Great Things Come From Small Beginnings
Banemorth
Posts: 986 ✭✭✭
This is going to be an extremely long post about my incredibly short (relatively!) numismatic journey. I just turned 26 on the 3rd so I have nowhere near the experience and stories that many of you have. I hope this will be something I can look back on in 20-30 years and enjoy.
I was introduced to numismatics at a very young age. I never knew my grandfather on my mother's side of the family but I knew my great-grandfather and he was a coin collector. I actually get my middle name from him. Now I've credited my love of coins to him but that might not be entirely fair. He passed away when I was just five years old and I only have the vaguest memories of him. When he passed he left his collection to my grandmother. While he planted the seed it was she who cultivated it. Every time I would visit her home I'd ask to see the coins. Usually she'd oblige me and we'd go upstairs into the attic where my great-grandfather's old suitcase was and we would spend hours looking at all the old coins.
To me they were ancient wonders. Things older than my young mind could readily comprehend. Their mere existence fascinated me. It also raised the question as to why coins today didn't look like this? They were so pretty and unique I just couldn't wrap my mind around why we decided to put old presidents on coins instead of lady liberty. Truthfully I still don't. Things went on like this for a long time. My father encouraged it and would always save any wheat pennies he found in his change and give them to me. I had quite a little collection. A few mint proof sets, a bunch of wheat pennies, some random world coins, a few Jefferson Nickles from the 40's and 50's, "Drummer Head Quarters." When I was a teenager my interest faded a bit. I became more concerned with what the coins were "worth" and how much money I could get for them.
I took most of my quarters and Ike/Sac dollars to the county fair and spent them on games. Pockets bulging with won laser pointers and stink bombs I was happy at the time but regretted it soon. The laser pointer broke, the stink bombs were gone, and my collection was smaller yet I had nothing left to show for it. I had decided then not to spend anymore and just keep saving. I kept all of my coins in an old binocular case I had pilfered from my dad. He never used it anyway.
So with no real numismatic mentor I continued saving up and acquiring a little of this and that where I could. At one point I helped a friend clean out his grandfather's house and we found a handful of old coins in his basement. A Peace Dollar on a key chain, a buffalo nickle, a bunch of wheaties, etc. His mother told me to keep it for helping them clean everything up. I was excited and took it home and threw it in my binocular case. There everything stayed until... I met a girl.
Yup. My resolve not to spend or touch my coin collection evaporated as I had my first real girlfriend. I took the lot of it to a local collectible and comic book store and sold almost everything. I got $72. I don't even remember what I bought her with the cash but whatever it was it wasn't worth it. Disgusted with myself later and not having the drive to continue I mostly abandoned my numismatic pursuits. The old binocular case with a few random coins left in it sat in my closet, untouched, for years.
Time rolled on, things changed, and I grew up. After a rough break up with that same girlfriend of five years I met the woman whom would be my wife three weeks later. We ended up getting a place together after three months. While packing up my stuff I rediscovered that old case. I dumped the coins out and stared at them. There weren't many. I went through and looked at all the wheat pennies sitting on my old bed. Not wanting to bring the beat up case with me to our new home I pocketed the coins and threw out the binocular case that had served me so well.
As I got to know my new girlfriend's family I learned that they were big into metal detecting and were also small-time collectors. Grabbing random stuff at small coin shows in 2x2's. They also had quite a dug collection too. My interest and love of coins was rekindled and I bought myself a metal detector. I still remember finding my first silver Roosevelt dime at an old school. I decided that I really wanted to grow my coin collection and, still absent of any real mentor, I hit Craigslist. Scouring the ads I found a guy selling a shoebox full of wheat pennies. He also had a "really old silver dollar" to sell as well. I looked it up on Ebay and saw it was worth $600! I couldn't believe it. He was selling the pennies AND the Dollar for $300. What a deal!
So I called him up and asked him where we could meet and that I really liked that dollar. He said he had three more and for $600 more I could have them too. I was so excited but I didn't have that kind of money and told him so. He asked me how much I did have and I told him. $600. He said he'd take it. I was so naive and young, twenty-two at the time, but I should have known better. We met in the parking lot of a steakhouse and did the deal. I was so happy. I could double my money I told my would-be wife. She kind of smiled and nodded, annoyed that I had just blown $600 on some old coins. I started researching local coin clubs and finally found one.
