Is the thrill still there?
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UtahCoin
Posts: 5,359 ✭✭✭✭✭
Is the thrill still there?
I remember when I was 10 years old, our family didn’t have much money. What extra money my dad did earn went to pay my sisters huge medical bills. I remember my mom buying me a 1963 Redbook, which was a lot of money for a “silly” book about coins. I read that book cover to cover several times. I reveled in the short notes about the origins of early coins.
I spent untold hours going through the few dollars worth of Lincolns that my dad would bring home every Friday night. Then carefully re-roll them so he could take them back to work on Monday morning. Those few that I did pull out I would show with great glee to my mom feigning interest with a big smile.
My allowance was 25 cents a week, of course it was a silver quarter that I received every Friday night. We would load into the car and drive to Thrifty’s Drug Store where the reward for a week completed was a single scoop ice cream cone for 5 cents. About twice a year, dad would throw caution to the wind and we would get TWO scoops for 10 cents.
Saturday I would take the vegetables from my garden and walk through the neighborhood selling squash and corn to the neighbors. I would also mow a couple of lawns for $1 each. About every two weeks I would plead with my mom or dad to take me to the local coin shop on Figueroa St in Santa Barbara. There, clutching the $3-$4 in one hand and my Red Book in the other, I would carefully pick out some “pennies” for my old Whitman folder. On one trip my grandfather tagged along and saw me spend 50 cents on an AU 1917-S Lincoln. He was quite upset and I got quite the lecture on the value of money.
By the time I was 12, I had a paper route and delivered 188 papers every day. For this I earned about $30 a month. I remember the day I proudly came home from the coin shop with the crowning piece of my collection. A slightly bent 1877 Indian Cent for $35. I was proud that by the time I was 15, I had a complete set of Indian Head Cents. About that time, girls, high school and jobs took up more and more time and collecting went lower on the list.
I’ve noticed in me that the passion for coins is not what it once was. When I see a coin now, I see it as something to buy and then to sell at a profit. I’ve tried different series, different grade sets, but the thrill just seemed to disappear a few years ago.
Enter my son. My oldest boy is 13 and has a form of Autism. Most pursuits don’t interest him. Last year I was going through a 5000 coin bag of Wheats because they were older dates and apparently had never been searched. My son sat down beside me and indicated he wanted to help. I said OK, and went and pulled out a couple of old Whitman folders and we started to fill holes. A strange feeling started to come over me. Something I had not felt in decades. A sense of accomplishment as we slowly started filling hole after hole. I noticed an intensity in my son that reminded me of myself so many years ago.
My son did finish his Lincoln set by going through several bags of Wheats, and yes, I did salt the dozen or so key and semi-key dates. But he doesn’t know and it doesn’t really matter. He then did a set of Jefferson Nickels the same way. His latest accomplishment , that he just finished, is a set of Indian Cents. And yes, I again supplied the keys, but he had to go through thousands of coins to find them. I watch my son now studying his coins and reading about coins in the coin magazines and I see myself 40 years ago. But the most important thing I’ve found is the fulfillment of sitting by my son and pressing coins into that old coin folder. I can honestly say that finding a Good-4, 1912-S with my son is more rewarding than buying a $10,000 coin.
If the magic has left you, try what I did and sit next to a child and fill the holes, and maybe, just maybe the magic will return.
I remember when I was 10 years old, our family didn’t have much money. What extra money my dad did earn went to pay my sisters huge medical bills. I remember my mom buying me a 1963 Redbook, which was a lot of money for a “silly” book about coins. I read that book cover to cover several times. I reveled in the short notes about the origins of early coins.
I spent untold hours going through the few dollars worth of Lincolns that my dad would bring home every Friday night. Then carefully re-roll them so he could take them back to work on Monday morning. Those few that I did pull out I would show with great glee to my mom feigning interest with a big smile.
