Found 55-S/S/S

[seal006]

When searching "unsearched" wheat lots, the 1955-S is always the hardest to find from 1941-1958. So I guess there is something to that.

[ray_parkhurst]

It's interesting how abundant 55-S rolls are......

Agreed. By the end of 1955 people were aware it would be the last year for the SF mint and hoarded rolls of all denominations of 1955-S coins in roll and bag quantities. It is sort of similar to 1931, in that it was hard to find these coins in circulation. There is a rumor of a 7-million coin hoard of bank rolls and bags of 1955-S that is either intact or has been gradually dispersed over the years. Because of their availability, I consider 1955-S Cent rolls to be a commodity, and have used their pricing for many years as a gauge of both the BU roll market as well as overall coin market.

One thing that going through all these 55-S tubed rolls has made me decide is when I'm done, I won't be buying any more tubed 55-S rolls! I've gone through hundreds and hundreds of them and they have been interesting to say the least. 55-S has a rare and dramatic RPM (#1) and several other interesting RPMs, and is famous for its die chips (BIE, blob letters and numbers, etc) and other varieties and errors. The date is a nice one to look through because of its availability and stable pricing, and is a good year for beginners because being a commodity item with so many around kept many rolls intact and unsearched. A good number of the rolls I searched out of this group of 58 were truly unsearched before, which is somewhat rare in tubed rolls (even "OBW"!!) and even many of the ones that were obviously searched still had interesting stuff in them. Both rolls that I found RPM#1 in were previously searched! Who knows what they found and removed, if anything.

Ray

[BadThad]

Nice toners Ray! The range of colors is quite interesting.

[ray_parkhurst]

Nice toners Ray! The range of colors is quite interesting.

The most interesting I think is the purple one. The roll with the 5 RPM#1 had this purple toning, which I have not seen before. The toning only seemed to occur on the shiniest areas of the coin, where there was a lot of die abrasion, etc. Strange pattern and must have been due to specific storage conditions.

[ray_parkhurst]

Here is one that I'm having issues identifying. It show separation to the West on upper curve, and doubling on both serifs. Anyone recognize it or have a similar example?

[ray_parkhurst]

I changed my high power technique a bit to reduce contrast. Here is another RPM I need help identifying. It looks a lot like RPM#3 but is tilted a bit CW while RPM#3 is tilted a bit CCW.

[Scott99]

That is by far the clearest image of a mint mark I have ever seen. I can nearly see your reflection LOL j/k. I'm of no help, I just needed to drool a little on the images.

[ray_parkhurst]

Looking at this a bit closer, I think it's RPM#2, stage B. Lack of die breaks/chips in the wheat and other markers through me off...Ray

[seal006]

I changed my high power technique a bit to reduce contrast. Here is another RPM I need help identifying. It looks a lot like RPM#3 but is tilted a bit CW while RPM#3 is tilted a bit CCW.

Now you are just showing off!!

[coop]

They are RPMs. I like the second better. I round something similar in a different year. Very nice images.

[ray_parkhurst]

OK, I figure the best way to wrap this thread up is to show a high resolution image of one of the 55-S/S/S RPM#1 Stage A EDS coins. Here it is:

[seal006]

OK, I figure the best way to wrap this thread up is to show a high resolution image of one of the 55-S/S/S RPM#1 Stage A EDS coins. Here it is:

Wow Ray, what a stunning coin and image. I did a quick Teletrade search. A PCGS MS66 sold for $320 a week and a half ago. A MS65 sold for $110 this past Sunday. Get a few slabbed and it could make this little project of yours pay off nicely.

[BadThad]

The most interesting I think is the purple one. The roll with the 5 RPM#1 had this purple toning, which I have not seen before. The toning only seemed to occur on the shiniest areas of the coin, where there was a lot of die abrasion, etc. Strange pattern and must have been due to specific storage conditions.

I've seen the purple before, not often, but it does happen. I have a toned 37 proof (I think) in an NGC holder that looks like that. I'll have to dig up the images. I remember it was very difficult for me to capture the purple toning in the slab because it's fairly subtle.

[BadThad]

OK, I figure the best way to wrap this thread up is to show a high resolution image of one of the 55-S/S/S RPM#1 Stage A EDS coins. Here it is:

WOW! Excellent MM images....leaves nothing to the imagination! As always Ray, top-notch photography skills!

[ray_parkhurst]

Now you are just showing off!!

Now here is showing off: