As a new collector, what was the first coin that you ever bought? How much did you pay?

jmski52

Mine was a 1909 vdb, in G or VG. I paid 25 cents in a Federated Department Store when they had small a coin counter. What was your experience.

Sonorandesertrat

I bought a 1963 proof set from Woolworths (I don't remember the price, and sold it ca. 35 years ago). I bought it around the time I started collecting coins in 1965.

CaptHenway

A 1955-S cent to complete my Lincoln book #2. Paid 50 cents at a coin shop for a BU.

DDR

1935 Buffalo Nickel - 25 cents.

PerryHall

I collected the usual cents from circulation to fill a coin album. My first real coin was a BU 1927 gold $20 that I bought for $47 in 1965. Gold at that time was fixed by the government at $35 per Troy ounce.

Hydrant

A 1912 Barber dime. I think I paid 15¢ for it. Not much more. I still have it. It is in a plastic 2x2. I looked at it just recently. The plastic holder is smudged and grimy. Filthy! I thought about cleaning it then thought no........All that dirt is from the fingers of the little boy who used to hold and admire that dime.

Pnies20

I bought an 1899 barber dime from a fair for $1 when I was about 7 or 8. I thought it was The coolest thing to have a coin from the 19the century.

Mr_Spud

I can’t remember for sure, but I think it was some random foreign coins in a capsule from a bubble gum machine for a quarter in front of a small coin shop in South Hills Village mall in Pittsburgh when I was a really young kid. I remember buying other coins in the coin shop and also some from Woolworths and one other department store (Either Gimbles or Speigels?) in that same mall over the years when I was a little kid. I vaguely remember buying a 1943 Lincoln cent and a couple of Indian head cents in that same mall. I remember staring at all the coins in 2x2s in the coin shop display cases there for hours while my parents shopped in the mall.

BillyKingsley

There's two answers for me really. Around 1995 I started to get into the hobby a little bit, and made some purchases, but I didn't stick with it. It's unknown exactly what order they came to me in.

I became an actual numismatist in 2008, and my first purchase then was an 1852 cent. I had just gotten into the hobby a couple weeks before a family vacation to Cape Cod. While driving around there I passed a coin shop and doubled back around to go in. It was my first time in a coin shop as a coin collector, but I didn't really know anything yet. I purchased the 1852 cent and a bent 1832 half dime that day both from the dealer's junk box. I can't remember if it was $5 each or $5 total, and I didn't know what either of them were at the time. I just knew they were old and new to me.
That was in May 2008 and that bent half dime is still my oldest US coin.

I consider that 1852 cent as the first coin I actually purchased. The ones from 1995...I still have them all of course...I don't count towards the collection because I wasn't truly collecting yet then.

I should note that I did collect the State Quarters series but I didn't buy them... except a couple of proofs...I got them the natural way.

Hydrant

@Sonorandesertrat said:
I bought a 1963 proof set from Woolworths (I don't remember the price, and sold it ca. 35 years ago).

The first "nice" coins that I had were in a 1963 proof set that my mother gave me at Christmas...... WHOA!👩‍👦🎄

BillJones

1846 large Cent, small date, from my mother's cleaning lady for $3 in 1961. I over paid for it.

WCC

1898-O Morgan dollar for $6 or $7.

JMS1223

In 1993 I went into the local coin shop and remembered being amazed at the coins sealed into the floor. There were thousands of common foreign coins that they decided to have sealed into the floor design. I remember thinking this was so cool. When I was there on my first trip, I remember buying a 1943 steel cent, P, D and S for under a dollar. I believe I also bought a common date $1 silver certificate and a coin book. When I went to pay I got a common date Kennedy half dollar as part of my change. I was amazed at this because at the time I never owned one.

That same shop moved in 1996 to a different location and had closed permanently about 5 years ago. I had much better memories of the shop when it was at its original location when the father owned it (the grandfather was its first owner and when it moved it became the son’s shop. After he died it was closed).

SaorAlba

Ca. 1976 I purchased an 1822 large cent for $6 at a state fair. I paid too much, but I remember nothing else about the state fair other than constantly looking at that 150+ year old coin and just being amazed by it. I still have it.

