So we meet again. I bid on your 68 and 68D LINCOLN'S on EBAY. I was outbid but will try again on your new listings. Anyway my story is true. Dave Sayer and the Prize Patrol did come to my house and my mom's name is on the Publisher's Clearinghouse website. Me,my wife and mom are even on their commercials. My wife is screaming and I'm just standing there at my front door in amazement. Anyway, just random luck. Hope to win your coins this time.
I attended the University Of Louisville Speed School for chemical engineering. Did not graduate because that stuff is hard on a twenty year old inner city kid. I work for a Caterpillar Dealer in Louisville,KY. My job is to provide service and parts for customers throughout the state, parts of Indiana, and West Virginia. Yes!! I talk to hillbillies!!
<< <i>I attended the University Of Louisville Speed School for chemical engineering. Did not graduate because that stuff is hard on a twenty year old inner city kid. I work for a Caterpillar Dealer in Louisville,KY. My job is to provide service and parts for customers throughout the state, parts of Indiana, and West Virginia. Yes!! I talk to hillbillies!! >>
Jonesy, did you read the thread's title? "This Is One Intelligent Group..." You and I better get the hell outta here.
LOVED reading through this thread! ER doc here and Chairman of Emergency Medicine in a hospital in NJ. Italian-American kid from a poor family, my father got me interested in plucking Mercs out of circulation the year Coin World started publishing ! Put myself thru the Univ of Rochester and Columbia Med School and returned to collecting briefly in 1980 and again in 1989 when I got totally burned buying overgraded uncertified coins.
Came back to my first love, Commems and Early Type about 1998 when I finally had some extra serious dollars to spare. Got a fantastic education from some people I deeply respect: Scott Schecter, Evan Gale, Mike Printz, Larry Shepherd, and Laura S. and am happy to be here to share my love for color coins.
<< <i>I attended the University Of Louisville Speed School for chemical engineering. Did not graduate because that stuff is hard on a twenty year old inner city kid. I work for a Caterpillar Dealer in Louisville,KY. My job is to provide service and parts for customers throughout the state, parts of Indiana, and West Virginia. Yes!! I talk to hillbillies!! >>
Jonesy, did you read the thread's title? "This Is One Intelligent Group..." You and I better get the hell outta here. >>
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, with reasonable success.
I had been an ardent childhood coin collector but when I left home for college, I let that go. I started collecting again about 14 years ago, mostly the Standing Liberty Quarters and nickel 3 cent pieces; both of which had designs I loved.
About 10 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 6 or 7 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.
One problem I face in buying US coins is that I generally don't get to see them until months after the fact -- usually when I make one of my rare trips to the States. And that's not so much fun.
The one US series I've been trying to complete is a date set of the Jefferson nickels in off-metals (like on a penny or dime planchet) and/or major errors. That will be a low-grade Registry Set when I finish it, but probably the funnest US set I've ever put together.
In the meantime, my real US Registry Sets have vegetated. I haven't even entered numerous upgrades. I said I'd put up Registry Sets for my 2 cent pieces and Liberty Nickels, but haven't. And I said I'd get photos of my Standing Liberty Quarter collection posted, now that I can do it with a neat little digital camera. But I haven't been back in the States with an extra day for that.
Bottom line: I just ain't been excited as much as before by the US coins, except for my odd-ball collection of off-metals Jeffs. Nothing like getting a Jefferson nickel in MS64, Red, Full Steps!. Between those and the US-Philippines and Thai coins. you have what I've been collecting of late.
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. They were estatic when I bought the 1894-S dime.
And so far they've been right. By the time I got that paid off (by selling my beloved 3 cent nickel collection), I was knee deep into a whole bunch of other great coins.
But No complaints here. I love my job and anyone who knows me knows I'm a workaholic as well as a coinaholic.
Warm regards from Manila,
Just Having Fun
Jefferson nickels, Standing Libs, and US-Philippines rock
Great thread!! I am 38 and have been in the commercial fishing business for 15 years. Up until two years ago I went to sea a couple of times a year fishing in the Bering Sea. Fished for about 6 years on Russian vessels as an advisor. Two years ago the company I work for asked me to come into the office...now I am a regular Joe 9-5er. What my former shipmates refer to as an "office puke"....
