Giveaway: Cycling PCGS MS69; $5 Gold coin, more - CLOSED

OnlyBuffalos · December 8, 2004 11:27AM

In recent days we have seen and heard reports frrom IRAQ, that our troops lack armor, ammunition, and other battle equipment. Many also lack the basic necessities of living such as bathing water, toilet paper, floss, shampoo, etc. They have to rely on family members, many of whom are financially strapped, to supply walkie-talkies, night vision goggles, toiletries, food, and many other essentials. The military has imposed a "stop loss" order which is preventing the troops from leaving the war even though their enlistment period is over or they are eligible to retire. Morale has to be impacted for both the troops and their families when they hear that the war is likely to go on quite a bit longer.

Most of us are in a position to make at least a small difference. We can help either financially or at least by writing a thank you letter to these brave men and women.

Here is what I propose. "Adopt" a deployed military person(s). It is very easy to do. Go to www.OperationMilitaryPride.org and "SIGN-UP" on the left side of the page. Much information is also available at that link. For those who help in any way or intend to help, please respond to this topic and you will be entered in a contest which will have the following prizes:
1. 1995 Cycling $1 Commemorative PCGS MS69
2. 1988 $5 Gold Proof Olympic Raw but looks a cinch PR69
3. A starter collection of buffalo nickels

Winners will be determined from whoever comes closest to predicting the closing bid price of gold on 12-31-04 9 pm CST as listed by Kitco. Tie breaker if needed, is the closing price of silver at the same time. Entry deadline is 12-24-04 midnight CST. Please submit both gold and silver predictions.

Winners for the first three items will receive their prizes from me and will be shipped via USPS first class insured mail.

If others would like to add to the prize list and are willing to mail their prize(s) to the winners, please let me know via Private Message. I will add it to the prize list in the order received. This will very likely result in the "value" of the prizes being out of order but that will add to the fun of the contest. Thanks in advance for participating.

Louis · December 8, 2004 11:28AM

Neptune · December 10, 2004 3:16AM

Good cause - TTT for the Troops.
Guess I will wait to the deadline to guess.

fivecents · December 10, 2004 3:21AM

Neat Give away.

Gold....$437.99
Silver......$7.32

SniperFire · December 10, 2004 3:35AM

I'm here and ready for adoption now.

<---- TSgt, USAF

Only families with substantial coin collections for me to rifle thru will be considered.

fivecents · December 10, 2004 3:38AM

<< <i>I'm here and ready for adoption now. >>

OK.....But it means I also get to adopt your coins.

MadMonk · December 10, 2004 3:45AM

Great Idea.
We sent them a bunch of "Leatherman" pocket tools, Phone Cards, and a crapload of Chocolate!

nwcs · December 10, 2004 9:08AM

No problem here. Where I work 2 people are there now and one was killed in action last week.

nwcs · December 10, 2004 9:10AM

Didn't see the prediction. I'd say gold at $442.74 and silver at $6.72

Bubblehead · December 10, 2004 9:56AM

Super thought.

G @ $455.71
S @ $7.51

itsnotjustme · December 10, 2004 12:53PM

I don't recommend sending walkie talkies for a few reasons.

First, you don't know if these are operating on frequencies that are in use by US, coalition, or new Iraqi forces. They could potentially cause interference with other important equipment.

Second, their signal is not encrypted, and could easily be intercepted. Yes, there are likely other non-encrypted systems in use, but I bet their operators are trained on that fact and how they should communicate to reduce the risk. (Anyone read the story about commercial garage door openers that use a military allotted frequency? Not the military is putting equipment into use that uses the frequency and the garage door openers are no longer working correctly when located nearby.)

OnlyBuffalos · December 10, 2004 2:06PM

I have not heard of any problems with "home" supplied walkie-talkies on the battle-field and it is the troops in the field who are writing home asking for them. I guess they believe that its better to have something rather than nothing. The terrorists, oops insurgents, likely can't understand our communications due to the fact that they did not heed their teachers advice and take English as a second language in school.

nwcs · December 10, 2004 10:39PM

Some of the things that are useful to send are batteries, CDs of music, and even pictures. Seeing pics of home I'm sure would be a morale boost.

OnlyBuffalos · December 13, 2004 2:07AM

A reminder that our troops need our support. Thanks.

OnlyBuffalos · December 21, 2004 1:52AM

Don't forget the brave folks defending our country.

Hedger · December 21, 2004 2:42AM

Nice give away!

Gold @ $436.86
Silver @ $7.24

MICHAELDIXON · December 21, 2004 10:38AM

Great idea and thanks for the heads up! I went to the site and registered to support a soldier. Please Do Not include me in the giveaway.

newsman · December 21, 2004 10:47AM

Here are a few useful items you could send:

1. baby wipes -- you can never have enough
2. powdered drink mixes such as Gatorade to kill the taste of the "bath water in a bottle" troops have to drink
3. Phone cards
4. Newspapers from home -- "Stars and Stripes" gets boring after awhile.

dorkbar · December 21, 2004 11:59AM

Great idea. Gold: $448.31 Silver: $7.08

michael · December 21, 2004 4:59PM

great idea

gold 450.50

silver 7.99

relayer · December 21, 2004 5:10PM

gold 444.80

silver 6.93

SNMAN · December 21, 2004 5:23PM

thanks for great idea!
please enter me in.

gold= 438.80

silver= 6.78

OnlyBuffalos · December 23, 2004 7:34AM

Time is running out on this one.

TWODOGS · December 23, 2004 7:48AM

Thanks for the generous giveaway and for bringing attention to the website. If you click "Make a Donation" on the right side of the page, it's a snap through PayPal.

Gold @ $443.22
Silver @ $6.76