Coins that were only a pipe dream when you were a young collector
fishteeth
Posts: 2,241 ✭✭✭✭✭
I was putting my recent 56 flyer in safe deposit and found its home next to my chain cent. Found myself thinking back to when I was a 3rd grader building an Indian head set and thought no way I would ever own the 56, was always a dream. The chain cent didn't come onto my radar until much older, didn't have any blue Whitman folders for those. Funny thing is both coins have come from the same dealer.
This 56 flyer is the first coin that truly made me happy to purchase in a few years. Maybe it's time to go buy the 1916-d merc dime and plug that hole that I could only dream of as a kid in the 1990s
I would love to see some coins that you guys now have, that as a young collector could only dream about.
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You're singing my song for sure! 👍🏻 We're both on the same sheet of music! Never thought I would ever own a 16-D, no less a 16-D VG8!
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
I still can't believe your Flying Eagle cent is graded at 61. That thing is an absolute stunner!
I am not at the level many collectors here are at (and likely never will be) but one coin that I never thought I would own is my 1912-S V nickel that I purchased from a forum member here several years ago, and I am thankful for him because he let me make payments on it until it was paid for. I'm not a wealthy man, so spending $2000 on a single coin was a big deal for me.
Now, I have to tackle the 1885 in MS64. That one will be in the $6000 neighborhood...
That is a beautiful 12-s. That's another hole in the old Whitman I never filled.
I had a barely readable cull in my folder when I was younger that I convinced myself was an 1885. Still not sure to this day! I have a much better one now.
I guess this is a great place for post #2000
As a YN, or middle aged collector, or old guy, I never expected to own Early gold. To get these 3 within a month or so was crazy. I still pinch myself when I look at them.
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$5 Type Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/type-sets/half-eagle-type-set-circulation-strikes-1795-1929/album/344192
CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572
You think?
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
Your 1885 and my 1912-S came from the same source! I still drool over your '85. It's hard to get a better example than that.
I'm in with this.
Newb with a newp.
Tonedeaf is a nickname given to me in reference to my guitar playing ability.
Coins that were only a pipe dream when you were a young collector:
My 1909 S VDB was purchased raw in July 1992 for $500. I had it on layaway for 9 months. In March 1994, I submitted the coin to PCGS.
In February 1994, I bought a 1916 D Mercury Dime for $500. It was in an ANA G4 holder. I had it on layaway for 2 months. In April 1994, I submitted the coins to PCGS.
These were two of the main coins that I dreamed of owning as a young collector.
I still have these coins, and have no intention of ever selling them.
When I was in my teen years, I had started to buy my first graded Morgans on eBay. I had dreamed of one day being able to play in the gold coin arena. Any one of the coins I have now could qualify as something I dreamed about owning just a few years ago. If I had to choose one that stands out the most, it would be this one though.
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As a kid, I always drooled over the seated liberty dollar in the red book. I was able to acquire the smaller denominations, some with problems, with my allowance, but the beast dollar, was a no go.
But when I got back into collecting in 2007, one of my first "big" purchases was a seated dollar. I don't care if it's a common date or "slabbed", but it's real and I am a type collector. It's one of my favorite coins, despite being more into ancients and medieval coins.
Many still are...40+ years later.
https://www.reddit.com/r/surfing/comments/7o7sj5/i_took_this_picture_at_pipeline_today_and_am/
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We had no money with which to buy coins. Name any key date and it was a dream that would never happen.
One day we rode bikes to the next town over where I bought a BU 1909-VDB (without an “s”) for three dollars. In my mind, that was the closest I’d ever get to owning a key date. I still have it.
I love this hobby and I love America! Where else would it be normal for someone to say " I'm not a wealthy man" and then proceed to tell us he's getting ready to spend 6K on a nickel?
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Here are two favorites. I have a 09-S VDB but I’m on the fence with a 16-D.
I just posted a thread about focusing more on my "Nostalgia Collection" - key dates and other coins I wanted when I was a kid. Here are a couple:
That is a great looking 55/55.
No picture here - it's in my safe deposit box.
I collected coins through college. Built sets of circulated late 19th century and 20th century coins including many keys. Sold them all after college to fund my stamp collection because I didn't trust myself to grade coins, especially those in the higher grades. The the only Commemoratives I had were the Columbians my grandfather picked out of circulation and the inexpensive Booker T. Washington and Carver - Washington coins. Always dreamed of the Hawaiian.
First coin I bought when I restarted coin collecting in 2002 was a graded PCGS MS64 Hawaiian.
It might be his last nickel.