Those fillet of fish sandwiches at Mcdonalds and all the other fast food establishments? Probably my fish..
I'm 36, graduated med school 4 years ago and am about to finish my residency training in Rehab Medicine at NY Presbyterian (Columbia/Cornell Hospitals). Started collecting coins when I was 13 and soon after lost interest. Twenty years later in 2003, I noticed the new change to the quarters and got that interest back in coins. I started collecting key dates in a few series, figuring I would complete some sets later but realized I was missing the excitement of searching for coins to complete an entire collection. So, last year I decided to pursue Liberty Nickels after reading about the stories behind the five 1913 Liberty Nickels and just loving the coin design. I very recently completed my Liberty Nickel set in MS64 and am thrilled at my accomplishment. I don't know what's next in the coin collecting arena but I do know that I will be finishing up my medical training very soon and need to find a job.
I live on Long Island in NY and have a wonderful wife who is a pediatrician and a 2 and 1/2 year old son who is quite a handful but a joy to be with. I can't wait to have another kid and hope I can teach them to love coins as much I do now.
Technical support manager for an aerospace defense contractor. Responsible for Technical Data Packages. Collecting interests are "Type" and specializing in Franklin Halves with a heavy lean toward attractive toning. I started with franklins 27 years ago.
Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
Wow what a group...very diverse..and lots of smarts.. I am gonna be 50 this summer. Started collecting as a kid. Own and try my best to run a chain of tire stores in California and Nevada. Love cars and coins..Did not finish high scholl but would love to get a college degree someday..for something xtra i ride harley's and dirt bikes,play a little blackjack and grow cabernet grapes and avocado's. Bruce Scher
Born in Dallas, Texas, and went to school at Rice, and then U of Texas Law. Practiced Trial law in Houston for 35 years and retired in 2002.
Married (twice) with 2 grown boys. Now living in Lake Tahoe with my Darling Stacey. Love to Ski, hike, bike, boat, and most recently golf.
Started in coins at age 13, and left it when I went to college. Began again in 1992, and cannot believe the time I have commited to the hobby. Started with type, and quickly went to Lib nickels, and Barber halves.
Along the way, got some early gold(in the 90's), and proof gold. Very fortunate to have done so before the recent surge.
Now, totally committed to early bust.
Most rewarding aspect of the hobby-the new friends I have made.
"I'll start. I have mentioned before that I was trained as a corporate attorney. I spent roughly 10+ years representing trade creditors in (complex) Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and large collection matters. I am assisting a large company right now with issues involving K-Mart. However, I have personally grown tired of chasing "deadbeat debtors" around fighting for them to pay their debts." - ORIGINALLY POSTED 1/27/02.
UPDATE: Retired from the pratice of law 6/02 after about 17 years on the job. I turned over all my open cases to colleagues with no request for referral fees, cuts, etc. I never wanted to look back or even worry about being owed a penny by anyone on the cases. Spent the next (2) years travelling to coin shows primarily doing auctions, running ebay auctions, etc. Spent the last (2) years closer to home working with just a few dealers and a small group of "special" collectors -"special" because they are simply great people to know and work with. It makes "going to work" fun (virtually) every single day. Wondercoin
Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
I have a Master's in Psychiatric Social Work. In the late 70's I served as Executive Director for a State of Michigan institution for emotionally disturbed delinquent adolescent boys in Whitmore Lake, MI. After three years I was burned out and left. I then co-founded a mental health counseling center in Northville, Michigan and spent about 24 years as a private practice psychotherapist. I'm now semi-retired but see clients 2 1/2 days a week, specializing in panic disorder, agoraphobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Spent the early 1960's as a M-48 tank gunner in the Army, and have been partially deaf since, progressively getting worse by the year.
Regarding coins, began collecting when the Redfield dollar hoard was discovered and Paramount Coins began marketing and selling them. Bought a bunch of Morgans from David Hall's company in the early 80's, prior to pcgs. Back then he'd send out a quarterly statement of value of your portfolio. One day I got a statment that reflected that my portfolio was almost worthless. I panicked and called David's company and was told about TPG and that coins not graded by pcgs were hard to sell and not worth as much (I had stopped collecting by then and hadn't heard of pcgs and TPG). I had bought all of my Morgans from him as MS-65's. He offered to have all of my coins graded by pcgs for free, and lo and behold, they all came back MS-65. I appreciated how he handled this situation and when I returned to coin collecting in late 2002 to put together a Walker short set (#1 pcgs set in 2004), I began buying from him as he and his company showed me some class by how they handled me in the mid 1980's.
