Dealers (and collectors): What are the 'tells' a coin collection was put together decades ago?
abcde12345
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Are collections that were put together in the '50s and '60s more interesting to you? How do you know for sure it is a somewhat untouched collection from decades ago VS a recent collection housed in older albums and flips? What are the signs you look for that confirm in your mind the collection is original and older?
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There's the easy and obvious answers like an entire collection in rattlers..... that get's people pretty interested!
Era-consistent albums and folders, old-style flips, old OGP materials - all of that can provide clues.
Old doesn't necessarily mean good though. Most old collections essentially amount to accumulations of junk silver and poor-quality copper. Finding a collection with great pieces from any era is the exception, not the rule. Recognizing quality material for what it is is far more important than identifying when a collection was assembled.
I used to think rusty staples in the 2X2s were a good example until I read those are being faked to fool the buyer.
Raw crusty gold is a good sign.
Respectfully, does it matter if the collection was assembled in the distant past or fairly recently? The time in someone’s possession doesn’t matter as much as the coins. And the ease with which albums, double mint sets, etc. can have coins replaced or simply placed should give everyone pause buying based solely on time of possession.
I suppose it wouldn't matter, other than I'd find the older, untouched collection a bit more fascinating to open the safe up and go through.
Untouched collection from decades ago
OBW rolls
Estate finds
Mint sealed proof sets
Unsearched rolls
Old style slabs
Among the many ways used to separate the unsuspecting and unprepared from their money. There is more truth in this than most people seem to believe: "Most old collections essentially amount to accumulations of junk silver and poor-quality copper."
Gold and keys and pcs galore all in 2x2's, heck everything in 2x2's or manila flips, all toned, no slabs, not even one.
If you got plastic, rattlers I suppose.
Gosh I need a drink.
I like the idea of the older collections. I guess I’m jaded by what I’ve seen trotted out as an old timer’s collection. I’ve mostly only seen it when I’ve seen an accumulator ask me for help/advice or when I read the incredible stories of people finding treasure when they buy a house or stumble on a can of gold coins, etc.
Someone who lived through collecting in those eras would be able to spot "trends" in the collection that give away when it was assembled. Holder used and the coins themselves can provide the clues but experience in that era is what really matters.
If the 1893-S Morgan dollar has a price written on the 2X2 at $15.00 is probably from an older collection (unless that can be faked too?).
peacockcoins
Is this question related to “freshness” that dealers like to use to market coins held off the market for an extended period?
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
The problem with old collections from before the third party grading era is that there may be counterfeit coins hiding in the collection such as 1916-D dimes and 1909-S VDB cents with added mintmarks or coins with altered dates such as the 1914-D cent or many classic US gold coins especially gold dollars and $3 coins so beware.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Mostly OGHs and No-Line Fatties.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
If all the albums ended with the date 195? or 196?, usually written freehand.
Kraft envelopes, Wayte Raymond boards, a few real highlights in Capitol Plastics 2x2's -- none of this marks it as OLD old, but that's what the better 50's & 60's collections I've seen had. Doesn't necessarily mean the pieces themselves are anything magical.
The two oldest collections I have personally witnessed for sale to a dealer were both owned by two different gentlemen who had two things in common.
Wheelchairs and oxygen. Both collections were beyond imagination . . . . .
Drunner
Dated receipts ...
Checking out old coin folders remind me that many early collectors didn't have loupes and were just trying to fill every hole in the booklet. There's cherries to be picked! The hunt continues. Peace Roy
BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8, DCW
Kraft envelope toning
BHNC #248 … 130 and counting.
It's been awhile but, someone on this forum started a thread showing the handwriting of a collector over the years. It was interesting because as he identified the coins in his younger years the writing was very clear and neat. Apparently as he aged, you could see how the writing was a little harder to read and the lines were sometimes jagged from his hand shaking.
Wisdom has been chasing you but, you've always been faster
You can probably date the cigar box pretty accurately.
LIBERTY SEATED DIMES WITH MAJOR VARIETIES CIRCULATION STRIKES (1837-1891) digital album
The key dates are not in slabs.
I'm talking about collections that pre-date 1986.
Mine would be one of those collections. In albums and not slabs. I do have a lot of coins in slabs, but most are in albums. Some of the old plastic tubes may have shrunk so you can't get the coins out without breaking the tubes or heating them up. If you find coins in these types of rolls and it is very difficult to get them out of the tubes, the collection was most likely put away in late 1950's to 1960's.
Fake or altered key date coins and lots of cleaned coins is also a tell tale mark of a collection put together in the 60's or 70's
My god how did an average collector put together such a treasure trove. These are too expensive to collect nowadays.... is what I hope they say when they settle my estate
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
My childhood collection assembled in the 60's and 70's has been merged with my adult collection assembled from 1998 to date.
Looking at same there is a few tells of my childhood collection and no tells about my adult collection.
Focus on the coin(s). Nothing else really matters.... Are the coins authentic, are they in good condition, what quality? How old the collection is means nothing, only the coins matter. Focus, focus, focus. Cheers, RickO
Old stuff has a different odor.
blue and black box proof sets, rolls of common coins, bicentennial anything
In 2x2 organized in album pages in binder.
Were not all classic coins in collections today in old collections?
The amount of problem or even fake coins in old collections it a testament to the value of third party graders.
In November 2019 at the Morten and Eden offices in London
https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/Auction-House/Morton-and-Eden-Ltd-1729182117295323/
Clyde Hubbard ‘s collection of Mexican coins were auctioned most of which were
raw .
https://www.coinworld.com/news/precious-metals/noted-authority-on-mexican-and-latin-american-numismatics-clyde-hubbard-passes
I think his collection fits the OP’s question !
I was there 🤓
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.