Wow, after seeing some of the figures in this thread, I'm almost embarrassed to say! Since I work a Civil Service job, make less than 100K per year and have 2 teenagers, I can't afford a what some people here can. But, I enjoy the hobby and I see my single coin purchases going higher and higher all the time.
The most I have spent (and it was actually a trade deal) was about $600-$650 for this:
For me, there is no "one coin" that I would drop crazy money for, although I would one day like to have a Saint Gaudens $20. Perhaps after my teenagers get their own lives.
Best regards, Dwayne F. Sessom Ebay ID: V-Nickel-Coins
For me the most I have ever spent on a single coin was $50. Even at that I had to really think about it and felt guilty afterwords about spending that much on one coin. This was at CoinFest last month. (my first silver coin from ancient Rome)
I think the most I will ever spend is about $100. Even at that I can't think of a specific coin that in that range I would spend that on, it would probably have to be something spectacular.
I really should just print out pictures of some coins, because it is the only chance I will ever have of ever touching them, let alone owning them.
Edited to add: The most I've ever spent on an American coin was $25. I can't recall if it was a Flying Eagle or a bent 3 cent silver. One was $20 and one was $25, and I got them both at the same time from the same dealer. The most I've ever spent on one piece of currency was also $25, and also at CoinFest for a 1862 Poughkeepsie obsolete, which is as close to my home town as I will ever get on currency.
$2900. Will be able to sell it for a reasonable profit if I want to, but I like the coin too much right now.
Now, the real question is, 'how much did you pay for a coin while sitting at an auction, looking though the catalog to see what lots are about to come up, and buy one of those without seeing a picture in the catalog or the actual coin in hand before the auction?'
My answer to to that? $720 including juice. Sold it five minutes later for $950.
Woman: About $250,000 (only) but still counting (child support) Coin: About $400,000 (1st place), 287,500 (2nd place - 1916 DD Buffalo @ MS64 PCGS in 2004 - now worth much less but not mine), $225,000 about - (3rd).
I am currently a dolphin in a Whale and minnow world. Seems the excitement with the coin world ie auctions for rarities/key dates/top pops slower. I obviously cant compete and spend as much time as I'd like to as the Stewart Blays (time) and TDN or hedge fund/oil company players (money).
Andy: TDN WOULD bid on those coins, but nothing to top $3M with the juice of course.
Record-breaking coin out there? Would be the J-1776 hands down. And currently today, an oil man would get it...
It is wonderful to see the financial diversity of the members of this forum. We have members with the ability to spend millions and those whose range is less than $1000. Yet, we all speak to each other on this venue as equals.The fun for me is in the scholarship and acquisition. The $ spent is just the necessary price tag. For me, I have spent more than I dreamed would be appropriate but not close to the 6 figure range. My philosophy: "Satisfaction is how you value yourself, not what you possess." For me, it is not measured by net worth; although I do not object to someone using it as their yardstick.
Saintguru: Great thread. The most I have ever spent was around $8,600 on a 1955/55 DDO. $184,000 on one coin?Wow! I could do that with no problem,but I agree a lot of what Lordmarcovan has said. I live well below my means.I have my parents to thank for that. I am fortunate and gratefull for everything I have. How much would I spend if the right coin came along? Probably $50,000 on a 1969/69 DDO. TOM
I'm kind of with LordMarcovan on this one. I usually trade coins for coins, and slowly add to the collection. I've learned to not over-extend , though there are coins out there that make you consider it often. The most ever spent was around $1200. Oddly, having that much in one coin made me uncomfortable so I sold it and purchased a few lower value coins. I've also found theat the best coins for me are hardly ever the most expensive ones. It really is the hunt for the perfect fit to the collecting theme. I have also figured my comfort level, and it's around $300 (or less) for a coin. I think that may be a key to collecting, finding one's comfort level and sticking to it.
