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What's the longest amount of time it took you to acquire a coin on your "must have" list

ManorcourtmanManorcourtman Posts: 8,169 ✭✭✭✭✭
I have been searching now about 7 years for a 97-O Barber quarter in PCGS XF45. It's an R5 coin in XF-AU grades. This date and grade has never been offered in auction according to CoinFacts and is a pop 8 coin in 45. Well yesterday I finally located one and my long journey has come to happy conculsion!!! What's the longest amount of time it took you to acquire your "must have" coin?

Comments

  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,447 ✭✭✭✭✭
    8 years or more - posted the completion of my CWT short set last week as 2 coins from the Tanenbaum estate finally became available.
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose, Cardinal.
  • seanqseanq Posts: 8,731 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Twenty years, give or take a few months.


    Sean Reynolds
    Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.

    "Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
  • bronzematbronzemat Posts: 2,654 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The coin in my avatar. It had to have a good tone, decent weight, reasonable price. Its a pretty scarce coin but thanks to 4 years of waiting & Josh/Civitas, it is now mine as of a few months ago. I couldnt be happier.

    For U.S. coins, it was a seated liberty dollar & a trade dollar. I had always wanted 1 of each as a kid but couldnt afford them till I was an adult. I got back into collecting in 2008 and I acquired both types in early 2009. So about 20+ years for those two types in decent grades. VF30 for the Seated Dollar, AU58 for the trade.
  • COALPORTERCOALPORTER Posts: 2,900 ✭✭


    << <i>Twenty years, give or take a few months.


    Sean Reynolds >>



    I was going to say that. Several coins have been out of my price range since I was a
    little kid. I thought by now, i would have enough $$$$$$$$$$, but nope!
  • 123cents123cents Posts: 7,178 ✭✭✭
    4 years.
    image
  • mozinmozin Posts: 8,755 ✭✭✭
    It took me 35 years to buy my 1807 Small Stars Capped Bust Half Dollar. When bought it was NGC 53, but crossed to PCGS as only XF 45. The unusual wear pattern for this marriage led PCGS to downgrade the coin.
    I collect Capped Bust series by variety in PCGS AU/MS grades.
  • renomedphysrenomedphys Posts: 3,804 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have occasionally chased individual coins for a year or two before reaching a deal with the owner, be it from a dealer holding out for a higher price, or from a collector who just doesn't want to sell. There are several coins in the latter category that will probably have to wait a few more years, or even decades, when presumably the owner will pass and the collection will become available. And there is a specific coin in the former category that I would love to buy but can't afford, and probably won't be able to for years to come.
  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,401 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Twenty years, give or take a few months.


    Sean Reynolds >>



    Congrats! Yours was a great story Sean. Sometimes it's good to ask vs. wait.

    I have a piece I've been searching for about 7 years now. It's the last piece in a set. I should probably ask as you did as prices are going up in this series. The search is part of the fun but at some point, I'll probably start putting out feelers.
  • halfcentmanhalfcentman Posts: 1,498 ✭✭✭
    It took me eight years for me and Lisa to find the perfect 1800 Half Cent.

    This was it. It was sold in the Lake Michigan and Springdale Collection from ANR in June 2006.

    imageimage

    I MISS THIS COIN!!
  • SmEagle1795SmEagle1795 Posts: 2,199 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I was supposed to only have to wait until today (~4 years) but I had to drop out as the underbidder on several fantastic lots in the Ars Classica auction this morning. My bids were already massively over previous sales and I simply couldn't justify another increment.
    Learn about our world's shared history told through the first millennium of coinage: Colosseo Collection
  • ElcontadorElcontador Posts: 7,678 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It took 8 1/2 years for me to find an acceptable Heraldic Eagle Bust $ in AU.

