Home U.S. Coin Forum

What should I tell my nephew?

AnkurJAnkurJ Posts: 11,375 ✭✭✭✭
When he was 5, I gave him a Lance Armstrong American Heroes Silver American Eagle with the slab label signed by Lance. My nephew has been a good athlete and has loved sports since he was 4, so in an attempt to get him interested in coins, I gave him one of these for his birthday.

Today he showed me the coin, and asked me if it was worth anything after Lance was "caught doing drugs". I told him the coin was still worth something...but I wasn't sure what else to say. What would you say?

I want to replace the coin for him, any suggestions of another American Hero Silver Eagle?
All coins kept in bank vaults.
PCGS Registries
Box of 20
SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
«1

Comments

  • Didn't the mint come out with army or marine heroes on silver?

    Get him one of those.
    Morgan Everyman Set
    Member, Society of Silver Dollar Collectors.
    Looking for PCGS AU58+ 1901-P, 1896-O, & 1894-O
  • CoinJunkieCoinJunkie Posts: 8,772 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'd tell him that while being a great athlete is a noble goal, it doesn't make you a "hero".
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,994 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Tell him bicycling and coins are both fun and a helmet should be worn to coin shows.
    image
  • AnkurJAnkurJ Posts: 11,375 ✭✭✭✭
    Actually I just thought of something...isnt there a new baseball commem coming out soon?
    All coins kept in bank vaults.
    PCGS Registries
    Box of 20
    SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
  • chumleychumley Posts: 2,305 ✭✭✭✭
    at least you didnt get him an alex rodgriez
  • This content has been removed.
  • Type2Type2 Posts: 13,985 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Tell him thats why you dont used drugs becuse it makes you worth less. No matter what you have done in the pass. Now crack it out..... image


    Hoard the keys.
  • BochimanBochiman Posts: 25,789 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'd simply replace it with a good SAE and tell him "people idolize others and put them on pedestals....that causes problems. Instead, be true to yourself and be the best you can be. Be as pure as this silver".

    I don't believe in idolizing sports stars, politicians, entertainment (movie/TV) stars, music idols, etc. I may admire their talent, but they are human as well and I don't believe in inflating their values as humans (I would rather a doctor/teacher make the money than a football athlete who really doesn't contribute much to society other than fleeting entertainment)

    I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment

  • MidLifeCrisisMidLifeCrisis Posts: 10,613 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Take him to a coin shop and let him pick out something.
  • NotSureNotSure Posts: 3,043 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Actually I just thought of something...isnt there a new baseball commem coming out soon? >>



    Yes, and I LOVE the silver design better than the gold. But then you have the PED scandal, with the highest paid athlete trying to get spanked by MLB like Mr. Armstrong did by the International Cycling whatever-it-is, so, baseball might not be such a great idea....baseball is WAY more popular than cycling, and I'd guess A-Rod is a MUCH bigger household name than Mr. Armstrong EVER was, and no doubt your nephew has heard Mr. A-Rod is facing basically the same penalty as Mr. Armstrong...lifetime ban, forfeiting the $100 mil left on his contract..though A-Rod won't have to surrender his 'ring', the way Armstrong had to surrender his gaggle of 'winner's' medals. Armstrong's yellow shirts mean nothing now, but might be good to wash and wax his car with, though. Wonder how much Armstrong's biles would fetch at auction? I, personally, got Roger Clemens' locker room name tag, autographed, authenticated, for a B-day present (that was bought, and sold to my pops, by the same guy who bought the infamous Hernandez jail-letter for $18 grand and change, last week. I know my autographed locker tag (COA by PSA...lol) WAS worth in the low 4 numbers, but now, maybe the decimal point needs to be moved a few places to the left by now, as he's known as 'just another juice head', now.

    Perhaps the Military Heroes, as Nickcap stated would be the way to go.
    I'll come up with something.
  • coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 12,413 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Didn't the mint come out with army or marine heroes on silver?

    Get him one of those. >>



    This, I would stay away from any coin that centers around athletes as drugs are an everyday part of those worlds.
    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • LochNESSLochNESS Posts: 4,829 ✭✭✭
    It seems obvious to me that he (1) has strong enough morals to know drugs are bad; (2) is interested in selling the coin; (3) is curious about coins as investments.

    I would get him something that reinforces the investment potential of coins. Perhaps something he can sell on a rainy day, like bullion or a rare-er die variety. I might shy away from something like commems which can rise/fall in value based on their popularity at the time.
    ANA LM • WBCC 429

    Amat Colligendo Focum

    Top 10FOR SALE

    image
  • OldEastsideOldEastside Posts: 4,602 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'd let him keep it and I'd tell him the story about Jim Thorpe

    Who knows that stuff just might be the norm in 50 years

    Steve
    Promote the Hobby
  • LochNESSLochNESS Posts: 4,829 ✭✭✭
    Well, I do agree that owning a modern ASE in plastic will be the norm ... but I don't think it'll be worth much more than BV + 10%
    ANA LM • WBCC 429

    Amat Colligendo Focum

    Top 10FOR SALE

    image
  • Hello,

    Perhaps pair it with a Jessica Lynch American Heroes Silver American Eagle. Maybe not.

