I split my CG time between black boats (Sagebrush, Sorrel), LORAN, and civil engineering sand peep duty. Yes, there is life after the Guard. I miss the people though. Is John Miller still in Kodiak? I think he retired up there.
Numismatic author & owner of the Uncommon Cents collections. 2011 Fred Bowman award winner, 2020 J. Douglas Ferguson award winner, & 2022 Paul Fiocca award winner.
Hi, I'm Colin, 22, living in Ottawa and studying Geography with a Concentration in History at the University of Ottawa. I love these subject areas, I study everything from earth sciences to human geography to archaeology, and after this degree I want to do a masters or another degree in chemistry or biology or both. I can't seem to narrow my focus and there is a lot more I want to study. I also do digital cartography, and I'm thinking of slapping together some numismatic maps to illustrate my collection into some sort of encyclopedia monstrosity thing.
I've been collecting almost my whole life, one of my first memories of numismatics is playing with British pennies on the carpet. I started out with remnant British pieces from the motherland (I was born in Scotland) and a mixture of random world coins given to me by family friends and coins broought home by my father on business trips. I'm pretty sure I can find a way to collect anything, but I am not the crazy pack rat type.
I collect everything and enjoy the learning and actual ownership of artefacts and spending the time in researching, cataloguing and storing them. I like collecting around my knowledge base, so with everything I read it triggers new numismatic interests and investigations.
This board is great, I've almost been here 2 years and trading with great people here has been fun and helpful. On that note I have some stuff to put together...
Bosox - John is still here, living out at mile 40.5 on the Chiniak Highway last I heard he was working at the rocket site but I'm not sure if he is still there.
You know Kodiak, we live here for the 30 days of sunshine a year
"Any fool can use Power, but it is our wits that make us men."
Collecting Penguins, Named Ship Coins and other assorted goodies
My interest in the hobby may take a back seat indefinitely for a few years as I don't have room for it, nor can I really justify the costs.
Phil,
being someone who has admitted of getting in that back seat already, but for different reasons and not for the first time, I'm telling you not to stop because of lack of funds or space. Coin collecting is not about buying and owning coins only, it's also about photographing them ,sharing them and discussing them here ,and you obviously do these things very well. The photos that you took of my collection are like a breath of fresh air, and ,in fact, my "coin collecting" during the next year, will be primarily to share them with the Darksiders ,look at their own finds and enjoy the company ,knowledge and humour of these fine people. Besides, it won't take you long to meet collectors in London ,so you might want to think it all over again from then on.But if you simply want to take a break, because you've (temporarily) lost interest in it, or had an OD, it's a different story, then go ahead and stop! Just don't forget to drop by from time to time.
Wow, great idea, Terry! Well, my name is Nickolai and I collect coins with ships and boats on them: I have now 396 coins, medals and tokens with ships (but mostly coins) from 102 countries. All the coins are different by type! Also I'm collecting British, Canadian, NZ, Australian and USA coins. As well Channel Islands and IOM coins. Also some Commonwealth coins. Russian bi-metallic coins. Some euro coins: only 50 eurocents and 1 euro denominations. And... all special, "eye appeal" and just beautifull coins/tokens/medals from all over the World. I used to live in Leningrad (St Petersburg now) but now I'm working as Water & Drainage Eng. in Israeli Ministry of Agriculture. Age? Almost like Jester Married + two boys.
Hey Nick! Heh heh....it appears that there are a few of us in that age bracket, like the Dead King and Trozau...
I wanted to also comment on what Dimitri said to Phil about lifetime coin collecting and taking a time-out from time to time. It happens. Not so much due to our loss of interest in coins, but in my opinion due to either sensory overload (too much numismatics at one time) or other more pressing family or personal goals. Numismatics seems like a boomerang--the interest remains there but if temporarily removed, it just keeps coming back. Personally, and not unlike Dimitri, I've had a somewhat dead period in coin collecting the past year. First, a forced move and being without internet for half a year, then when I got back to some Jester Challenges, I found out to my great chagrin that the bulk of them had been relegated to the "archived" section of PCGS boards, thereby rendering them hard to find and worse, impossible to add to. This has put a small dent in my desire to share on this board, as I had planned to make the Challenge series something interactive that could serve as not only a reference source, but more an interactive tool to bring us together. Now, if we're not allowed to retrieve and add to these Challenges, it seems that half the sense of it has been lost. Additionally, other things in my life have also edged in on my coin collecting interests, so I have less time and money for it. Nonetheless, I doubt I'll ever lose my intense passion for coins. This forum serves a great purpose in allowing us a method to interact with each other, and I'm happy it exists. I'm very happy all of you exist and participate too!
.....GOD
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." -Luke 11:9
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." -Deut. 6:4-5
"For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; He will save us." -Isaiah 33:22
Hi , My name is Walt and Im a coinaholic, Im 60 years young and I collect gold sovereigns Eddie VII , and 19 century French 20 franc gold. I also collect GB coins (just about any type) , and Canadian large cents and the 2 dollar proof coins.
My name is Lane and I am the Director of Numismatic Curriculum at the ANA. My darkside interests are Conder tokens, Goetz patterns, ancients, and any coins with a historical connection. I am the lead instructor for the ANA's course "Coins in the Classroom" (the scholarship-based, multi-day course for teachers where they learn how to use numismatics to enhance their lessons . . . PM me for more details, especially if you are a teacher) and world coins are a wonderful way to augment lessons on history, politics, geography, . . . you name it!
Lane
Numismatist Ordinaire See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
Puddle Pirate - When you see John pleasee tell him that Rob Turner said hi.
Numismatic author & owner of the Uncommon Cents collections. 2011 Fred Bowman award winner, 2020 J. Douglas Ferguson award winner, & 2022 Paul Fiocca award winner.
Anyway, my name is Cathy. I decline to state my age Mostly because I have reached the point where I actually forgot one of my birthdays.
I am in the Navy and moved back to Maryland (I lived here about 15 years ago), after 2 years in Japan. Before that I bounced around Portsmouth and Norfolk, Virginia for several years (including 6 months on something big and grey that some poor fool let me steer one night in the Persian Gulf--not my usual job to say the least). I've also had some in Charleston S.C. and Groton CT (where I bought my first gold coin ever during a snowstorm that closed the base, so I went for a drive). Before that was Maryland for school courtesy of the military. Before that was pre-Navy life at Cal-Berkeley (that was a big switch!).
While in Japan my interest in gold bullion turned into an interest in darkside gold in general, and then to Japanese coins (with a 'modern' type set in progress), and now I am a member of the 'coin per country' collecting club. The only problem is I find an interesting country and usually get several coins.
For some reason I also like coins with Queen Victoria from 1893. I have no idea why.
I also occasionally pretend to have a collection of "naked guys on coins" or "naked guys on horses on coins". It is my only defense against the BBL threads (please ignore the BB and B --bare breast and baby-- on my icon, that is merely a representation of my occupation, I mean no humor there whatsoever).
After coins, I also fell in love with medals. My favorites are those with mother/child themes or with horses or other animals. Of course anything with a Stork on it is fair game too. Some things meet none of these criteria other than I found it beautiful or interesting.
My family puts up with my collecting with good humor, my step-father even made a very nice wall display that I have my medals in. My husband just shrugs and starts flipping through bicycling catalogs.
Update: Just spoke with the owner, he actually designed a coin for Victoria and the paper wants to do a story on it. He owner remembered some pictures I gave him last year and wanted me to do it.
I can't let such a fabulous thread go on without mucking it up with some stuff no one will care about.
I'm a retired financial institutions lawyer, probably older than Wybrit, and I started collecting US coins from circulation in the late '50s or early '60s, never seriously, until I retired.
Going through my hoard I realized that U.S. coinage was really boring, and I much preferred the Japanese coins I had picked up (along with my Beautiful Bride of 49+ years) while stationed there during and after the Korean War.
Since I began concentrating in that area my Modern Japanese type set has been about 80% completed (excluding gold); and out of 831 coins needed for a full date set from 1870 on, I have 362, including about 50 that seriously need upgrading.
Recently I've started expanding into the fascinating area of extra-territorial Japanese coinage that was issued for military and occupation usage in Java, Korea and China. So far I've primarily been reading the books on that area, before I start buying the coins in earnest.
Besides collecting coins and books (numismatic and other), I participate in several on-line coin and ham radio forums/lists, and moderate on one of the coin forums.
Outside of numismatics my many activities include long-distance bicyling, and ham radio operation. The Beautiful Bride and I are inveterate theatre goers as well.
My daugher in Maryland has given me a grandson and a granddaugher - both now in college - and my son in Virginia has given me two pre-school granddaughters (with the help of his wife, of course )
Oh, yeah - I met Stork in Tokyo a while back and Cathy is every bit as nice in person as she seems to be on the forum.
Name is Delmer, and back in 1982 I walked into a coin shop and spotted a junk box full of old darkside coins. 50 Cents apiece. And FILLED with old worn, beat up British and French coppers(and other stuff). In the case of the British coppers, they went back to monarchs I had heard of (George III) and even older ones I hadn't heard of or just had a sketchy awareness of (George II, Charles II, James II, William and Mary). If I had the finances I have today (not that I'm loaded) I would have 'backed up the truck' so to speak on that junk box! But after my initial purchase of a 1774 farthing and a 498-527 AD Byzantine Follis, pandora's box had been opened and I've been hooked on old darkside stuff ever since.