So myself and a friend from work whom was also interested in coins decided to go. I proudly showed off my purchases and half of the club seemed impressed and half of them seemed sickened. I wasn't sure why until one of them finally came up to me and broke the news. The dollars were fake. One of them looked at me and said "If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There is no Santa Clause in coin collecting." Wise words that I've carried with me to this day. They tried to cheer me up. Told me stories of their own numismatic failings. It didn't really help though. I felt like a fool. Soon thereafter I ended up joining these forums.
I spent a lot of time reading at first, not as much posting. I felt a bit overwhelmed as I was introduced to a side of the hobby that I had never seen before. TPG's, Stickers, Slabs, Grades, etc. So many coins I had never even known existed. Many people said "Pick a series. Learn it and focus on it." So I asked "Should I collect Walkers or Standing Liberty Quarters?" They were my favorite designs and if I had to only collect ONE thing I wanted it to be one of them. So it was decided that I would collect Walkers. Time rolled forward and I began trying to buy whatever I could afford. Stuff that wasn't in slabs was cheaper so I went that route. That's when I learned not to believe what someone has written on a 2x2. Just because it says MS doesn't mean it's MS. Naive I know.
We took a family vacation to Cape May and in the Wildwood Convention Center there was a collectibles expo. Most everything there was sports related but one table was all coins. Nothing graded, all stuff in 2x2's, but I spent about $160 on coins that made me happy. I spent most of the rest of that day staring at them. Some walkers, a barber half and dime, a SLQ. I wanted a little of everything even though I knew I wasn't supposed to. The Barbers were polished to a mirror finish. Oh the things I've learned. My father-in-law bought me another walker at an antique shop while we were down there too. A solid AU55. It's a 40's walker so it's not "worth" much but I'll always keep it.
I brought my new purchases to work and showed my friend Bob. He mostly collected Morgans and hadn't bought any new coins in 10-15 years. Nothing he owned was graded or slabbed. We ended up buying a PCGS Membership together and sent a bunch of stuff out to get graded. I spent about $160 getting about $60 worth of coins slabbed. Oh the things I've learned. It was around this time that a forum member going by the name "Supertooth" sent me a PM. Most of what I was looking at and posting about revolved around "Blast White" coins. I liked how shiny they were. He then sent me pictures of some toned examples. Explained the beauty and uniqueness of each coin. Explained how blast-white widgets can all look alike but no two toned coins are exactly the same.
I was quickly turned to his way of thinking. I began to appreciate the color that came with toning and the enhanced look it gave the coins. I got my blast white fix from ASE's. My Walker collection would be toned. My first big purchase was from JoeLewis on the forums. His dog was sick so he was selling some pieces off. I never asked how his dog was later. I wish I had. Still I purchased a 1939 Walker in MS66* slabbed by NGC. The rainbow toning was gorgeous. It's still one of my favorite coins in my collection. So things went on like this, I bought the slabbed toned examples I could find that fit what I was looking for and I eventually had 4 nicely toned Walkers in my collection. I had given up on buying raw. I didn't know enough and the grading fees added up. I still wasn't aware of the PCGS Registry.
While my "focus" was on Walkers I still grabbed a little of this and that along the way. A $10 Indian, some Morgans, more ASE's, etc. I began to grow a little bored. I loved my Walkers but there were so many beautifully toned coins that I'd love to own. I was supposed to focus my collection though... so I did. Eventually I saw the Dansco 7070 album and I thought that it would be awesome to do. So I ordered one. I regretted it soon after though because 7070 albums need raw coins... something I still didn't feel comfortable pursuing. I shelved it. Finally I saw "type sets" and explored the PCGS Registry. THAT was something I could do. Find one of everything rainbow toned? THAT sounded like fun. So that's what I'm doing and I love it. I need to cross my MS66 NGC* Walker but I've started it.
I'm currently ranked 126 of 133. Humble beginnings. I can't afford to buy the big coins right now but one day I hope I can. I also haven't been able to add my Frankie Newp yet. I have other coins I could add to the set but they're not rainbow toned so they don't go in.