Well this seemed to be a good place for a first post, I'm a 42 year old Deputy Sheriff (L.A. County CA) and got back into coin collecting to destress. Sixteen years of L.A. garbage wears on you and right know I'm stuck at home waiting shoulder surgery after pulling a tweeker out from under a car he was pinned under (Lots of time on my hands). After glancing at various posts I think alot of you folks have a great deal of knowledge, hope I can draw on some of it from time to time as I have more ?s than answers---Thanks Tom
Support your local gunslinger, you never know when you'll need him
Comments
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
Russ, NCNE
B.G.
So we meet again. I bid on your 68 and 68D LINCOLN'S on EBAY. I was outbid but will try again on your
new listings. Anyway my story is true. Dave Sayer and the Prize Patrol did come to my house and my
mom's name is on the Publisher's Clearinghouse website. Me,my wife and mom are even on their
commercials. My wife is screaming and I'm just standing there at my front door in amazement. Anyway,
just random luck. Hope to win your coins this time.
RegistryNut
I trade commodity futures as a hobby and use my profits to buy coins.
My $10 Indian Gold Registry Set
$20 Saint Gaudens Registry Set
Enjoy,
Just Having Fun
<< <i>I attended the University Of Louisville Speed School for chemical engineering. Did not graduate because that stuff is hard on a twenty year old inner city kid. I work for a Caterpillar Dealer in Louisville,KY. My job is to provide service and parts for customers throughout the state, parts of Indiana, and West Virginia. Yes!! I talk to hillbillies!! >>
Jonesy, did you read the thread's title? "This Is One Intelligent Group..." You and I better get the hell outta here.
Came back to my first love, Commems and Early Type about 1998 when I finally had some extra serious dollars to spare. Got a fantastic education from some people I deeply respect: Scott Schecter, Evan Gale, Mike Printz, Larry Shepherd, and Laura S. and am happy to be here to share my love for color coins.
Commems and Early Type
<< <i>
<< <i>I attended the University Of Louisville Speed School for chemical engineering. Did not graduate because that stuff is hard on a twenty year old inner city kid. I work for a Caterpillar Dealer in Louisville,KY. My job is to provide service and parts for customers throughout the state, parts of Indiana, and West Virginia. Yes!! I talk to hillbillies!! >>
Jonesy, did you read the thread's title? "This Is One Intelligent Group..." You and I better get the hell outta here. >>
Later, Paul.
Later, Paul.
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, with reasonable success.
I had been an ardent childhood coin collector but when I left home for college, I let that go. I started collecting again about 14 years ago, mostly the Standing Liberty Quarters and nickel 3 cent pieces; both of which had designs I loved.
About 10 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 6 or 7 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.
One problem I face in buying US coins is that I generally don't get to see them until months after the fact -- usually when I make one of my rare trips to the States. And that's not so much fun.
The one US series I've been trying to complete is a date set of the Jefferson nickels in off-metals (like on a penny or dime planchet) and/or major errors. That will be a low-grade Registry Set when I finish it, but probably the funnest US set I've ever put together.
In the meantime, my real US Registry Sets have vegetated. I haven't even entered numerous upgrades. I said I'd put up Registry Sets for my 2 cent pieces and Liberty Nickels, but haven't. And I said I'd get photos of my Standing Liberty Quarter collection posted, now that I can do it with a neat little digital camera. But I haven't been back in the States with an extra day for that.
Bottom line: I just ain't been excited as much as before by the US coins, except for my odd-ball collection of off-metals Jeffs. Nothing like getting a Jefferson nickel in MS64, Red, Full Steps!. Between those and the US-Philippines and Thai coins. you have what I've been collecting of late.
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. They were estatic when I bought the 1894-S dime.
And so far they've been right. By the time I got that paid off (by selling my beloved 3 cent nickel collection), I was knee deep into a whole bunch of other great coins.