Well - My name is Frank, and most people have accused me of just being a plain nut and not just a coin nut.
My main interest still lies in American coins, but more particularly in toned coins, both moderns and not (on the light side we call anything before 1964 or there abouts) non modern. Anyway, the toning on coins is what brought me to the darkside to see what goodies I could find that wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg. Thus far I've concentrated on the Semeuse coinage of the French third republic (toned of course) and I've also started a type collection of 500 Lira Vatican coins which I'm finding very interesting. I'm always game for a good conversation and enjoy helping newbies get started in the hobby
Hi, my name is John and I'm 36 years old. I'm pretty new to coin collecting and have come to enjoy Darkside material. I collect what I like, which as of late has been anything with St. George and the dragon. I also collect holed coins like Lordminivan, who sparked my interest in them. I have collected Native American artifacts for many years and is my first true love so to speak.
I am very appreciative of all who have helped me on this forum.
Hello, my name is John. I'm 44 and live outside of Reading, PA with my wife and three kids. I run a software company and collect mostly $20's on the litreside and 15th-17th century Polish on the darkside. Trying to put together a run of Mexican 50 pesos, too.
I've been back in the hobby, after a nearly 30 year hiatus, for about 3 years.
And I am the Sorceror, koo-koo-ka-choo!! I am the Father of the Dark Side (but have created nothing of what goes into it); I am ageless; I am wise beyond my years (although lately I’ve been getting over it). Those who don’t know me as Askari call me Mark … except my 6-year-old son and almost 10-I-wanna-get-my-ears-pierced-years-old daughter, who call me “Da-Da” no matter how many times I tell them it’s “Daddy.” * Sigh! *
Thanks to being raised an Air Force brat, I was exposed to foreign coins and currency about as soon as I was to US money. That was, however, back in the days when Buffalo nickels, Mercury dimes, Standing Liberty Quarters, and even the occasional Indian Head cent could be culled from circulation – and Franklins could be found readily at the bank and in change. Before we left the Azores in ’66, I had more Portuguese money than US (but our indigenous movers liberated most of that, along with my comic books, and sundry other items more valuable). The older US coins I found more interesting than the increasingly boring same ol’, same ol’ I was adding to my Whitman folders. After college and moving to North Texas, I worked on Morgans, which helped me learn to grade (non-11-point), but the hyping and cleaning and whizzing and ever-rising prices dampened my enthusiasm.
Since I’ve always had a love for history, I switched to ancients – chiefly Roman imperial chump change and Celtic – until decent-quality examples started accelerating in price. At that point, I went back to my roots and focused on Imperial German coinage and currency. This encompasses a largely complete mint-state type set of the imperial common coinage and Prussian Mark denominations, but my main specialty has been German colonial material and I am working on a complete Unc. German East African year/mint set, which is nearly 80% complete. My imperial currency set, principally AU-CU, is about at the same point and all three are to the point where scarcities are needed. My German East currency set is about 50% done, but the material needed is likewise less and less common. I also have nice collections of German (and some Austrian) Notgeld – only what I like since that’s a huge field – and of WWI POW camp currency.
I also pick up whatever I find especially attractive (that’s within my means). I’ve always had an eye for beauty , which is I found principally only the late-19th/early-20th-century US coinage appealing. About three years ago, that led me to exploring more the artists who designed the most beautiful US and world coinage – that which was signally influenced by the art nouveau and art deco movements. Accordingly, I’ve spent most of efforts since building an estimable collection of art medals rendered by the best masters of the period. Not to totally set aside primary numismatics, I’m also working on a set of higher-grade Philippine guerrilla currency. The history behind each one is phenomenal. For instance, changes in treasurer and auditor signatures – and serial number blocks – often were the result of the Japanese capturing and executing the individuals involved.
Subsidizing this means I try to stay gainfully employed as an aerospace engineer – a challenging ambition as anyone in the industry can tell you. Fortunately (?), I am a rare breed in that I am a generalist rather than a specialist engineer. It has produced an interesting and variegated career path and I am presently a strategic planner … meaning, as is only appropriate for a sorceror, I predict the future of international relations and the evolving nature of warfare.
I'm actually 429 years young. I was born on the Isle of St. Kilda in 1576. Me mother was Heather MacInnes and she was in love with my handsome, wild-haired father Rory Red MacCrimmon. And if you're searching google, you can discount this Cremona, Italy tripe. The MacCrimmons of Skye are as you would expect; wild, red-haired, bonny knees, calloused hands (but nimble on tha pipes), part-Irish, part-Norse, part-Breton, part-mutt, and, we're not Italian (although some darn fine musicians came from there)!
My name is Dougal or one of it's derivatives, yet they all mean dark stranger. Unknown before time and yet, always there. My current wife (the 7th since my first wife in 1599) is the treasure all of my days. She is descended from the Elliots; so, she's a Border rat, and I am the DARK Mouse. Together, we are as poor as church mice, but we are happy!!
I possess three fine greyhounds who are presently coveting my pizza. I am presently in love with two wimmin, my wife, and my mistress, Queen Victoria. And so, I am sworn to regather Victoria's coinage once again as they were when minted. I have until 2026, the 125th anniversary of her death.
This time around I thought I'd try my hand at electrical engineering, and so, I labor thus but preferring the pipes above all else of the worldly pleasures, except my wimmin, of course........
Now, go have a single malt or a Guiness. They're easier to swallow than the preceding drivel.....
Mise Éire, Mise Éire sinne mé ná An chailleach Bheara. Mór mo ghlóire mé do rug Cú Chulainn cróga. Mór mo náire. o chlann féin do dhíol a Máthair.
That said I am Micheál and I live in the very north of New Hampshire with my wife Susan and a golden retreiver mix named "Cailín". My love for coins was a gift from my mother. She loved to collect coins from all over the world and the bug bit her as a young girl in Ireland. Later when my folks came to the state she loved picking up U.S. coinage her favorite coin were Morgan dollars. My interest grew even more in world coins when I served in the military and then in the intelligence community from where I am now retired. My favorite and strongest area is in Irish coinage and notes. I also have a large Canadian collection along with a little bit of everything I picked up overseas. I also try to add a wee bit of darkside gold if I can. If it interests me and catches my eye I collect it LOL! I have to say I love it all. I also have a complete set of Ike proof dollars which was once in the PCGS registry and a good selection of U.S. coins.
When I am not collecting coins, metal detecting, cross country skiing or checking the weather on top of Mt. Washington fer the wee church mouse, I enjoy playing and singing Irish and Scottish music which I have done off and on since age 3.
Since I've recently resurfaced on these boards, I figured this thread could use another post.
My name is Phil and I am currently collecting Great Britain 1 Florins by type and France 1 Franc by type. I also have some coins of Ireland and Greece, but those are not very organized at the moment. I also have a few miscellaneous items from other countries, but am not actively adding to them.
On the U.S. side, I collect mainly issues from 1850-1950. I am currently focused on Indian Head Cents, Barbers (Dimes, Quarters, Halves), and Peace Dollars. I also like Liberty Nickels and Franklin Halves, but am not doing much with them lately. All of my U.S. stuff I collect by date.
I also like proof coins of just about any kind, in particular cameos.
On both U.S. and world coins, I tend to stick with the low-dollar stuff, items that are less than $20/coin. This keeps my collections moving along and keeps me from going broke!
I am married and have a 1-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter, and we live in the Tampa, Florida area. Edited to add: I'm 37.
Edited to say I am now divorced and have moved 1800 miles from Southern California to live in Mountain Home Arkansas
My name is Rick and I have only posted a few times here on the boards although I do lurk and read posts all the time. I am forty years of age and was a semi pro bowler but now I make a more stable living running a bowling center in Southern California. Mom got me started collecting when I was about 8 years old. I pretty much went dormant from age 16 to about 25 and then returned with a focus on darkside coins. None of my family shows any interest in collecting with me though (sigh). I also have an interest in Geneology and a large collection of model trains.
My main focus is on Germany, I collect state pieces by type except Prussia which is by date and mint. I also collect the Empire, Weimar and Third Reich through the Allied occupation by date and mint. With a second collection of AU or better by type for the Empire, Weimar and Third Reich. All total I have acquired some 4500 different coins in my fields of interest. Recently a dozen or so different Mexican 8 real pieces have been spotted around the house (there's something about the size and crudeness of these coins I really like).
As far as lightside interests. I am putting together a unique type set. Coins must be indentifiable but not grade better than About Good. This way I can have a US type set that doesn't cost thousands of dollars per coin. The older coins are easy to find in the poorer grades but I am always looking to downgrade my collection whenever an opportunity presents itself. I still have my completed (missing the 1922 NMM) Lincoln, Completed Jefferson (all XF or better), completed Roosevelt (All XF+) and Washington set (all XF or better 'cept the 32-D in VF) (My cut off date is 1965, my birth year) I started on a Franklin half set in XF or better in 2003 but it takes a second seat to my darkside interests. Which means I have an album and 6 coins so far.
