Last night I watched an episode of CSI and it included a little about coins. The young lab tech happens to be a numismatist. He learned the hobby through his father, and was the proud owner of a 1909-S VDB. (which was properly described).
There happened to be a murder of a young man who was killed because of his coin collection. The "dealer" killed this guy over his coins. A "real" fact these days.
The dealer was suspected because the CSI team found sulfer on the body. Sulfer is used to artificially tone coins, as they pointed out. So the young tech enters into the pawn shop and asks about coins. He offers his 1909-S VDB and it was described as a slider. No flecks. Only the obverse was shown, so it is impossible to tell if this was an actual VDB.
Anyways, the dealer shows a small case of coins in small capital plastics holders. The young tech was looking to trade his 1909-S VDB for a 1916-D
Mercury dime. Looking through the coins, he automatically mentions the 1907 St. Gauden. He exclaims that he has never seen one outside of a book. No mention if this was a high relief coin. (Did not look like one).
The 1916-D was described as "pricey". (Never shown). The trade took place however, and of course the dime had been cleaned with sulfer. (which is only used for copper coins in real life). Sulfer will darken coins very quickly and is not used on silver by anyone I know. There are much better methods for silver coins.
Anyways, they made a few referrences to slabs, and some numismatic terms which sounded much like TV channel coin talk. Interesting show overall. If you are a fan of the show, keep an eye out for this one. There are a few neat coins to be seen. Although you have to look quickly.
Posted 06/18/2005 09:52 am
