Shipwreck effect half dollars from NCG and a familiar eBay seller

When I came home from work tonight I was surprised to see an email
from an eBay seller I have avoided for a couple of years. This week,
the coin shop's ptrsident is inviting all past customers to call him
and make a deal on some Seated Liberty Half Dollars from 1853 to 1861.
Appararently, these coins were recenmtlyrecovered from the 185
shipwreck of the S.S. Republic, "conserved" by NCS, and slabbed by NGC
with "Shipwreck effect" instead of a grade. Each comes in a fancy
wooden coffin with a metallic image of the S.S. Republic on top and
fancy padded innards.

http://www.bluemooncoins.com/ssrepublic/

My only experience with this seller has been laughing at their
"numismatic writer" (not their president) trying to look scholarly
examining a coin book, and one overgraded cleaned Barber dime which
was too cheap to warrant return postage amd the hassle three years
ago.

Still I found it interesting tonight to look at their pictures of
Seated Halves (many of which sold immediately), wondering how many
sold to the TV marketers they brag about.

But seriously, folks, I wonder how many of these seated halves from
the bottom of the ocean would be body-bagged at another grading
service with or without the good work of the respectable NCS coin
doctors. And why did NGC refrain from listing a numerical grade for
this promotion? I don't know the asking prices of these Seated
Halves, but I expect that the seller is mpt giving away the coins in
their proper grades without a premium for their presentation cases.

Some survivors of famous coin hoards still bring a premium (e.g.
Redfield Dollars or GSA Morgans in their holders with the R.M. Nixon
COA). I doubt that the S.S. Rebublic's conserved half dollars will
do the same, but I may be wrong.

"Paul Robertz" wrote...


Some survivors of famous coin hoards still bring a premium (e.g.
Redfield Dollars or GSA Morgans in their holders with the R.M. Nixon
COA). I doubt that the S.S. Rebublic's conserved half dollars will
do the same, but I may be wrong.

I saw an 1861 O on Ebay up to $845. , must be a rare variety or gem...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=3920523767

-Ron Buelow

"Ron" ron wrote in message ...

I saw an 1861 O on Ebay up to $845. , must be a rare variety or gem...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=3920523767

-Ron Buelow



Ron,

The '61-O half is one of the more collectable dates to come from the S.S.
Republic. If memory serves me right, that date was going for ~$1400 on the
Shop-at-home network.

Unfortunately, the picture of the coin is not good enough to see a
diagnostic die crack. If the coin has the die crack, the coin was probably
minted in New Orleans by the Confederates. The retail for a MS-60 version
of this coin is ~$1200.

The price on eBay right now is probably about right for the coin with little
premium for the providence as a S.S. Republic coin.

Mark

wrote:

When I came home from work tonight I was surprised to see an
email from an eBay seller I have avoided for a couple of years. This
week, the coin shop's ptrsident is inviting all past customers to call
him and make a deal on some Seated Liberty Half Dollars from 1853
to 1861. Appararently, these coins were recenmtlyrecovered from
the 185 shipwreck of the S.S. Republic, "conserved" by NCS, and
slabbed by NGC with "Shipwreck effect" instead of a grade.....

But seriously, folks, I wonder how many of these seated halves from
the bottom of the ocean would be body-bagged at another grading
service with or without the good work of the respectable NCS coin
doctors. And why did NGC refrain from listing a numerical grade for
this promotion?

I did a little searching on the NGC coin boards and I believe I found the
answer to your question. A poster there quoted from an April press release from
Odyssey Marine Exploration...the salvor:

"Coins from the SS Republic have been divided into two categories.
The "numismatic collection" contains coins that are indistinguishable
from coins that have never been underwater. These will be priced
to relate to their numismatic value and will not be offered for
sale until Odyssey has completed sufficient coin recovery on
the shipwreck site to provide information regarding the total
population of coins in the collection.

