If you had $500 to spend on a coin as a gift to someone who already had all the books, what would yo

dthigpen

I have a nephew who is in his late teens and is really into history. I've already assembled a fairly complete numistic library over various Christmas and Birthday gifts to him and he's always very happy to get the books and seems reads the them cover to cover. He seems most interested in 19th Century and early 20th century coins. If you had a person in this situation, and had $500 to buy a single coin as a gift for them, what would you recommend? The primary reason I'm asking for outside input is because I'm extremely 'biased' in my collecting habits and I know many people, including him, don't neccesarily share that biasness.

Thanks,

Baley

Got to be a Saint.

Russ

$10 Indian.

Russ, NCNE

Baley

yep, or a $10 indian. Definitely something gold.

mgoodm3

Something gold.

Russ

Saint would be nice also.

Russ, NCN

FC57Coins

Gold yes - but if you want history without it costing an arm and a leg, get him something from the New Orleans mint and see what books you can find on it - I know there's stuff printed about the "O" mint.

RalphP13

How about early copper, Maybe something like a FUGIO cent.
The history behind these is fascinating and a coin minted in the 1700's is just neat to have, especially for a YN.

dorkkarl

<< <i>If you had $500 to spend on a coin as a gift to someone who already had all the books, what would you buy them? >>

a bookshelf.

K S

mhammerman

Get him a handfull of GSA vams, that will keep him busy for a while.

dthigpen

What do you guys think of a PCGS certified DMPL Morgan? Are they available in that price range? (I don't collect morgans at all, so have no clue)

mrearlygold

A gem Oregon Trail

RYK

I like the Oregon Trail commem idea. Find out what "history" he is into. If it is Civil War, a Gettysberg commem or Civil War date seated coin would be nice. If he likes Lincoln, a Lincoln commem, etc. If he likes President Nixon, a 1965 clad quarter would be an appropriate momento.

mrearlygold

that's one of the really cool parts of commem collecting

The adage that coins are the footprints of history is really illustrated in that series.

Tom

pharmer

A strongly doubled variety, like a vf 1955 1c ddo-1. Get him started down the straight and narrow before it's too late.

MORGANHUNTER2

thig a Morgan would be cool- but since you know what he likes- why not give us an idea? Personally- a Morgan would be cool- if you want to spend up to 5oo- let him pick a year from 1878-1904 and then go from there- just don't tell him what type of coin.

mercurydimeguy

My son is really in to collecting coins so I'm a bit biased in this regard (meaning, buying coins for younger people)...but judging what you just said should put him being born in the late 80's (87, 88). I would then put together a 50 year prior to his birth mint set for him. If you don't go crazy on GEM grades, you should be able to put together a set for $500. This way he can learn something about a number of coins, the coins will have some kind value that could appreciate, and the set will be memorable as it will symbolize what was going on in America 50 years before he was born.

My 2 cents

goose3

a piece of BUST coinage! or a nice key date coin!!

you can't beat that crap!

techeff

For gods sake make sure the coin doesn't have a hole in it!

Seriously, I like the Oregon Trail and Civil War era ideas. Also, you could get him a coin that's 100 years older than his birthdate.

goose3

let me add Civil War Tokens to that list to Dthiggy.

You can get a couple of good books and lots of bang for your buck on some tokens!

pharmer

<< <i>a piece of BUST coinage! or a nice key date coin!!

you can't beat that crap! >>



By jove, you've got it! A Dolley! It was right between her, er right in front of, um it was...But it works on so many levels!

IrishMike

I'd buy him a five coin capital holder, place nice uncirculated examples of a wlh, mercury dime, buffalo nickel, silver quarter and wheat cent. Let him view what designs used to look like. I know this is something as kid I would have appreciated.

Stuart

Either a $20 Saint, a $20 Liberty or a PL CC Morgan Dollar.

dthigpen

Just for more insight on him, he's 18 and is attending MIT next year.

morgannut2

If he's going to MIT, you don't have $500 Douglas!!A top 100 Morgan VAM cracked out with VAM BOOK to ID, a gold dollar, and an early copper that's interesting. Then let him choose what to persue further.

dthigpen

Thanks for the input everyone. Still undecided, but at least now have a lot more confirmed ideas to choose from

charley

1888 MS 65PL MORGAN.

100proof1957

Oregon Trail or the Saint in Maybe MS62,1908 No Motto ?

dthigpen

I appreciate everyone's input. I ended up going with a 1909-S AU 58 $20 St Gaudens Double Eagle in a Blue Labeled PCGS slab which I just picked up from a fellow board member, I'm sure he'll be happy with it.

morgannut2, I'll likely use the mixture that you described for next year's christmas present for him

I also really like the commemorative idea, but I already did that last year and will likely continue to do so in the future.

scher

I like that Oregon Trail idea..could be the start of something big...50 different designs..very historical...
Bruce Scher

Luvdawgs

How 'bout one of these, Thiggy?

Luvdawgs

ttt in case Doug didn't see this

michael

colored brown red brown gem proof indian cent

colored brown red brown choice/gem proof two cent piece



especailly great for someone interested in coins and history


michael

Deb048gold

1908 Saint No Motto. A great story, ala Teddy Roosevelt!