My allowance was 25 cents a week, of course it was a silver quarter that I received every Friday night. We would load into the car and drive to Thrifty’s Drug Store where the reward for a week completed was a single scoop ice cream cone for 5 cents. About twice a year, dad would throw caution to the wind and we would get TWO scoops for 10 cents.
Saturday I would take the vegetables from my garden and walk through the neighborhood selling squash and corn to the neighbors. I would also mow a couple of lawns for $1 each. About every two weeks I would plead with my mom or dad to take me to the local coin shop on Figueroa St in Santa Barbara. There, clutching the $3-$4 in one hand and my Red Book in the other, I would carefully pick out some “pennies” for my old Whitman folder. On one trip my grandfather tagged along and saw me spend 50 cents on an AU 1917-S Lincoln. He was quite upset and I got quite the lecture on the value of money.
By the time I was 12, I had a paper route and delivered 188 papers every day. For this I earned about $30 a month. I remember the day I proudly came home from the coin shop with the crowning piece of my collection. A slightly bent 1877 Indian Cent for $35. I was proud that by the time I was 15, I had a complete set of Indian Head Cents. About that time, girls, high school and jobs took up more and more time and collecting went lower on the list.
I’ve noticed in me that the passion for coins is not what it once was. When I see a coin now, I see it as something to buy and then to sell at a profit. I’ve tried different series, different grade sets, but the thrill just seemed to disappear a few years ago.
Enter my son. My oldest boy is 13 and has a form of Autism. Most pursuits don’t interest him. Last year I was going through a 5000 coin bag of Wheats because they were older dates and apparently had never been searched. My son sat down beside me and indicated he wanted to help. I said OK, and went and pulled out a couple of old Whitman folders and we started to fill holes. A strange feeling started to come over me. Something I had not felt in decades. A sense of accomplishment as we slowly started filling hole after hole. I noticed an intensity in my son that reminded me of myself so many years ago.
My son did finish his Lincoln set by going through several bags of Wheats, and yes, I did salt the dozen or so key and semi-key dates. But he doesn’t know and it doesn’t really matter. He then did a set of Jefferson Nickels the same way. His latest accomplishment , that he just finished, is a set of Indian Cents. And yes, I again supplied the keys, but he had to go through thousands of coins to find them. I watch my son now studying his coins and reading about coins in the coin magazines and I see myself 40 years ago. But the most important thing I’ve found is the fulfillment of sitting by my son and pressing coins into that old coin folder. I can honestly say that finding a Good-4, 1912-S with my son is more rewarding than buying a $10,000 coin.
If the magic has left you, try what I did and sit next to a child and fill the holes, and maybe, just maybe the magic will return.
I used to be somebody, now I'm just a coin collector.
Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
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Comments
Dr J
My omnicoin collection (or how my coin photography has progressed)
Cheers, B
with FAMILY and doing SMALL THINGS that make a LIFETIME of MEMEORIES!!!
God Bless!
Utah, this should be published in Coin World to remind everyone of the simple pleasures we once experienced...
<< <i>What a WONDERFUL post !!!!
Utah, this should be published in Coin World to remind everyone of the simple pleasures we once experienced... >>
If NN or CW wants it, they can PM me.
Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
That was a very good read.
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etexmike
I knew it would happen.
I wish my sons (now 25 & 21) showed any interest. Of course, they both want to know who gets the collection when I die. Ugh!
WTB: Barber Quarters XF
San Diego, CA
Really great post. Although I'm not a father yet, I can't wait until my future child and I sit down and hammer coins into them old Whitman folders........can't wait. The time is the most important, that's something you'll never get back, but always have.
wes
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
I just today decided to take 1 table at the local show next month....I could care less if I sell anything.
My 7 year old son loves to play store and I ask if he would help me with my little store at the show......the light in his eyes was worth the table fee.....
Salting......lol.... I've already set up 3 buyers that are not coin collectors, but they will be that day.....its gonna be fun....
Great story Utah and perfect timing...
Al
I wouldn't be going to shows and on these boards if the thrill wasn't still here.