Anyway, that's a little about me and my collecting interest. Regards, Rick
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Freedom is a well armed lamb contesting that vote. Benjamin Franklin - 1779
1836 Capped Liberty dime. My oldest US detecting find so far. I dig almost every signal I get for the most part. Go figure...
My name is Gregg and I have frequented these boards for a while and yet missed this thread. My interest in coins started late in life when I began researching a reenacting persona for items a Krasnoarmeeyets would carry with him into battle. See my icon. My focus has always been Darkside.
Being half Panamanian, I am presently working on Panama sets for the years 1953, 1978 and 2003; the 50th, 75th and 100th Anniversaries of Panamanian Independence. A short travelogue of my last trip to Panama can be seen here.
Other coin related interests include Canadian 50 cent pieces, Darkside commemoratives, East European coins, world coins commemorating the 50th anniversary of the U.N. (See pix in sigline) and anything else that catches my eye.
Potestas Democraticorum delenda est! Joel 3:10
“The American people will never knowingly adopt Socialism. But under the name of ‘liberalism’ they will adopt every fragment of the Socialist program, until one day America will be a Socialist nation, without knowing how it happened.” -Socialist Party presidential candidate Norman Thomas
“We Are All Socialists Now" - Feb 16, 2009 cover of Newsweek Magazine
<< <i>I'm Darkhorse. My real name is Phil. I'm 24 and I've been collecting since I was 13. My interest in the hobby was reborn in 2001 and I've gone through several collections. I usually collect pieces that I find artistically pleasing, but this can be difficult given my budget.
My interest in the hobby may take a back seat indefinitely for a few years as I don't have room for it, nor can I really justify the costs. I know darkside collecting can be done on the cheap but I just can't get into cheap coins. I lose interest straight away. I have a new computer to buy (or possibly lease) and I'm going to go to the UK to do design work and set up a life for myself there. >>
<< <i>I'm Darkhorse. My real name is Phil. I'm 24 and I've been collecting since I was 13. My interest in the hobby was reborn in 2001 and I've gone through several collections. I usually collect pieces that I find artistically pleasing, but this can be difficult given my budget.
My interest in the hobby may take a back seat indefinitely for a few years as I don't have room for it, nor can I really justify the costs. I know darkside collecting can be done on the cheap but I just can't get into cheap coins. I lose interest straight away. I have a new computer to buy (or possibly lease) and I'm going to go to the UK to do design work and set up a life for myself there. >>
I retract this statement. >>
Why don't you update it? I've read your posts on the OF but I'm sure many here don't visit over there.
Potestas Democraticorum delenda est! Joel 3:10
“The American people will never knowingly adopt Socialism. But under the name of ‘liberalism’ they will adopt every fragment of the Socialist program, until one day America will be a Socialist nation, without knowing how it happened.” -Socialist Party presidential candidate Norman Thomas
“We Are All Socialists Now" - Feb 16, 2009 cover of Newsweek Magazine
Hi, my name is Jeff and I am an F-16 Fighter Pilot in the Air Force. I am 40 years old and the USAF has been my life for 22 of those exciting years.
Sometime along my Coin Collecting career I had an epiphany.
If you are like me, one day you will realize that only the 'special' coins belong in your personal collection. If you look at a collection of Lincoln Cents, the coins that get the most attention are the Key Dates and the High Grade scarce coins.
After attending many Coin Shows I realized that the majority (99%) of older coins have been cleaned - even the slabbed ones. Coin collectors have preserved their treasures for more years than I have been around, and I decided to find those coins that they treasured. The main storage piece of older collections was the Coin Cabinet and early Wayte Raymond albums, and pieces stored in this way often exhibit the most beautiful natural colors. Finding a coin that still has this color and hasn't been cleaned or enhanced has been a pursuit that has kept this hobby exciting for me. I can go to a coin show with 50 dealers and only find 1 coin that was treasured by an older collector that still has it's original toning and has never been cleaned. It is hard to describe what natural album or cabinet toning is, but the coin will have THAT LOOK. I actually don't care what the grade is as long as the coin is 'special', has the right LOOK, and fit's in the Beautiful category. I have bought many Average, Plain and downright Ugly coins in my early collecting days,, and I always ended up hating them because every time I would look at such a coin, I would end up focusing on the 'Problems'. Many collectors that only collect White coins don't realize that their coin has at sometime been cleaned. Find me a coin that has the original color from sitting on an old collection, and you will easily get me excited.
From this epiphany I have been buying coins that have THAT LOOK. I guess you can say I am the ultimate World Collector, and when I find a coin like this it goes in my personal collection. My favorites go back as far as ancient Greece and Rome up to a 1967 Canadian Dollar with colorful rim toning from the original holder it was stored in. What my collection has become is an enjoyment personally to me. I can look at each coin and and get excited because it has that SOMETHING SPECIAL. Usually these special coins also have High Relief Strikes, Brilliant Luster under the toning, Die Breaks, or something else that can cause me to spend an hour with a Loupe just looking at each and every coin.
My collection isn't very large at about 200 coins, and it is only that big because I don't care what series it belongs to - only that it has THAT LOOK or has that SOMETHING SPECIAL. Eventually I would like to complete a 'set' of something, so to give you an idea of what I am talking about, I will classify my collection into the following broad areas:
- Ancient Greek beautifully toned silver staters by type (an Athenian Owl, Aegean Turtle, Corinthian Pegasus, Facing Heads of Larissa) - Silver Tetradrachms from Alexander the Great (Cabinet Toned of course) and my one Gold Stater. - Roman Denarii from all the Emperors and their Families - and my two Gold Aureii from 2 of the 12 Caesars. - Hammered Silver and Gold pieces from 1200-1680 (especially Great Britain and other European countries, my icon) - Austria/German States Thalers and World Crowns - World Coins (Darkside) that have THE LOOK (if you've read this far) This covers everything...
- US Coins by Type (Originally Toned) especially Draped Bust, Proof Seated, Barber, etc. - Large Size US Paper Money (by type), and Obsoletes, Colonials, Fractionals - World Paper Money (darkside paper?) I'm just getting started...
I am truly thankful to have found this Board and met fellow Darksiders. Kudos to Terry for starting this thread. -Jeff
I'm Oliver, long-time reader and sparse poster! I live in England and I'm in full-time education at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, currently doing my GCSEs. Next year I'll hopefully going to the Sixth form to study Economics, Politics, Maths (Statistics) and German.
I'm 16 and have been collecting for a few years now. I used to collect farthings until verdigris put pay to that idea. Since then I've been in a numismatic no-man's land, still deciding what to focus on. My overriding aim is to get a set of George IV 1826 silver in EF+ although I feel that will take a while with the budget I'm on. I'm 1/3 of the way there with the shilling in aUNC!
Sylvester told me about this forum ages ago, and I've posted a few times. I think this will be increasing due to the unfortunate shutdown of Coinpeople.
<< <i>Sylvester told me about this forum ages ago, and I've posted a few times. I think this will be increasing due to the unfortunate shutdown of Coinpeople. >>
It's very nice to see you here, Oli Welcome, and I hope you enjoy this place.
Maybe I should add my dos centavos worth. I'm Marty and I'm a numismatute! My manta is that great coins are made not bought. I buy and sell greyside coins to pay for my darkside fix! I for what I collect, well whatever I see that I like. Right now I'm working on South Africa 5 shillings, and I'm doing a good job on them. Oh yea, and the Canadian proof sets!
It is not exactly cheating, I prefer to consider it creative problem solving!!!
I can't remember if i've posted on this thread or not, if so then it doesn't matter cos it'll be out of date now so i'll post again.
My name's Syl (actually it's not) but for the sake of simplicity on here it is. I live in England (when i'm not in cloud cuckooland), i collect coins from here and there.
Mostly English, a bit of German, a hint of French and some US thrown in for good measure. My main focus is on medieval coins, but i do occasionally admit that there are centuries after the 15th.
okay... I've been reluctant to give too many details because of various stories about people using that info for break-in purposes.
I'm Steve. Had been a "corporate" finance guy for 22 years. Received a large company payoff and, for the last two years, have been having fun starting up an on-line race running/triathlon race registration company in Europe (www.activeeurope.com) and buying out Triathlete Magazine - my other hobby. Thinking about going back to work though. I'm too young to retire.
Converted to the Darkside about a year ago. Liked everthing I saw on the boards and started with a Franklin Mint "Coin Sets of All Nations". Have about 140 countries, a website with pictures, and loan them to schools and libraries. I most recently lived in the South of France for two years, so I have a lot of old (for Americans) circlulated coins going back to the 1800's. I also collect BEP Souvenir Cards to admire the engraving.
The Darkside is a great group. The expertise here is amazing and shared with humor and humility. Thanks to everyone.
Hi, I'm Tim. I live and work in Manila, Philippines. I've been collecting for about 3 years now. All U.S. Philippines, until recently, I've started on predecimal New Zealand ..... love the people, love the country, love the rugby! Married to a beautiful young lady and father to two little monsters (I mean darling young children). Nice to meet you
From now on, I want you all to call me 'Loretta'...