I'm five coins in now. Thanks for reading and helping me learn over the years. I can't wait to see where this is 30 years from now.
Now my five:
My Galactic Trime:
My Birthday Franklin:
My SLQ:
My Seated Quarter:
My Walker:
I was introduced to numismatics at a very young age. I never knew my grandfather on my mother's side of the family but I knew my great-grandfather and he was a coin collector. I actually get my middle name from him. Now I've credited my love of coins to him but that might not be entirely fair. He passed away when I was just five years old and I only have the vaguest memories of him. When he passed he left his collection to my grandmother. While he planted the seed it was she who cultivated it. Every time I would visit her home I'd ask to see the coins. Usually she'd oblige me and we'd go upstairs into the attic where my great-grandfather's old suitcase was and we would spend hours looking at all the old coins.
To me they were ancient wonders. Things older than my young mind could readily comprehend. Their mere existence fascinated me. It also raised the question as to why coins today didn't look like this? They were so pretty and unique I just couldn't wrap my mind around why we decided to put old presidents on coins instead of lady liberty. Truthfully I still don't. Things went on like this for a long time. My father encouraged it and would always save any wheat pennies he found in his change and give them to me. I had quite a little collection. A few mint proof sets, a bunch of wheat pennies, some random world coins, a few Jefferson Nickles from the 40's and 50's, "Drummer Head Quarters." When I was a teenager my interest faded a bit. I became more concerned with what the coins were "worth" and how much money I could get for them.
I took most of my quarters and Ike/Sac dollars to the county fair and spent them on games. Pockets bulging with won laser pointers and stink bombs I was happy at the time but regretted it soon. The laser pointer broke, the stink bombs were gone, and my collection was smaller yet I had nothing left to show for it. I had decided then not to spend anymore and just keep saving. I kept all of my coins in an old binocular case I had pilfered from my dad. He never used it anyway.
So with no real numismatic mentor I continued saving up and acquiring a little of this and that where I could. At one point I helped a friend clean out his grandfather's house and we found a handful of old coins in his basement. A Peace Dollar on a key chain, a buffalo nickle, a bunch of wheaties, etc. His mother told me to keep it for helping them clean everything up. I was excited and took it home and threw it in my binocular case. There everything stayed until... I met a girl.
Yup. My resolve not to spend or touch my coin collection evaporated as I had my first real girlfriend. I took the lot of it to a local collectible and comic book store and sold almost everything. I got $72. I don't even remember what I bought her with the cash but whatever it was it wasn't worth it. Disgusted with myself later and not having the drive to continue I mostly abandoned my numismatic pursuits. The old binocular case with a few random coins left in it sat in my closet, untouched, for years.
Time rolled on, things changed, and I grew up. After a rough break up with that same girlfriend of five years I met the woman whom would be my wife three weeks later. We ended up getting a place together after three months. While packing up my stuff I rediscovered that old case. I dumped the coins out and stared at them. There weren't many. I went through and looked at all the wheat pennies sitting on my old bed. Not wanting to bring the beat up case with me to our new home I pocketed the coins and threw out the binocular case that had served me so well.
As I got to know my new girlfriend's family I learned that they were big into metal detecting and were also small-time collectors. Grabbing random stuff at small coin shows in 2x2's. They also had quite a dug collection too. My interest and love of coins was rekindled and I bought myself a metal detector. I still remember finding my first silver Roosevelt dime at an old school. I decided that I really wanted to grow my coin collection and, still absent of any real mentor, I hit Craigslist. Scouring the ads I found a guy selling a shoebox full of wheat pennies. He also had a "really old silver dollar" to sell as well. I looked it up on Ebay and saw it was worth $600! I couldn't believe it. He was selling the pennies AND the Dollar for $300. What a deal!
So I called him up and asked him where we could meet and that I really liked that dollar. He said he had three more and for $600 more I could have them too. I was so excited but I didn't have that kind of money and told him so. He asked me how much I did have and I told him. $600. He said he'd take it. I was so naive and young, twenty-two at the time, but I should have known better. We met in the parking lot of a steakhouse and did the deal. I was so happy. I could double my money I told my would-be wife. She kind of smiled and nodded, annoyed that I had just blown $600 on some old coins. I started researching local coin clubs and finally found one.
