If you had a time machine....

rhedden · January 9, 2015 5:17AM

Suppose you had a time machine, and you could go back to the year 2000 knowing what the coin market has done the past 15 years. What would you buy in coins? Assume you were taking along a bag with $50,000 cash in it (all conveniently dated prior to 2000, so as not to arouse any suspicion). You're also not allowed to visit 2007 or the peak of the gold market and and dump it all; you've got to bring it back to 2015.

I'll post my own thoughts later after I mull over this pointless, hypothetical question.

winky · January 9, 2015 5:21AM

1975 no S proof set, 1797 dollar in AU, 1796 dollar in AU and a 1929 $5 indian. Probably went over my limit but forgot where I was.

illini420 · January 9, 2015 5:26AM

Hmmmm... 2000??? I'd buy ads in the coin magazines and in major city newspapers saying I'd buy any of the new Cheerios Sacagawea dollars that just came out for $10 each!!!! Certainly, I'd get lots of people selling me a $1.01 in "worthless" new coins for $10, right?? Even if I blew half my $50k on advertising... I'd have enough cash to get 2500 coins, nearly half of the 5500 coins supposedly issued

CaptHenway · January 9, 2015 5:26AM

25,000 boxes of Cheerios............

ARCO · January 9, 2015 5:28AM

I started collecting in 2000. Barber halves did well for me and I love them, so it would be more Barber halves (I tripled my 12K in 8 years). I am not as experienced in most series, but Bust and Seated material has done well also. With only 50K, it would be only Barber halves. $500K - 5 mil and it would be Barbers, bust and Seated.

Tyler

ambro51 · January 9, 2015 5:32AM

I'd just go back and enjoy spending time with Mon and Dad

crypto79 · January 9, 2015 5:34AM

O-mint 20s

Maybe the best half Disme one could find

MGLICKER · January 9, 2015 5:43AM

<< I'd just go back and enjoy spending time with Mon and Dad >>

Great answer. I would have to go back a bit earlier, but with $50,000, H.G. Wells would most likely make an accommodation.

ctf_error_coins · January 9, 2015 5:43AM

<< 25,000 boxes of Cheerios............

>>

Bingo, the correct answer

TopographicOceans · January 9, 2015 6:07AM

I would use it to visit every year since 1794 and bring back 100 coins of each denomination fresh from the mints.

jughead1893 · January 9, 2015 6:12AM

20 bust dollars

cladking · January 9, 2015 6:56AM

<< 25,000 boxes of Cheerios............

>>

And the cereal would still be "good".

Baley · January 9, 2015 7:09AM

If I had a time machine, I'd go back to 1797

rhedden · January 9, 2015 7:10AM

If Baley had a time machine, nothing minted in 1797 or earlier would even be scarce.

puffer · January 9, 2015 7:15AM

Numismatics is too tough a call on crystal ball gazing.

Gold and silver eagles--get out near the top and buy your numismatics smartly at that point. Who had that foresight?

OldEastside · January 9, 2015 7:26AM

I'd bypass 2000 and go back to 1976 and Los Altos, CA and give the money to a couple of fellow guys named Steve for
20% of there New Company they were operating out of there garage

Steve

crypto79 · January 9, 2015 7:51AM

<< I'd bypass 2000 and go back to 1976 and Los Altos, CA and give the money to a couple of fellow guys named Steve for
20% of there New Company they were operating out of there garage

Steve >>

He'll just buying the stock in 2000 you would do just fine

luckybucks · January 9, 2015 8:17AM

I'd buy all of the gold and silver I could get my hands on, visit 2011 and sell it, and take the profits and put it towards an early 1930's St. Gaudens.

rhedden · January 9, 2015 8:57AM

<< I'd buy all of the gold and silver I could get my hands on, visit 2011 and sell it, and take the profits and put it towards an early 1930's St. Gaudens. >>

Cheating! This particular time machine can only travel between 2015 and Y2K, and cannot allow you to visit the top of the precious metals market as specified in the OP. Unfortunately, it's a re-purposed cellphone that developed the ability to grant time travel after someone accidentally dropped it in a dip jar during the 2000 FUN show. Any attempts to visit the top of the PM market result in all coins turning into zinc Lincolns in Genuine-92 holders.

Might as well embellish the time travel fantasy a little.

Baley · January 9, 2015 10:39AM

Ok, I'm buying PCGS rattlers and OGH holding AU and MS type coins with dates starting with 179-

claychaser · January 9, 2015 11:26AM

<< If I had a time machine, I'd go back to 1797 >>

I agree, but I'd prepare by taking a bunch of period coinage with me that has been cleaned, whizzed, grafittied, damaged, and otherwise numismatic junk and trade 'em out.