Sorry, stuck on a theme.
Real name's Dan. I collect pretty much anything and everything Darkside pre-WWII. I have a penchant for German states and British fractional farthings. Coin collecting is the lesser of my vices; I'm first and foremost a stamp collector, specializing in 1st series U.S. Revenues (Civil war Era).
I'm frequently in the Philippines, a country where kidnap is an important industry. Indeed, one of my friends in the numismatic community here was kidnapped and held for ransom. So excuse me if I play it safe and keep my name private.
I'm a mathematician by training but left academia about 40 years ago because I couldn't stand the internal politics of the Math Department -- or the university itself, for that matter. Took a minimum wage job as the complaint department of a bookclub and was amazed and delighted at how clean the business world was. The boss was happy so long as I was making money for the company by saving customers. It was a very simple formula for a meritocracy, and I understood it and loved it
In two years, I worked my way up to Sales Mgr of the affiliated publisher, and tripled sales after which I quit and set up my own advertising agency. And that's what I've been doing ever since.
I had been an ardent childhood coin collector but when I left home for college, I let that go. I started collecting again about a dozen years ago, mostly the Standing Liberty Quarters and nickel 3 cent pieces; both of which had designs I loved.
About 8 years ago, business took me to Manila, which I enjoyed greatly. Browsing around Manila's Megamall, I found a coin shop and saw the US Philippine coins for the first time. Was stunned by their beauty, and intrigued by the fact that they were obviously bi-lingual and bi-national -- America's only coins with those characteristics.
I started to pick up some US Philippine coins on eBay, not really knowing what I was doing. But I corresponded with a few of the Manila dealers via e-mail, and the next time business took me to Manila, I visited with some of them. One gave me the Basso book, which I read twice on the flight home. I read it once cover to cover; went to sleep. When I woke up I was so excited by it, I read it again.
With that I was hooked on the US Philippines coins. I started looking forward to each trip to the Philippines so I could collect the US Philippines -- and make money. The money was for my wallet, the coins for my heart.
Along the way, I added
... US 2 cent pieces because they were out-of-favor and so cheap (at the time, no longer), yet challenging, ... US silver 3 cent pieces (like the two cent pieces, both in proof and business strikes), ... Shield Nickels (because they are a fascinating series full of interesting varieties and patterns), ... Liberty Nickels (because they were one of my childhood favorites) ... Jefferson Nickels (in full steps so they would be more challenging and fun) ... Roosevelt dimes, because they tone up so purty ... Washington Quarters (both to go with my Standing Liberties, and again because they were one of my childhood favorites) ... Booker T. Washingtons ... George WAshington Carver ... And a few other series.
But the US Philippines remained my favorites, and to this day, of all my collections, I'm far and away proudest of the collection I've put together for US Philippines, and how much I've learned about them.
About 4 years, when President Ramos left office in the Philippines, a genially corrupt demogogue Erap Estrada became president. The Philippines, which had been booming -- and a wonderful place to live -- went into a economic tailspin and became a terribly unsafe place to live.
My clients -- who were headquartered in Manila -- moved with me to BAngkok, and I've been living there ever since. The bulk of my company is still in the states, but I'm out here in Southeast Asia.
Needless to say, living in Bangkok I've become intrigued by the beauty -- and challenge -- of collecting the old pre-World War II Thai coins. But I found it almost impossible to collect them intelligently because I couldn't read the dates or the legends on the coins, or the reference books which were in Thai. So for the last 3 or 4 months, my office Manager and secretary, both of whom are reasonably bi-lingual, have been trying to teach this old dog new tricks, i.e., to read, write, and speak Thai, so I can communicate better with them, but most importantly collect Thai coins.
And at this time of my life, I could easily retire and live in comfort in my waning years. But my mistress, "Khun Lee-an" (Thai for rare coins), is expensive and the only way for me to slake my lust for fun new coins is to keep working. So I keep working. And my clients and staff are always happy when they see me reaching for a coin I can't afford -- because they know I'll keep going until it's paid off and by then, they figure, I'll have more coins to pay off. And so far they've been right. No complaints here. I love my job and anyone who knows me knows I'm a coinaholic as well as a workaholic.
Speaking of which, there's a client here waiting for me to get to work with him, so please excuse me.
Warm regards from Manila,
Just Having Fun
Jefferson nickels, Standing Libs, and US-Philippines rock
My name is Dave and my primary interest is US national bank notes of a couple of metro areas. As I get more advanced the opportunities to add material seem to be fewer and fewer. So that I can buy something, I have several darkside intersts:
1. Roman folles of RIC volume 6 (293-312). I have 5-600 pieces and have been working on this since the early 80s
2. Latvian paper money, 1915-1940. Complete by major type (except a 1919 25R serial A) but I am going after all of the block letters (yeah insane) and am probably 80%+ complete in the grade I want (XF or better). Supplemented with Latvian fiscal documents
3. Vatican/papal coins and medals. Trying to get all of the annual medals 1900-date in silver and need just 4 or 5. Complete 1 of each pope official medal (~1400 to date) and branching into other arcane areas such as holy years, special issues, etc. Just started buying the Lateran issue coins as a topic as well and slowly doing the 1 coin of each pope set.
4. Misc stuff that catches my eye. I try very hard to limit this because, as you can see from the above, once I get started on a set I tend to take it to extremes!
5. I forgot, Westfalen tokens 1921-3 just for fun
Always interested in St Louis MO & IL metro area and Evansville IN national bank notes and Vatican/papal states coins and medals!
Hi! I just came across this wonderful thread, and thought I'd introduce myself as well.......
I'm Dave, and am in my mid-40's (I actually have to calculate each time someone asks my age!). I am married with 2 sons in middle- and elementary schools.
YEARS ago, I collected Lincoln cents in my Whitman blue folders. Over time, I branched-out to the rest of the circulating coins (nickels, dimes, quarters) - - all of them in Whitman folders exclusively.
I remember walking many blocks downtown with my Grandparents as a kid in Philadelphia to "smelters' row", and sifting thru can after can of "junk" silver looking for dates. At the time, silver had just recently been "retired" from U.S. coins, and I think they were selling at 2 to 3 times face. But, with my limited means, and equally limited vision of the future, I passed on many a coin as "too expensive" to support at the time. It's a miracle I have as many silver coins as I do even now as a result!
Anyway, over the years, I kept current with those Whitman folders and U.S. coins only.
Slowly, I added Canadian folders as well, as a family trip or two brought some circulating Canadian change into my pockets as well.
I pretty much kept up this low-level of activity until about 5 or so years ago. While working extended hours on strike duty coverage (as Management) with nothing better to do, I stumbled upon this Forum, and my eyes were opened wide first to the U.S. again, and then the Darkside!
Slowly, I expanded my interests and trading partners to include circulated coins in Whitman folders for:
(1) U.S. back thru early 20th century, plus some Morgans/Peace Dollars (never got into Barbers & earlier, unfortunately, or colonials)
(2) Canadian back thru early 20th Century, from Large Cents thru Twoonies, plus Maritimes & recently Tokens
(3) Mexican 1, 5, & 20-centavos
(4) Great Britain - - all 20th-century pre-decimalization denominations
(5) Australia & New Zealand - - 20th century, pre-decimalization
(6) One-per-Country collection (which has expanded to a "MANY-per-country" set!)
(7) EURO coin collection: 1999-2002 (1 per country per year per denomination per mintmark)
I could not have done much of the above without all the help of my numerous new friends and trading partners here on the Forum & those introduced to me as a result. While my entire collection is probably far less valuable than many of single "paths" (and quite often single COINS of many of yours!) of individuals here on the Forum, it has always been my little piece of pleasure, and brings back both fond memories of childhood and places I or family members have been fortunate to have visited .
Except for the "1-per-country" and Euro Coin collections, the rest have remained true to my original Whitman Blue Folder in "circulated" condition criteria established as a 6-year-old............................proof that, as my wife & kids claim, I'm just a big old kid!
Now, with being down to just key or semi-key or expensive dates for the most part on the U.S. and others, much of my time is spent just keeping up with each new year's issues, or finding the odd date that my kids' collections (again, spare Whitman folders!!) need, or trading with others with similar interests to help them out as I have been helped.
And I'm always looking for more trading partners!! Drop me a line!
Hello all, my name is Matt, I am 28 years old and I am a GIS Analyst/Archaeologist where I live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I am hopelessly addicted to coin collecting... I started out many years ago accumulating US coins of all sorts and a few from the darkside here and there. I later worked in a coin shop for a few years after college and refined my hoarding habits into more of a collector. Lightside was still my main goal (Dimes of all breeds), but since the shop owner was a darkside aficionado, I learned what I could. After grad school I resumed collecting (aka, I got a job and I was not as far below the poverty line as I was in school) and I have sold off some of my lightside material in the interests of the darkside. I still collect lightside such as Dimes and basically any eye appealing coin that strikes me and is affordable, but my main pursuit is darkside material. I collect 20th c. French coins and US-Philippines mainly (thanks to Mr. Justhavingfun), but will again buy anything that strikes my fancy. Oh, and light/darkside errors and varieties always trip my trigger.
