Future Goals

December 14, 2010: 2011 Silver Britannia

Just a quick follow-up post to my Year in Review post (below). The 2011 Silver Britannia is out, and I wanted to quickly post a few thoughts. First, the coin:

2011 Silver Britannia - Photo (c) 2010 The Royal Mint

Buy it at the Royal Mint

I actually like the original design for the seated britannia, as it appeared on 19th century British coins. This year's britannia isn't really exciting me, though (based on the provided image). I think what bothers me is how small the seated britannia is relative to the size of the coin and the somewhat distracting overlay of the flag.

I think reusing the seated Britannia would have been a fine tribute to a classic design, but the implementation is the problem. They should have made Britannia larger, so that she filled up the coin better. I'd have also liked to see something done with the background (add in some ships and lighthouses, as has been previously done). Finally, the flag, while interesting, makes the design somewhat busy on this year's silver Britannia. I have to say that I've admired previous issues much more than this one, although you never know how attractive a design might be when it's in-hand; some previous issues (e.g., 2010) looked unattractive in their RM advertisement, but looked much better once the real coin arrived.

December 14, 2010: Year in Review

What a miserable year. What an absolutely miserable year. We had several major deaths in the family, I was unemployed throughout most of the year, despite my best efforts, and I sold off most of my collection to make ends meet. I always said, while building my collection, that if we ever needed the money to cover expenses, I'd sell it. Well, that happened and I sold most of my coins off.

I managed to retain my Britannias, my albums (Lincoln cents 1909-date, Jefferson nickels 1938-date, Kennedy halves 1964-date, the 20th century type set made primarily from gifted coins from my late Grandfather John, and my silly state quarters set), and also a small handful of raw coins that hold sentimental value or that I just like a lot (or that aren't worth the postage to sell!).

Review: 2010

Each year, around this time, I take the opportunity to assess my collection and muse about future goals. I'll first begin by looking back at my original goals for 2010. If you want to review those goals, see post: 'December 01, 2009: Year in Review' My main goal in 2010 was to hang on to my Silver Britannias in MS69 (1998-date) and Birds on Coins sets, and if possible, to add to my secondary Lincoln and Jefferson sets.

So in late 2009, I really wanted to be able to add a 2010 MS69 Silver Britannia to my complete Silver Britannias in MS69 (1998-date) set, and in fact, I not only added a 2010 MS69, but I ended up upgrading it to a 2010 PCGS MS70 coin late this year. That was my big splurge purchase, and it took me a number of sales of other coins in my collection to pay for it, but I consider it worth it. I haven't gotten around to photographing it yet, and I probably won't until we make our move to Mississippi at the end of the month.

I didn't add a single coin to my Birds on Coins set this year. At least I was able to hang on to the set! At least, hang on to the Belarusian coins. My Lincolns stayed at status quo, but last month, I picked up a handful of nice circulated Jefferson examples from Grandmother while I was up in Greensboro this Thanksgiving. I still need to go through them and update that album.

So there you have it - I did almost nothing except sell off coins I liked, but I was at least able to hang on to the coins and sets I most enjoy. Rather than whine, perhaps I will celebrate my small victory by showing off some of my favorite coins that I was able to hang on to:

Lincoln Wheat Cent, Var. 2

1943-P: PCGS MS66

A clean, original surfaced example with some wild die cracks on the reverse.
Perfectly graded and a lovely specimen that I was happy to hold on to.

Washington Quarter, Silver

1943-P: Raw, MS65-66

A TomB special with gorgeous original white surfaces and a decisive strike.
I hope to get this one graded at some point; it's a personal favorite.

Morgan Dollar

1902-O: Raw, MS64

This one was a gift on some birthday or Christmas long ago from my recently deceased Grandfather John.
The providence alone makes this one special to me, and I'll never sell it.

Charles II Groat, milled, silver

1679: Raw, Brit. VF

LordMarcovan sold me this one several years ago, and it's seriously fun piece.
Everything from the strike screwup on the reverse to the cocky little smirk on Charles II's face makes me smile.

2008 Belarus 10 Rubles, .925 Ag

Great White Heron (Ardea alba)

My Belarusian coins went under the sales radar this year, and I'm glad they did.
The elegant beauty of the heron design surprised me when I saw it, and it continues to delight.

