Lurker de-lurks. (Warning: Life History)
MoeSzyslak
Posts: 80
I've been lurking here a while. I've learned a lot from reading and I though it might be time to go public.
Hi. My name is Moe S and I'm a coinaholic.
I started collecting back in first grade. As a moderately precocious kid, I had recently become aware of dates and mint marks on all of those coins I gave to the ice cream man. One afternoon during recess one Friday I found a penny (yes, I called it a penny back then) on the ground.
For someone with an allowance of only 50 cents a week, this alone would have been cause for celebration. After all, you could still buy a gumball for a penny at the time, and not one of those lousy hollow ones, either. When I looked at the date, I saw it was 1959-D.
While the coin itself was barely more than 15 years old at the time, it was a lot older than I was and I'd never in my short life noticed any coin dated before 1960. I thought it was a nice little bonus. None of my friends had such an "old" coin, either. Of course, my bubble was burst not long after that when a girl in my class boasted that her parents had one from 1945. Wow! Now that was something.
Still not wanting to admit defeat, I told my parents that evening of my amazing discovery and of my subsequent humiliation. Always the type to encourage my interests, my parents volunteered their "penny jar" for me to search. It only took about two minutes before I realized that some pennies were different on the back than others, and the ones with the different back were older. Naturally, I decided that turning all of them face down made for an easy search. By bedtime that night, I had my 1945 and perhaps two dozen other wheat cents. By bedtime Sunday, I'd gone all the way back to 1909.
Naturally, after three days, the talk of the schoolyard had moved on. Other discoveries had been made and my 1909 cent was barely a curiosity. Though I was somewhat disappointed in my lack of accolades, I had definitely caught the bug.
On our next family trip to the great flea market in Canton, I purchased the 1941-1958 Whitman folder. It probably cost me at least 65 cents, big money at the time. A month later, I paid a whole dollar for a used, only slightly out-of-date, 1974 Redbook.
Over the next few months, I filled the Whitman folder with coins from the penny jar and finds from looking through the change drawer at Dad's shop. By Christmas, I had all holes filled except the 1955-S. Dad (bless his heart) took me back out to the Canton flea market one bitterly cold January Sunday. Perhaps one-tenth of the spaces were rented that weekend, but I found the 1955-S for $0.35. Even then, I knew I overpaid, and Dad was a bit disappointed in me for doing so, but I wanted to fill that hole. I don't think Dad bought anything at all but the idea that we had driven nearly two hours for a single 35-cent coin never entered the picture for me, at least until much later.
As the years went by, my budget increased. I cleaned up around Dad's shop and started mowing the lawn for money. I started collecting earlier Lincolns and some coins from other series, though I could never afford the keys. A collecting relative was kind enough to sell me a couple of type coins and errors for face and my interests widened. Silver was spiking by then. I remember paying $1.50 for common circulated Roosevelts, and nearly $5 for Washingtons.
Of course, as I got older, I began to find other ways to spend my money. A go-kart, stereo equipment, LPs, the magical new CDs, etc. By high school, real life and the collapsed market had put coin collecting in my rear-view mirror.
Today, I'm a thirty-something, broke, burned-out, ex-Internet jock. After taking my lumps, I'm headed back to school to pursue a master's degree in biology, a subject I love. I recently took out my old collection to look over. I see a handful of good purchases. I also see dozens of poor ones: Purchases of modern, circulated silver from 1979. Purchases of sliders from dealers who gave me a "good deal" by charging only AU prices. Purchases of sliders from dealers who gave me a "good deal" by charging slightly below Gem BU prices. Damaged type coins (because that's the only way I could afford the design at the time). Still, I enjoy looking at them.
At any rate, I'm back in the hobby, if only on a budget approximately equal to the one I had 25 years ago. Still, I look forward to sharing stories with all of you other addicts, especially the handful of other low-budget collectors around here.
Hi. My name is Moe S and I'm a coinaholic.
I started collecting back in first grade. As a moderately precocious kid, I had recently become aware of dates and mint marks on all of those coins I gave to the ice cream man. One afternoon during recess one Friday I found a penny (yes, I called it a penny back then) on the ground.
For someone with an allowance of only 50 cents a week, this alone would have been cause for celebration. After all, you could still buy a gumball for a penny at the time, and not one of those lousy hollow ones, either. When I looked at the date, I saw it was 1959-D.
While the coin itself was barely more than 15 years old at the time, it was a lot older than I was and I'd never in my short life noticed any coin dated before 1960. I thought it was a nice little bonus. None of my friends had such an "old" coin, either. Of course, my bubble was burst not long after that when a girl in my class boasted that her parents had one from 1945. Wow! Now that was something.
Still not wanting to admit defeat, I told my parents that evening of my amazing discovery and of my subsequent humiliation. Always the type to encourage my interests, my parents volunteered their "penny jar" for me to search. It only took about two minutes before I realized that some pennies were different on the back than others, and the ones with the different back were older. Naturally, I decided that turning all of them face down made for an easy search. By bedtime that night, I had my 1945 and perhaps two dozen other wheat cents. By bedtime Sunday, I'd gone all the way back to 1909.
Naturally, after three days, the talk of the schoolyard had moved on. Other discoveries had been made and my 1909 cent was barely a curiosity. Though I was somewhat disappointed in my lack of accolades, I had definitely caught the bug.
