need a cool coin as a gift, please help! ~$50-$60

birdyland

Hi all,
I need some help from all you experts. I've got a few coins, but I am not a serious collector and therefore I have no clue what I am doing....

I need to buy a coin(s) for an attendant gift for my bridesman as a thankyou for being in the wedding party.(yes, I have a very good guy friend that is not my mate, and no he's not gay *not that there's anything wrong with that*)

I need some ideas for a cool coin gift in the $50-$60 dollar range; I know that's not alot, but there has to be something cool out there for that amount. He IS a fairly serious collector.

The only thought I have had so far is a 2004 walking liberty AND a 1904 Morgan dollar.... but that seems kind of been there done that.

Does anyone have ANY SUGGESTIONS??? Please help!! Post here or email me at birdyland at yahoo dot com.
THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!! :-}
-Dana

Russ

I was going to suggest the 2004 proof Silver Eagles, but they're not out yet. They're beautiful, have cool packaging and are well within your budget. What kind of time frame are you looking at?

Russ, NCNE

birdyland

<< <i>IWhat kind of time frame are you looking at? >>



Well, The wedding is early april, the Rehersal dinner is the last week of march, so I would like to have it by then. When do they come out? Do you have a link to a picture??


I got an email suggesting a 25 Eros coin: Austria 2004 - 150th anniversary of the Alpine railway, made of silver and green niobium....for $49. is this a wise buy? http://www.eurocollections.com/catalog/?category=&product=994 It looks really neat, and a good idea, but I don't know if I would rather get him a US coin or not...

Thanks

Russ

Here's what a proof Silver Eagle looks like:



Unfortunately, the 2004's won't be issued in time.

I don't know anything about that foreign thing you linked, but I think if you do go darkside you should select something related to your, your bride's, or his heritage. Just any old foreign wouldn't be meaningful.

Russ, NCNE

birdyland

ooooh that is pretty.

That's what I was calling a "walking liberty".... what's the difference between proof and BU, the proof looks like it is better quality to begin with, and some coloring put on?? I can get a regular one now right? usually about $30?? how about a 1904 Morgan, anybody know what I should pay for one of those?

mercurynut

How about a birthyear proof set....most of them are very reasonable in price.

birdyland

Thank you, I thought of a birthyear set....so I called who else? His Mom. She said he has one and that is what started his collection, so that is a no go.

Russ

<< <i>the proof looks like it is better quality to begin with, and some coloring put on?? >>



Proofs are minted differently than the BU versions. The planchets are highly polished and the coin is struck multiple times under higher pressure. That's what creates the cameo effect that you're thinking is color. The fields (flat part) are watery looking and highly reflective and the devices (raised parts) are "frosty".

Russ, NCNE

birdyland

ooooh IC. Duh me, thanks, shows how much I know.

kenoshapete

A nice brilliant uncirculated 2003 (I don't think the 2004's are out yet) 1/10 oz five dollar gold coin is always nice, and is about in your price range.

littlebear329

i may be biased but i would recomend a 1950 d jefferson nickel in ms65 full step its around you're price range and is one of the jefferson keys

Elcontador

Another option is to get an attractive early 20th century coin (which they don't make anymore).

How about a 38 D Nickel in a PCGS MS 65 Holder? This is a beautiful uncirculated buffalo nickel and in that grade, it would be a very pretty coin which is affordable (think they run around $40).

Or, you can get a few late date common Mercury Dimes (1940 through 1945 made at either the Philadelphia or Denver mints in a PCGS MS 65 FB holder. The holder will designate P or D re where it was minted. I think they are in the area of $25-30 each.

The main thing to look for is whether the coins are attractive to you (sometimes a coin may be uncirculated, but not have much eye appeal). I do not focus on these coins, so someone else may have more current pricing information.

I mention the above because these coins are not expensive, and are very pleasing to the eye.
OTOH, you can't just order them from the mint. Where in the country are you located? Perhaps there is a major coin show near where you are that is taking place before the wedding. You could probably meet up with some people on the forum there & they could help you select these coins; they aren't hard to find.