    Eric
  • lcoopielcoopie Posts: 8,875 ✭✭✭✭✭
    tell him he is right, show him how to sell it, and get something else
    LCoopie = Les
  • WillieBoyd2WillieBoyd2 Posts: 5,379 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Keep the Lance Armstrong "coin".

    Roman silver denarius coin of Antoninus Pius - $50

    Roman silver denarius coin of Caligula - $15,000

    Notoriety sells.

    image
    https://www.brianrxm.com
    The Mysterious Egyptian Magic Coin
    Coins in Movies
    Coins on Television

  • Hi,

    I don't know if those "accomplishments" are comparable, but I see Antoninus Pius is also remembered for lowering the silver content of the denarius!

    Eric
  • jmcu12jmcu12 Posts: 2,452 ✭✭✭
    Tell him to keep the coin and use it as a reminder that we are all human, we all make mistakes, and it is how we recover from those mistakes that determines the kind of man/woman that we truly are.

    As for the monetary value - IMO the fog of time will help its value. It is still is an autograph, it is still a certified piece of American history.
    Awarded latest "YOU SUCK!": June 11, 2014
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 47,487 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>When he was 5, I gave him a Lance Armstrong American Heroes Silver American Eagle ........ >>



    I never considered athletes to be heroes.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Some athletes became heroes - particularly doing military duty (i.e. Pat Tillman), but for the most part, neither athletes, nor are, particularly, entertainers, (musicians, movie stars etc) heroes...... it is ludicrous the idolatry wasted on these people...Cheers, RickO
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 47,487 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Some athletes became heroes - particularly doing military duty (i.e. Pat Tillman), but for the most part, neither athletes, nor are, particularly, entertainers, (musicians, movie stars etc) heroes...... it is ludicrous the idolatry wasted on these people...Cheers, RickO >>



    True heroes are the police, firefighters, soldiers, etc are the true heroes. Entertainers that go into combat zones to entertain the troops are heroes. Private citizens that stop to pull people to safety from burning car wrecks are heroes. Overpaid juiced-up prima donnas are not heroes.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • lcoopielcoopie Posts: 8,875 ✭✭✭✭✭
    well said Perry
    LCoopie = Les
  • AnkurJAnkurJ Posts: 11,375 ✭✭✭✭
    I never called them "heroes", CU did.
    All coins kept in bank vaults.
    PCGS Registries
    Box of 20
    SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
  • CoinRaritiesOnlineCoinRaritiesOnline Posts: 3,689 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Tell him to keep the coin and use it as a reminder that we are all human, we all make mistakes, and it is how we recover from those mistakes that determines the kind of man/woman that we truly are.

    As for the monetary value - IMO the fog of time will help its value. It is still is an autograph, it is still a certified piece of American history. >>



    Good answer.
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 47,487 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I never called them "heroes", CU did. >>



    I never said that you called them heroes.imageimage

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,994 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'd like a hero sandwich. Hold the mustard, please.
  • ColonelJessupColonelJessup Posts: 6,442 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>well said Perry >>



    +1
    "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - Geo. Orwell
  • stevebensteveben Posts: 4,666 ✭✭✭✭✭
    tell him many will discard their lance armstrong coins and autographs feeling the same way he does, thus making the item extremely rare.
  • Well, this phenomenon is seen in autographs. It is called "remorse buying" - this term specifically used to describe the sudden increase in value of a celebrity autograph when he/she dies. The term when they are notorious and alive - I forget. But, the point is, such an autographs will reach a temporary new high in value and then, when demand is met, fall back down to a level either the same or lower then before the death or controversy. This can be seen with many - Diana, JFK Jr and so on.

    Best wishes,
    Eric
  • phnataccphnatacc Posts: 367 ✭✭


    << <i>When he was 5, I gave him a Lance Armstrong American Heroes Silver American Eagle with the slab label signed by Lance. My nephew has been a good athlete and has loved sports since he was 4, so in an attempt to get him interested in coins, I gave him one of these for his birthday.

    Today he showed me the coin, and asked me if it was worth anything after Lance was "caught doing drugs". I told him the coin was still worth something...but I wasn't sure what else to say. What would you say?

    I want to replace the coin for him, any suggestions of another American Hero Silver Eagle? >>



    Don't know about another American Hero Silver Eagle, but I would think a Jackie Robinson commemorative would otherwise fit the bill for any little athlete.
  • DIMEMANDIMEMAN Posts: 22,403 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Well said Perry!

