I did something interesting on eBay recently. I researched completed items for 1877 AG Indian cents (full dates but partial rims) and reviewed hammer prices for these. I found six pieces that sold—although about half were listed as Good-4’s that were truly AG03’s. Regardless the average hammer prices of this search was $305 per piece. Now I can recall in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s being able to buy all the AG 1877’s I wanted for between $50 and $100.

Strong buy bids coupled with a surplus of auction houses eager to give appealing commissions combine to entice many long-time collectors. I have spoken to a few of our older members who are either contemplating selling their collections or already have embarked on this road with great success.

I have also whiled away a few visits with an old friend who is a charter member of the club, George Petersen Jr of Philadelphia. George also goes by Dave—one of those guys with two first names. George is one of the few people I know that has lived in the same house for 50 years, so it was interesting listening to his reminiscing about the neighborhood he grew up in. George is one of the nicest guys you’ll meet who loves Indian cents. If you ever get to Philly I’m sure he’d welcome you. If you need directions just look for the smoke rising behind his house. George has a penchant for burning fires in his backyard in the cold months. He started collecting in 1962 when a boyhood friend introduced him to the hobby. They’d salt through old coins his buddy’s father would bring home and pull out the goodies. Later in life his focus narrowed to Indian cent varieties and errors as well as Bust Halves. His favorite pieces in his collection are a double-struck 1893 Indian cent with the second strike 50% off-center, and a 1885 high=grade Indian Cent Broadstruck.

Best Article. The voting for Best Article of 2002 was announced at the ANA in Baltimore and the in a close vote the winner is Don Haley for his article about getting started in Indian Cent collecting after finding a hoard in an attic of an old General Store he was tearing down in Florida. The presentation will be made in Orlando at the FUN Show.