Thanks to everyone on the CU boards (especially the darkside board! ), I have learned a ton from each of you.
Dan here, a self employed drafter in the midst of the South Florida building boom. I really picked the right time to a) get back into collecting and b) go out on my own, in business. Worked out very well for my collections
Very new to the darkside, but I've collected US approaching 20 years. Finally just got sick of all the 'commodity' aspects of the US coin market (slabs, crackouts, gradeflation, etc) as well as the ever more insane pieces choice original coin was reaching. I haven't given up on US completely, but the shift is nearly full at this point.
I don't really have a specialized area yet, just buying a few odds and ends that appeal to me, reading up on world (just got Friedberg's World Gold and my Krause set). When I figure it out, you'll know
Hello, My name is Court and I, too, am a Coinaholic
At some time in a misty past I assembled nothing but sets of Morgans.......But! Something was always missing in my collecting happiness - all of the obverses looked the same and the reverves realy did not differ that much and the empty holes represented several thousand dollars each ....... alas, all that fortune to be spent for yet another coin that looked like the last one
Then I caught a clue from my son (no dummy that one), While I spent much time looking for the right coin to add or to upgrade the set - He always found a handful that made him happy .... and it only cost him $10.00. It was after one of these buying trips that I started to dabble in the Darkside. Eventually my search found some focus and I started to concentrate on coins that have a Ship in the motif. Now some will say "so what" but tall ships have always held my interest. Maybe I was a pirate in an earlier life - that would explain my former occupation (see forum name).
Now I am very happy with my "Ship Coin" collection. I can go to a show or a coin shop and spend a lot fewer dollars and be completely happy with my new finds. I also enjoy Canadian Silver Dollars. I have not completely left the other side though. I have 2 Dansco 7070's - One with the best I can find and the other with the lowest, problem free, grade. None beter than AG3 - Sill a work in progress.
My charming wife is hooked on ancient Roman and Greek coins and is currently working on her set of one coin from each Roman Emperor's reign. So we can enjoy going to the coin shows together. I do tend to take a bit more time than she does though.
What a thrill to see all the new faces around here! Really!!
.....GOD
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." -Luke 11:9
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." -Deut. 6:4-5
"For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; He will save us." -Isaiah 33:22
JustHavingFun, I understand your need for privacy. I actually posted under a different nick myself when this thread was created. Go figure. I do intend to visit Bankog around Xmas though, and I'd be thrilled to meet you in person.
JZ you have an exciting job and an exquisite taste in coins.
edited to add that I could not resist this, it was post #100.
Comments
http://www.victoriancent.com
I've been collecting almost my whole life, one of my first memories of numismatics is playing with British pennies on the carpet. I started out with remnant British pieces from the motherland (I was born in Scotland) and a mixture of random world coins given to me by family friends and coins broought home by my father on business trips. I'm pretty sure I can find a way to collect anything, but I am not the crazy pack rat type.
I collect everything and enjoy the learning and actual ownership of artefacts and spending the time in researching, cataloguing and storing them. I like collecting around my knowledge base, so with everything I read it triggers new numismatic interests and investigations.
This board is great, I've almost been here 2 years and trading with great people here has been fun and helpful. On that note I have some stuff to put together...
You know Kodiak, we live here for the 30 days of sunshine a year
Collecting Penguins, Named Ship Coins and other assorted goodies
Looking for Circulated coins of Papua New Guinea
stores.ebay.com/Grumpy's-Cave
Phil,
being someone who has admitted of getting in that back seat already, but for different reasons and not for the first time, I'm telling you not to stop because of lack of funds or space. Coin collecting is not about buying and owning coins only, it's also about photographing them ,sharing them and discussing them here ,and you obviously do these things very well. The photos that you took of my collection are like a breath of fresh air, and ,in fact, my "coin collecting" during the next year, will be primarily to share them with the Darksiders ,look at their own finds and enjoy the company ,knowledge and humour of these fine people. Besides, it won't take you long to meet collectors in London ,so you might want to think it all over again from then on.But if you simply want to take a break, because you've (temporarily) lost interest in it, or had an OD, it's a different story, then go ahead and stop! Just don't forget to drop by from time to time.
DPOTD-1
I used to live in Leningrad (St Petersburg now) but now I'm working as Water & Drainage Eng. in Israeli Ministry of Agriculture. Age? Almost like Jester
I wanted to also comment on what Dimitri said to Phil about lifetime coin collecting and taking a time-out from time to time. It happens. Not so much due to our loss of interest in coins, but in my opinion due to either sensory overload (too much numismatics at one time) or other more pressing family or personal goals. Numismatics seems like a boomerang--the interest remains there but if temporarily removed, it just keeps coming back. Personally, and not unlike Dimitri, I've had a somewhat dead period in coin collecting the past year. First, a forced move and being without internet for half a year, then when I got back to some Jester Challenges, I found out to my great chagrin that the bulk of them had been relegated to the "archived" section of PCGS boards, thereby rendering them hard to find and worse, impossible to add to. This has put a small dent in my desire to share on this board, as I had planned to make the Challenge series something interactive that could serve as not only a reference source, but more an interactive tool to bring us together. Now, if we're not allowed to retrieve and add to these Challenges, it seems that half the sense of it has been lost. Additionally, other things in my life have also edged in on my coin collecting interests, so I have less time and money for it. Nonetheless, I doubt I'll ever lose my intense passion for coins. This forum serves a great purpose in allowing us a method to interact with each other, and I'm happy it exists. I'm very happy all of you exist and participate too!
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." -Luke 11:9
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." -Deut. 6:4-5
"For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; He will save us." -Isaiah 33:22
31 (hex) = 3 * 16 + 1 = 49.
Ajaan's age is also in hexadecimal. 46 = 4 * 16 + 6 = 70.
My name is Walt and Im a coinaholic, Im 60 years young and I collect gold sovereigns Eddie VII , and 19 century French 20 franc gold. I also collect GB coins (just about any type) , and Canadian large cents and the 2 dollar proof coins.
My name is Lane and I am the Director of Numismatic Curriculum at the ANA. My darkside interests are Conder tokens, Goetz patterns, ancients, and any coins with a historical connection. I am the lead instructor for the ANA's course "Coins in the Classroom" (the scholarship-based, multi-day course for teachers where they learn how to use numismatics to enhance their lessons . . . PM me for more details, especially if you are a teacher) and world coins are a wonderful way to augment lessons on history, politics, geography, . . . you name it!
Lane
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
http://www.victoriancent.com
<< <i>That trozau is a tricky rascal.
31 (hex) = 3 * 16 + 1 = 49.
Ajaan's age is also in hexadecimal. 46 = 4 * 16 + 6 = 70.
Anyway, my name is Cathy. I decline to state my age
I am in the Navy and moved back to Maryland (I lived here about 15 years ago), after 2 years in Japan. Before that I bounced around Portsmouth and Norfolk, Virginia for several years (including 6 months on something big and grey that some poor fool let me steer one night in the Persian Gulf--not my usual job to say the least). I've also had some in Charleston S.C. and Groton CT (where I bought my first gold coin ever during a snowstorm that closed the base, so I went for a drive). Before that was Maryland for school courtesy of the military. Before that was pre-Navy life at Cal-Berkeley (that was a big switch!).
While in Japan my interest in gold bullion turned into an interest in darkside gold in general, and then to Japanese coins (with a 'modern' type set in progress), and now I am a member of the 'coin per country' collecting club. The only problem is I find an interesting country and usually get several coins.
For some reason I also like coins with Queen Victoria from 1893. I have no idea why.
I also occasionally pretend to have a collection of "naked guys on coins" or "naked guys on horses on coins". It is my only defense against the BBL threads (please ignore the BB and B --bare breast and baby-- on my icon, that is merely a representation of my occupation, I mean no humor there whatsoever).
After coins, I also fell in love with medals. My favorites are those with mother/child themes or with horses or other animals. Of course anything with a Stork on it is fair game too. Some things meet none of these criteria other than I found it beautiful or interesting.
My family puts up with my collecting with good humor, my step-father even made a very nice wall display that I have my medals in. My husband just shrugs and starts flipping through bicycling catalogs.
This place has been a great deal of fun!
Cathy
And I still buy bullion on occasion too.
I'm a retired financial institutions lawyer, probably older than Wybrit, and I started collecting US coins from circulation in the late '50s or early '60s, never seriously, until I retired.
Going through my hoard I realized that U.S. coinage was really boring, and I much preferred the Japanese coins I had picked up (along with my Beautiful Bride of 49+ years) while stationed there during and after the Korean War.
Since I began concentrating in that area my Modern Japanese type set has been about 80% completed (excluding gold); and out of 831 coins needed for a full date set from 1870 on, I have 362, including about 50 that seriously need upgrading.
Recently I've started expanding into the fascinating area of extra-territorial Japanese coinage that was issued for military and occupation usage in Java, Korea and China. So far I've primarily been reading the books on that area, before I start buying the coins in earnest.
Besides collecting coins and books (numismatic and other), I participate in several on-line coin and ham radio forums/lists, and moderate on one of the coin forums.
