What Is Your One That Got Away?

coinnerd

Most times when you pass on an item it is only a matter of time until another shows up. Is there somthing you passed on, and could have afforded at the time, that you are still kicking yourself for not buying, even years later because another has not shown up?

I have two. When I first started gathering Spanish Colonial coins, a local shop had a 1794 two reale with a P mintmark offered for $12. When I first saw the coin I looked all over Krause for a P and didn't find it and assumed it was Potosi. I almost bought it, but $12 was a bit steep for a common VG - F two reale. Two weeks later, a week after the coin sold, I found that P mintmark was Popan, Columbia and 18th century silver coinage from Popan is very scarce, two reales aren't even listed in Krause.

The second one is more lite side but it was a Hawaii one dollar note signed by Ernie Pyle. Again offered at a local coin shop and by the time I decided to buy it it was gone.
Hawaii wasn't a state yet so maybe this does qualify. Both of these were nearly 10 years ago but every once in awhile somthing brings them to mind.

lordmarcovan

When I was doing English coins during my poverty-stricken first marriage, I had a chance to buy a nice EF, white, lustrous 1723 South Seas Company shilling for eighty bucks once. At the time, eighty bucks was to me what 800 dollars is to me now.

*Sigh*

Needless to say, it didn't last long at that price.

elverno

I was offered a small box of medals with impeccable provenance to show that the box and contents had been looted from Napoleon's carriage after the battle of Waterloo. A major dealer here in LA wanted only $2500 but I would have had to eat s--- from my in-laws to borrow that much!!!

In retrospect, 20 years later, I should have bought some Listerine and done it...








.... Sigh ....

laurentyvan

Vern, any story I can recount would only be beggered by what you just related-how much $$$$$ do you think you gave up by not buying that box of medals? Beaucoup, eh?

MacCrimmon

Well, in the midst of buying carloads of other jewels , I had a tentative reserve on a total museum quality coin, but just couldn't choke up the cash when the piper called the tune. Needless to say, it danced off to a dealer for 30% more than that which I had been offered.....tack 20% on to that and it's a big OUCH!

But, I've been blessed with my fair share of gems, so no wrist slashing is necessary!

.........

Listerine????

elverno

That story would be fun if it wasn't true... The guy called me because I had been bugging him to keep me in the loop on medals that came in but he just floored me! The box was looted by a British soldier after the battle and kept in his family until it was offered to me. It later was sold to a friend of mine with deeper pockets.


I got to hold it for a few minutes though...


As far as value, it was way underpriced then; there were two Legions d'Honneur in the box with their original ribbons besides about a dozen others. Nappy used to carry a box of medals for the purpose of battlefield promotions and decorations and this was clearly one of them. I wouldn't have ever sold off any of them!

coachleonard

Had a chance to get an AG 1796 Draped Bust Large Cent for $14 in 1983 and figured that was a little much.
Had a chance to get a Poor 1793 Half Cent for $125 in 1997 since I figured that was a little more than i wanted to pay. Also passed on a holed Massacusetts Pine Tree 6 pence in 1996 selling for $225-- thought I'd wait for a cheaper one.

I blew it in all three scenarios, even though they were all low graders!

theboz11

Took a pass on a Matte Proof 10 Dollar US Gold in 1987, the money was there ,,,,, but it was at a Las Vegas show and the tables were running hot at THAT moment.