response to me was, “I don’t have one but you can’t afford one anyway, it’s like $1000”. Being a person that does not like confrontation I politely left. I would just like to say that I most certainly can afford that coin and have been looking for the right one to fit my collection perfectly. I don’t know if he jumped to his conclusion because I am a young collector and he just thought I didn’t know anything about coins or maybe he is just an idiot. I think I will just stick with the small group of dealers that I currently use. This was my first bad experience in this hobby that I love. I just thought maybe your readers would like to hear my story. Also while checking the register at my family business I found 17 one dollar bills all from 1963 and 1969. Most of them were in pretty good condition given the age. Not sure if they came from the bank or a customer but either way it was a pretty odd find.
Austin
Milton, Wis.

New appreciation for history of worn coins
Sometimes the obvious is not so obvious. Daryl Conley’s article on how worn coins tell a bit of our history made me think about a coin’s appearance.
Most collectors concentrate on how nice a coin looks. We all see graded coins leading the way in most of coin articles and advertisements. It was refreshing to think about how really important those old worn out coins were to their previous owners. I am sure I will purchase many more graded coins, and I just hope I think about those worn out coins with a little more respect.
Also, while visiting Anna Maria Island, Fla., I received three new 2013 dimes in change.
Leo Darmstadter
Vineland, N.J.