Fun memories being a kid and salivating over The Red Book.
While I loved to look at the "early stuff" I kept going back to look up Lincoln cents that I pulled from change and the number one coin in the world I looked and searched for was The King
My 1st Redbook was a 1963 (which I still have) and the coin of my dreams was the 1955/55 Lincoln cent.
I used to be somebody, now I'm just a coin collector. Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
@MCADSPEC said:
I don't remember being fascinated by any particular coin until meeting a gentleman that ran a trading post. In a visit to his store he pulled out a high relief Saint. As soon as I got to hold it, it became my favorite coin. As well as I remember at that time it was worth about $1000. - $1500. Have never owned one and at my age will never acquire one. I still enjoy looking at them any time I go to a show.
I ALMOST bought a high-relief once-upon-a-time.......I was at the Fun Show, probably 1983 or 4.....Smoeone had a 'fine' (it wasn't particularly pretty, rim ticks etc.) They wanted 28 beans for it. I remember thinking, I'm never going to get a high-relief, here's one for 28 scoots. I was ready to pop. I ran into Jack Baxter (God rest his soul) on the floor and brought it up to him. He discouraged me, explaining I should buy something nicer. Of course he was right, but I almost owned one.....
Never had a Red Book, but my first coin book I picked up at a local Jolly's hobby store- a copy of the 1987 Blue Book. I was fascinated with the Draped Bust large cents. I think the example for the type was a high grade 1797. There was also a higher grade 1796 LIHERTY cent that was so cool. Someday when I'm happy with my other collections, I may save up for a really nice Draped Bust.
The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. -Thomas Jefferson
Always the 1804 dollar. Have held five of the 15 at one time or the other.
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
I had my first Redbook, and a Bluebook for wholesale prices, when I was 7 years old in 1964. Even back then, I liked the draped bust design. I especially liked the draped bust dimes, the extremely low mintages were amazing to me. Ended up collecting 1796-1807 dimes by die variety 40+ years later, which I have sold/traded into some early gold.
Robert Scot: Engraving Liberty - biography of US Mint's first chief engraver
@ricko said:
This type of choice is always difficult for me. I have several that I consider special and unique, some of which have been mentioned by others. However, one that always attracts my attention in the Redbook, at shows or auctions is
the 1915 $50 gold Pan-Pac octagonal. It is just a beautiful coin....and it is gold. Cheers, RickO
@RockyMtnProspector said:
1915 $50 gold Pan-Pac octagonal gazing out from my first Red Book in 1988.
Even at 6 years old, I loved the different designs on commems as well as colorful toning,
The Illinois-Lincoln was my favorite coin, and at $18 for a BU example, was out of my reach.
My local coin store had cases full of Morgan dollars and they seemed so common to me that I have never warmed up to them.
Seated Dollar. Even though I owned the dimes and half dollar as a kid, I always was in awe of the biggest version there was.
When I got back into collecting it was one of the first u.s. coins I bought and despite parting with much of my type set, I plan on keeping my seated dollar among a 20c.
For me my grandpa showed me some of his collection. He bought me a lincoln book, and told me about the story of the vdb initials being removed. So 1909 vdb got me hooked. I remember looking up the 09 s vdb in the red book, seeing that huge price and thinking why would anybody pay that much for a penny. But still I wanted one.
I lived in a small town, in the middle of "nowhere", and the coin shop that was there was a combo "comics, coins, and books". I got taken, more than a few times, as a kid collecting.
At no time did they show me a redbook (I would have gotten it), nor told me about one. I had never heard of a redbook until I got back into collecting ~15 years ago.
I had no idea of some of the coins that existed, and were listed in the redbook. I really only knew of wheat cents, IHCs, memorials, buffalo nickels, Jefferson nickels, mercury dimes, Roosevelt dime, washington quarters, kennedy halves, morgan dollars, peace dollars, ike dollars, and SBAs.
I honestly had no idea of coins that existed outside of that. Sigh......it would have been really cool to have had a redbook back then
(part of the reason I have given a few redbooks to YNs over the last 10 years....so they would have more knowledge than I did...and they have the internet to help them now, as well)
Mine was the 1793 Chain Cent. I used to imagine the founding fathers of our country handling such coins and thought it would be the greatest thrill holding one in my hand. 40+ years later I still have never held one.
@northcoin said:
As I grew older I was intrigued by the 3 legged Buffalo Nickel
Me too.
Yes, that was always special. All the kids in the neighborhood would ask "how many legs does it have ?", when you got a Buffalo in change......I had to buy my first one by the time I was 21.....
As a kid, I can remember looking at the mintage for the 1867 dime and thinking I could scrape together enough money to buy one in G. Then I'd own a legitimately rare coin, instead of just junk silver.
The one that really got my heart racing was the 1955 doubled die Lincoln Cent. It was so visually striking. Kept me looking through rolls of cents for many years. Ok, well...I never really stopped!