The second category includes handpicked ungraded shipwreck coins
that have been conserved and encased in a certified tamper-resistant
holder by Numismatic Conservation Services (NCS) and Numismatic
Guaranty Corporation (NGC). These coins will be the first available
for sale and will be packaged in an impressive hardwood display
case with an engraved SS Republic plate affixed to the cover.
There will also be a vividly illustrated booklet describing
the shipwreck’s history; a DVD video of the National Geographic
Ultimate Explorer one hour program and a certificate of authenticity
in each case....."

So apparently the ungraded "shipwreck effect" coins are those that, even after
conservation, show some signs of having been under water.






++++++++++
Phil DeMayo - always here for my fellow Stooge
When bidding online always sit on your helmet
Just say NO to counterfeits

If it weren't for the fact that the coins were from the Republic, NGC would
body-bag them as well. NGC isn't certifying them; they're authenticating them.
Big difference.

With all the extra's thrown in, including the pedigree, these Seated Halves
just seem to be over-priced, IMHO.

Jerry

"Paul Robertz" writes, in part:

But seriously, folks, I wonder how many of these seated halves from
the bottom of the ocean would be body-bagged at another grading
service with or without the good work of the respectable NCS coin
doctors. And why did NGC refrain from listing a numerical grade for
this promotion? I don't know the asking prices of these Seated
Halves, but I expect that the seller is mpt giving away the coins in
their proper grades without a premium for their presentation cases.

In article ,
"Mark Behrens" wrote:

The '61-O half is one of the more collectable dates to come from the S.S.
Republic. If memory serves me right, that date was going for ~$1400 on the
Shop-at-home network.

Unfortunately, the picture of the coin is not good enough to see a
diagnostic die crack. If the coin has the die crack, the coin was probably
minted in New Orleans by the Confederates. The retail for a MS-60 version
of this coin is ~$1200.

The price on eBay right now is probably about right for the coin with little
premium for the providence as a S.S. Republic coin.

I'd question this conclusion. The picture isn't good enough to see
ANYTHING. It could be pitted/corroded to death and therefore worth not
much. On the other hand, it could have just enough pitting to bodybag it
(thus no grade), but not enough to turn it into a blt buckle.

Without better pictures, it's hard to tell anything.

Scot Kamins
--
"Speak your truth, even as your voice quakes."

On 15 Jul 2004 12:00:56 GMT, ulsion (Phil DeMayo)
wrote:

wrote:

When I came home from work tonight I was surprised to see an
email from an eBay seller I have avoided for a couple of years. This
week, the coin shop's ptrsident is inviting all past customers to call
him and make a deal on some Seated Liberty Half Dollars from 1853
to 1861. Appararently, these coins were recenmtlyrecovered from
the 185 shipwreck of the S.S. Republic, "conserved" by NCS, and
slabbed by NGC with "Shipwreck effect" instead of a grade.....

But seriously, folks, I wonder how many of these seated halves from
the bottom of the ocean would be body-bagged at another grading
service with or without the good work of the respectable NCS coin
doctors. And why did NGC refrain from listing a numerical grade for
this promotion?

I did a little searching on the NGC coin boards and I believe I found the
answer to your question. A poster there quoted from an April press release from
Odyssey Marine Exploration...the salvor:

"Coins from the SS Republic have been divided into two categories.
The "numismatic collection" contains coins that are indistinguishable
from coins that have never been underwater. These will be priced
to relate to their numismatic value and will not be offered for
sale until Odyssey has completed sufficient coin recovery on
the shipwreck site to provide information regarding the total
population of coins in the collection.

The second category includes handpicked ungraded shipwreck coins
that have been conserved and encased in a certified tamper-resistant
holder by Numismatic Conservation Services (NCS) and Numismatic
Guaranty Corporation (NGC). These coins will be the first available
for sale and will be packaged in an impressive hardwood display
case with an engraved SS Republic plate affixed to the cover.
There will also be a vividly illustrated booklet describing
the shipwreck’s history; a DVD video of the National Geographic
Ultimate Explorer one hour program and a certificate of authenticity
in each case....."

So apparently the ungraded "shipwreck effect" coins are those that, even after
conservation, show some signs of having been under water.