So myself and a friend from work whom was also interested in coins decided to go. I proudly showed off my purchases and half of the club seemed impressed and half of them seemed sickened. I wasn't sure why until one of them finally came up to me and broke the news. The dollars were fake. One of them looked at me and said "If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There is no Santa Clause in coin collecting." Wise words that I've carried with me to this day. They tried to cheer me up. Told me stories of their own numismatic failings. It didn't really help though. I felt like a fool. Soon thereafter I ended up joining these forums.
I spent a lot of time reading at first, not as much posting. I felt a bit overwhelmed as I was introduced to a side of the hobby that I had never seen before. TPG's, Stickers, Slabs, Grades, etc. So many coins I had never even known existed. Many people said "Pick a series. Learn it and focus on it." So I asked "Should I collect Walkers or Standing Liberty Quarters?" They were my favorite designs and if I had to only collect ONE thing I wanted it to be one of them. So it was decided that I would collect Walkers. Time rolled forward and I began trying to buy whatever I could afford. Stuff that wasn't in slabs was cheaper so I went that route. That's when I learned not to believe what someone has written on a 2x2. Just because it says MS doesn't mean it's MS. Naive I know.
We took a family vacation to Cape May and in the Wildwood Convention Center there was a collectibles expo. Most everything there was sports related but one table was all coins. Nothing graded, all stuff in 2x2's, but I spent about $160 on coins that made me happy. I spent most of the rest of that day staring at them. Some walkers, a barber half and dime, a SLQ. I wanted a little of everything even though I knew I wasn't supposed to. The Barbers were polished to a mirror finish. Oh the things I've learned. My father-in-law bought me another walker at an antique shop while we were down there too. A solid AU55. It's a 40's walker so it's not "worth" much but I'll always keep it.
I brought my new purchases to work and showed my friend Bob. He mostly collected Morgans and hadn't bought any new coins in 10-15 years. Nothing he owned was graded or slabbed. We ended up buying a PCGS Membership together and sent a bunch of stuff out to get graded. I spent about $160 getting about $60 worth of coins slabbed. Oh the things I've learned. It was around this time that a forum member going by the name "Supertooth" sent me a PM. Most of what I was looking at and posting about revolved around "Blast White" coins. I liked how shiny they were. He then sent me pictures of some toned examples. Explained the beauty and uniqueness of each coin. Explained how blast-white widgets can all look alike but no two toned coins are exactly the same.
I was quickly turned to his way of thinking. I began to appreciate the color that came with toning and the enhanced look it gave the coins. I got my blast white fix from ASE's. My Walker collection would be toned. My first big purchase was from JoeLewis on the forums. His dog was sick so he was selling some pieces off. I never asked how his dog was later. I wish I had. Still I purchased a 1939 Walker in MS66* slabbed by NGC. The rainbow toning was gorgeous. It's still one of my favorite coins in my collection. So things went on like this, I bought the slabbed toned examples I could find that fit what I was looking for and I eventually had 4 nicely toned Walkers in my collection. I had given up on buying raw. I didn't know enough and the grading fees added up. I still wasn't aware of the PCGS Registry.
While my "focus" was on Walkers I still grabbed a little of this and that along the way. A $10 Indian, some Morgans, more ASE's, etc. I began to grow a little bored. I loved my Walkers but there were so many beautifully toned coins that I'd love to own. I was supposed to focus my collection though... so I did. Eventually I saw the Dansco 7070 album and I thought that it would be awesome to do. So I ordered one. I regretted it soon after though because 7070 albums need raw coins... something I still didn't feel comfortable pursuing. I shelved it. Finally I saw "type sets" and explored the PCGS Registry. THAT was something I could do. Find one of everything rainbow toned? THAT sounded like fun. So that's what I'm doing and I love it. I need to cross my MS66 NGC* Walker but I've started it.
I'm currently ranked 126 of 133. Humble beginnings. I can't afford to buy the big coins right now but one day I hope I can. I also haven't been able to add my Frankie Newp yet. I have other coins I could add to the set but they're not rainbow toned so they don't go in.
