Some places had the gumball machines that had clear eggs with coins. Mostly darkside coins but sometimes if you got lucky there were 2 centers, FEs or IHCs in it. Many drugstores sold coin folders and supplies and bags of stamps and stamp albums.
<< <i>Our Sears had a coin department in the late 70's top early 80's. Many coins in flips. Lots to choose from. >>
Same story here in STL at a then MAJOR shopping center called Northwest Plaza. A huge outdoor complex that pre-dated the modern day mega mall. Great post, I hadn't thought of that little coin counter in a LONG time
I purchased these a couple years ago simply because they were originaly sold from Meier & Franks dept. store out of Portland, OR. They are pretty nice coins to boot.
In NYC, as kids, I remember the Sunday coin shows. Henry Hudson Hotel and the Americana Hotel on alternating weeks. There I saw things that blew my mind, things I still can't afford. Like a 1943 PDS copper cent display!!
I remember the stamp department at Kaufmann's in Pittsburgh. It was around 1967-1973. They also had coins, but I was into stamps in those days. As a junior/senior high schooler I'd ride the streetcar into town from the South Hills. I also enjoyed riding up and down on the old, old wooden escalator between the top three floors (9-11?).
The store is now a Lord and Taylor, the stamp and coin shop closed down long ago, but the wooden escalator is still there and worth the trip!
In the late 60's, my family took a trip to NY. I had saved my lawn mowing earnings to coin shop at Macy. The coin counter was upstairs. I bought a 1959 Franklin proof. I think I still have it somewhere. It was actually Sears that initiated me to collecting in the early 60s. I purchased a Harris folder with all of the S mint cents from 1940 to date in low grade UNC. The collecting "kit" they sold came with tongs, a lighted magnifier, foldable flips with mylar windows, a Red Book, and coin polishing paste. The S mint Lincolns were fairly scarce on the east coast. I also bought a bag of wheat cents from the back of a comic that was "sealed" at the horse track where it was harvested. Pure junk, but lots of fun.
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I never bought any coins from the Woolworth's in Santa Barbara where I grew up, but I bought at least a half dozen pair's of Converse All Stars there in the 60's and early 70's. Wow that does bring back memories
I remember seeing the signs for the coin shop at Marshall Fields on State Street, within the last five or six years. Not sure if the shop was still there - I never visited it - but the signage was still up. Now that's it's been taken over by Macy's, I haven't seen it anymore.
"Men who had never shown any ability to make or increase fortunes for themselves abounded in brilliant plans for creating and increasing wealth for the country at large." Fiat Money Inflation in France, Andrew Dickson White (1912)
I don't remember a coin department at the old Salem, OR Woolworths that my mom took me to as a kid, but I do remember the hardwood floors throughout the store and the wood display tables. I get nostalgic whenever I think of the lunch counter there. I wish those were still around.
In 1971 I was 16 and had my first summer job on Park Avenue and 32nd street. That was the year I purchased my first Fractional Note, a twenty five cent Walker at Macy's on 34th street. The coin counter was on the 7th floor, I think. After that I picked up the Friedberg reference. I was hooked!!! 40 years later I am still collecting Fractionals as well as coins, tokens, and other emergency money from the Civil War era. Still have that note, too.
As a kid (7-8 years old circa 1970-71) my uncle took me to the Marshall Field store and Sears in Chicago, both of whom had coin and stamp departments. I also dimly remember a W.T. Grant in my town that had some coins. Also, around the 1979-80 timeframe or so, Kay-Bee Toy and Hobby Shop used to carry a few. BTW, earlier in the thread someone spoke about Sears carrying coins in the 80s...... I know that Sears, Kmart, and Montgomery Ward in my area carried the Statue of Liberty commems in 1986, as there was a big push at the time to raise funds for restoration of the statue.
I remember the old Kaufmann's Downtown Store (now a Macys) having a coin department on the 9th floor. Bought some nice coins there. When Kaufmann's shut it down around 1994, they moved out to Mt. Lebanon and leased a space in a building owned by one of my clients (they are still there). I used to spend many a lunch hour there. Loved the bid board. Picked up some really nice key Morgans that I still have (95S, 95O, others).
The folks that ran it were the Meredith Family, who now operate a chain of coin (and PM storefronts) called Treasure Hunt. THey were nice people. Still run into John Meredith (the son) at the PAN show every so often. Haven't been to one of their stores in a very long time...