But No complaints here. I love my job and anyone who knows me knows I'm a workaholic as well as a coinaholic.
Warm regards from Manila,
Just Having Fun
Those fillet of fish sandwiches at Mcdonalds and all the other fast food establishments? Probably my fish..
I'm 36, graduated med school 4 years ago and am about to finish my residency training in Rehab Medicine at NY Presbyterian (Columbia/Cornell Hospitals). Started collecting coins when I was 13 and soon after lost interest. Twenty years later in 2003, I noticed the new change to the quarters and got that interest back in coins. I started collecting key dates in a few series, figuring I would complete some sets later but realized I was missing the excitement of searching for coins to complete an entire collection. So, last year I decided to pursue Liberty Nickels after reading about the stories behind the five 1913 Liberty Nickels and just loving the coin design. I very recently completed my Liberty Nickel set in MS64 and am thrilled at my accomplishment. I don't know what's next in the coin collecting arena but I do know that I will be finishing up my medical training very soon and need to find a job.
I live on Long Island in NY and have a wonderful wife who is a pediatrician and a 2 and 1/2 year old son who is quite a handful but a joy to be with. I can't wait to have another kid and hope I can teach them to love coins as much I do now.
Have a good night everyone,
Dave
Collecting interests are "Type" and specializing in Franklin Halves with a heavy lean toward attractive toning. I started with franklins 27 years ago.
I am gonna be 50 this summer. Started collecting as a kid. Own and try my best to run a chain of tire stores in California and Nevada. Love cars and coins..Did not finish high scholl but would love to get a college degree someday..for something xtra i ride harley's and dirt bikes,play a little blackjack and grow cabernet grapes and avocado's.
Bruce Scher
Before then,
Born in Dallas, Texas, and went to school at Rice, and then U of Texas Law. Practiced Trial law in Houston for 35 years and retired in 2002.
Married (twice) with 2 grown boys. Now living in Lake Tahoe with my Darling Stacey. Love to Ski, hike, bike, boat, and most recently golf.
Started in coins at age 13, and left it when I went to college. Began again in 1992, and cannot believe the time I have commited to the hobby. Started with type, and quickly went to Lib nickels, and Barber halves.
Along the way, got some early gold(in the 90's), and proof gold. Very fortunate to have done so before the recent surge.
Now, totally committed to early bust.
Most rewarding aspect of the hobby-the new friends I have made.
UPDATE: Retired from the pratice of law 6/02 after about 17 years on the job. I turned over all my open cases to colleagues with no request for referral fees, cuts, etc. I never wanted to look back or even worry about being owed a penny by anyone on the cases. Spent the next (2) years travelling to coin shows primarily doing auctions, running ebay auctions, etc. Spent the last (2) years closer to home working with just a few dealers and a small group of "special" collectors -"special" because they are simply great people to know and work with. It makes "going to work" fun (virtually) every single day. Wondercoin
Spent the early 1960's as a M-48 tank gunner in the Army, and have been partially deaf since, progressively getting worse by the year.
Regarding coins, began collecting when the Redfield dollar hoard was discovered and Paramount Coins began marketing and selling them. Bought a bunch of Morgans from David Hall's company in the early 80's, prior to pcgs. Back then he'd send out a quarterly statement of value of your portfolio. One day I got a statment that reflected that my portfolio was almost worthless. I panicked and called David's company and was told about TPG and that coins not graded by pcgs were hard to sell and not worth as much (I had stopped collecting by then and hadn't heard of pcgs and TPG). I had bought all of my Morgans from him as MS-65's. He offered to have all of my coins graded by pcgs for free, and lo and behold, they all came back MS-65. I appreciated how he handled this situation and when I returned to coin collecting in late 2002 to put together a Walker short set (#1 pcgs set in 2004), I began buying from him as he and his company showed me some class by how they handled me in the mid 1980's.
$20 Saint Gaudens Registry Set
Sixteen years of L.A. garbage wears on you and right know I'm stuck at home waiting shoulder surgery after pulling a tweeker out from under a car he was pinned under (Lots of time on my hands).
After glancing at various posts I think alot of you folks have a great deal of knowledge, hope I can draw on some of it from time to time as I have more ?s than answers---Thanks Tom