Among the most famous and popular of early federal coins is the 1794 cent variety featuring a circle of 94 tiny stars around its reverse border. Though partially hidden by the denticles which overlap them, these stars have captured the imaginations of coin collectors since this variety was discovered in 1876 by legendary dealer Henry Chapman. Since that time about 40 examples have come to light, the finest of these overall being the one plated in William C. Noyes’ book United States Large Cents 1793-1814. It is more worn than the newly discovered coin, but its surfaces are problem-free.

The previously unknown specimen illustrated here is by far sharper than the Noyes plate coin, having full details and essentially no wear but with corroded surfaces. The latter feature disqualifies it for NGC certification, but NCS was pleased to assign it a details grade of AU and provide a VarietyPlus® attribution of S-48 from the Sheldon cataloging system.

The NCS-certified cent reportedly was retrieved from a coin album and was unknown to the large cent collecting fraternity. The few individuals outside of NGC/NCS who have seen the coin or photos of it are in agreement that this is the sharpest example known of this rare and fabled variety. Its submitter has chosen to remain anonymous at this time, but he is delighted with the service he received from NCS and its representatives.

by Ken Potter - NLG

The 1980-D&S Lincoln cent variety has bit the dust! Referred to by some as a Dual Mint Mark and by others as an Over Mint Mark (OMM), it had been one of the most hotly debated varieties amongst specialists for over a decade. James Wiles, 20th Century Variety Coin Attributer for CONECA provided an image of a specimen submitted by collector, Gary Darlington. Wiles distributed the image via email and it took a panel of prominent variety coin examiners that he sent to image to less than 24 hours to reach consensus that it debunked what was previously thought to be a D&S.

The image was of an early-mid-die-state, (EMDS), a stage earlier than previously seen. Specialist, Billy Crawford created overlay images of two different stages demonstrating that they were from the same die. The EMDS specimen shows an irregular pattern of probable die damage as being the source of what looks every bit like the lower two-thirds of an S on mid-die-state (MDS) examples. Later stages are less convincing but the presence of the deceptive MDS seemed to legitimize the LDS.

George Allegado first discovered the variation in late-die-state (LDS) and reported it to Alan Herbert in early February of 1981. Herbert later reported upon it in Numismatic News. CONECA member, John Wexler, published a story on another LDS specimen in the May 1981 Error-Variety News, its image splashed on the front cover. This piece became the plate-coin in Wexler and Tom Miller’s, The RPM Book published in 1983 which kept the coin in the limelight for a number of years.

However, not all observers including this writer were sure the coin displayed a D&S. The coin was LDS and the outline of an S was questionable. It was eventually removed from the RPM Book files (then owned by me and later by CONECA after Wexler sold them in the late 1980s) at which point the variation became hotly debated. (more…)

By Doug Winter - RareGoldCoins.com

Many articles about coin collecting (including more than a few written by yours truly) have suggested that it is extremely important for collectors to learn how to grade. In theory, this makes sense. But is this realistic? Can a person with a family, a job and interests besides coins realistically learn how to grade coins?

I think that the “learn how to grade” advice that I mentioned above is fine, at least in theory. However, is this really any different than a doctor suggesting that in order to better care for myself that I learn brain surgery, anatomy and how to read X-rays in my spare time? I’m obviously not about to become an expert in any of these fields and I wonder if it is unrealistic for me—a professional coin dealer—to suggest that a collector become an expert grader.

I think there is really only one way to become good at grading coins. You have to look at thousands and thousands of coins in person. And then you have to buy and sell coins so that you have the confidence to determine that your skill level is there.

But even if you look at thousands of coins in person, if you do not have innate grading abilities, it probably does not matter. I know a number of dealers who have been viewing coins for years and years and I still don’t think they have a clue how to grade because they just don’t have a good eye. As I’ve written before, I think the ability to grade a coin is genetic. Either you have the ability to do it written into your genetic code or you don’t.

That said, is there a way that the collector can acquire grading skills that make buying coins a safer and more pleasurable experience? I think the answer is a resounding “yes” and I have some suggestions: (more…)

Legendary rarity is among the most valuable European coins in existence.

NGC has recently certified a small group of Russian coins from the Grand Duke Mikhailovich Collection. Included among them was the unique Russian 1755 Pattern 20 Rouble, a legendary rarity believed to be among the most valuable European coins in existence. These important coins are scheduled to be sold by St. James’s Auctions in London on November 6, 2008.

Although it has not appeared publicly in nearly six decades, the 1755 20 Rouble frequently gets mention as one of the most important European coins ever struck. As part of Russia’s effort to modernize and compete with Europe, it underwent a coinage reform in 1755 designed to permit its coins to circulate alongside those of England, France and the Netherlands. Produced for general circulation were gold five-rouble and ten-rouble coins. Also created solely in pattern form was this single gold piece valued at twenty roubles. The highest valued coin of the Imperial period, it was never adopted for circulation and remains unique.

Ken Krah, NGC Vice President and head of World coin grading reflects that, “Seeing the 1755 Russia 20 Rouble is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I handle many rarities every week at NGC, but grading this unique and important coin still inspired that special excitement. It’s truly a privilege to be able to grade this magnificent coin.” Nearly mint state, it has been authenticated and graded by NGC as AU-58. This amazing specimen is also cataloged and plated in several references, most notably in Severin’s Gold and Platinum Coinage of Imperial Russia 1701 to 1911, where it appears as number S-190.

The 1755 20 Rouble coin came to reside in the collection of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia (1863-1919), a first cousin of Emperor Alexander III. As the third son and fourth child of noble birth, his royal duties were mostly ceremonial. He was a voracious collector, building one of the finest collections of Russian coins and medals, and he also served as director of the Alexander III Museum. (more…)