On our next family trip to the great flea market in Canton, I purchased the 1941-1958 Whitman folder. It probably cost me at least 65 cents, big money at the time. A month later, I paid a whole dollar for a used, only slightly out-of-date, 1974 Redbook.
Over the next few months, I filled the Whitman folder with coins from the penny jar and finds from looking through the change drawer at Dad's shop. By Christmas, I had all holes filled except the 1955-S. Dad (bless his heart) took me back out to the Canton flea market one bitterly cold January Sunday. Perhaps one-tenth of the spaces were rented that weekend, but I found the 1955-S for $0.35. Even then, I knew I overpaid, and Dad was a bit disappointed in me for doing so, but I wanted to fill that hole. I don't think Dad bought anything at all but the idea that we had driven nearly two hours for a single 35-cent coin never entered the picture for me, at least until much later.
As the years went by, my budget increased. I cleaned up around Dad's shop and started mowing the lawn for money. I started collecting earlier Lincolns and some coins from other series, though I could never afford the keys. A collecting relative was kind enough to sell me a couple of type coins and errors for face and my interests widened. Silver was spiking by then. I remember paying $1.50 for common circulated Roosevelts, and nearly $5 for Washingtons.
Of course, as I got older, I began to find other ways to spend my money. A go-kart, stereo equipment, LPs, the magical new CDs, etc. By high school, real life and the collapsed market had put coin collecting in my rear-view mirror.
Today, I'm a thirty-something, broke, burned-out, ex-Internet jock. After taking my lumps, I'm headed back to school to pursue a master's degree in biology, a subject I love. I recently took out my old collection to look over. I see a handful of good purchases. I also see dozens of poor ones: Purchases of modern, circulated silver from 1979. Purchases of sliders from dealers who gave me a "good deal" by charging only AU prices. Purchases of sliders from dealers who gave me a "good deal" by charging slightly below Gem BU prices. Damaged type coins (because that's the only way I could afford the design at the time). Still, I enjoy looking at them.
At any rate, I'm back in the hobby, if only on a budget approximately equal to the one I had 25 years ago. Still, I look forward to sharing stories with all of you other addicts, especially the handful of other low-budget collectors around here.
My coins can beat up your coins.
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Comments
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
<< <i>Hi. My name is Moe S and I'm a coinaholic. >>
Seriously, welcome aboard. I also started collecting at the ripe old age of 7.
Web: www.tonyharmer.org
Oh, and don't be embarassed about the problem coins. Every coin has a price, and I'll buy a problem coin too if the price is right.
Ken
There are lots of great low budget coins now days even if you don't like the new dollars.
Herb
My OmniCoin Collection
My BankNoteBank Collection
Tom, formerly in Albuquerque, NM.
<< <i>None of my friends had such an "old" coin, either. Of course, my bubble was burst not long after that when a girl in my class boasted that her parents had one from 1945. >>
I love it!
Welcome to the Forum!
<< <i> After all, you could still buy a gumball for a penny at the time, and not one of those lousy hollow ones, either. . >>
Ok...now I feel really ripped off. I'm 27. For me, gumballs have ALWAYS been hollow! What a crock!
U.S. Nickels Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes
U.S. Dimes Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes
Looking for PCGS AU58 Washington's, 32-63.
then a rediscovery of a wonderful hobby later in life, with some of the learning curve still applicable.
I envy you; the past 6 or 7 years since I've actively collected again (after a 15 year hiatus) have been the most enjoyable time, and I have the feeling, with the way you express yourself, your budget will improve, too!
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
BTW - Did you invent the flaming Moe?
My posts viewed
since 8/1/6
Welcome out into the open forum. You'll learn a lot here and also be "entertained" by
some of the shenanigans that go on here as I'm sure you've seen. Enjoy...and thanks for the story!
Well then, you missed out on the Five cent comic books, giant penny jawbreaker candies, and nickel CocaCola's (in a returnable bottle no less too) out of the coke machines. I remember the comic books back then had about 100% more pages in them too.
I remember getting a coke and four comic books for a quarter, ahhh those were the days.
Remember, what's said here stays here.
<< <i>construct sez:
Oh, and don't be embarassed about the problem coins. Every coin has a price, and I'll buy a problem coin too if the price is right. >>
Well, there are some I'm more embarrassed about than others. I'll try to get a scan of one of my worst up for an icon. Most everyone else seems to use really pretty coins and I've never been one to follow trends
<< <i>nwcs asks:
Welcome Moe, do you hate sacagaweas?
>>
I like 'em just fine. I was just in a bad mood that day.
My first choice for handle was already taken so I just used the next thing that popped into my head. One of the perils of watching The Simpsons on DVD while cooking dinner.
<< <i>Shamika sez:
<< <i>None of my friends had such an "old" coin, either. Of course, my bubble was burst not long after that when a girl in my class boasted that her parents had one from 1945. >>
I love it!
>>
Looking back, she was probably lying. I think she just picked a date that sounded old enough without being too unbelievable. I can't imagine an adult being so proud of a 31-year-old Lincoln cent that they'd talk about it to their kid. Then again, maybe they had a 1943 and the girl just didn't remember the date. I'll never know for sure. I do know that I have at least a couple rolls of each today, though.
Again, my thanks to everyone. I don't have the funds to dive back in headfirst, but I'll at least be getting my feet wet with the standard roll searches. Then perhaps I can start filling a few holes in my Danscos. I see lot of them can still be filled for less than $5 each. I guess I'll need a new Redbook, too. My most recent one is dated 1986.