Baley · January 9, 2015 11:40AM

I'd take bulk packs of bic lighters, ballpoint pens, and disposable razors

AnkurJ · January 9, 2015 11:46AM

1793 Chain cents
Octagonal pan pacs

MGLICKER · January 9, 2015 12:07PM

<< I'd take bulk packs of bic lighters, ballpoint pens, and disposable razors >>

Nope. Just a bunch of dollar store solar calculators would be the ticket.

DIMEMAN · January 9, 2015 12:17PM

I sure wouldn't buy Sac dollars!!!

I would buy all the nice 16-D dimes and 16 quarters I could get!

rhedden · January 9, 2015 12:19PM

The Chain Cent was a good answer. They increased in value by freakish amounts during the last 15 years. I bought one with VG/F details and some minor damage, no corrosion, for $2000 in 2001. Still have it. Can't buy a blank copper disk with the word "chain" written on it in Sharpie marker for $2000 these days!

I guess I'd want to pick up an 1802 half dollar or two in high grade, or maybe an 1874-cc dime. Perhaps some 1909-o quarters in XF-AU too! Or maybe just blow the whole $50k on an 1802 half dime, or 1823/2 quarter. So many choices....

DIMEMAN · January 9, 2015 12:35PM

Those are some real good choices Ron!

Baley · January 9, 2015 12:37PM

<< 

<< I'd take bulk packs of bic lighters, ballpoint pens, and disposable razors >>

Nope. Just a bunch of dollar store solar calculators would be the ticket. >>

Naw, because I'm coming back again in 1802 and 1807, and 1812 and I'm counting on repeat customers who have used up the butane, ink, and blades. Have given this some thought

rhedden · January 9, 2015 12:49PM

Note to self: do not give Baley a ride in the mythical time machine.

mustangmanbob · January 9, 2015 1:09PM

I would pay a team to take out a short list of people and save this country a lot of hassle.

rhedden · January 9, 2015 1:17PM

You mean the people who designed the gold Buffaloes, right?

Relaxn · January 9, 2015 1:28PM

$50,000 in AAPL June 1st 2000 would be worth $753,517 today + $31,000 in dividends.

You could buy an NGC 64 1796 1/4 in May of 2000 for $36,500 and then an NGC 63 sold for $138,000

That was just a quick search. So, I would buy AAPL stocks and then bring the money to now and buy a nice the coin I want.

Barndog · January 9, 2015 3:18PM

<< I would pay a team to take out a short list of people and save this country a lot of hassle. >>

those were my thoughts too...but I am sure nobody would believe you if you told them why

GrumpyEd · January 9, 2015 4:09PM

So you can only go back to 2000 then return to 2015?

Well, first off I would somehow try to give enough info to prevent 9-1-2001 but it might be hard since everyone will think it's not possible.
Then I would use the 50K on some well picked stock options.

leothelyon · January 9, 2015 4:17PM

I would like to go back when women were hairy and be a monkey.

ricko · January 10, 2015 1:14AM

Given the premise in the OP, I like the idea of buying the Cheerios coins.....works well with the original idea...Cheers, RickO

CaptHenway · January 10, 2015 1:37AM

Speaking of "Time Machines," Rod Taylor has passed away.

time link

johnny9434 · January 10, 2015 1:50AM

id go back and get some higley coppers.

BryceM · January 10, 2015 4:22AM

Seriously?

A person with a time machine would have the singular ability to improve the lot of the entire human race........ or you could just use it to make a few bucks.......

CaptHenway · January 10, 2015 5:06AM

<< Seriously?

A person with a time machine would have the singular ability to improve the lot of the entire human race........ or you could just use it to make a few bucks....... >>

The temptation to go back and change history would be so great that it would eventually destroy us all.

TwoSides2aCoin · January 10, 2015 6:44AM

I would have gone bi at the turn of the century with the Library of Congress uncirculated bimetallic specimens. A whole herd of them. Buy and bye.

earlyAurum · January 10, 2015 7:57AM

Generic Gold. Fantastic returns.

MGLICKER · January 10, 2015 8:03AM

<< 

<< Seriously?

A person with a time machine would have the singular ability to improve the lot of the entire human race........ or you could just use it to make a few bucks....... >>

The temptation to go back and change history would be so great that it would eventually destroy us all. >>

I wonder if one could have saved Detroit in 1967 by tipping off the owner of a speakeasy about an impending raid?

CaptHenway · January 10, 2015 10:46AM

It all depends on who gets the time machine first. One person might go back and kill the young Hitler. A neo-Nazi might go back and kill the young Churchhill.

Baley · January 10, 2015 12:13PM

<< 

<< Seriously?

A person with a time machine would have the singular ability to improve the lot of the entire human race........ or you could just use it to make a few bucks....... >>

The temptation to go back and change history would be so great that it would eventually destroy us all. >>

Ya got to understand the concept of the butterfly effect, or at least see the movie of the same name, before attempting to change the past trying to improve the present

If you had a time machine....

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