Macy's in NYC... 1980's. I was in my early 20's and desperately wanted the 3-coin Olympic Dollar set. I found it in Macy's for the low low price of $300 and bought it. What a steal
Just remembered the coin department in A&S in the Woodbridge NJ mall back in the 1980's as well. Can't say I got any incredible deals there, but he was a personable enough guy when dealing with a young collector.
Ahhhh the memories.
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In the early 1970s I bought a few coins from W.T. Grant & Co. in Westfield, Massachusetts. I also got a few coins from another department store but can't recall the name now. Then I found out that there was a coin shop not far from where my mother did her grocery shopping so I starting taking my business there. When I was first stationed at the Marine Barracks in Washington D.C. ( Aug.1977 - Aug. 1979 ) I bought coins from Woodward & Lothrop. At that time the coin department manager was Mr. Nelson Whitman. A short time later he lefted and started his own business , Capitol Coins , and I continued my business with him. Last I knew he was still in business.
I can remember my dad showing me the coins at a woolworth's when I was about 9 years old and how amazed I was at seeing nickels older than buffalo nickels. The V nickel was my first purchase of a coin and it was at Woolworth's.
Way back into the mid 1960's , there was a classy department store in downtown Hartford Connecticut ,with ten or eleven floors . The mezzanine had a stamp and coin department in what was then G.Fox and Company . The stamp and or coin department , was leased space by a New York City enterprise . Not sure , but it may have belonged to Stack,s , as it was large with several employes , and separate areas . Eventually the store was sold to Filenes , and then Macy's .As time went on , the coins (no stamps) moved to a basement location , and was run by a small business that also had baseball cards . Somewhere in the mid 1990's , it all ended .
Yep. Mid 1960's at a Woolworth's in my hometown at the "big" plaza where mom took me and four brothers to get shoes at the family owned (Altier's)shop next door. I still have the Whitman Volume I folder for Lincolns from there. And it isn't filled yet.
I bought some of my blue Whitman coin folders at Woolworth's in the 1960's; the price was 35 cents. The store near my home was just a couple of doors down from a real coin shop, but I remember seeing a BU roll of 1955-D quarters in 1964-65 for the astounding price of $65. Common date rolls were $12. I wasn't working yet, and couldn't afford to buy anything then.
A few years later, in 1969-70, I was going to working and in college, and passed daily through downtown Cleveland. One of the big department stores, Higbee's, had an excellent coin department. I liked early red uncirculated Lincoln cents, and bought a number of them there. I still have several of those coins. The first 1917-P that I bought was $7. I liked it so much that I asked them a couple of months later if they had any more. They did, and the price was now $8, but I wasn't deterred. I've had those 2 coins for nearly 42 years now - I must be getting old.
I think it was a Brandeis department chain store in Omaha that I used to browse some coins...
Also, don't forget KMart! Remember them selling the Statue of Liberty coins when they were released? I remember individuals buying them from the KMart counter and being able to turn around and sell them for a profit elsewhere...
<< <i>Hey magikbilly...I like your icon image...having grown up in Flushing, Queens...home of the 1939 [and 1964] World's Fairs! >>
My grandfather took my dad to the '39 World's Fair when he was 4 and my dad took me to the '64 WF when I was 4. My grandfather is buried overlooking the WF grounds, as per his wishes.
<<My grandfather is buried overlooking the WF grounds, as per his wishes. >>
That would mean your grandfather is buried in either Mt. Hebron or Ceder Grove Cemetery. I literally grew up in a house one black behind those cemeteries (we have very quiet neighbors, my parents would say)!
There was also a question as to when Macy's closed their coin department...I remember it disappeared in the mid to late 1990s. It was located upstairs on the eighth or ninth floor, where they have furniture and Trim-a-Tree during the holidays. They also had an interesting arcade of services up there: US Post Office, razor and electric shaver repair, vacuum repair, watch repair, jewelry appraisal and repair, and coins and stamps. And then suddenly no more coins and stamps...just one of the many "improvements" when Macy's took over nearly all the other department stores in the country...NOT!
I still wish I bought more of their Morgans in the soft flip holders...they tended to be pretty fairly graded by the "old" guys up there...they were probably 45-50 years old at the time!
