Where do these MS coins come from?

thedrunkendaisy

With all these beautiful proof and mint state coins from back into the 18th century that are around today, does anyone other than me wonder how they lasted so long, and why they survived in such a perfect state rather than being spent. Just something that I have been wondering about for a while.

Barndog

I wonder too.

lkenefic

At least for silver Dollars and gold, alot of the MS coins you see today never got out of bank bags. Commerce at the end of the 19C was such that many transactions among banks were conducted in bags of silver and gold. The only marks you would see on these coins are bag marks.

Leo

Dennis88

Most high grade MS pieces of that age probably were presentation pieces, or saved as a souvenier by a mint employee, or even by a coin collector. It's very unlikely that normal people ever could save one, because at that time all money was needed...

Dennis

Dennis88

talkin about 18th and early 19th century coins that is...

Koinlink

I think wondering about all that is a large part of this hobby's enjoyment. It's obvious that some coins have been loved & cared for since the day they left their respective mint.
Someone here once said that we are not collectors, we are the curators for this period in time & the coins will live long after we pass through life.

On the other hand I have some circulated coins that I appreciate more than most of the uncirculated ones! I wonder about the pieces made during the Civil War and those
from Carson City that were spent in the Wild West. It's great fun to ponder about the "lives" of both the mint state & circulated coins.

anablep

Either:
1. People took good care of items handed down through the family over many generations (and didn't sell them on eBay).
2. Enough were produced as presentation pieces or gifts so that smoe could survive until today.
3. There was more than just face value attached to those pieces.

or

4. A little of all three.

I wonder as well.

ewitte

<< <i>Either:
1. (and didn't sell them on eBay).
>>



That was a really big problem between 1850 and 1950. Too much stuff getting hocked on ebay.

rsdoug81

This is OT but about the preservation subject. I had a student's parent show me a genuine French document dated 1670. It was signed by the Sun King, Louis XIV! It amazed me that paper and his signature had lasted that long in the excellent condition that they were in. The document had been passed through the family. It was an awesome sight.

vaq45

Probably my sister-when she was little she had a brand new buffalo nicked-she squeeze it so hard in her greedy littlle hand that it craped--ruined the damn thing

Conder101

<< <i>I had a student's parent show me a genuine French document dated 1670. It was signed by the Sun King, Louis XIV! It amazed me that paper and his signature had lasted that long in the excellent condition that they were in. >>


Not too surprising. the paper is not like the paper we use today. It was most likely a linen based paper. They do not suffer from the acid decomposition that todays wood pulp based papers do. And most likely the documant was not left out laying around in well lit areas. Strong light is one of the main culprits that fades ink signatures and speeds paper decomposition. (newsprint is well known for its rapid yellowing and turning brittle, crumbling away. But stored away in dark drawers it can stay in nearly new condition for a hundrd years or more without significant damage.)