Anyone have coin JEWELRY?

topstuf · August 22, 2004 8:03AM

My design
Made by local jeweler.
This is second go around for it. I had it made in 1981 and wore it out. Had to recast the ring and re-do it a year ago.

1853 $1 with "cuff link" solder on reverse.

Baley · August 22, 2004 8:07AM

I've always wanted a $2 1/2 gold indian head pinkie ring.

but so far, I only have a silver dollar keychain and one each morgan and peace belt buckles.

lordmarcovan · August 22, 2004 8:13AM

Do garments count?

FatMan · August 22, 2004 8:18AM

<< Do garments count?

>>

My LordM, what ever got you started on the Holey Clothes idea?

topstuf · August 22, 2004 8:21AM

Shoot, Baley, make it a FIVE then. You already GOT a nice coin.

One of my "heartbreaker" stories: For our FIRST coin show back in 79 or 80 some moron TY-COON walked up to the table and demanded, "Whutcha got in 'twenny saints?"
I showed him what I had.
He said, "Lemme see THAT one!"
It was the BEST one in the case.
"AT'S th' one ah wants!" was his prompt reply.
......then.......
He held it down at his waist over his buckle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I told him that it really wasn't a good belt buckle coin and showed him some XF's, but he said, "AH ONLY BAH TH' BEST!"

So I gritted my teeth and took his money.

lordmarcovan · August 22, 2004 8:28AM

Johnny Atha, a dealer in Raleigh, is the original Holey Coin guy. (In his case, it was a Western style shirt instead of a vest).

I stole the idea from him and his brother Jim (who was a dealer here before he moved to Raleigh himself).

While the idea is far from original, I improved on it- I pioneered the use of fishing swivels. The fishing swivels are sewn to the vest and then you can snap the coins on and off or rearrange them or upgrade them without additional sewing. The swivels also allow the coins to move around and be seen on both sides. The large cent date set on the back of the vest (1800-57, skipping the 1804) is sewn directly on without swivels, and the obverses of those coins face outward. Having the large cent set on the back provides a nice counterbalance to the weight of the coins on the front- otherwise it would sag in the front somethin' awful. Because the weight is so balanced, it is not uncomfortable to wear- not really any worse than a sport jacket.

I only wear it once or maybe twice a year, though- only when I get to attend a coin show.

ziggy29 · August 22, 2004 8:46AM

<< While the idea is far from original, I improved on it- I pioneered the use of fishing swivels. The fishing swivels are sewn to the vest and then you can snap the coins on and off or rearrange them or upgrade them without additional sewing. The swivels also allow the coins to move around and be seen on both sides. The large cent date set on the back of the vest (1800-57, skipping the 1804) is sewn directly on without swivels, and the obverses of those coins face outward. Having the large cent set on the back provides a nice counterbalance to the weight of the coins on the front- otherwise it would sag in the front somethin' awful. Because the weight is so balanced, it is not uncomfortable to wear- not really any worse than a sport jacket. >>

For many years when I was growing up in the southern San Francisco Bay Area in the 1970s and early 1980s, there was a guy we saw at local coin shows very frequently who called himself the King of Coins.

He wore a lot of holey stuff all over his suit, and on his top hat and elsewhere -- lots of medals, too...but many holey coins. He was a fixture at the Cupertino coin show every year that I can remember, and he made it to a few of the Fremont and San Jose shows, too.

I seem to recall a Coin World article a few years back about his passing, which was sad, because he was a very interesting and friendly fellow. He loved to talk about what was pinned to his suit, and he loved to wax poetic to the YNs.

topstuf · August 22, 2004 8:50AM

That was Rudy "sumpin"-vitch, I think.

Saw him often.

topstuf · August 22, 2004 8:51AM

Milord.....Never knew about the large cent back. Flak jacket?

MFH · August 22, 2004 8:58AM

Topstuff: I have the mate to that gold 1853 dollar...I found one in a jewelry store in Boston thirty years ago that had solder on the back from a clasp/pin...and I had a tie tack made out of it. Found another 1853 also with reverse solder marks, and I had that one made into a pinky ring.

Don't wear either one anymore.

lordmarcovan · August 22, 2004 9:06AM

<< Milord.....Never knew about the large cent back. Flak jacket? >>

Yeah- I don't have any pictures of the back. I still lack maybe four or five pieces to complete the set.

Flak jacket? I dunno, but I imagine I could stop a round or two.

lordmarcovan · August 22, 2004 9:08AM

<< he was a very interesting and friendly fellow. He loved to talk about what was pinned to his suit, and he loved to wax poetic to the YNs. >>

Precisely the sort of crusty old character I intend to be in a few years.