    After nine and a half years, I'm still looking for an "all there" CBH in a PC holder in MS 65. I have seen several, but the asking price is more than I want to spend.
    "Vou invadir o Nordeste,
    "Seu cabra da peste,
    "Sou Mangueira......."
  • roadrunnerroadrunner Posts: 28,313 ✭✭✭✭✭
    My "affordable" dream seated quarter took me 11 yrs to finally acquire after I blew the first 2 chances 11 and 9 yrs earlier. Owned that coin for 18 yrs.
    And 37 yrs since I first saw it, there's been nothing even close to challenge it.
    Barbarous Relic No More, LSCC -GoldSeek--shadow stats--SafeHaven--321gold
  • LogPotatoLogPotato Posts: 2,177 ✭✭✭✭
    I'm still waiting. image
  • raysrays Posts: 2,424 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I've been looking for a VF-ish LE wreath cent for over 10 years. They are very hard to find with choice surfaces.
  • LeeBoneLeeBone Posts: 4,574 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Still cannot find the certain Date/Mint Morgan in the certain PCGS grade I`m looking for.
    Been about 7yrs +/-
  • LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have a coin that I won't put on the list as it's costs exceed my net worth in the grade I want it.image

    image
  • DennisHDennisH Posts: 14,010 ✭✭✭✭✭
    42 years... a 1967 Canada double-struck ("Diving Goose") dollar.
    When in doubt, don't.
  • SkyManSkyMan Posts: 9,493 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It took me seventeen years. I started collecting DCAM Franklin proofs in the latter 1980's. I was born in 1958, and found out in 1989 that there was only one die from 1958 that produced DCAM Franklins with frost and contrast comparable to the best of the series. The die only produced probably 12 - 18 coins with the ultimate level of contrast. In 2006 I was finally able to find and purchase one of these puppies.

    imageimage
  • raycycaraycyca Posts: 1,702 ✭✭✭
    About 40 years. My Dad always wanted a 1909-S VDB. We went through bags of pennies for years, found a few 1955 DDO's. Traded one for a car. While alive, he never got one. I wanted one to complete his set, or mine, which ever came first. Now as an adult, I was able to get a PCGS AU-55. NOW my Dad's set is complete. I wish he were here to see it. image(
    You only live life once, enjoy it like it's your last day. It just MIGHT be!

    image
  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,197 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Ever since I started the trade dollar set in 1996, I'd been searching for the mythical NGC MS66 1877. What's funny is that last year I finally found it (yuck) and within months acquired the coin that is now the sole PCGS MS66.

    So 15 years
  • calaban7calaban7 Posts: 3,033 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>It took me seventeen years. I started collecting DCAM Franklin proofs in the latter 1980's. I was born in 1958, and found out in 1989 that there was only one die from 1958 that produced DCAM Franklins with frost and contrast comparable to the best of the series. The die only produced probably 12 - 18 coins with the ultimate level of contrast. In 2006 I was finally able to find and purchase one of these puppies.

    imageimage >>



    Very nice puppy !!!
    " In a time of universal deceit , telling the truth is a revolutionary act " --- George Orwell
  • howardshowards Posts: 1,241 ✭✭✭
    25 years plus and still looking for a couple of must haves.
  • TahoeDaleTahoeDale Posts: 1,785 ✭✭✭
    Jeff,

    I know how particular you are, when trying to find the "all there" 65 CBH. And nine and 1/2 years is a long time
    considering there exists some fantastic 65's( and way too many fair to average for the grade ones).

    Maybe you needed to start your search 15 years ago, when they were priced more reasonably, as I seriously doubt you
    will find a seller who will part with the pq coin for Elcontador dollars.

    But good luck, anyway.
    TahoeDale
  • LanLordLanLord Posts: 11,723 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I don't know yet
  • STONESTONE Posts: 15,275
    2-4 years for several pieces.