    +1

    Some sports jocks are good role models...but not all....and like Perry said none are heros. I shouldn't say none. There is Tilman and Clemente that come to mind.
  • JustMe2JustMe2 Posts: 180 ✭✭


    << <i>Tell him all the professional cyclists use drugs... Lance was just on top and people like to knock off those on top... you make enemies when you're the best because haters gonna hate. >>



    Your first statement is probable true but Lance destroyed peoples lives with his army of lawyers. That is a line that can never be crossed.
  • LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Tell him all the professional cyclists use drugs... Lance was just on top and people like to knock off those on top... you make enemies when you're the best because haters gonna hate. >>



    Your first statement is probable true but Lance destroyed peoples lives with his army of lawyers. That is a line that can never be crossed. >>



    Actually the use of the word "all" probably means the statement in not true.
  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 25,027 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Tell him that his upbringing in the Domincan Republic is different than here in the USA. In the DR you can buy
    PEDs over the counter and all the ballplayers use them there. It's normal in the DR. Almost all (except two)
    of the players were from the DR. All grew up with PEDs and did not necessarily know that this was frowned
    upon. Once they made it to the big leagues they got the true info but failed to reverse their use of the drugs
    for fear of losing their contracts and way to make a living.

    Different parts of the world do things we would never do here in the USA.

    Plus, let's see if he can get off them and make a great comeback (once he's banned).

    bobimage
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • crypto79crypto79 Posts: 8,623
    I would tell him to skip coins and focus on girls instead.
  • braddickbraddick Posts: 25,083 ✭✭✭✭✭
    image
  • jmj3esqjmj3esq Posts: 5,421
    I collected baseball cards through the 1980's and 1990's? I had them all graded too. Now they all (Canseco, McGuire, Arod, Clemmons et. el. ) have all been linked to PEDs. They are basically worthless now. That's just how the world of sports is going these days. I would be hesitant to buy any sports related memorabilia anymore.

    I would tell him to sell it at spot.

    Then buy him a Jackie Robinson gold commemorative. He was a true hero.

  • scotty1419scotty1419 Posts: 1,128 ✭✭✭
    I think the descriptor being sought is 'celebrity', certainly not 'hero'.

    Have him keep it as a reminder that integrity matters, celebrity doesnt.
  • AMRCAMRC Posts: 4,280 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Not sure if you are more concerned about the "thought behind" or the value of the piece.

    If it is the thought behind the piece, I would tell him that we are all faced with challenges in our lives and he should use this as an opportunity to know what not to do in his own life. The "straight and narrow" is very narrow.

    If it is about the monetary value, then I would tell him that it was meant to be inspirational and not an investment, and the good news is that Silver content of the item will assure it will always be worth something. But there area whole host of Moderns that started out more valuable than they are today, so this is not untypical.

    Not sure what his current age is, but if he is affiliated with the Boy Scouts that may be a cool piece he would appreciate.

    MLAeBayNumismatics: "The greatest hobby in the world!"
  • WillieBoyd2WillieBoyd2 Posts: 5,379 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Get the kid a Susan B. Anthony dollar.

    She never did drugs.

    image
    https://www.brianrxm.com
    The Mysterious Egyptian Magic Coin
    Coins in Movies
    Coins on Television

  • s4nys4ny Posts: 1,590 ✭✭✭
    The most valuable autograph of any baseball player is Shoeless Joe Jackson.
  • BryceMBryceM Posts: 11,927 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'd probably stick with coins that feature Miss Liberty. We've maybe let her down, but she is still there, waiting to be re-discovered.
  • ColonelJessupColonelJessup Posts: 6,442 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Let the kid keep the coin and learn that life has its disappointments. It's his "Say it ain't so, Joe". image

    Maybe an 1828 Half Cent will help him to eventually work the coin angle through:

    Is there a medal, even private issue, of the Dream Team?
    "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - Geo. Orwell


  • << <i>I'd probably stick with coins that feature Miss Liberty. We've maybe let her down, but she is still there, waiting to be re-discovered. >>



    I agree.

    This incident is just one example of why I prefer allegorical figures that represent values on coins--like Liberty--over real humans. We all fall short, even the greatest of people.
  • derrybderryb Posts: 38,549 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I would tell him to definitely stay away from coins with elected officials on them.

    Velocity, Not Valuation Defines A Bubble.

  • bidaskbidask Posts: 14,057 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Tell him there are good drugs and not so good drugs.

    Tell him the good drugs lance took helped save his life, that is he beat cancer that went to his brain.

    Tell him the not so good drugs, while illegally winning the race, also taught him a greater
    lesson in life as well.....

    Now you tell him the lesson in life Lance learned.
    I manage money. I earn money. I save money .
    I give away money. I collect money.
    I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.




  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 47,487 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Now you tell him the lesson in life Lance learned. >>



    Don't get caught?image

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • bidaskbidask Posts: 14,057 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Now you tell him the lesson in life Lance learned. >>



    Don't get caught?image >>

    Ever been busted for something? What did you learn ?
    I manage money. I earn money. I save money .
    I give away money. I collect money.
    I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.




  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,994 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Just take a Sharpie and write "Cancer survivor" on the slab. It's not like the coin has leprosy.

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Emoji
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file