Vet

On the morgan. Red book says VF-20 16.00 UP TO MS 63 AT 250.00 AU WOULD BE IN YOUR PRICE RANGE.30.00

birdyland

I'll check some local coin shops for nickels.... (I'll make sure to print out this thread and take it with me so I at least have some clue!)

I am in San Diego..... I'll check the del mar fairgrounds website to see if there are any coin shows going on, thanks!

birdyland

<< <i>On the morgan. Red book says VF-20 16.00 UP TO MS 63 AT 250.00 AU WOULD BE IN YOUR PRICE RANGE.30.00 >>



Thank you Vet.... this is still high on my list of ideas, at least I have an idea of value on the morgan now... I must admit, that I was looking at them on ebay, with no clue as to what is a good deal and what is, quite frankly, a rip.

GaCoinGuy

Another thought...if your friend is into world coinage....look at some of the Canadian and British minted coins.......the Isle of Man has some spectacular non-circulating coins out there.

MrEureka

If he's really a serious collector, it's going to be hard to find him the right coin. Most of us have very specific taste/needs/wants etc. So, how about getting him a really elegant coin case? Let him fill it with his own coins and think of you every time he plays with the coins.

I'd suggest the "Petite 1" case listed here for $45. It doesn't show well in B&W, but I promise he will love it.

XpipedreamR

You've got to be really careful about giving a coin to a collector, especially if you're not really familiar with coins, as well as with his taste in coins. Even a great coin to one "serious" collector can be a "serious" turd of a coin to another.


I would think that a coin book might be a better idea, like a new Redbook or something like that. Or else a gift certificate to his favorite coin store.



Good luck!

birdyland

I'll see what the local shops have by way of "accessories" then too... thanks!

MrEureka

I'll see what the local shops have by way of "accessories"

You won't find the Abafil cases at a coin shop. I don't know anyone else in the US selling the things.

One last question: Should we maybe suggest a coin featuring a bird?

joeyuk

If you do a e-bay search on" challenge coin " there could be something of specific interest to him to use as a pocket piece.

Bothuwui

I was actually a bridesman in a wedding once. It worked out pretty good, because the groom had a close female friend on his side. It made it much less awkard since I got to walk down the aisle with an attractive lady. Anyhow, I wish I would have received some coins! I got a manicure set. Well it's the thought that counts I guess. Since you're getting married in 2004, I think a 2004 Silver eagle would be appropriate. You can never have to many! I think the Edison commemorative dollar is out now also with a 2004 date. Might make a nice set with the Eagle (2004 silver dollars).

zenny

a very cool coin, while not U.S., it is still North America, is the Canadian $20 Northern Lights commem. Silver coin with holographic representation of the northern lights. On ebay their going for about 55 right now and with 5 bucks shipping they are right in the ballpark.

this one recently closed, but hopefully the photo of the coin's still there:

northern lights

and congrats on the wedding.

birdyland

ok...I'll see if I can find a coin that he would like... if I fail that, I'll check the website for cases!


Haha, birds....that's my thing, not his, but I am trying to give him a real bird (sun conure)!

birdyland

oooh pocket piece sounds intreguing....

Bothuwui - I know what ya mean, I've been in a couple weddings where I got a "generic" gift...although nice, it just wasn't quite my style, so I want to make the gifts I give pretty personal. I think he'll enjoy the fact that I am taking my time to find him something that he might have more interest in than a manicure set ;-} Married in 2004 is why I was thinking the silver eagle...then I thought 100 years back too, morgan dollar. He gets to escort two pretty ladies back up the aisle after the ceremony ;-} ALL the guys are going to be up at the arch at the beginning... The groomsmen get to walk by themselves afterward;-} (too many of them!)

zenny - that is beautiful! And thanks for the congrats. The only thing with Canada is that his X just moved there... I'm afraid that might bring up unconcious bad thoughts! I really like that coin though... I bet my dad would get a kick out of one! I have placed it on my cool things in general to research and/or consider list ;-} (yes, I'm a computer geek I know, fiance is worse though!)