Kliao

It was either a couple steel cents for a dollar each at a flea market or a 1937 avg circulated buffalo nickel for $1.50 at an antique mall. I was like 8-9 at the time

Jzyskowski1

My first $10 not bad seemed almost risky in1991-93ish

Tomthemailcarrier

1964 Proof set from the U.S. mint. Cost me $2.41 and it was sent by registered mail.

Dave99B

I think it was 25 AG-G Buffalo nickels, that I mail ordered from Joe Hollingsworth in Portland OR.

Over 50 year later, I still have them!

Dave

BJandTundra

A 1955 Proof Set in a Capital holder. Think it was about $4-5.

JimTyler

I grew up when you got coins from change. It wasn’t until I was an adult before it occurred to me that people buy coins. I bought a 1912-S 5c don’t remember what I paid but I found out like every beginner it was too much.

Nap

The majority of my childhood collection was inherited from my mother and grandmother. The first coin I remember buying was an 1803 large cent at Macy's department store in Herald Square, NY, I was about 11 or 12 years old. The first "serious" (i.e. not random coin I knew little about) numismatic purchase was an 1828 bust half dollar at a small-ish coin show when I was a teenager. The first "expensive" numismatic purchase was an 1836 reeded edge half at Stacks in NYC when I was about 21 or 22.

Inlander

An early 1900s Indian Head Cent in XF from Auburn Precious Metals-- about 35 years ago. Just a few bucks I if remember.

coindeuce

As a snot nosed kid in the 1960’s, my parents brought me and the four brothers here for a visit, where I bought some cheap 1800’s type coins. I think one of them was a Shield nickel.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentown_Hall

ike126

I think i was 14 or 15 and i purchased a set of toned roosies for 350$. At the time i was working 1 day a week and i was only able to pay $50 a week lol

CoinHoarder

In the late 1960s, I bought a 1940s Walking Liberty Half Dollar for 60 cents. I bought it at a coin store at Universal Mall in Warren, MI. Up to that point, I only collected from circulation, and never thought that I would ever pay more than face value for a coin. It is quite beat up and ugly. I still have it somewhere.

Walkerfan

In 1993-94ish, I bought a raw 1940-S Walker in XF/AU for $4 or $5....It was the FIRST WALKER that I ever purchased!

I cite that coin as the genesis of my Walker collection.

OKbustchaser

This one back in 1963...I paid 3 dollars and seventy-five cents for it. It took me 5 weeks of mowing the lawn to earn the money and then another month to convince the store owner to sell it to me. I had to prove to him that I knew why I wanted this one instead of a different large cent...or couple of mixed rolls of early wheaties like a normal 11 year old boy wanted.

koynekwest

Lost in the mists of time since it was around 60 years ago. I do remember purchasing a 1961 proof set from the Mint in 1961. I believe it was $2.10.

USSID17

@CaptHenway said:
A 1955-S cent to complete my Lincoln book #2. Paid 50 cents at a coin shop for a BU.

You know, I think that was my same exact story. It must have been around 1964 or 65. I came home and my father said; You paid HOW MUCH for a penny?!?!?

dogwood

Probably in 1972 I bought a whizzed Buffalo Nickel for .75 cents from a circular coin display at Grants department store in San Jose (Cambrian Park).

rec78

Mid 60's probably 1966 or 1967, I bought an 1816 large cent from an ad in the "Coin World" newspaper for $2.50 in G/VG condition. I wanted to buy the earliest presentable date that I could get for the lowest price. $2.50 was a lot of money to a kid in the mid 60's. I found a seller selling Randall Hoard dates (1816-1820) for $2.50 each and asked for an 1816. He obliged and sent me an 1816 which is still in my Large cent album in the SDB in the bank.

mrcommem

@CaptHenway said:
A 1955-S cent to complete my Lincoln book #2. Paid 50 cents at a coin shop for a BU.