Outside of numismatics my many activities include long-distance bicyling, and ham radio operation. The Beautiful Bride and I are inveterate theatre goers as well.
My daugher in Maryland has given me a grandson and a granddaugher - both now in college - and my son in Virginia has given me two pre-school granddaughters (with the help of his wife, of course
Oh, yeah - I met Stork in Tokyo a while back and Cathy is every bit as nice in person as she seems to be on the forum.
with old worn, beat up British and French coppers(and other stuff). In the case of the British coppers, they went back to monarchs I had heard of (George III) and even older ones I hadn't heard of or just had a sketchy awareness of (George II, Charles II, James II, William and Mary). If I had the finances I have today (not that I'm loaded) I would have 'backed up the truck' so to speak on that junk box! But after my initial purchase of a 1774 farthing and a 498-527 AD Byzantine Follis, pandora's box had been opened and I've been hooked on old darkside stuff ever since.
My main interest still lies in American coins, but more particularly in toned coins, both moderns and not (on the light side we call anything before 1964 or there abouts) non modern. Anyway, the toning on coins is what brought me to the darkside to see what goodies I could find that wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg. Thus far I've concentrated on the Semeuse coinage of the French third republic (toned of course) and I've also started a type collection of 500 Lira Vatican coins which I'm finding very interesting. I'm always game for a good conversation and enjoy helping newbies get started in the hobby
I am very appreciative of all who have helped me on this forum.
I've been back in the hobby, after a nearly 30 year hiatus, for about 3 years.
Thanks to being raised an Air Force brat, I was exposed to foreign coins and currency about as soon as I was to US money. That was, however, back in the days when Buffalo nickels, Mercury dimes, Standing Liberty Quarters, and even the occasional Indian Head cent could be culled from circulation – and Franklins could be found readily at the bank and in change. Before we left the Azores in ’66, I had more Portuguese money than US (but our indigenous movers liberated most of that, along with my comic books, and sundry other items more valuable). The older US coins I found more interesting than the increasingly boring same ol’, same ol’ I was adding to my Whitman folders. After college and moving to North Texas, I worked on Morgans, which helped me learn to grade (non-11-point), but the hyping and cleaning and whizzing and ever-rising prices dampened my enthusiasm.
Since I’ve always had a love for history, I switched to ancients – chiefly Roman imperial chump change and Celtic – until decent-quality examples started accelerating in price. At that point, I went back to my roots and focused on Imperial German coinage and currency. This encompasses a largely complete mint-state type set of the imperial common coinage and Prussian Mark denominations, but my main specialty has been German colonial material and I am working on a complete Unc. German East African year/mint set, which is nearly 80% complete. My imperial currency set, principally AU-CU, is about at the same point and all three are to the point where scarcities are needed. My German East currency set is about 50% done, but the material needed is likewise less and less common. I also have nice collections of German (and some Austrian) Notgeld – only what I like since that’s a huge field – and of WWI POW camp currency.
I also pick up whatever I find especially attractive (that’s within my means). I’ve always had an eye for beauty , which is I found principally only the late-19th/early-20th-century US coinage appealing. About three years ago, that led me to exploring more the artists who designed the most beautiful US and world coinage – that which was signally influenced by the art nouveau and art deco movements. Accordingly, I’ve spent most of efforts since building an estimable collection of art medals rendered by the best masters of the period. Not to totally set aside primary numismatics, I’m also working on a set of higher-grade Philippine guerrilla currency. The history behind each one is phenomenal. For instance, changes in treasurer and auditor signatures – and serial number blocks – often were the result of the Japanese capturing and executing the individuals involved.
Subsidizing this means I try to stay gainfully employed as an aerospace engineer – a challenging ambition as anyone in the industry can tell you. Fortunately (?), I am a rare breed in that I am a generalist rather than a specialist engineer. It has produced an interesting and variegated career path and I am presently a strategic planner … meaning, as is only appropriate for a sorceror, I predict the future of international relations and the evolving nature of warfare.
Come on over ... to The Dark Side!
I'm actually 429 years young. I was born on the Isle of St. Kilda in 1576. Me mother was Heather MacInnes and she was in love with my handsome, wild-haired father Rory Red MacCrimmon. And if you're searching google, you can discount this Cremona, Italy tripe. The MacCrimmons of Skye are as you would expect; wild, red-haired, bonny knees, calloused hands (but nimble on tha pipes), part-Irish, part-Norse, part-Breton, part-mutt, and, we're not Italian (although some darn fine musicians came from there)!
My name is Dougal or one of it's derivatives, yet they all mean dark stranger. Unknown before time and yet, always there. My current wife (the 7th since my first wife in 1599) is the treasure all of my days. She is descended from the Elliots; so, she's a Border rat, and I am the DARK Mouse. Together, we are as poor as church mice, but we are happy!!
I possess three fine greyhounds who are presently coveting my pizza. I am presently in love with two wimmin, my wife, and my mistress, Queen Victoria. And so, I am sworn to regather Victoria's coinage once again as they were when minted. I have until 2026, the 125th anniversary of her death.
This time around I thought I'd try my hand at electrical engineering, and so, I labor thus but preferring the pipes above all else of the worldly pleasures, except my wimmin, of course........
Now, go have a single malt or a Guiness. They're easier to swallow than the preceding drivel.....
Slainte Mhath,
Dougal MacCrimmon
Mise Éire sinne mé ná An chailleach Bheara. Mór mo ghlóire mé do rug Cú Chulainn cróga. Mór mo náire. o chlann féin do dhíol a Máthair.
That said I am Micheál and I live in the very north of New Hampshire with my wife Susan and a golden retreiver mix named "Cailín". My love for coins was a gift from my mother. She loved to collect coins from all over the world and the bug bit her as a young girl in Ireland. Later when my folks came to the state she loved picking up U.S. coinage her favorite coin were Morgan dollars. My interest grew even more in world coins when I served in the military and then in the intelligence community from where I am now retired. My favorite and strongest area is in Irish coinage and notes. I also have a large Canadian collection along with a little bit of everything I picked up overseas. I also try to add a wee bit of darkside gold if I can. If it interests me and catches my eye I collect it LOL! I have to say I love it all. I also have a complete set of Ike proof dollars which was once in the PCGS registry and a good selection of U.S. coins.
When I am not collecting coins, metal detecting, cross country skiing or checking the weather on top of Mt. Washington fer the wee church mouse, I enjoy playing and singing Irish and Scottish music which I have done off and on since age 3.
Beannachti Bí,
Micheál
In the meantime, stay away from Mt. Washington's dangers.
Slan go foill.
eBay Store
DPOTD Jan 2005, Meet the Darksiders
My name is Phil and I am currently collecting Great Britain 1 Florins by type and France 1 Franc by type. I also have some coins of Ireland and Greece, but those are not very organized at the moment. I also have a few miscellaneous items from other countries, but am not actively adding to them.
On the U.S. side, I collect mainly issues from 1850-1950. I am currently focused on Indian Head Cents, Barbers (Dimes, Quarters, Halves), and Peace Dollars. I also like Liberty Nickels and Franklin Halves, but am not doing much with them lately. All of my U.S. stuff I collect by date.
I also like proof coins of just about any kind, in particular cameos.
On both U.S. and world coins, I tend to stick with the low-dollar stuff, items that are less than $20/coin. This keeps my collections moving along and keeps me from going broke!
I am married and have a 1-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter, and we live in the Tampa, Florida area. Edited to add: I'm 37.
My name is Rick and I have only posted a few times here on the boards although I do lurk and read posts all the time. I am forty years of age and was a semi pro bowler but now I make a more stable living running a bowling center in Southern California. Mom got me started collecting when I was about 8 years old. I pretty much went dormant from age 16 to about 25 and then returned with a focus on darkside coins. None of my family shows any interest in collecting with me though (sigh). I also have an interest in Geneology and a large collection of model trains.
My main focus is on Germany, I collect state pieces by type except Prussia which is by date and mint. I also collect the Empire, Weimar and Third Reich through the Allied occupation by date and mint. With a second collection of AU or better by type for the Empire, Weimar and Third Reich. All total I have acquired some 4500 different coins in my fields of interest. Recently a dozen or so different Mexican 8 real pieces have been spotted around the house (there's something about the size and crudeness of these coins I really like).
As far as lightside interests. I am putting together a unique type set. Coins must be indentifiable but not grade better than About Good. This way I can have a US type set that doesn't cost thousands of dollars per coin. The older coins are easy to find in the poorer grades but I am always looking to downgrade my collection whenever an opportunity presents itself. I still have my completed (missing the 1922 NMM) Lincoln, Completed Jefferson (all XF or better), completed Roosevelt (All XF+) and Washington set (all XF or better 'cept the 32-D in VF) (My cut off date is 1965, my birth year) I started on a Franklin half set in XF or better in 2003 but it takes a second seat to my darkside interests. Which means I have an album and 6 coins so far.
Anyway, that's a little about me and my collecting interest.
Regards,
Rick
1836 Capped Liberty
dime. My oldest US
detecting find so far.
I dig almost every
signal I get for the most
part. Go figure...