I'm five coins in now. Thanks for reading and helping me learn over the years. I can't wait to see where this is 30 years from now. Now my five:
My Galactic Trime:
My Birthday Franklin:
My SLQ:
My Seated Quarter:
My Walker:
Justin From Jersey
Successful Transactions With: JoeLewis, Mkman123, Harry779, Grote15, gdavis70, Kryptonitecomics
Successful Transactions With: JoeLewis, Mkman123, Harry779, Grote15, gdavis70, Kryptonitecomics
1
Comments
Please visit my website Millcitynumismatics.com
Successful Transactions With: JoeLewis, Mkman123, Harry779, Grote15, gdavis70, Kryptonitecomics
<< <i>Great story. I'm surprised you stuck with it. Dropping a few hundred on fakes would've put me off the hobby for a while - maybe for good. >>
It wasn't easy. I sold the pennies for $200 and the fakes for $30 to Mkman. So at least I recouped something. It could always be worse right?
Successful Transactions With: JoeLewis, Mkman123, Harry779, Grote15, gdavis70, Kryptonitecomics
Larry L.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
Many members on this forum that now it cannot fit in my signature. Please ask for entire list.
Interesting story and I'm glad you shared it.
I'm curious about something, though.
You never mention seeking out any numismatic books or periodicals, such as the Red Book when you were younger or Coin World or a grading guide or Scott Travers' Coin Collector's Survival Manual when you were older or even JH Cline's book on Standing Liberty Quarters.
Is it that you weren't aware of these publications or didn't think they had anything to offer you or perhaps (like many collectors) preferred to spend money on coins rather than acquiring books?
Check out the Southern Gold Society
I eventually figured out how to look at prices realized on Ebay and made an account on Heritage. I also learned about the PCGS certification look-up and how that will also show prices realized at major auction houses. I subscribed to Coin World last year but I rarely have time to actually read magazines and didn't renew
Successful Transactions With: JoeLewis, Mkman123, Harry779, Grote15, gdavis70, Kryptonitecomics
If I had known so many people would actually enjoy this I would have written everything!
Successful Transactions With: JoeLewis, Mkman123, Harry779, Grote15, gdavis70, Kryptonitecomics
Check out the book, then join the great debate.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
I'm against shake and bake, putty, potatoing coins, whizzing, tooling, over-dipping, rubbing, etc.
Successful Transactions With: JoeLewis, Mkman123, Harry779, Grote15, gdavis70, Kryptonitecomics
Don't discount that Redbook. While the prices may not always be accurate you can still get a sense for value. Maybe more important is the wealth of information it contains. Browse a little and you'll get lost in it. Ask around and you'll find that most of us have copies. It's not just for beginners.
Lance.
I eventually figured out how to look at prices realized on Ebay and made an account on Heritage. I also learned about the PCGS certification look-up and how that will also show prices realized at major auction houses. I subscribed to Coin World last year but I rarely have time to actually read magazines and didn't renew.
Well, I hope that as you evolve as a coin collector you also develop an interest in numismatics and come to appreciate that prices aren't the only thing coin publications have to tell you.
Check out the Southern Gold Society
<< <i>When I was younger I had no idea that there were coin publications because I had never seen or heard of them. Right around the time I joined the forum I purchased a copy of the Red Book. Then I realized just how poorly it reflects on the true market value of coins and found that, as far as the price guides went, it was pretty useless to me.
I eventually figured out how to look at prices realized on Ebay and made an account on Heritage. I also learned about the PCGS certification look-up and how that will also show prices realized at major auction houses. I subscribed to Coin World last year but I rarely have time to actually read magazines and didn't renew.
Well, I hope that as you evolve as a coin collector you also develop an interest in numismatics and come to appreciate that prices aren't the only thing coin publications have to tell you. >>
Oh I'm well aware but with the amount of time I spend reading these forums and public articles on various numismatic websites I have no need to shell out cash for books or magazines.
Successful Transactions With: JoeLewis, Mkman123, Harry779, Grote15, gdavis70, Kryptonitecomics
P.S. Great bunch of coins and I simply love the color on that Trime!
8 Reales Madness Collection
I need to dabble in old copper for my type set so who knows?!
Successful Transactions With: JoeLewis, Mkman123, Harry779, Grote15, gdavis70, Kryptonitecomics