So there are some of my successes from this year. I hung on to what I thought mattered, what I didn't think I could replace, or replace easily. I advanced one collection significantly, and I retained the ones I most wanted to retain. I think this has been a positive year for the collection, if not for my collection capital.

Next Year: 2011

Times are still looking up, but they're still terribly lean. My 2010 want list is going to reflect that. For now, I just want to keep my core sets: Silver Britannias in MS69 (1998-date) and Birds on Coins. For the Britannias, I just have to worry about the 2011 issue (which is already out in abundance - more on that in the next post). I'd also like to add another silver Belarusian bird coin to the mix. I also would hope that I manage a couple more Lincolns or Jeffersons this year...

...and that's about it. I don't really have the heart to even think about posting a want list. I want to simplify, hone, clarify my collection. Nothing extraneous, everything documented and labeled. A place for everything and everything in its place. That is where I am at for 2011. Hope this year is kinder than 2010.

September 19, 2010: Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss. (But better!)

Okay, I've been bad. I haven't kept up the blog very well, but I've had a good excuse. I haven't bought any coins in the last six months! Well, I pulled the trigger on one yesterday (seller's pic temporarily below). And yes, you're reading the label correctly.

A friend over at the PCGS Forums PMed me yesterday with the tempting news that a London-based seller had five 2010 PCGS MS70 Silver Britannias available for sale. I ask you: what was a Britannia collector like me to do? A MS70 Silver Britannia does not come along every day. Or every year, for that matter. Particularly one that affordable.

So I bought it. Sue me. Even as I speak, it's on the way from jolly old England, via Royal Mail Signed For. I'm offering up my 2010 NGC MS69 Silver Britannia for sale to help cover the cost of the upgrade. I guess my set will just have to get used to being somewhat unevenly graded. Think the other Britannias will mind having a perfect specimen in their midst? They'll just have to get used to it, I guess. They can just consider the bar raised.

There are actually very few Silver Britannias listed in either the NGC or PCGS census at MS70. There is a single 1999 NGC MS70 owned by a fellow on the NGC registry. The sole other one I was aware of prior to yesterday was a 2010 NGC MS70 owned by a friend of mine over at PCGS. That was it. I believe that the seven (now known) 2010 PCGS MS70 Britannias are clear evidence that the Royal Mint has kicked up the quality of production and packaging this year.

As a matter of fact, I'm not certain that there are only seven 2010 PCGS MS70s out there. The PCGS census had not been updated as of today. The London seller initially listed only five MS70s, then once 4 were bought, he added two more to his listing and raised the price £10 (about US$15). My guess is that this might be it for now, but as my PCGS friend speculated to me today, the dealer is likely to try and get more graded. I'll keep my eye on him while I wait on my upgrade! Here's my latest understanding of the census in the meantime.

March 03, 2010: Latest Acquisition: 2010 NGC MS69 Silver Britannia

As promised, here at last is my 2010 NGC MS69 Silver Britannia, in-hand and photographed. To view the entire collection, click HERE.

This year's issue is something of a departure from previous trends of style and execution. Termed the "Serene Portrait," the 2010 Britannia design was sculpted by newcomer-to-the-series, Suzie Zamit, who wrote:

"I wanted to portray britannia as strong (almost Amazonian) and courageous looking, but not overly warlike; more peaceful and protective. I have given her a Corinthian-style helmet and incorporated a lion on the design: the lion being the national symbol of courage - I wanted to emphasize the strong and watchful connotations - and this also links in with Greek and Roman coinage which display many animals."

Queen Elizabeth II's portrait is on the obverse as usual; however, this year the entire obverse was done in a completely matte finish. The 2007-2009 issues' obverses were executed in a brilliant finish, and I think that the coins suffered for that. The Queen's cheek is a common spot to see blemishes, due to the large, smooth surfaces. A matte finish is immensely kinder to the effigy than the extraordinarily delicate mirrors of a brilliant finish. While the matte finish is more attractive, it may have been executed at the expense of fine detail; the effegy on my coin appears very soft and a little weak on detail, particularly in the forehead area. I'm not sure if my coin is typical for this year, but the Queen's hair curls do not seem to be nearly as sharply pronounced as previous years' issues. I'm willing to take the tradeoff over a coin with nicked and scuffy cheeks.

On the reverse, we see the Serene Britannia portrait as described above. The lettering, composition, and date appear in brilliant finish on a brilliantly finished ring around the portrait. The date is flanked by sprigs of leaves (olive leaves?), which is the first time the date was bookended in this manner. The effect is quite attractive. The portrait itself extends slightly into the lettering ring.

