Coins and Currency: Our best, easiest, and cheapest connection to the past?

WingedLiberty1957

I know that one of the things that really appeals to me about collecting old coins and currency is the connection to the past that I get when I look or hold these old pieces of history. I was thinking, what other ways can we obtain (buy) man-made objects that existed in the US in the 1700's or early 1800's? The only other thing I could think of were antiques: like old furniture, old guns, old machinery, or other artifacts. However I think these are much more expensive than old coins and currency.

I bought this old U.S. $5 bill printed and signed in May 1775 for $115 on ebay back in 2010. How else could one buy a historical paper document with signatures from the 1700's so cheaply?


Coins seem to cost a bit more than currency, but in lower grades you can buy old pieces of numismatic history for probably low 3 digits.
I bought this beauty from seller 900Fine for $350 in 2010


Sometimes I wonder if we as coin collectors get a bit desensitized to just how cool it is to hold something in your hand that was made over 200 years ago in the fledgling years of our great country.

And don't even get me started on ancient coins! This one cost me $237 on eBay. Just think something 2000+ years old for a bit over $200.


I really think these are the best and most accessible objects to reconnect us to our past.
Can anyone think of a better way?

cladking

Indeed.

And the more incredible thing than just being less expensive than most other
artefacts is that they were often much more valuable at the time they were used.
An old Roman gold coin could buy several items that are each more valuable than the
coin today and they will be in poorer condition.

Coins tend to be a steal.

ricko

Coins are certainly history themselves and reflective of the times they circulated. Cheers, RickO