Sharing some thoughts after sorting through my grandparents collection

scotty1419

I've been speaking with my grandfather for a number of years about coins and PMs after I learned he had an accumulation (really just 90% silver) and sometimes I'd share a new purchase taking him back to the days of his youth. He and my grandmother were born in 1922/1923 so I recently purchased an unc peace dollar for each of them which they really liked.

Anyways, during all this time he mentioned he had stored some silver that their family kept from circulation on advice of a neighbor when the 1965 clad coinage came about. (Thanks neighbor!). He mentioned it was a good amount and for the last couple of years I had been salivating at the chance to get to look through a bunch of coinage pulled back in the day without anyone really looking at it.

Over this past weekend I sorted through it all and had a HUGE amount of fun doing so! After all was said and done I did a tally and it was nearing $1k in face! No surprise there were plenty of 1964 pieces represented - I was able to put together a roll of GEM unc 1964 quarters and half a roll of 64 halves as well. The consistency reminded me a bit of a dealers junk bin - large % of AU+ 1964 pieces, worn SLQ, LOTS of franklin halves, and lots of 40s quarters. One of the most interesting things for me was the low grade of some of the washington quarters and franklin halves. I'd never really seen 50s Franklins so worn down before nor a large quantity of quarters in the same.

Also came across 2 1922 Peace dollars 1 low unc and 1 AU. Unfortunately nothing rare, but I had great pleasure in knowing that at least now both he and I know it has been looked at and he has a checklist of what he really has.

I've never gotten the chance to really sort through a legitimate hoard/collection before that has sat for many years so this proved great fun for me!

Timbuk3

Congratulations !!!

JupitarCoins

I can imagine the joy you hard while looking through his collection I have done that a few times myself and the pleasure is unmeasurable.

Rollerman

I can well imagine the fun you had going through that mini hoard. I've been able to do that myself a couple of times and it's great fun.
Best wishes,
Pete

johnrav

great to be able to do this together, as well. often times, its done after that fact, or by a stranger.


It also shows how the population reports do not lie. Even hoards put away in the 60's, do not have the more rare mintage's...

magikbilly

"He and my grandmother were born in 1922/1923"

"Also came across 2 1922 Peace dollars"

Love it. Nothing better than looking at "stuff" with family

Eric

PS - now that you looked at 1K face in silver stored in more or less 1 place and in 1 set of conditions, did you make any observations about toning or anything?

scotty1419

There were several Washington quarters with toning - I kept a few among some other bits and pieces. 1-3 had a light pastel color. 1-2 had a natural gold speckled type of toning. Almost none had toning though - mostly either well circulated or unc white. They've been stored in a canvas tote bag pretty open to the air - not sealed in with any cloth/paper/etc.

I forgot to mention I've picked up a few historical things from them relating to their youths - this time I found a 1915 Pan-Pacific souvenir penny (like this one) that was pretty cool. They couldn't recall anything about it. Im assuming it came from a relative.

lcoopie

my Dad was also a 1923 "model"

crypto79

<< <i>One of the most interesting things for me was the low grade of some of the washington quarters and franklin halves. I'd never really seen 50s Franklins so worn down before nor a large quantity of quarters in the same. >>



They're out there in great numbers but are really seen because when they do get sold it is often straight to the smelters they go. Sounds like a fun day with your dad. Congrats on starting 2012 off right.

Swampboy

I recently had an elderly aunt give me a Peace she'd been saving for me since it was my late mother's birthyear.
It's a '21 high relief and I really don't care that she tried to polish it up real good for me.

Nice report there scotty1419.

ModernCoin

Cool story Scotty! I'm very fortunate to still have my father and look forward to going through his childhood collection this year with him. It's probably $50 to $100 FV, but they're coins he collected in the 50s and 60s as a child and coins I haven't seen in 20++ years (well before I caught the bug) so I'm excited about going through them again. Even if they're all bullion quality coins I'm still going to cherish the day we sort through the log .

IrishMikey

lcoopie -- that is a really NICE Peace dollar.

ricko

Great experience... and so much nicer to have the experience WITH them.... Cheers, RickO

jmski52

You just sorted through an exact slice of what we used in 1963-1964. I bet you found some decent Mercury Dimes and Walking Liberty Halves as well. Good move on your part in getting them those Peace Dollars! Great story.