Annual Coins for Tips and Gifts thread?
Weiss
Posts: 9,942 ✭✭✭✭✭
We (coin collectors) might be tempted to think of coins as the ultimate gift. Small, portable, historic, shiny and potentially valuable. But it might be a good idea to put yourself in your recipient's shoes for a moment: Will they understand your gift's value? Do they need cash more than a literal token? If your kind thought keeps them from putting bread on the table or gas in the car, is it more for your enjoyment than theirs? If hey have to sell it, will their inexperience mean selling it at a "loss", or worse, will they spend it?
My wife and I had our first date and have eaten at the same Mexican place almost every Friday for 26 years now. Maybe 10 years ago I started leaving a silver Mexican coin along with the tip on the Friday closest to Christmas. Most of the servers are Mexican, and I like the idea of giving them a piece of home when they are a thousand miles away.
Last night it was a 1953 Cinco Peso:
--Severian the Lame
Comments
Gram of gold for my doctor and his nurse. They seem to like that.
What’s the likelihood of the food server selling the Mexican coin at a pawn shop and getting 20% of what it’s worth? If it was me I’d just leave a bigger tip and keep the coin for myself or give it to someone who will appreciate it.
Literally said that in my post.
--Severian the Lame
My bad
I gave my Mom's nurse an 1820 Large Cent for a gift. It's XF but cleaned. I told him it was OK to touch it and hold it in his hands. To imagine who else touched it over 200 years ago. I am sure he appreciated it.
Do you think they think it is a cool gift, or do you think they think it is patronizing (beyond the issues you presented above).
I could see a generic round taking that out of the equation.
But then again, maybe it’s the coolest thing ever. I’m surprised you haven’t asked their opinion if you’ve been doing this for so long.
The gal at the restaurant is Mexican and loves silver. I left her a Franklin half in a nice blank slab piece. Honest to God it was like she hit the lottery, theres nothing wrong with it
Some people appreciate such a gift - although they are not collectors. And yes, I am sure there are those that say "What will I do with this?" It helps to know the potential recipient well, then the gift can be appropriate for the individual. Cheers, RickO
@Weiss what do you tip at Greek restaurants?