Being half Panamanian, I am presently working on Panama sets for the years 1953, 1978 and 2003; the 50th, 75th and 100th Anniversaries of Panamanian Independence. A short travelogue of my last trip to Panama can be seen here.
Other coin related interests include Canadian 50 cent pieces, Darkside commemoratives, East European coins, world coins commemorating the 50th anniversary of the U.N. (See pix in sigline) and anything else that catches my eye.
Joel 3:10
“The American people will never knowingly adopt Socialism. But under the name of ‘liberalism’ they will adopt every fragment of the Socialist program, until one day America will be a Socialist nation, without knowing how it happened.” -Socialist Party presidential candidate Norman Thomas
“We Are All Socialists Now" - Feb 16, 2009 cover of Newsweek Magazine
<< <i>I'm Darkhorse. My real name is Phil. I'm 24 and I've been collecting since I was 13. My interest in the hobby was reborn in 2001 and I've gone through several collections. I usually collect pieces that I find artistically pleasing, but this can be difficult given my budget.
My interest in the hobby may take a back seat indefinitely for a few years as I don't have room for it, nor can I really justify the costs. I know darkside collecting can be done on the cheap but I just can't get into cheap coins. I lose interest straight away. I have a new computer to buy (or possibly lease) and I'm going to go to the UK to do design work and set up a life for myself there. >>
I retract this statement.
<< <i>
<< <i>I'm Darkhorse. My real name is Phil. I'm 24 and I've been collecting since I was 13. My interest in the hobby was reborn in 2001 and I've gone through several collections. I usually collect pieces that I find artistically pleasing, but this can be difficult given my budget.
My interest in the hobby may take a back seat indefinitely for a few years as I don't have room for it, nor can I really justify the costs. I know darkside collecting can be done on the cheap but I just can't get into cheap coins. I lose interest straight away. I have a new computer to buy (or possibly lease) and I'm going to go to the UK to do design work and set up a life for myself there. >>
I retract this statement. >>
Why don't you update it? I've read your posts on the OF but I'm sure many here don't visit over there.
Joel 3:10
“The American people will never knowingly adopt Socialism. But under the name of ‘liberalism’ they will adopt every fragment of the Socialist program, until one day America will be a Socialist nation, without knowing how it happened.” -Socialist Party presidential candidate Norman Thomas
“We Are All Socialists Now" - Feb 16, 2009 cover of Newsweek Magazine
I am 40 years old and the USAF has been my life for 22 of those exciting years.
Sometime along my Coin Collecting career I had an epiphany.
If you are like me, one day you will realize that only the 'special' coins belong in your personal collection. If you look at a collection of Lincoln Cents, the coins that get the most attention are the Key Dates and the High Grade scarce coins.
After attending many Coin Shows I realized that the majority (99%) of older coins have been cleaned - even the slabbed ones. Coin collectors have preserved their treasures for more years than I have been around, and I decided to find those coins that they treasured. The main storage piece of older collections was the Coin Cabinet and early Wayte Raymond albums, and pieces stored in this way often exhibit the most beautiful natural colors. Finding a coin that still has this color and hasn't been cleaned or enhanced has been a pursuit that has kept this hobby exciting for me. I can go to a coin show with 50 dealers and only find 1 coin that was treasured by an older collector that still has it's original toning and has never been cleaned. It is hard to describe what natural album or cabinet toning is, but the coin will have THAT LOOK. I actually don't care what the grade is as long as the coin is 'special', has the right LOOK, and fit's in the Beautiful category. I have bought many Average, Plain and downright Ugly coins in my early collecting days,, and I always ended up hating them because every time I would look at such a coin, I would end up focusing on the 'Problems'. Many collectors that only collect White coins don't realize that their coin has at sometime been cleaned. Find me a coin that has the original color from sitting on an old collection, and you will easily get me excited.
From this epiphany I have been buying coins that have THAT LOOK. I guess you can say I am the ultimate World Collector, and when I find a coin like this it goes in my personal collection. My favorites go back as far as ancient Greece and Rome up to a 1967 Canadian Dollar with colorful rim toning from the original holder it was stored in. What my collection has become is an enjoyment personally to me. I can look at each coin and and get excited because it has that SOMETHING SPECIAL. Usually these special coins also have High Relief Strikes, Brilliant Luster under the toning, Die Breaks, or something else that can cause me to spend an hour with a Loupe just looking at each and every coin.
My collection isn't very large at about 200 coins, and it is only that big because I don't care what series it belongs to - only that it has THAT LOOK or has that SOMETHING SPECIAL. Eventually I would like to complete a 'set' of something, so to give you an idea of what I am talking about, I will classify my collection into the following broad areas:
- Ancient Greek beautifully toned silver staters by type (an Athenian Owl, Aegean Turtle, Corinthian Pegasus, Facing Heads of Larissa)
- Silver Tetradrachms from Alexander the Great (Cabinet Toned of course) and my one Gold Stater.
- Roman Denarii from all the Emperors and their Families - and my two Gold Aureii from 2 of the 12 Caesars.
- Hammered Silver and Gold pieces from 1200-1680 (especially Great Britain and other European countries, my icon)
- Austria/German States Thalers and World Crowns
- World Coins (Darkside) that have THE LOOK (if you've read this far) This covers everything...
- US Coins by Type (Originally Toned) especially Draped Bust, Proof Seated, Barber, etc.
- Large Size US Paper Money (by type), and Obsoletes, Colonials, Fractionals
- World Paper Money (darkside paper?) I'm just getting started...
I am truly thankful to have found this Board and met fellow Darksiders.
Kudos to Terry for starting this thread.
-Jeff
I'm 16 and have been collecting for a few years now. I used to collect farthings until verdigris put pay to that idea. Since then I've been in a numismatic no-man's land, still deciding what to focus on. My overriding aim is to get a set of George IV 1826 silver in EF+ although I feel that will take a while with the budget I'm on. I'm 1/3 of the way there with the shilling in aUNC!
Sylvester told me about this forum ages ago, and I've posted a few times. I think this will be increasing due to the unfortunate shutdown of Coinpeople.
<< <i>Sylvester told me about this forum ages ago, and I've posted a few times. I think this will be increasing due to the unfortunate shutdown of Coinpeople. >>
It's very nice to see you here, Oli
Welcome, and I hope you enjoy this place.
My OmniCoin Collection
My BankNoteBank Collection
Tom, formerly in Albuquerque, NM.
My name's Syl (actually it's not) but for the sake of simplicity on here it is. I live in England (when i'm not in cloud cuckooland), i collect coins from here and there.
Mostly English, a bit of German, a hint of French and some US thrown in for good measure. My main focus is on medieval coins, but i do occasionally admit that there are centuries after the 15th.
I'm Steve. Had been a "corporate" finance guy for 22 years. Received a large company payoff and, for the last two years, have been having fun starting up an on-line race running/triathlon race registration company in Europe (www.activeeurope.com) and buying out Triathlete Magazine - my other hobby. Thinking about going back to work though. I'm too young to retire.
Converted to the Darkside about a year ago. Liked everthing I saw on the boards and started with a Franklin Mint "Coin Sets of All Nations". Have about 140 countries, a website with pictures, and loan them to schools and libraries. I most recently lived in the South of France for two years, so I have a lot of old (for Americans) circlulated coins going back to the 1800's. I also collect BEP Souvenir Cards to admire the engraving.
The Darkside is a great group. The expertise here is amazing and shared with humor and humility.
Thanks to everyone.
09/07/2006
Hi, I'm Tim. I live and work in Manila, Philippines. I've been collecting for about 3 years now. All U.S. Philippines, until recently, I've started on predecimal New Zealand ..... love the people, love the country, love the rugby! Married to a beautiful young lady and father to two little monsters (I mean darling young children). Nice to meet you
From now on, I want you all to call me 'Loretta'...
Sorry, stuck on a theme.
Real name's Dan. I collect pretty much anything and everything Darkside pre-WWII. I have a penchant for German states and British fractional farthings. Coin collecting is the lesser of my vices; I'm first and foremost a stamp collector, specializing in 1st series U.S. Revenues (Civil war Era).
1/2 Cents
U.S. Revenue Stamps
I'm a mathematician by training but left academia about 40 years ago because I couldn't stand the internal politics of the Math Department -- or the university itself, for that matter. Took a minimum wage job as the complaint department of a bookclub and was amazed and delighted at how clean the business world was. The boss was happy so long as I was making money for the company by saving customers. It was a very simple formula for a meritocracy, and I understood it and loved it
In two years, I worked my way up to Sales Mgr of the affiliated publisher, and tripled sales after which I quit and set up my own advertising agency. And that's what I've been doing ever since.
I had been an ardent childhood coin collector but when I left home for college, I let that go. I started collecting again about a dozen years ago, mostly the Standing Liberty Quarters and nickel 3 cent pieces; both of which had designs I loved.
About 8 years ago, business took me to Manila, which I enjoyed greatly. Browsing around Manila's Megamall, I found a coin shop and saw the US Philippine coins for the first time. Was stunned by their beauty, and intrigued by the fact that they were obviously bi-lingual and bi-national -- America's only coins with those characteristics.