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
I started with the Black Book, not the Red Book. The two things that really got me were the DCAM 1866 Proof $20 used to illustrate the type, and the entire Early $2 1/2 series 1796-1807, which intrigued me with its low mintages and, given the small size of the coins, impressively high prices. If I ever have too much money, I'd have to buy the coins to scratch the lingering itch.
Andy Lustig
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
@drei3ree said:
The 1950-D Jefferson, but the 1909-S vdb was a close second!
I started collecting at about age 10 and sold my first coins when I was 12. That would have been 1959 (age 10) and at that time all I could afford was to try to collect Wheaties from circulation for my blue Whitman folders. The keys to the second book, which also included the Lincoln Memorial cents, were the 1949-S, 1954 Plain, and 1955-S.
The keys to the first book, which was IIRC 1909-40, were the 1909-S, 1914-D, the 1922 Plain, 1931-S, and of course the 1909-S VDB, a coin which assumed mythical proportions in my young, impressionable mind.
The 1804 Dollar as well- my first Red Book was the 37th edition, 1984, and was 10 years old at the time. Looking at some of the prices one coin sticks out...1916 Double Die Obverse Buffalo- just $750 in XF.
I used to page through and dream about the colonials. Who handled them and how they were earned and spent, it fascinated me that these things were still around. Later to find out that coins much older were out there, that was thanks to the internet.
For me, in 1961 as an Eighth Grader, my uncle had an 1876-CC - which he showed me
briefly. I looked it up in my Red Book when I got home - and was stunned.
When I realized it was a Quarter he showed me, I was disappointed - but - the
1876-CC Double Dime was high on my want list.
Mike Hayes ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Coin collecting is not a hobby, it's an obsession !
I always liked the 1856 flying eagle. I have always favored small cents so I guess this was the one that I liked to look at in pictures and in the redbook
Heraldic Reverse silver dollar. Not the 1804, but any of the earlier, more normal coins that they pictured. I wound up getting a nice 1799 about 20 years ago.
Sincerely,
Stewart Huckaby mailto:stewarth@HA.com ------------------------------------------ Heritage Auctions Heritage Auctions
The Lincoln Cent was the most worn section, but that's because that was all the ambition I could afford. But there were countless series that had me in awe.
MLAeBayNumismatics: "The greatest hobby in the world!"
Comments
Fun memories being a kid and salivating over The Red Book.
While I loved to look at the "early stuff" I kept going back to look up Lincoln cents that I pulled from change and the number one coin in the world I looked and searched for was The King
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
Bust Half Dollars
I ALMOST bought a high-relief once-upon-a-time.......I was at the Fun Show, probably 1983 or 4.....Smoeone had a 'fine' (it wasn't particularly pretty, rim ticks etc.) They wanted 28 beans for it. I remember thinking, I'm never going to get a high-relief, here's one for 28 scoots. I was ready to pop. I ran into Jack Baxter (God rest his soul) on the floor and brought it up to him. He discouraged me, explaining I should buy something nicer. Of course he was right, but I almost owned one.....
Never had a Red Book, but my first coin book I picked up at a local Jolly's hobby store- a copy of the 1987 Blue Book. I was fascinated with the Draped Bust large cents. I think the example for the type was a high grade 1797. There was also a higher grade 1796 LIHERTY cent that was so cool. Someday when I'm happy with my other collections, I may save up for a really nice Draped Bust.
Always the 1804 dollar. Have held five of the 15 at one time or the other.
I had my first Redbook, and a Bluebook for wholesale prices, when I was 7 years old in 1964. Even back then, I liked the draped bust design. I especially liked the draped bust dimes, the extremely low mintages were amazing to me. Ended up collecting 1796-1807 dimes by die variety 40+ years later, which I have sold/traded into some early gold.
This, though in 1977.
Even at 6 years old, I loved the different designs on commems as well as colorful toning,
The Illinois-Lincoln was my favorite coin, and at $18 for a BU example, was out of my reach.
My local coin store had cases full of Morgan dollars and they seemed so common to me that I have never warmed up to them.
Commems and Early Type
I have to agree with the $50 Pan-Pac octagonal.
Proof Buffalo Registry Set
Capped Bust Quarters Registry Set
Proof Walking Liberty Halves Registry Set
Seated Dollar. Even though I owned the dimes and half dollar as a kid, I always was in awe of the biggest version there was.
When I got back into collecting it was one of the first u.s. coins I bought and despite parting with much of my type set, I plan on keeping my seated dollar among a 20c.
Only took 40 years to get that series done. Whew!