In the mid 60's it was also the last coin I need to finished the second Lincoln album. It cost me $1.00

BillJones

My first purchases from a professional coin dealer was at Gimbels Department Store just before Christmas 1963. In those days, you could come home with a box of seven or eight interesting 19th century U.S. coins for less than $100. My purchases included the three Flying Eagle cents in F-VF and two “big coins,” a 1908-S Indian Cent in VG to Fine @ $35 (a bit expensive) and an 1875-P Twenty Cent Piece in Fine (today’s VF) @ $20, which was a great buy.

2ndCharter

In 1960, my aunt took me into a coin shop in Poughkeepsie, NY and I paid 10 cents for a circ. 1955-S cent to complete my Whitman Folder. (Still have it today).

ricko

I grew up with silver common in change...and Buffs, SLQ's, IHC's still circulating....No coin shop, so never any thought of 'paying' for a coin. I was well into adulthood with a family and still collecting from change. I think the first coin I purchased was at a show in Phoenix, AZ.... and I think it was a CC Morgan....That would have been in the early to mid '70's, and when I first discovered coin shows. Cheers, RickO

Veep

Around 1970, I rode my bike with some other kids to the next town over and bought a beautiful new 1909 VDB for $3. I believed that would be the closest I’d ever get to owing an S-VDB. That wound-up not being true.

I still have the one I bought in my childhood Whitman album.

ernie11

The earliest coin for which I have a date in my inventory was on August 18, 1969, when I bought an uncirculated 1950-D nickel from a dealer for $15.50. A bit overpriced, even today, but it was a much hotter coin back then. But I have a memory of much earlier buying a 1939-D nickel for $5, and my mom cussing me out for spending that much money on a coin. How does a collector explain to their mom that they can't find these coins in circulation?!? The good news is that by 1969, she was the one who actually drove me to the coin shop to buy the 1950-D, so she obviously had finally come around. I dunno, but I'm guessing she must've consoled herself by telling herself that at least her son wasn't spending money on drugs.

PipestonePete

@BillJones said:
My purchases included the three Flying Eagle cents in F-VF and two “big coins,” a 1908-S Indian Cent in VG to Fine @ $35 (a bit expensive) and an 1875-P Twenty Cent Piece in Fine (today’s VF) @ $20, which was a great buy.

I assume you meant "the TWO Flying Eagle cents...or else you really made a score on that purchase!

BillJones

@PipestonePete said:

@BillJones said:
My purchases included the three Flying Eagle cents in F-VF and two “big coins,” a 1908-S Indian Cent in VG to Fine @ $35 (a bit expensive) and an 1875-P Twenty Cent Piece in Fine (today’s VF) @ $20, which was a great buy.

I assume you meant "the TWO Flying Eagle cents...or else you really made a score on that purchase!

1857, 1858 large letters, 1858 small letters. There are spaces for all three in most albums.

CoinHoarder

@ernie11 said:
The earliest coin for which I have a date in my inventory was on August 18, 1969, when I bought an uncirculated 1950-D nickel from a dealer for $15.50. A bit overpriced, even today, but it was a much hotter coin back then. But I have a memory of much earlier buying a 1939-D nickel for $5, and my mom cussing me out for spending that much money on a coin. How does a collector explain to their mom that they can't find these coins in circulation?!? The good news is that by 1969, she was the one who actually drove me to the coin shop to buy the 1950-D, so she obviously had finally come around. I dunno, but I'm guessing she must've consoled herself by telling herself that at least her son wasn't spending money on drugs.

Or, maybe your mom felt guilty for hollering at you for buying the 1939-D for $5.

bigjpst

I don’t remember the exact coins because for the first 10-15 years or so I only bought coins for the silver or gold value so as close to melt as possible. Mostly random merc dimes at .45c each. I remember buying a 1/10th gold eagle and some Morgan dollars at a San Diego coin store on my honeymoon. Somewhere around $40 for the eagle. Still have some of the 2x2 mercs. First certified coin I bought was a 1940 Lincoln cent in PCGS MS66 to start my 1940 mint set. I remember having a hard time paying $29 for a penny.

johnny9434

A 3 piece proof set for the bicentennial. I don't remember the price now (crs took care of that one)

ColonelJessup

Flush with Bar Mitzvah money in 1958, I took a bus to downtown Trenton. NJ and put out $13.25 for a 1914 QE (Redbook rarity in XF-AU grade?). All previous coins were gifts or from pocket change.