I visited any stores that had a coin department, among them, Woolworth's, Kresge's, and Macy's. Some of them didn't have much but every once in a while something nice showed up. I worked at the Brandeis coin department in Omaha for several months in 1965 before the Navy requested my presence for a couple of years. I think my paychecks came from the Coin and Currency Institute of NY. Not positive, it has been a while.
I remember every Christmas my Uncle would take us shopping in downtown Pittsburgh and i would look forward to going to Gimbels coin store. Just recently , I found out that my primary dealers father owned that shop and he was the younger guy that worked there .
When I was a kid I remember going to a very large store in Gurnee, IL with my Grandpa. The store had everything from groceries to department store items. I remember they had a coin area, but it was not allowed for me to buy any coins at that time, so I just looked. I can't remember the name of that store but it would be similar in size to a super wal mart today.
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
<< <i><<My grandfather is buried overlooking the WF grounds, as per his wishes. >>
That would mean your grandfather is buried in either Mt. Hebron or Ceder Grove Cemetery. I literally grew up in a house one black behind those cemeteries (we have very quiet neighbors, my parents would say)! >>
I grew up behind Holy Cross cemetery in Brooklyn, where Gil Hodges is buried. We used to hunt for chestnuts there to play conkers (or killer.)
When I was a kid I went to all three but never purchased a coin.
The longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice is it possible for an empire to rise without His aid? Benjamin Franklin
JJ Newberry's in Buena Park, CA. I used to drool over the counter. I remember being so stoked when I finally got my birth year proof set! I also got quite a few Buffs and Indian cents from the .25 vending machines (like gumball machines, only they dispensed coins in plastic bubble-balls) that were outside the Food Giant...
I don't recall the department store name, maybe it was Sears, but I do remember buying coins from their junk box on the counter as well as an off-center 1968 cent (still have it). The store was in a mall in Knoxville, TN. This was back in the 70's. The counter also sold collectoable stamps. I can still close my eyes and see all the coins behind the glass after more than 30 years.
<< <i>Way back into the mid 1960's , there was a classy department store in downtown Hartford Connecticut ,with ten or eleven floors . The mezzanine had a stamp and coin department in what was then G.Fox and Company . The stamp and or coin department ,
George I used to stop and see Dick weekly on the mezzanine at Foxes during the late 60s and early 70s Those high priced coins sure seem like bargains today
If you can't swim you better stay in the boat.......
Yes, when I was a kid (around 1970) I bought a 1909-S AU Lincoln at Woolworth for 65 cents. The 2x2 was marked 1909. It was in one of those revolving shelf displays where you hold the button down. Anyway, maybe thats why they went bankrupt!
Several years later (around 1980), I tired to score some silver there when the Hunts were running it up to $50 but I was too late. Someone cleaned them out the day before.
omg i did at woolworths and at w.t grants at that time. w.t. grants was here in new england and not sure how far west they went. there were some good memories there, thats for sure
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
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Many drugstores sold coin folders and supplies and bags of stamps and stamp albums.
<< <i>Our Sears had a coin department in the late 70's top early 80's. Many coins in flips. Lots to choose from. >>
Same story here in STL at a then MAJOR shopping center called Northwest Plaza. A huge outdoor complex that pre-dated the modern day mega mall. Great post, I hadn't thought of that little coin counter in a LONG time
They are pretty nice coins to boot.
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The store is now a Lord and Taylor, the stamp and coin shop closed down long ago, but the wooden escalator is still there and worth the trip!
and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
Buying top quality Seated Dimes in Gem BU and Proof.
Buying great coins - monster eye appeal only.
Woolworths, McCrory's, Gimbels, Newberry's - on and on - good old days
Best and thanks for the memories,
Eric
but I bought at least a half dozen pair's of Converse All Stars there in the 60's and
early 70's. Wow that does bring back memories
Steve
I was more of a "Keds" kid myself...and when you were done with them, you tied the laces together and tossed them over a power line!
I wonder how many blackouts were caused by sneakers dangling from the lines?!?
Jeff
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
The folks that ran it were the Meredith Family, who now operate a chain of coin (and PM storefronts) called Treasure Hunt. THey were nice people. Still run into John Meredith (the son) at the PAN show every so often. Haven't been to one of their stores in a very long time...
