How often do you think about "who" may have had your coin(s) in their pocket?

dizzyfoxx

I know it's a stretch, but much of coin collecting is the history of it. Who collects coins from the early 20th century, '20's and '30's and wonder if perhaps Babe Ruth, or Al Capone, or Teddy Roosevelt had possessed that coin?

Or coins from the 1860's-1870's? Perhaps George Armstrong Custer, Wyatt Earp, Abner Doubleday had your coin on their dresser?

Again, I know it's a stretch but I'm a firm believer in the saying, "anything's possible".

It sorta adds a little mystique and romanticism to the hobby.

chipper10

I do. I like nice circulated coins for that very reason along with a few other reasons.

coinman23885

I largely collect uncirculated examples so no.

PerryHall

When I see a coin from the 1790's, I wonder if George Washington or one of the other founding fathers may have handled that coin. When I see a coin from the Civil War era, I wonder if it was in the pocket of a soldier during a major battle. When I see a circulated silver dollar from the 1880's, I wonder if was in a poker game in an old west saloon. I could go on but you can see I have quite an imagination. It's just plain fun to fantasize about where your coins may have been.

chipper10

When you take into account politics, sports, entertainment, science and invention, the arts and all the other areas, there are thousands if not tens of thousands of "household names". I'm sure it does not take owning that many old circulated coins until one has a coin that was carried by someone famous at some point or a coin that was at least present during a historic event. That's just my way of thinking though. The problem is you can never know who carried it or where it was.

BAJJERFAN

I think as much about how Wyatt Earp may have carried it as much as Wyatt Earp wondered about who would carry it in 2012.

dizzyfoxx

<< <i>I think as much about how Wyatt Earp may have carried it as much as Wyatt Earp wondered about who would carry it in 2012. >>



Fair enough

UNLVino

I do think about the life my coin had over the 150 or so years before it came to me in a little plastic slab.

NewEnglandRarities

<< <i>When I see a coin from the 1790's, I wonder if George Washington or one of the other founding fathers may have handled that coin. When I see a coin from the Civil War era, I wonder if it was in the pocket of a soldier during a major battle. When I see a circulated silver dollar from the 1880's, I wonder if was in a poker game in an old west saloon. I could go on but you can see I have quite an imagination. It's just plain fun to fantasize about where your coins may have been. >>



Totally agree with this. Often, as a colonial coin/exonumia dealer, I often wonder if any of the historical pieces that I have sold have passed through the hands of some of our founding fathers in their life. Of course, for the few Libertas Americana medals I have handled, I always start the pedigree with Benjamin Franklin as he had them made, and belongs in the pedigree chain! As Perry said, it is very cool to sit back and fantasize where our coins have been throughout their circulated life.

ArizonaJack

<< <i>When I see a coin from the 1790's, I wonder if George Washington or one of the other founding fathers may have handled that coin. When I see a coin from the Civil War era, I wonder if it was in the pocket of a soldier during a major battle. When I see a circulated silver dollar from the 1880's, I wonder if was in a poker game in an old west saloon. I could go on but you can see I have quite an imagination. It's just plain fun to fantasize about where your coins may have been. >>



Exactly............

WoodenJefferson

When I hold and look at my 1798 large cent, I like to think Anne Willing Bingham may have had it in her change purse.

ProofArtworkonCircs

Coins have been around for over 2500 years. Strange as it may seem, pockets that you would recognize are less than 250 years old.
Just previously folk used a bag on a belt and put a slit in their clothes to make access to them.

http://www.h2g2.com/approved_entry/A798159

TheRegulator

I'm actually kinda the opposite.

I still like to think about who may have handled the piece, but rather than famous names, I wonder about all the names and faces we'll never know. The average, everyday person. What their lives were like when the pieces circulated. Events in their lives that are forever forgotten. The chance sequence of events that led to the piece being preserved and in my collection.

stman

Sorry, all that "history" means nothing these days. The only thing that seems to matter is the prestige of what dealer it was bought from, old holder, and who has approved it. Sad, but true IMO. I learned much of this right here.

Buzzybest

Can you imagine ancient coins made around the year zero?!One of mine has an aura around it. Could it have been held by ......?

SmEagle1795

<< <i>Can you imagine ancient coins made around the year zero?!One of mine has an aura around it. Could it have been held by ......? >>



I was an only-US collector for most of my tenure as a collector, but, in the last year, I've now changed to be heavily focuses in Ancients for similar reasons. Here are two of my favorites: Gold Octadrachms

In the last 2,300 years, I can only imagine whose hands have touched these and similar coins. They must have been held by dozens of collectors and at the least have traveled thousands of miles by themselves to wind up in my little collection in Illinois.

coachbedford

..And not just the people whose hands my coins have passed through, but the events the coins have witnessed.

But speaking of major figures-- just amazing that a well worn 1730 british halfpenny (that can be bought for $3 to $5) had George Washington's entire lifetime (from 1732 to 1799) to make its way into his hands-- pretty good odds given how many George II halfpennies circulated in America during his lifetime.

lava

Presidents, for sure.

I spend most of my time thinking about what the ancient aliens used for money. After years of thought, I don't have the answer, but I am still working on it.

Coinlearner

Think everyone owned this 1840 w/ Drapery Dime for a 100 years

Baley

I think of this a lot, especially for 200+ year old coins in grades like Good and VG. You can kind of picture these coins' journey long before you were born, and imagine that they will continue long after you are gone.

melvin289

Just think, Zasu Pitts could have bought her first Flapper dress with this half dollar.







W.C. Fields could have contributed to his "Gin Blossom" with this 50¢ piece.

Ron

ambro51

Yes I think about the southern gold during the civil war and also the Vermonts

lcoopie

never

RevDrBlimber

When our currency was backed by precious metals and our coins that circulated were valuable metal, less attention was paid to the great designs and artistry of the coins and currency. Now we do pay a great deal of attention.

I think about which coins circulated the most. Is it just that the coins which worked the hardest in commerce and are the most worn should command the least with collectors? Coins like this: http://www.greatcollections.com/Coin/52205/182542-Capped-Bust-Quarter-Browning-3-PCGS-G-06

While coins that gathered dust or were in collectors cabinets should command the most? I sold the same Bust quarter in XF for around $1400, and this one we listed at $75. Interesting how the market values condition.