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Forum project - spending unusual coins
abitofthisabitofthat
Posts: 2,142 ✭✭✭
I know many forumites spend the occasional wheat cent, or buffalo nickel, as a way to maybe intrigue someone who finds it into collecting coins. Same with Ikes or even Kennedy halves. But I have been thinking, what would happen if you did try to spend something that a cashier has probably never even heard of? Would they accept it? Argue that it is not real? Who would be willing to try?
So, in the interest of finding the answers to these important questions, I have a project for the forum.
I need five volunteers. I will send each of them a gem proof 1986 Statue of Liberty half dollar. They will spend the coin in a local store (or try to), and document what reaction they get. They must agree to make a real effort to spend the coin, and then come back to this thread to tell us all how it went.
Anyone interested? If so, respond to this thread. I will select 5 forumites to participate tomorrow night.
So, in the interest of finding the answers to these important questions, I have a project for the forum.
I need five volunteers. I will send each of them a gem proof 1986 Statue of Liberty half dollar. They will spend the coin in a local store (or try to), and document what reaction they get. They must agree to make a real effort to spend the coin, and then come back to this thread to tell us all how it went.
Anyone interested? If so, respond to this thread. I will select 5 forumites to participate tomorrow night.
merse
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I would absolutely do this.
Lance.
type2,CCHunter.
One of these days, I'm going to have to try and pick up a cull but recognizable two cent piece from a dealer's junk box and spend it. That might be interesting.
When silver was a little less (in the mid teens IIRC), I left a Franklin I was carrying as part of a tip on top of a ten spot (for what was probably a seven to eight dollar breakfast and coffee). Made it to the parking lot before the waitress ran out and asked me if maybe I left the wrong change, holding the Half out to me. That was a fun conversation, and probably my favorite experience. Turns out her grandfather had collected coins, so she actually knew what it was (she called it a "Ben Franklin Half Dollar").
I'd try this one too ... it would be interesting ... and even if not me, I will hope to hear the responses. Especially since it's a coin not many (if any) have likely seen in trade before.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
shops, with a diverse groups of owners............
merse
Fade to Black
Coppertoning
Pursuit of Liberty
Rampage, and
JJM
merse
made exactly a $6 dollar purchase
the bill and the prez's were quickly scooped up, he looked
at the half and said "whats this?"
I said it was a half dollar........he said ok, and into the till it went !
I actually like them but it seems no one else does.
Overall, not as much enthusiasm as I had hoped for, but a fun experience nonetheless.
Thanks, Richard.
On the flight on the way home I used 5 of them to purchase a drink (before the airlines went CC only). The flight attendant looked at them and said we don't take Pesos. I laughed and pointed out that they were Prexy dollars. She looked again and we had a brief conversation about the circulating coin program. She smiled and thanked me.
That was the best reaction.
Cheers!
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BONGO HURTLES ALONG THE RAIN SODDEN HIGHWAY OF LIFE ON UNDERINFLATED BALD RETREAD TIRES
<< <i>A few years back I took some Prexy rolls with me to Cancun. I gave the Shuttle driver two as a tip and he knew exactly what they were and was pleased to get them. I then gave two to the taxi driver who didn't speak a lick of English but he seemed to appreciate them, even if he didn't know what they were.
On the flight on the way home I used 5 of them to purchase a drink (before the airlines went CC only). The flight attendant looked at them and said we don't take Pesos. I laughed and pointed out that they were Prexy dollars. She looked again and we had a brief conversation about the circulating coin program. She smiled and thanked me.
That was the best reaction.
Cheers!
What is a Prexy Dollar? Is that slang for Presidential Dollar?
Interests:
Pre-Jump Grade Project
Toned Commemoratives
type2,CCHunter.
www.brunkauctions.com
merse
My coffee was 1.55, so I pulled out a rag buck, the half and a quarter.
She looked and asked, "What is that?" I said it was a half dollar, and she kind of went "Oh, yeah" like, of course it is (my guess is because of the size), looked at it a little, rolling it over once, and then put it in the till, where there was another Half (a shiney Kennedy). Kind of an odd look, like she knew it was, but wasn't sure, but wasn't going to say anything right then.
Got my coffee and told her to have a good day, but couldn't help myself ... added "maybe you should give it back out in change", with a wink. She looked at me funny for a second, but I think she got it.
Maybe it'll float around a little over there.
I had some other change with me, and I put a Buffalo and two Wheats in the tip box with some other change.
Little seeds.
It was fun, but not much reaction really. Hopefully it'll get a few more rounds before someone pockets it for keeps.
As for your follow-up question;
Yeah, a Norfed that said One Dollar ... I probably could have spent it there, with her, maybe.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242