<< <i>What's the most you ever spent on a single coin? >>
My wife would say too much, regardless of price. I've paid $3000 on occasion, but it's only an "expense" until re-sold, then it becomes how much I made on the purchase. Of course, in today's economy, I may have to change my philosophy.
Good deals with: goldman86 mkman123 Wingsrule wondercoin segoja Tccuga OKCC LindeDad and others.
You know, this being Thanksgiving Holiday, I think a better OP might have been what coin purchase has given you the most joy; of course, this might be that you spent the most on but could be one relatively less expensive. The braggadacio thing turns me off when it gets that far.
My favorite American coin was/or is the 1/4 oz proof 2008W Buffalo with the most expensive US coin being 7k. Much more for foreign, but really enjoyed another that cost no where near as much as I've spent: an 1841 raw half sovereign (quite rare even in lesser grades) for 600 pounds, or about 1000 dollars, that graded across the street at MS65. Absolutely beautiful and rare little gold coin. This coin could bring any price at auction in multiples of what was paid.
Love that Milled British (1830-1960) Well, just Love coins, period.
I never thought I would spend more than a couple thousand at the most on a single coin but I decided to finish my Franklin FBL set and I am way over $2000 per coin. I bought the 53s and that for me was the "one coin" that came along.
<< <i>Wow, after seeing some of the figures in this thread, I'm almost embarrassed to say! Since I work a Civil Service job, make less than 100K per year and have 2 teenagers, I can't afford a what some people here can. But, I enjoy the hobby and I see my single coin purchases going higher and higher all the time.
The most I have spent (and it was actually a trade deal) was about $600-$650 for this:
For me, there is no "one coin" that I would drop crazy money for, although I would one day like to have a Saint Gaudens $20. Perhaps after my teenagers get their own lives. >>
I haven't checked on this in a few years, but it used to be that 100k put you in the top 2% of earners, I'm sure you don't feel like it.
I've spent $1400 for a coin. I have one in mind I'd like to get for $2500 or so. Beyond that, I'll need some intervention (divine, lottery-related, or otherwise) to be able to get some of my "dream" coins.
I'd love to own a 1943 copper cent one day... or maybe that 1915 Lincoln cent struck on a gold planchet!... and if I had the money, price would be no object.
Me at the Springfield coin show: 60 years into this hobby and I'm still working on my Lincoln set!
Most expensive I ever bought was $10,500 for a PCGS-63PL 1889-CC Morgan several years ago. Only bought it because I knew where I could sell it immediately for $11,500.
Most expensive I ever bought for my collection was an 1893-S PCGS-45 for $5,200. Most expensive still in my collection is a key PCGS-graded VAM that cost $4,500.
I'd spend up to $50,000 now for something stupidly underpriced that I knew I could (and would!!) immediately flip.
Comments
The most I have spent (and it was actually a trade deal) was about $600-$650 for this:
For me, there is no "one coin" that I would drop crazy money for, although I would one day like to have a Saint Gaudens $20. Perhaps after my teenagers get their own lives.
Dwayne F. Sessom
Ebay ID: V-Nickel-Coins
I think the most I will ever spend is about $100. Even at that I can't think of a specific coin that in that range I would spend that on, it would probably have to be something spectacular.
I really should just print out pictures of some coins, because it is the only chance I will ever have of ever touching them, let alone owning them.
Edited to add: The most I've ever spent on an American coin was $25. I can't recall if it was a Flying Eagle or a bent 3 cent silver. One was $20 and one was $25, and I got them both at the same time from the same dealer. The most I've ever spent on one piece of currency was also $25, and also at CoinFest for a 1862 Poughkeepsie obsolete, which is as close to my home town as I will ever get on currency.
<< <i>About $2500 on a coin. $778,500 on my lady. $10,000 if the right coin came around. >>
And 1,000,000$$$ if the right lady came around
Now, the real question is, 'how much did you pay for a coin while sitting at an auction, looking though the catalog to see what lots are about to come up, and buy one of those without seeing a picture in the catalog or the actual coin in hand before the auction?'