Similar story, after filling a small handful of holes in my Wheat cent folder, my dad drove me one town over to a coin store where I bought an UNC 1909-VDB for that same $3. I still remember how lonely it looked in that folder. Never thought I'd have an S-VDB but I've been lucky enough to own a couple over the years, including my icon.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
When I was a kid, I only got coins out of circulation. Most everything I knew was printed on the Whitman coin folders I used.
I was not aware of truly exotic coins, and didn't even pay attention to a coin like the 1916 Standing Liberty quarter or 1916-D Mercury dime, since there were so many less exotic coins in both series I knew I would never get.
But I was aware that the1909-S VDB and 1955 DDO Lincoln cents were special, and I dreamed of getting them someday.
It was very cool when I did, only a few years ago.
Here are three of mine:
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
@dsessom and @erwindoc…..it’s like I’m taking a walk down memory lane
with this thread.
The 12-S and 85 held a very special place in my collection. Took me quite a while to find them as I’m so damn picky.
Congrats to you both! It wasn’t easy parting with them but I’m sure glad they went to homes that appreciate them as much as I did.
Dave
A lot of nice coins are still a pipe dream for me even though I’m far removed from being a kid.
I supposed it's all relative, but I do not consider myself wealthy by any means. However...
1. I'm not married
2. My kids are adults and moved out long ago.
3. House is paid off.
4. Car is paid off.
5. I'm less than 10 years from retirement, and consider my coin collection an investment as well as a hobby.
I hope that puts things into perspective.
Top 10 Cal Fractional Type Set
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As a kid, the only coins I got were collected on my paper route or Mom/Dad's pocket change. Buy a coin?? Unheard of back then. I could not even imagine owning a gold coin - I was barely even aware they existed... certainly never saw one. Now I have a collection of them. Cheers, RickO
As with most here it was the 1900-S V.D.B. Lincoln Cent and 1916-D Mercury Dime. Also on the list were the 1909-S and 1914-D Lincoln Cent and 1932-D and S Washington Quarters. I got all of these coins in Nov. and Dec. 1977 while stationed at the Marine Barricks in D.C. In Sept. 1978 I got my first gold coin, a 1914-D Indian Head Quarter Eagle. I still have all these coins.
That is weird! We must be brothers from a different mother. I picked up some random coins in the early 70's while stationed at Marine Barracks, Ft. Meade.
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
I have many coins that would fall into this category, but the 1848 CAL. $2.50 gold has to at the top or near the top of the list.
I too have many "pipe dream" but have been very fortunate in my later years. Like many other collectors mine early on were the Lincoln 09-S VDB, 14-D, 22 no D and the Merc 16-D. I now own a complete Lincoln set in MS-64 or greater in Red or RB. I secured a AU Merc 16-D a while ago and it's now at PCGS.
I would have to say that my Morgan 1889-CC MS-62 fits this category.
USAF (Ret.) 1985 - 2005. E-4B Aircraft Maintenance Crew Chief and Contracting Officer.
My current Registry sets:
✓ Everyman Mint State Carson City Morgan Dollars (1878 – 1893)
✓ Everyman Mint State Lincoln Cents (1909 – 1958)
✓ Morgan Dollar GSA Hoard (1878 – 1891)
All of my early walkers would fit into this category. Dreamed about them since 1993. Back then, a full set in MS 65 or better sold for a record breaking $250,000. That would only be a down payment today….
“I may not believe in myself but I believe in what I’m doing” ~Jimmy Page~
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
I guess I am a bit of an odd ball. I didn't have a list of fantasy key dates. Instead I was obsessed with the New Orleans mint. One, I was shocked to find out it even existed. Two, I was puzzled by it's about 20 year hibernation. Three, I could not understand why it just disappeared again. A little history helped out there.
The first coin I ever bought was a New Orleans silver dollar. The most fun I ever had collecting was when I built a set of New Orleans Seated Half Dollars. Today New Orleans coins are still the feature mint of my collection. James
Because I started about 60 years ago when I was very young, everything with a face value of more than a quarter was a pipe dream – and quarters happened only rarely.
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
Great coins! What a wonderful surprise then!
Out of curiosity, was this before or after you picked your forum handle
When I was young I hated the little blue plugs in the Whitman album that said "rare", it was like they were taunting me that I couldn't ever have one. Eventually I have owned at least one of all of those that stupid plugs that annoyed me, the 37-D 3 leg nickel, 1916 SLQ, 1909 S VDB & 1916-D Dime. (Thankfully I did not have a barber dime book with the 94-S plug in it...)
But in the end this one was the one that made me the happiest finally buying it....
