What do you "do" with your coins?
bohica268
Posts: 478 ✭
While talking with a summer intern (she is a non-collector) about coins she asked "What do you do with your coins?". I was at a lose for words and had no ready answer. But not for long.
The next day I took 3 coins to show her. The first was an 1806 British Penny featuring King George III (still alive and kicking but his mental state has clearly deteriorated). I explained that when it was minted Abraham Lincoln's birth was still 3 years in the future, the burning of Washington by the British was still 8 years away (War of 1812) and Queen Victoria wouldn't be born for another 13.
The second coin was a copy of Lt. George Dixon's $20 gold piece; a gift from his girlfriend. It saved his life at the Battle of Shiloh and went with him to a watery grave outside Charleston harbor when the C.S.S. Hunley sank February 17, 1864. The mis-shapen coin; bent by the impact of a bullet fired at close range, was recovered along with Dixon's remains when the first submarine to sink a ship was raised August 8, 2000.
The third coin was a South Carolina state quarter. Struck off-center (about 1/10" toward 11:00) it is the coin that brought me to the CU site in 1999. Using that as a step-off point I brought up the U.S. Coin Forum and showed her some of the pictures posted here. She liked the Morgans which is appropriate; she is entering her last year as an Education Major and wants to teach K-3 when she graduates in the Spring.
What do you "do" with your coins?
The next day I took 3 coins to show her. The first was an 1806 British Penny featuring King George III (still alive and kicking but his mental state has clearly deteriorated). I explained that when it was minted Abraham Lincoln's birth was still 3 years in the future, the burning of Washington by the British was still 8 years away (War of 1812) and Queen Victoria wouldn't be born for another 13.
The second coin was a copy of Lt. George Dixon's $20 gold piece; a gift from his girlfriend. It saved his life at the Battle of Shiloh and went with him to a watery grave outside Charleston harbor when the C.S.S. Hunley sank February 17, 1864. The mis-shapen coin; bent by the impact of a bullet fired at close range, was recovered along with Dixon's remains when the first submarine to sink a ship was raised August 8, 2000.
The third coin was a South Carolina state quarter. Struck off-center (about 1/10" toward 11:00) it is the coin that brought me to the CU site in 1999. Using that as a step-off point I brought up the U.S. Coin Forum and showed her some of the pictures posted here. She liked the Morgans which is appropriate; she is entering her last year as an Education Major and wants to teach K-3 when she graduates in the Spring.
What do you "do" with your coins?
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Comments
I just sorta geek out with them.
Brag about 'em
Sell 'em
Russ, NCNE
(I actually have some put away that's not for sale.)
<< <i>I line them up in neat rows and examine each; trying to figure out which ones fit best and which ones do not. I compare strike and values.
I just sorta geek out with them.
I too am guilty of geeking out
When not actually looking and the ones I have or trying to learn more about them, I try to look at other coins and other collections to keep my "eye" fresh - while simultaneously using that info to help me decide what coin(s) to add next to my collection. It is a good way to spend the time while saving money between purchases. When "critical mass" is hit I search for and buy that coin.
Best,
Billy
go for walks,to the beach,that sort of thing !
go for walks,to the beach,that sort of thing !
With your coins? Now that I believe . . . .