I will admit it the fire was out for a number of years but it is now burning bright once again!
Rob
"Those guys weren't Fathers they were...Mothers."
Go BIG or GO HOME. ©Bill
ways to keep the passion but just keeping an eye on the goal is a
big help. When you can share it with somebody you care about it is
much more special. Even sharing it with those we don't know as well
is fun too.
The only "boring" times in the hobby for me is when I'm not filling
enough of those holes. It doesn't matter how much the coins are
worth only how much pleasure you can derive from it. Obviously
there are other ways to have fun in the hobby but mine would seem
to be pretty similar to yours.
ttt
Trips to the local brick and mortar coin shop are good memories, of a time gone by, sharing the experience with family members that may or may not be with us any longer. Filling the holes in Whitman Folders, buying Proof and Mint Sets from the US Mint by mail only, and waiting 3-6 months to receive them.
Raw coins was the only way to buy, as certification was for many years in the future. You learned how to grade the series you collected, how to look for originality, how to spot altered or cleaned coins, etc.
Thanks UtahCoin.
Here's to The Thrill.....
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
P.S. My allowance was $0.50 per week.
~
Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
<< <i>At the urging of several members, I emailed this to CW as a Letter to the Editor. Thank you fr all the PM's! >>
I hope it gets printed. There's something that happens to some people, as they get older, that they find their happiness in the joy of another person. I guess that's what being human is really all about. Thanks for sharing this with us...
John
this is a WONDERFUL post! Very heart warming and well, just plain nice.
To The Powers That Be
Those of you fine people that manage and maintain this forum should consider making this a permanent sticky post. Or do something that will keep it visible for all the future members to read. Not to mention the current members that will find themselves wanting to read this again someday (myself included). How is it said? this post is one for the ages. It should remain for all to see for many years to come.
PS.
I LIKE IKEs!
NICE! That's Life in a nutshell!
Anyone watch "49up" lastnight on PBS?
'How do people change over the years? Explored with the seventh in a series of films that has profiled a group of English children every seven years, beginning in 1964 to today.'
It was the Family of each kid (now an adult) that brought each, individual happiness.
Connor Numismatics Website
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
A retired former co-worker of mine is an avid scuba diver, and has discovered many lost ships here in the Great Lakes. He did a short stint working at a company that makes much of the equipment divers use. His advice - "Never make your hobby your business, or you'll lose your hobby". Many of us, myself included, have ignored that advice.
It's nice to sell a coin at a profit, but it's a greater joy to experience coin collecting as it once was. I've tried unsuccessfully to interest my 3 kids in the hobby. I'm glad you were able to share it with your son. Thanks!
Dave
Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."
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BONGO HURTLES ALONG THE RAIN SODDEN HIGHWAY OF LIFE ON UNDERINFLATED BALD RETREAD TIRES
you did well, utahcoin.............
I am thrilled for you!!
I also have an autistic daughter now 22 years old and she loves to take my rolls of lincoln sets and take them apart so she can hear the sound of them jingle. This goes on for hours on end until I get crazed and stop her.
I will attempt to see if my daughter would take to reassembling the coins into a blue Whitman folder. I cannot believe I never thought of that!!
I always tried to get my other and younger daughter interested in coin collecting but when I became a "dork" in her eyes as a teenager, that ended that effort.
But now I will report back to you on my efforts to get my older daughter involved in coin collecting in its purest form.
Thanks for giving me the idea of trying.
<< <i> Wow. Speaking of magic, that (your) post had it. Thanks. >>
Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
Great story, I enjoyed it.
I wish my childhood searches were salted!
Now, is the thrill gone in auctions? Much less real "no reserve" auctions these days. Mostly storefronts shill bidding or starting bids a full retail. sigh.
I posted this 15 years ago. Thought I'd give it another go around.
Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
Still valid today! Thanks!! 👍🏻 👍🏻
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
Fantastic post! It's the research that pulls me in
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Coin Photographer.