My answer to to that? $720 including juice. Sold it five minutes later for $950.
That was lucky.
Dennis
Like VOC Numismatics on facebook
Woman: About $250,000 (only) but still counting (child support)
Coin: About $400,000 (1st place), 287,500 (2nd place - 1916 DD Buffalo @ MS64 PCGS in 2004 - now worth much less but not mine), $225,000 about - (3rd).
I am currently a dolphin in a Whale and minnow world. Seems the excitement with the coin world ie auctions for rarities/key dates/top pops slower. I obviously cant compete and spend as much time as I'd like to as the Stewart Blays (time) and TDN or hedge fund/oil company players (money).
Andy: TDN WOULD bid on those coins, but nothing to top $3M with the juice of course.
Record-breaking coin out there? Would be the J-1776 hands down. And currently today, an oil man would get it...
For me, I have spent more than I dreamed would be appropriate but not close to the 6 figure range.
My philosophy: "Satisfaction is how you value yourself, not what you possess." For me, it is not measured by net worth; although I do not object to someone using it as their yardstick.
Great thread.
The most I have ever spent was around $8,600 on a 1955/55 DDO.
$184,000 on one coin?Wow!
I could do that with no problem,but I agree a lot of what Lordmarcovan has said.
I live well below my means.I have my parents to thank for that.
I am fortunate and gratefull for everything I have.
How much would I spend if the right coin came along?
Probably $50,000 on a 1969/69 DDO.
TOM
<< <i>What's the most you ever spent on a single coin? >>
My wife would say too much, regardless of price. I've paid $3000 on occasion, but it's only an "expense" until re-sold, then it becomes how much I made on the purchase. Of course, in today's economy, I may have to change my philosophy.
my early American coins & currency: -- http://yankeedoodlecoins.com/
My favorite American coin was/or is the 1/4 oz proof 2008W Buffalo with the most expensive US coin being 7k. Much more for foreign, but really enjoyed another that cost no where near as much as I've spent: an 1841 raw half sovereign (quite rare even in lesser grades) for 600 pounds, or about 1000 dollars, that graded across the street at MS65. Absolutely beautiful and rare little gold coin. This coin could bring any price at auction in multiples of what was paid.
Well, just Love coins, period.
There are many coins I can enjoy in the $100 - $300 range and that seems to be the range I feel comfortable in month after month.
To answer the OP, I WOULD spend up to $2000 and expect to in order to complete my series.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
The most I ever paid including bullion was $1400 for a nice white MS Barber Half.
I think about $2K would be the limit for me. I'm still waiting on the right certified FUGIO to come along.
My favorite coins that I take out and enjoy looking at time and time again are in the 300-500 range.
<< <i>Wow, after seeing some of the figures in this thread, I'm almost embarrassed to say! Since I work a Civil Service job, make less than 100K per year and have 2 teenagers, I can't afford a what some people here can. But, I enjoy the hobby and I see my single coin purchases going higher and higher all the time.
The most I have spent (and it was actually a trade deal) was about $600-$650 for this:
For me, there is no "one coin" that I would drop crazy money for, although I would one day like to have a Saint Gaudens $20. Perhaps after my teenagers get their own lives.
I haven't checked on this in a few years, but it used to be that 100k put you in the top 2% of earners, I'm sure you don't feel like it.
Would pay $3000 (for something like a nice 10C 1916-D)
Wish I could afford the 4 coin set.
Forgot to list the grade. PCGS AU58.
JT
I collect all 20th century series except gold including those series that ended there.
I'd love to own a 1943 copper cent one day... or maybe that 1915 Lincoln cent struck on a gold planchet!... and if I had the money, price would be no object.
60 years into this hobby and I'm still working on my Lincoln set!
Most expensive I ever bought for my collection was an 1893-S PCGS-45 for $5,200.
Most expensive still in my collection is a key PCGS-graded VAM that cost $4,500.
I'd spend up to $50,000 now for something stupidly underpriced that I knew I could (and would!!) immediately flip.