I started to pick up some US Philippine coins on eBay, not really knowing what I was doing. But I corresponded with a few of the Manila dealers via e-mail, and the next time business took me to Manila, I visited with some of them. One gave me the Basso book, which I read twice on the flight home. I read it once cover to cover; went to sleep. When I woke up I was so excited by it, I read it again.
With that I was hooked on the US Philippines coins. I started looking forward to each trip to the Philippines so I could collect the US Philippines -- and make money. The money was for my wallet, the coins for my heart.
Along the way, I added
... US 2 cent pieces because they were out-of-favor and so cheap (at the time, no longer), yet challenging,
... US silver 3 cent pieces (like the two cent pieces, both in proof and business strikes),
... Shield Nickels (because they are a fascinating series full of interesting varieties and patterns),
... Liberty Nickels (because they were one of my childhood favorites)
... Jefferson Nickels (in full steps so they would be more challenging and fun)
... Roosevelt dimes, because they tone up so purty
... Washington Quarters (both to go with my Standing Liberties, and again because they were one of my childhood favorites)
... Booker T. Washingtons
... George WAshington Carver
... And a few other series.
But the US Philippines remained my favorites, and to this day, of all my collections, I'm far and away proudest of the collection I've put together for US Philippines, and how much I've learned about them.
About 4 years, when President Ramos left office in the Philippines, a genially corrupt demogogue Erap Estrada became president. The Philippines, which had been booming -- and a wonderful place to live -- went into a economic tailspin and became a terribly unsafe place to live.
My clients -- who were headquartered in Manila -- moved with me to BAngkok, and I've been living there ever since. The bulk of my company is still in the states, but I'm out here in Southeast Asia.
Needless to say, living in Bangkok I've become intrigued by the beauty -- and challenge -- of collecting the old pre-World War II Thai coins. But I found it almost impossible to collect them intelligently because I couldn't read the dates or the legends on the coins, or the reference books which were in Thai. So for the last 3 or 4 months, my office Manager and secretary, both of whom are reasonably bi-lingual, have been trying to teach this old dog new tricks, i.e., to read, write, and speak Thai, so I can communicate better with them, but most importantly collect Thai coins.
And at this time of my life, I could easily retire and live in comfort in my waning years. But my mistress, "Khun Lee-an" (Thai for rare coins), is expensive and the only way for me to slake my lust for fun new coins is to keep working. So I keep working. And my clients and staff are always happy when they see me reaching for a coin I can't afford -- because they know I'll keep going until it's paid off and by then, they figure, I'll have more coins to pay off. And so far they've been right. No complaints here. I love my job and anyone who knows me knows I'm a coinaholic as well as a workaholic.
Speaking of which, there's a client here waiting for me to get to work with him, so please excuse me.
Warm regards from Manila,
Just Having Fun
1. Roman folles of RIC volume 6 (293-312). I have 5-600 pieces and have been working on this since the early 80s
2. Latvian paper money, 1915-1940. Complete by major type (except a 1919 25R serial A) but I am going after all of the block letters (yeah insane) and am probably 80%+ complete in the grade I want (XF or better). Supplemented with Latvian fiscal documents
3. Vatican/papal coins and medals. Trying to get all of the annual medals 1900-date in silver and need just 4 or 5. Complete 1 of each pope official medal (~1400 to date) and branching into other arcane areas such as holy years, special issues, etc. Just started buying the Lateran issue coins as a topic as well and slowly doing the 1 coin of each pope set.
4. Misc stuff that catches my eye. I try very hard to limit this because, as you can see from the above, once I get started on a set I tend to take it to extremes!
5. I forgot, Westfalen tokens 1921-3 just for fun
I'm Dave, and am in my mid-40's (I actually have to calculate each time someone asks my age!). I am married with 2 sons in middle- and elementary schools.
YEARS ago, I collected Lincoln cents in my Whitman blue folders. Over time, I branched-out to the rest of the circulating coins (nickels, dimes, quarters) - - all of them in Whitman folders exclusively.
I remember walking many blocks downtown with my Grandparents as a kid in Philadelphia to "smelters' row", and sifting thru can after can of "junk" silver looking for dates. At the time, silver had just recently been "retired" from U.S. coins, and I think they were selling at 2 to 3 times face. But, with my limited means, and equally limited vision of the future, I passed on many a coin as "too expensive" to support at the time. It's a miracle I have as many silver coins as I do even now as a result!
Anyway, over the years, I kept current with those Whitman folders and U.S. coins only.
Slowly, I added Canadian folders as well, as a family trip or two brought some circulating Canadian change into my pockets as well.
I pretty much kept up this low-level of activity until about 5 or so years ago. While working extended hours on strike duty coverage (as Management) with nothing better to do, I stumbled upon this Forum, and my eyes were opened wide first to the U.S. again, and then the Darkside!
Slowly, I expanded my interests and trading partners to include circulated coins in Whitman folders for:
(1) U.S. back thru early 20th century, plus some Morgans/Peace Dollars (never got into Barbers & earlier, unfortunately, or colonials)
(2) Canadian back thru early 20th Century, from Large Cents thru Twoonies, plus Maritimes & recently Tokens
(3) Mexican 1, 5, & 20-centavos
(4) Great Britain - - all 20th-century pre-decimalization denominations
(5) Australia & New Zealand - - 20th century, pre-decimalization
(6) One-per-Country collection (which has expanded to a "MANY-per-country" set!)
(7) EURO coin collection: 1999-2002 (1 per country per year per denomination per mintmark)
I could not have done much of the above without all the help of my numerous new friends and trading partners here on the Forum & those introduced to me as a result. While my entire collection is probably far less valuable than many of single "paths" (and quite often single COINS of many of yours!) of individuals here on the Forum, it has always been my little piece of pleasure, and brings back both fond memories of childhood and places I or family members have been fortunate to have visited .
Except for the "1-per-country" and Euro Coin collections, the rest have remained true to my original Whitman Blue Folder in "circulated" condition criteria established as a 6-year-old............................proof that, as my wife & kids claim, I'm just a big old kid!
Now, with being down to just key or semi-key or expensive dates for the most part on the U.S. and others, much of my time is spent just keeping up with each new year's issues, or finding the odd date that my kids' collections (again, spare Whitman folders!!) need, or trading with others with similar interests to help them out as I have been helped.
And I'm always looking for more trading partners!! Drop me a line!
- - Dave
I am hopelessly addicted to coin collecting...
I started out many years ago accumulating US coins of all sorts and a few from the darkside here and there. I later worked in a coin shop for a few years after college and refined my hoarding habits into more of a collector. Lightside was still my main goal (Dimes of all breeds), but since the shop owner was a darkside aficionado, I learned what I could. After grad school I resumed collecting (aka, I got a job and I was not as far below the poverty line as I was in school) and I have sold off some of my lightside material in the interests of the darkside. I still collect lightside such as Dimes and basically any eye appealing coin that strikes me and is affordable, but my main pursuit is darkside material. I collect 20th c. French coins and US-Philippines mainly (thanks to Mr. Justhavingfun), but will again buy anything that strikes my fancy. Oh, and light/darkside errors and varieties always trip my trigger.
Thanks to everyone on the CU boards (especially the darkside board!
~Matt
Very new to the darkside, but I've collected US approaching 20 years. Finally just got sick of all the 'commodity' aspects of the US coin market (slabs, crackouts, gradeflation, etc) as well as the ever more insane pieces choice original coin was reaching. I haven't given up on US completely, but the shift is nearly full at this point.
I don't really have a specialized area yet, just buying a few odds and ends that appeal to me, reading up on world (just got Friedberg's World Gold and my Krause set). When I figure it out, you'll know
At some time in a misty past I assembled nothing but sets of Morgans.......But! Something was always missing in my collecting happiness - all of the obverses looked the same and the reverves realy did not differ that much and the empty holes represented several thousand dollars each ....... alas, all that fortune to be spent for yet another coin that looked like the last one
Then I caught a clue from my son (no dummy that one), While I spent much time looking for the right coin to add or to upgrade the set - He always found a handful that made him happy .... and it only cost him $10.00. It was after one of these buying trips that I started to dabble in the Darkside. Eventually my search found some focus and I started to concentrate on coins that have a Ship in the motif. Now some will say "so what" but tall ships have always held my interest. Maybe I was a pirate in an earlier life - that would explain my former occupation (see forum name).
Now I am very happy with my "Ship Coin" collection. I can go to a show or a coin shop and spend a lot fewer dollars and be completely happy with my new finds. I also enjoy Canadian Silver Dollars. I have not completely left the other side though. I have 2 Dansco 7070's - One with the best I can find and the other with the lowest, problem free, grade. None beter than AG3 - Sill a work in progress.
My charming wife is hooked on ancient Roman and Greek coins and is currently working on her set of one coin from each Roman Emperor's reign. So we can enjoy going to the coin shows together. I do tend to take a bit more time than she does though.
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." -Luke 11:9
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." -Deut. 6:4-5
"For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; He will save us." -Isaiah 33:22
JZ you have an exciting job and an exquisite taste in coins.
edited to add that I could not resist this, it was post #100.
myEbay
DPOTD 3