Just remembered the coin department in A&S in the Woodbridge NJ mall back in the 1980's as well. Can't say I got any incredible deals there, but he was a personable enough guy when dealing with a young collector.
Ahhhh the memories.
<< <i>Wasn't Sears a outlet for proof sets in the 1980's?
YES! I bought some there while working at Sears Package Pickup dept.
It was my reward/bribe for waiting on a horrendous line and posing with my younger siblings for a photo with Santa during Christmas time.
When did Macy's close their coin department?
When I was first stationed at the Marine Barracks in Washington D.C. ( Aug.1977 - Aug. 1979 ) I bought coins from Woodward & Lothrop. At that time the coin department manager was Mr. Nelson Whitman. A short time later he lefted and started his own business , Capitol Coins , and I continued my business with him. Last I knew he was still in business.
But yes, plenty of little green turtles...and baseball cards.
Hartford Connecticut ,with ten or eleven floors . The mezzanine had a stamp and coin
department in what was then G.Fox and Company . The stamp and or coin department ,
was leased space by a New York City enterprise . Not sure , but it may have belonged
to Stack,s , as it was large with several employes , and separate areas . Eventually
the store was sold to Filenes , and then Macy's .As time went on , the coins (no stamps)
moved to a basement location , and was run by a small business that also had
baseball cards . Somewhere in the mid 1990's , it all ended .
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.americanlegacycoins.com
A few years later, in 1969-70, I was going to working and in college, and passed daily through downtown Cleveland. One of the big department stores, Higbee's, had an excellent coin department. I liked early red uncirculated Lincoln cents, and bought a number of them there. I still have several of those coins. The first 1917-P that I bought was $7. I liked it so much that I asked them a couple of months later if they had any more. They did, and the price was now $8, but I wasn't deterred. I've had those 2 coins for nearly 42 years now - I must be getting old.
Jim
Also, don't forget KMart! Remember them selling the Statue of Liberty coins when they were released? I remember individuals buying them from the KMart counter and being able to turn around and sell them for a profit elsewhere...
<< <i>Hey magikbilly...I like your icon image...having grown up in Flushing, Queens...home of the 1939 [and 1964] World's Fairs! >>
My grandfather took my dad to the '39 World's Fair when he was 4 and my dad took me to the '64 WF when I was 4. My grandfather is buried overlooking the WF grounds, as per his wishes.
That would mean your grandfather is buried in either Mt. Hebron or Ceder Grove Cemetery. I literally grew up in a house one black behind those cemeteries (we have very quiet neighbors, my parents would say)!
There was also a question as to when Macy's closed their coin department...I remember it disappeared in the mid to late 1990s. It was located upstairs on the eighth or ninth floor, where they have furniture and Trim-a-Tree during the holidays. They also had an interesting arcade of services up there: US Post Office, razor and electric shaver repair, vacuum repair, watch repair, jewelry appraisal and repair, and coins and stamps. And then suddenly no more coins and stamps...just one of the many "improvements" when Macy's took over nearly all the other department stores in the country...NOT!
I still wish I bought more of their Morgans in the soft flip holders...they tended to be pretty fairly graded by the "old" guys up there...they were probably 45-50 years old at the time!
Box of 20
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
<< <i><<My grandfather is buried overlooking the WF grounds, as per his wishes. >>
That would mean your grandfather is buried in either Mt. Hebron or Ceder Grove Cemetery. I literally grew up in a house one black behind those cemeteries (we have very quiet neighbors, my parents would say)! >>
I grew up behind Holy Cross cemetery in Brooklyn, where Gil Hodges is buried. We used to hunt for chestnuts there to play conkers (or killer.)
mbogoman
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/classic-issues-colonials-through-1964/zambezi-collection-trade-dollars/7345Asesabi Lutho
<< <i>Way back into the mid 1960's , there was a classy department store in downtown
Hartford Connecticut ,with ten or eleven floors . The mezzanine had a stamp and coin
department in what was then G.Fox and Company . The stamp and or coin department ,
George I used to stop and see Dick weekly on the mezzanine at Foxes during the late 60s and early 70s Those high priced coins sure seem like bargains today
Several years later (around 1980), I tired to score some silver there when the Hunts were running it up to $50 but I was too late. Someone cleaned them out the day before.
MJ
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......