The portrait was executed with a very rough finish, against a slate-textured background (a surprisingly attractive, if retro, look, reminiscent of the fields on a 1913 T1 Buffalo nickel). The entire portrait, including clothing, helmet, and the field, have a strongly-textured finish, which reminds me of a portrait done in clay. The relief is strong, particularly in Britannia's face and her robes. This creates a striking appearance in-hand and in photos, but also results in some difficulty in lighting the coin. The shadows on Britannia's face, if the lighting isn't done carefully, can give her an unfortunately haggard appearance - and in fact, 'haggard' was one of the descriptions I've heard others make.

I've heard quite a bit of negative opinions from casual collectors of the series. Several have mentioned to me that they find the portrait unattractive, even downright ugly. The difficulty properly lighting Britannia's portrait is, I think, the cause of the weak reception by collectors. I completely disagree, although I understand why they would think this. It's regrettable, as the design is, I think, groundbreaking for the series and for modern coinage in general. I think that the choice of a highly-textured portrait was bold - I find the coin very attractive in-hand. Another collector friend of mine is convinced that the lukewarm reception of this design might make this year a key - I'm reserving judgement for now, because I think this coin looks a lot better once you're holding it, or if the photographer has a better understanding of how to light the portrait.

I will make one final note before I stop going on so much. I miss the trident, shield, and waves of previous depictions of Britannia. They are an integral part of representing Britannia; I think the design would have been perhaps a bit overcluttered with their addition, but something seems missing nonetheless. Perhaps instead of the leaves, Zamit could have used the heads of tridents? At least the Lion of Britain is still there, albeit as a helmet. Ok, that's it - one of my favorite designs of the series, which I hope will gain a little more love than it's garnered to date.

February 22, 2010: Quick Update #2 - 2010 Silver Britannia

Quick update: I just sent payment for my 2010 Silver Britannia. Should be here within a week or so. I'm really looking forward to seeing one in-hand. Pics of the real deal will follow once the coin arrives, but for now, here's the Royal Mint's image.

February 09, 2010: Quick Update - 2010 Silver Britannia

Quick update: One of my forum friends has just scored nine NGC MS69 and one NGC MS70(!) 2010 Silver Britannias. Looks like I should have no trouble updating my set this year. Now, I've just got to talk him into parting ways with that MS70! Pics of the real deal will follow once I've made a deal and got mine in-hand, but for now, here's the Royal Mint's image.

February 09, 2010: 1795 Conder Token

Conder tokens are copper pieces made by private business owners in Britain in the late 1700s to help themselves make change when the government wasn't providing enough half pennies and pennies to meet demand. I won this one in a giveaway on one of the coin forums I frequent. Click the image below to enlarge it.

Info on the subject of the token (courtesy of user Farthing on the PCGS forums:

"James Lackington was an interesting person, a true rags-to-riches story. Born in 1746 in Wellington, Somersetshire, he sold pies in the street as a child. At 15 he was apprenticed to a shoemaker in Taunton, where he joined the Wesleyans and learned to read. After his apprenticeship, he travelled to Bristo, Bridgewater, Taunton and Exeter in search of work, before he settled at Kingsbridge at age 23 and taught himself to write.

"He married in 1770; the day after the wedding he and his wife had only a ha'penny and the clothes on their backs. His wages were 9 shillings a week and his wife took up shoebinding to help - but ruined her health doing so.

"In 1773, he traveled alone to London and worked as a journeyman shoemaker in Cripplegate. His wife later joined him and also worked for the same master. He began to buy and sell used books and, in 1774, he set himself up as a bookseller. Shortly after this, he and his wife fell ill and she died. In 1776, he remarried and he built his business on the basis of small profits from quick sales and no credit.

"By 1791, the profits reached £4,000 a year, and in 1794 he opened a larger bookstore, 'Temple of the Muses'. He retired in 1798 as a wealthy man, turning over the business to his 3rd cousin George Lackington and Robert Allen, both of whom he had raised in the shop since they were young. He died in 1815, at the age of 69."

January 06, 2010: Revising Website Code

Quick update: For the moment, all that's going on here is that I'm updating some of the code in the image galleries. Should provide a slightly cleaner visitor experience, and will make updating things a lot simpler for me. All for now.