When I was young I dreamed of completing my father's IHC collection. His IHC collection was solelt coins that he found in circulation. He had the 09-S and the 08-S but the older coins, and especially the 1877, were not easily found in circulation in the 1930's and 1940'sI decided not to complete his set as I think it special these coins he found in circulation and not from a dealer. So, I put together my set of IHC proof coins and the first one I bought from Rick Snow was this PR65RB:
I later upgraded that coin to this 66BN:
I still have no 1909-SVDB, 16-D dime or three legged buffalo. But they are still on my mind.
OINK
Thanks.
I started collecting with my Dad. He got us on the mailing list for proof and mint sets from the US Mint. I backed away from collecting for a while but started back with Silver Eagles. I always loved the WLH and it looked like a big version of one.
Then I got the bug again and worked on high grade SLQ's, WLH, and Peace and noticed right away that coins with CAC stickers were much nicer looking. I collected ricko type coins
. I have since sold all of those off and find enjoyment collecting Daniel Carrs O/S coins of the same denominations. His work is amazing.
Then gold caught my eye. For me the $2.50 Indian was the gateway drug into gold. I joined here just over 2 years ago and by then was only buying PCGS, CAC, Gold coins. I thought I would try that handle. The 3 coins above were just added in Nov/Dec of 2022.
I enjoy your posts and have gained a lot of knowledge from you. Thanks.
Successful BST with BustDMs , Pnies20, lkeigwin, pursuitofliberty, Bullsitter, felinfoel, SPalladino (CBH's - 37 Die Marriage's)
$5 Type Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/type-sets/half-eagle-type-set-circulation-strikes-1795-1929/album/344192
CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572
As youngster peddling newspaper in the 50's I like many dreamed of owning 1877 IHC and 09SVDB. It took 25 years because
I had to work and support a family but in 1979 I found both of them within a four month period. Also, with eye appeal being
paramount in my collecting criteria added to the length of the quest. Today, after nearly 44 years I still am in possession of both as I have yet to improve on either one.
All of us that have discretionary income to spend on a hobby are blessed.
I never dreamed I'd spend more than $100 on a coin. In addition, I was virtually ignorant of US coins prior to the 20th century. I doubt I even knew that there was such a thing as gold which circulated openly. So, to summarize, all of this would have been a pipe dream:
As a kid, it was always the key dates that completed sets I thought was unachievable.
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
I suppose most of what I have now. I remember being a kid and seeing prices over a hundred dollars thinking I'd never be able to afford them.
Collector, occasional seller
Great coins and stories. Very obvious why the 09svdb, 77 Indians, 85 lib nickel, 16d, 56 flyer etc are still so expensive compared to other much greater rarities. Nostalgia. Wonder if the next generation of collectors will have thr same pull for these coins or have dreams of something else
When I was a youngster, before my teenage years, I loved leafing through the redbook and gawking at coins I thought I'd never own. The Fugio was particularly enamoring because of the "Mind Your Business" legend, the funky sun with a face, and the reverse interlocking rings. What a coin to own and, and in 2017, I finally secured one from CRO that met my standards and long ago dreams!
fka renman95, Sep 2005, 7,000 posts
Thanks for sharing your coins and the stories. Like many here, I also started with Lincoln Cents and Indian Head Cents/Flying Eagles in Whitman folders. The hole for the 1856 FE Cent had a cardboard insert labeled "RARE". That was daunting! So, for much of my youth I concentrated on roll searches to fill in as many holes as I could. Hoping for that 1909-S VDB.
We did have a local hobby store that had 2 roller displays of coins and I'd spend quite a bit of time pouring over them. That's when I discovered Large Cents. My first purchase was a 1798 2nd Hair in AG3 for the princely sum of $10. If I tilted it at the right angle, I could make out the date! Also in the display case were a couple of Liberty Cap Cents. Those were in better condition, as I recall, and were priced at over $100. Unobtainable for a 12 year old mowing lawns for a living!
Fast forward a few decades... I finally acquired the 1909-S VDB (ANACS XF45) and it was sort of anticlimactic. Yes, it was nice to finally complete the set after all those years but I had moved on in my collecting interests and I ultimately liquidated that collection.
So, the Liberty Cap Cents still held my fascination and by the time I rediscovered them, the prices were much much higher... especially for non-corroded or otherwise undamaged pieces.
A couple of years ago, I did manage to find this one at a decent price... I know I'll never have an entire set but I go back to this coin often...
I recently started a Box of 20, so this piece along with a few others will likely be included... a certain DDO Lincoln is on the short list too.
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What an absolutely gorgeous coin! Please find someone to take a nice image!:)
@Catbert - That is an ideal example, very nice!
Chopmarked Trade Dollar Registry Set --- US & World Gold Showcase --- World Chopmark Showcase
Anything gold…such as
Being a buffalo nickel collector for most of my life I was thrilled to add this 21-s nickel to my collection a while back.