The poor kid only wanted a toy!

Hallco

I'm recovering from knee surgery and have found myself watching tv shows from the 1970s and 80s to pass the time. Last night, there was an episode of "Adam-12" where a child(appeared to be around 8 years old), took his dads 1881 $5 Gold piece and put it into a Nickel toy dispensing machine. The owner saw dad trying to open it and thought he was trying to steal the money. Luckily, Reed and Malloy happened to be patrolling at that exact moment and the shop keeper opened it and the man got his gold back. Since the only gold I own is my wedding band, I found a stock photo online of what the coin looks like for anyone interested. And coincidently, @guitarwes has a couple of these, although different years for sale on the BST if you need one. I'm guessing they are worth a little more than when the episode originally aired in 1973??? Feel free to post one, or something else similar in size, or a story about a coin on a tv show, or whatever else. Or don't. We love you either way! And yes....I'm getting rather bored beginning my 4th week of 6 total at home!

thebeav

I have an '81 'S' that originally belonged to my late grandfather.
It's taken on a copper toning and is the nicest looking piece of circ gold that I have.

Shurke

Hope your recovery is going well. Those knee surgeries can be tough ones.

jacrispies

6 weeks probably feels like an eternity!! But, a good opportunity to get plenty of rest and reset your mind before heading back into the busy world once again. Almost there buddy, hang in there!

A quick search and calculation shows that a half eagle was worth $23.56 melt value in 1973.

Although not an 1881, the only liberty half eagle I own is an 1881. It was a part of a large collection I had purchased as a younger lad and one of the few coins I kept. Surely glad I did because I cringe at what the rest of my Dansco gold page will cost.

WillieBoyd2

The kid's name wasn't Dennis by any chance?

rte592

I heard a story about a couple that were doing fairly well on a farm back east.
The wife had a green thumb gardened at night and had a passion for gold.
The Husband bartered for silver and gold as well as farmed.
The two each had their favorite spots to keep their coins.
When the husband passed away the wife eventually sold the farm. She collected all the gold that she had buried in the garden, but didn't know where the husband put his collection.
After the farm was sold the main house was demolished into the basement,the garden pushed over the top to smooth out the land and a parking lot covered it all.
Some years later after hearing of the husbands passing one of the husbands friends had asked about the property... Stating that the husband mentioned putting coins in the basement walls.
Truth or fiction, will probably never know but I have seen a few gold pieces that were recovered from the wife's garden.

rte592

Lets see if I can remember this one...
A younger kid came to the local coin club meeting with a few silver Doubloons.
He was the son of a farmer from the South East side of Somerton Arizona,.. pretty much bordering Mexico.
As he pulled the silver coins out of an older canvas bag it was evident that they were pieces of eight. Early dates, ranged around 1790/1795 Spain.
He said his father was friends with an older gentleman that ventured from Mexico and many years ago found a wooden chest on the beach.
You guessed it, gold, silver and gems.
Ornate gold jewelry, gold crosses and gold chains, silver bars, coins, emerald and Ruby stones.
The kid after soaking up some of the elder members knowledge about the silver coins said he would be back next month with a gold piece and possibly the man that owned the chest.
It's been a number of years, so far the kid hasn't been back.
I can tell you the silver pieces of eight were legit and had a little salt water patina.

emeraldATV

1 Adam 12...1 Adam 12...
See the children at Universal Studios, about a counterfeiting ring, and something about a treasure.
1 Adam 12...10-4

Get Well Soon,... Goonie

BillJones

I have an 1882 my aunt gave to me. It’s a common date.