Bst transactions with: dimeman, oih82w8, mercurydimeguy, dunerlaw, Lakesammman, 2ltdjorn, MattTheRiley, dpvilla, drddm, CommemKing, Relaxn, Yorkshireman, Cucamongacoin, jtlee321, greencopper, coin22lover, coinfolio, lindedad, spummybum, Leeroybrown, flackthat, BryceM, Surfinxhi, VanHalen, astrorat, robkool, Wingsrule, PennyGuy, al410, Ilikecolor, Southcounty, Namvet69, Commemdude, oreville, Leebone, Rob41281, clarkbar04, cactusjack55, Collectorcoins, sniocsu, coin finder
Bar Cent. I did find one in a junk box over 30 years ago. Of course it was determined to be a copy.
Me too.
The flying eagle cent and the Gobrecht Silver Dollar
INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan
Mine was the 1804 dollar. I remember seeing that ad in my comic book offer something like $10,000 for one!!!
I lived in a small town, in the middle of "nowhere", and the coin shop that was there was a combo "comics, coins, and books". I got taken, more than a few times, as a kid collecting.
At no time did they show me a redbook (I would have gotten it), nor told me about one. I had never heard of a redbook until I got back into collecting ~15 years ago.
I had no idea of some of the coins that existed, and were listed in the redbook. I really only knew of wheat cents, IHCs, memorials, buffalo nickels, Jefferson nickels, mercury dimes, Roosevelt dime, washington quarters, kennedy halves, morgan dollars, peace dollars, ike dollars, and SBAs.
I honestly had no idea of coins that existed outside of that. Sigh......it would have been really cool to have had a redbook back then
(part of the reason I have given a few redbooks to YNs over the last 10 years....so they would have more knowledge than I did...and they have the internet to help them now, as well)
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
1928 Peace Dollar
Mine was the 1793 Chain Cent. I used to imagine the founding fathers of our country handling such coins and thought it would be the greatest thrill holding one in my hand. 40+ years later I still have never held one.
Yes, that was always special. All the kids in the neighborhood would ask "how many legs does it have ?", when you got a Buffalo in change......I had to buy my first one by the time I was 21.....
As a kid, I can remember looking at the mintage for the 1867 dime and thinking I could scrape together enough money to buy one in G. Then I'd own a legitimately rare coin, instead of just junk silver.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
The twenty cent pieces, though I just recently acquired my first.
I loved Indian pennies and especially the 1877 I would look at the low mintage and dream of owning one!
AB
... I own one now in PF 65 RD Cameo...
I started with the Black Book, not the Red Book. The two things that really got me were the DCAM 1866 Proof $20 used to illustrate the type, and the entire Early $2 1/2 series 1796-1807, which intrigued me with its low mintages and, given the small size of the coins, impressively high prices. If I ever have too much money, I'd have to buy the coins to scratch the lingering itch.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
The 1950-D Jefferson, but the 1909-S vdb was a close second!
I started collecting at about age 10 and sold my first coins when I was 12. That would have been 1959 (age 10) and at that time all I could afford was to try to collect Wheaties from circulation for my blue Whitman folders. The keys to the second book, which also included the Lincoln Memorial cents, were the 1949-S, 1954 Plain, and 1955-S.
The keys to the first book, which was IIRC 1909-40, were the 1909-S, 1914-D, the 1922 Plain, 1931-S, and of course the 1909-S VDB, a coin which assumed mythical proportions in my young, impressionable mind.
Kind Regards,
George
"VDB Coins"
The 1804 Dollar as well- my first Red Book was the 37th edition, 1984, and was 10 years old at the time. Looking at some of the prices one coin sticks out...1916 Double Die Obverse Buffalo- just $750 in XF.
Indian Head $10 Gold Date Set Album
I used to page through and dream about the colonials. Who handled them and how they were earned and spent, it fascinated me that these things were still around. Later to find out that coins much older were out there, that was thanks to the internet.
For me, in 1961 as an Eighth Grader, my uncle had an 1876-CC - which he showed me
briefly. I looked it up in my Red Book when I got home - and was stunned.
When I realized it was a Quarter he showed me, I was disappointed - but - the
1876-CC Double Dime was high on my want list.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coin collecting is not a hobby, it's an obsession !
New Barber Purchases
I always liked the 1856 flying eagle. I have always favored small cents so I guess this was the one that I liked to look at in pictures and in the redbook
HAPPY COLLECTING
$2.50 Indian Gold.
It took me 40+ years to buy one
Heraldic Reverse silver dollar. Not the 1804, but any of the earlier, more normal coins that they pictured. I wound up getting a nice 1799 about 20 years ago.
Stewart Huckaby
mailto:stewarth@HA.com
------------------------------------------
Heritage Auctions
Heritage Auctions
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, Texas 75261
Phone: 1-800-US-COINS, x1355
Heritage Auctions
Most definitely the 09-s vdb and the Pine Trees.
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
Chain cent, draped bust right gold, 1885 Trade dollar and stella.
The Lincoln Cent was the most worn section, but that's because that was all the ambition I could afford. But there were countless series that had me in awe.
$20 Saint
The $50 Panama Pacific octagonal
1909-S VDB
1909-S VDB