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Long Beard's Blog

21 Jul 2021

Two Masters, One Masterpiece

Exonumia | Long Beard

As a collector, or hoarder as I'm referred to after forty-seven years at this thing, there have always been those coins which are only but a dream to one day hold in my hands. The 1804 dollar, the 1870 s quarter and so forth. Then there are those with low mintage totals, the 1916 d Mercury dime or the 1909 s VDB Lincoln, largely out of reach to most.  Even in grades of good or very-good 8 they are quite pricey, unappealing against the others within the series. Over the past few months I've shifted to similar coins, low mintage or low survival figures, that are by definition true rarities. Coins with mintages one-tenth that of the mentioned 1916 d dime for an astoundingly low price compared to that in a grade of about-good.  One coin in particular recently acquired in a perfect proof 70 ultra cameo for $264.00. The 2016 Winged Liberty.              Enjoy!

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06 Jul 2021

Men Who Built America

Exonumia | Long Beard

When people think of the men who built America, as depicted and portrayed in the History Channel program of the same name, likely thoughts instantly turn to Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford, J.P. Morgan, John Rockefeller or any on a long list of inventive pioneers. While this may be true, and quite deserving, the real credit belongs to those forgotten many who did the labor. Those who, by no stretch wealthy, built things with their hands. True craftsman who's pride echoes long since they passing if those of us look close enough. The token referenced along with the title is this week's subject.         Enjoy!

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19 Dec 2020

A Purpose Served

Exonumia | Long Beard

War tokens, as they were referred to when issued, have transformed into what the numismatic community calls Civil War tokens. While this title may be aptly appropriate given when they were struck, the subset category bearing merchant name or address seem to fall under the same.  Tokens bear a patriotic design, as shown in the first two images. Store cards, while the obverse may be similar to that of tokens, bear the merchant, his goods or services and an address. Being as both served the same purpose it is easy to understand the confusion.  Although many in the coin collecting hobby have heard of these, perhaps in their possession,  the focus of this weeks blog looks into the origin.         Enjoy!

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20 Mar 2020

The Don't Worry Club

Exonumia | Long Beard

As a coin collector of many years, 46 or there about to be exact, on occasions something appears which you had no idea it existed. This weeks blog examines just that. To begin, the item at hand was found metal detecting by my nephew  this weekend past while doing archeological work for the Greene County, PA Historical Society. At first glance it is a safe assumption that seeing a large swastika "coin" would be a reference towards the Nazi Party and Germany. This would be incorrect as the symbol has held many different meanings over as many centuries. As you read on I'm certain you will be as amazed at how common and relatively inexpensive these fascinating pieces of metal are.  Enjoy!

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