Then Hefner started publishing Playboy and my interests changed

keyman64

In the early 1980s, as a kid, I bought a few. Not sure which was first though. I still have three of these four in the original 2x2s that I bought them in.
1916-D Quarter in Fine. I think I paid $5-$9 for it. I don't recall exactly. Still own it.
1963 Proof Quarter $3.25. Still own it.
1939-D 5c in VF. Can't recall but I think it was a couple dollars. Still own it.
1950-D 5c in VF for only a few dollars. Sold this one at some point.

These were bought from the Gilder Shop in Tampa, FL. Although a changed location and under different ownership, the shop still exists.

Rollerman

In my actual beginning days, as a kid, I purchased nothing, just picked through change. When I became re-interested in coins in 1975, I bought a VG 1908 O Barber half for $5 from an old time dealer here in my town. 1908 was my Dad's birth year and I was interested in a coin from the New Orleans mint. That was my first purchase followed by many, many more!

Treashunt

@BillJones said:
My first purchases from a professional coin dealer was at Gimbels Department Store just before Christmas 1963. In those days, you could come home with a box of seven or eight interesting 19th century U.S. coins for less than $100. My purchases included the three Flying Eagle cents in F-VF and two “big coins,” a 1908-S Indian Cent in VG to Fine @ $35 (a bit expensive) and an 1875-P Twenty Cent Piece in Fine (today’s VF) @ $20, which was a great buy.

Which Gimbels was it?

I worked at the one in Valley Stream, NY and Roosevelt Field , NY But much later, about 1969 to 1970.

TurtleCat

I have no idea what the first coins I bought were. It was a long time ago. When I recently re-entered the hobby my first two were a Barber 1916-D 25c and a 1827 half. Both are now sold.

BillJones

@Treashunt said:

@BillJones said:
My first purchases from a professional coin dealer was at Gimbels Department Store just before Christmas 1963. In those days, you could come home with a box of seven or eight interesting 19th century U.S. coins for less than $100. My purchases included the three Flying Eagle cents in F-VF and two “big coins,” a 1908-S Indian Cent in VG to Fine @ $35 (a bit expensive) and an 1875-P Twenty Cent Piece in Fine (today’s VF) @ $20, which was a great buy.

Which Gimbels was it?

I worked at the one in Valley Stream, NY and Roosevelt Field , NY But much later, about 1969 to 1970.

It was the big Gimbels across from Macy's.

Treashunt

@BillJones said:

@Treashunt said:

@BillJones said:
My first purchases from a professional coin dealer was at Gimbels Department Store just before Christmas 1963. In those days, you could come home with a box of seven or eight interesting 19th century U.S. coins for less than $100. My purchases included the three Flying Eagle cents in F-VF and two “big coins,” a 1908-S Indian Cent in VG to Fine @ $35 (a bit expensive) and an 1875-P Twenty Cent Piece in Fine (today’s VF) @ $20, which was a great buy.

Which Gimbels was it?

I worked at the one in Valley Stream, NY and Roosevelt Field , NY But much later, about 1969 to 1970.

It was the big Gimbels across from Macy's.

Oh, that was in Manhattan.

nope

USSID17

@jmski52-

Don't mean to get off track with this thread. Let me ask Bill and @Treashunt a quick question.

I'm from East Meadow and trying to remember. Did that Gimbels have a small lunch counter with stools in the back of the store as well?

divecchia

My first coin purchase was in 1987 when I was in my mid 20's at Filene's Basement in Boston when I paid $34.95 for a very low grade 1883-CC Morgan. This was before I actually started collecting coins. The first coin I purchased when I decided to start collecting coins was a few months later and it was purchased from a coin shop in Boston. It was a 1908 St. Gaudens No Motto raw for $600 or $650. At the time I purchased it I thought it was one of the most beautiful coins I had ever seen.

Donato