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 Replies: 11 / Views: 2,493 |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12251 Posts |
Quote:
I've chosen to present my MS-63 Lafayette in this post as it holds a very special place in my collection. It is the first coin that I spent over $1,000 to acquire and it continues to be one of my absolute favorite coins to take out and inspect. I think it's a great looking 63, with spectacular cartwheel luster and nice, natural, original surfaces -- it simply has a great look (though my scans may not show it)! As long as I have my collection, this coin will always be part of it -- it just might be my favorite coin even though it's the lowest graded one in my set! (I'll share my higher graded coin in a separate post.) (It came from this post of mine: 1900 Lafayette Dollar.) The quote is from a post I wrote back in May 2012. I always meant to return to the subject and post the higher-graded Lafayette that I had purchased, but the intent slipped my mind for a time and then, when I remembered, I found that I had misplaced the coin! Read More: Commems CollectionFast forward to earlier today when I came across my mislaid Lafayette dollar. I knew as soon as I found it that I would be posting it on CCF before long. After all, I kept folks waiting for nearly eight years (!), how could I knowingly delay any longer? The coin is fully brilliant, has terrific cartwheel luster on the obverse and reverse and is free from distracting marks. I recall when I bought it that I believed it to be the nicest 64 I had encountered and that I felt it was a good match for many (most?) of the 65s I had seen in the marketplace. Of course, my scanner does not do the coin justice, I only wish you could hold it and rotate it in your own hands to see its flash "live and in person." So, without further adieu, here is my 1900 Lafayette dollar in PCGS MS-64. (Note: The scanner adds a bit of color to the coin that is not seen with the naked eye.)1900 Lafayette Dollar: Obverse 1900 Lafayette Dollar: Obverse-Closeup 1900 Lafayette Dollar: Reverse 1900 Lafayette Dollar: Reverse-Closeup The classic US commemorative market has changed quite a bit over the last eight years - this coin can be purchased for much less than I paid at the time. That fact hasn't changed the quality of the coin, however, nor the pleasure I derive from having it in my collection! Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
857 Posts |
Absolutely stunning, a true high end piece.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Another great recap from the forum historian. |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12808 Posts |
I know I have misplaced a few coins but nothing quite like this. Lovely coin, and it was a fun journey back through time to (re-?)read your original post.
So, which one do you like better?
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12251 Posts |
Quote:
So, which one do you like better? That's a tough one! The MS-63 Lafayette in my original post is a great looking coin and will forever hold a special place in my collection because of the mental threshold I had to cross to make its purchase. I recall that it was not an easy decision for me to make at the time and I remember spending a good bit of time at the dealer's table as I worked through my own personal decision process. The MS-64 posted here has an absolutely tremendous look (IMO) - I never tire of watching its cartwheel luster circle the coin as I rotate it in hand. It has such a wonderful clean look to it that I would have to be knocked out by a 65 to upgrade this one. If I absolutely had to choose, I would select the MS-64. It has the look that my collecting eye enjoys and appreciates -- and it has it to the n-th degree. I am very happy with it! (But I don't want to have to choose!) Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Moderator
United States
187532 Posts |
Very nice! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1613 Posts |
Beautiful piece, nice strike for the grade. I have seen a slight rise in these lately as the market seems to be shifting in that direction once again. Well worth what you paid.
ANA member - PAN Member - BCCS Member There are no problems only solutions - the late, great John Lennon
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3619 Posts |
Beautiful coin! Agreed, this looks better than a 64. It looks like a DuVall 1-B. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5661 Posts |
Beautiful example! I think if I had misplaced that coin, it would not have taken me 8 years to find it again...
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Valued Member
299 Posts |
General Washington would not have recognized the guy depicted the coin with him at Yorktown ; Lafayette was 24 years old. He didn't return to the U.S.A. until nearly 25 years after President Washington's demise. I'd like to have witnessed his tour of our country in 1824 ; reputedly a remarkable event.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12251 Posts |
Thanks to those who offered positive feedback/comments - Thanks much! Always appreciated! Quote:
It looks like a DuVall 1-B. I agree. It would be nice to have one of the scarce varieties, but I was more concerned with overall appearance when I purchased the coin rather than its variety. In all honesty, at the time, I knew little about the diagnostics of the varieties and didn't even know which type I was purchasing! Quote:
I think if I had misplaced that coin, it would not have taken me 8 years to find it again. All I can say is that if you aren't looking for something, the time passes without much notice. I didn't think I had lost it, so I knew it would unexpectedly turn up someday! Patience! Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3619 Posts |
My Lafayette is a DuVall 1-B as well, but not anywhere as nice as your coin. Well struck Lafayette Dollars with clean surfaces and good eye appeal are hard to find. Yours is a beauty!
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Replies: 11 / Views: 2,493 |
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Posted 03/22/2020 8:23 pm