Phil -

I saw somewhere that NGC wouldn't grade them because the wood
from ship "intermingled" with the silver in the coins. Kinda like
getting a splinter under the thumb nail......wont come out

Gary

Gary Loveless wrote:

I saw somewhere that NGC wouldn't grade them because the wood
from ship "intermingled" with the silver in the coins. Kinda like
getting a splinter under the thumb nail......wont come out

Well then, I think it's safe to say that the ungraded "shipwreck effect" coins
are those that even after conservation would be bodybagged if normally
submitted for grading.

However, because of the history attached to the coins, NGC has decided they
will encapsulate them as authentic with attribution and noting the "shipwreck
effect" as the reason there is no grade....i.e. whatever "damage" there is to
the coin is due to "shipwreck effect".



++++++++++
Phil DeMayo - always here for my fellow Stooge
When bidding online always sit on your helmet
Just say NO to counterfeits

On 15 Jul 2004 21:02:07 GMT, ulsion (Phil DeMayo)
wrote:

Gary Loveless wrote:

I saw somewhere that NGC wouldn't grade them because the wood
from ship "intermingled" with the silver in the coins. Kinda like
getting a splinter under the thumb nail......wont come out

Well then, I think it's safe to say that the ungraded "shipwreck effect" coins
are those that even after conservation would be bodybagged if normally
submitted for grading.

This is very true!!



However, because of the history attached to the coins, NGC has decided they
will encapsulate them as authentic with attribution and noting the "shipwreck
effect" as the reason there is no grade....i.e. whatever "damage" there is to
the coin is due to "shipwreck effect".

Yeppers.........

Get this, speaking of bodybagged, I recently submitted a 1970 - mint
set to NGC for grading, now get this, the nickel and half dollar(key
date, the one I really wanted to get slabbed) comes back body bagged
with the explanation of PVC residue, but the quarter, cent and dime
all graded MS64.........!?!?!?!?!?!!? What gives????

Regards,

Gary

In the immortal words of James Fenimore Cooper:
..
"GAAAAACCKKKKKKK!!!!!!"
..
Subject: Shipwreck effect half dollars from NCG and a familiar eBay seller
From: (Paul Robertz)
Date: 7/15/2004 2:47 AM Central Daylight Time
Message-id:

When I came home from work tonight I was surprised to see an email
from an eBay seller I have avoided for a couple of years. This week,
the coin shop's ptrsident is inviting all past customers to call him
and make a deal on some Seated Liberty Half Dollars from 1853 to 1861.
Appararently, these coins were recenmtlyrecovered from the 185
shipwreck of the S.S. Republic, "conserved" by NCS, and slabbed by NGC
with "Shipwreck effect" instead of a grade. Each comes in a fancy
wooden coffin with a metallic image of the S.S. Republic on top and
fancy padded innards.

http://www.bluemooncoins.com/ssrepublic/

My only experience with this seller has been laughing at their
"numismatic writer" (not their president) trying to look scholarly
examining a coin book, and one overgraded cleaned Barber dime which
was too cheap to warrant return postage amd the hassle three years
ago.

Still I found it interesting tonight to look at their pictures of
Seated Halves (many of which sold immediately), wondering how many
sold to the TV marketers they brag about.

But seriously, folks, I wonder how many of these seated halves from
the bottom of the ocean would be body-bagged at another grading
service with or without the good work of the respectable NCS coin
doctors. And why did NGC refrain from listing a numerical grade for
this promotion? I don't know the asking prices of these Seated
Halves, but I expect that the seller is mpt giving away the coins in
their proper grades without a premium for their presentation cases.

Some survivors of famous coin hoards still bring a premium (e.g.
Redfield Dollars or GSA Morgans in their holders with the R.M. Nixon
COA). I doubt that the S.S. Rebublic's conserved half dollars will
do the same, but I may be wrong.








TomDeLorey
-
"Patriotism means supporting your country all of the time, and supporting your
government only when it deserves it."--John Williams