    Several coins I've still waiting to acquire just the right piece!
  • droopyddroopyd Posts: 5,381 ✭✭✭
    Once I had the money, not more than a few months.
    Me at the Springfield coin show:
    image
    60 years into this hobby and I'm still working on my Lincoln set!
  • ColorfulcoinsColorfulcoins Posts: 3,371 ✭✭✭
    Never more than 3 years..........after which I've generally and then I've given up! But I'm now onto a new set - about 2 years in and we'll see if I can persist beyond the 3 year mark.
    Craig
    If I had it my way, stupidity would be painful!
  • keyman64keyman64 Posts: 15,526 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Still searching for several Merc Varieties after 2.5 years. I imagine I could be searching a long time for some.
    "If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64
    Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners. :smile:
  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,663 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I've been working on a complete US type set like Bill Jones' since 1976, this year I got a 1796 dime and 1805 half eagle for the first time, so 36 years so far. And counting for a score more types.

    With luck it will take 15 or 20 more years to finish

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • SaorAlbaSaorAlba Posts: 7,593 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Twenty years, give or take a few months.


    Sean Reynolds >>



    Great story and great coin too, worth the long wait.

    For me, I saw a Syracuse tetradrachm about 10 years ago that has haunted me ever since. Prior to that I waited probably 10+ years to buy a Bust dollar that I liked because I wanted an all original coin with no trace of any cleaning.
    Tir nam beann, nan gleann, s'nan gaisgeach ~ Saorstat Albanaich a nis!
  • cupronikcupronik Posts: 773 ✭✭✭
    39 months from the first time I laid eyes on it! No coin ever owned my soul such as the coin in question did.
  • I searched for over 16 years for a Dahlonega gold piece from the Louis Eliasberg Collection. I bought this piece in the 1999 FUN auction of the North Georgia Collection, with lots of help from Gold Rush Gallery (Al Adams). I was a novice collector in 1982, when the Eliasberg gold sale took place and didn't participate. The photo is courtesy of BluCC.

    image
    "Clamorous for Coin"
  • Dave99BDave99B Posts: 8,681 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Been looking for a 1901-s Barber VF quarter since about 1986. So I guess we are talking 27 years? Yikes.

    I'm a bit picky. My example needs to be fully original so it matches by nearly complete VF set (missing only the 01-s and 13-s).

    If it takes another 10 years, I can wait. I'd rather wait, than settle on a sub-par example. Plus, patience is a virtue, right?

    Dave
    Always looking for original, better date VF20-VF35 Barber quarters and halves, and a quality beer.
  • HoledandCreativeHoledandCreative Posts: 2,825 ✭✭✭✭✭
    After several decades, still looking for a holed, not plugged 1796 or 1797 Bust Half Dollar. I do have hole filled with a filled hole example but still have the dream of finding one before I lose interest.
  • rec78rec78 Posts: 5,856 ✭✭✭✭✭
    About 30 years or more. A 1901-S barber quarter in vg to match the rest of my set. I bought this coin from Teaparty about 9 years ago, just before the big price increases for this date (Whew--Glad I got it then-because if I had to buy one now I probably wouldn't.) I kept putting it off because it was not a priority, then I got tired of the hole in album and just bought it.

    Bob
    image
  • MFHMFH Posts: 11,720 ✭✭✭✭

    The Barber series has a few show stoppers that I have yet to locate
    in the grade that blends in with the balance of my specific collection.

    The 1897-O Dime in AU 53-58 has been on my want list
    since 1994 when I first started collecting. My first two sets
    had MS coins, and my newest set has a presentable 35. Even
    choice 45's are almost impossible to locate problem free.
    Mike Hayes
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Coin collecting is not a hobby, it's an obsession !

    New Barber Purchases
  • rainbowroosierainbowroosie Posts: 4,875 ✭✭✭✭
    Still looking for a 1961 P roosie in 67 with "real color" --- been looking since 1989.... image
    "You keep your 1804 dollar and 1822 half eagle -- give me rainbow roosies in MS68."
    rainbowroosie April 1, 2003
  • Since 2001 when I sold several sets and started a single new one I am still waiting for a quite a few.
  • The NGC Multi-coin sample slab. Been looking for around a year or two now.
  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 29,142 ✭✭✭✭✭
    8 years as well.

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