Why Do I Love Coin Collecting

abcde12345 · May 11, 2018 1:17PM

Why do I love collecting coins?

Part of it probably has to do with how much I hated being poor growing up and collecting used stamps.

Being what it is, stamp collecting certainly has enough merit of its own to warrant being loved by those who share a passion for them.

But that's not me. My love for coins mostly has to do with my story....

The first coin we bought as a married couple (to replace my expensive need to purchase gold as an investment) was a 1793 Chain cent. I learned to never assume a previous owner had not done restoration work to it so was careful to pick a mid-grade unmolested example. Took six months to find my perfect coin.

I went without for a while, my wife and I taking turns riding our bikes and driving her car while I waited to buy a second rarity, a gem state `909-S VDB Red Lincoln. Our Camry died at 4:00 am one morning on the way to the airport for my first business trip. It was also a timing belt (though the Camry has clearance, so it was fixable - just a new timing belt). I called a cab, got to the airport, and by the time I hit my first layover in Denver, my wife’s dad had coincidentally called and told her about a cheap, low uncirculated R/B he had seen at his local coin shop. I don’t think she even knew what it was - it was just a coin and it was available, and she said yes. I lost money selling that one while waiting for a true RED beauty.

I kept that scarcity once I located and purchased it for 8 years, and I loved it every day.

I graduated with my MBA and got a killer job - working at GM in 2007. The work and inside scoop on everything was great, but the uncertainty of the company’s future was enough to keep us from buying a house - or blowing money on any new coin purchases (kind of an Alfred Morris situation. I could afford to fill out my collection, finally, but it would have been stupid given the uncertainty).

After talking it over with my wife I couldn’t justify it - even though I thought about adding to my budding collection every day. That wisdom paid off, too - I was let go just before GM filed bankruptcy and never even made my 2-year anniversary there.

Six months later I was somewhat employed again. Knowing what I know now, I should have purchased more rarities when the prices were somewhat depressed. Of course we all probably look back and think that now.

Around the same time, I went to visit my parents in Idaho and happened to mention to my uncle how much I still liked collecting high grade rare type coins. After the Chain and the 09-S VDB Lincoln (that had stayed RED throughout the years! Yet a roll of them was located and depressed prices by quite a margin) I was on the hunt for other fully gem key date coins. Next up, a MS66 or better FSB 1916-D Mercury (Wing Liberty).

I was crushed. NONE were available on the market. How could this be? Everywhere I turned this coin was touted as being overrated and certainly not rare at all. There was no way I could talk my wife into it once a single example was found due to the heavy price tag. I couldn’t even try. But my uncle was still collecting and always hunting and looking. Without even charging me a "finders fee" (!) I was able to locate my white whale (thank you Heritage).

Next I craved for a PR67 white Franklin Proof set of the 50's. I knew what she’d say before I even asked. I knew the arguments she’d use, and I didn’t blame her - I knew it too, but I had to ask. She should have been more put out about it (you know, the never ending obsession). But she was great (well, is great). She knew these coins were tough in ultra superb gem proof grades and was sympathetic, but it just wasn’t in the cards right then.

So I called my uncle and told him I couldn’t under my current circumstances purchase this set even if he did locate them. He said he might just sit on this information for a while and try again in the spring to hit me up again, which was at least some consolation.

Three weeks later I walked out of a restaurant for my birthday dinner, and our Camry had been stolen. I’d parked in the front row, and there was no question- it was gone. In it was two books, Dansco albums filled with what I called 'trading coins'.

I looked again at the spot where our car had been, and realized I’d missed something very important.

In the spot my car had been parked was a large envelope, and I’m not a complete moron - it WAS my birthday. But still, I couldn’t start to think this was a birthday surprise - too painful if it was some kind of cruel coincidence. So I stood there in a state of confusion addled disbelief.

It must have been funny to watch me stand there, looking around the parking lot and then back at the envelope . Around the parking lot, and then back at the envelope.

Something made me finally look back at everyone else.

Cameras out. Smiling. Laughing, even. Not a cruel coincidence.

Birthday surprise. Best birthday surprise. Best birthday ever.

Best wife ever.

I mean, it’s one thing to buy random coins. But it was a huge gamble, a giant act of faith that I’d find something, that work things would work out, that WE would work out. In the envelope was a card giving me permission and not just granting the rights to buy yet also the dealer's card that had a set of exactly what I was seeking, a stunning set of ultra gem proof Franklins in a Capital Plastic's holder.

Especially after the strain of losing my job and some of the challenges we went through because of it, THIS was - impossibly - more than just the quintessentially perfect set of coins I’d been dreaming about for years.

It was a heartfelt token of commitment at a time when we didn’t have much left.

How long am I going to keep every single one of my coins?

Barring a tragedy of some kind, as long as I keep my wife around.

Forever?

Sounds good to me.

northcoin · May 11, 2018 1:24PM

Fun story. Thanks for sharing.

TLeverage · May 11, 2018 1:25PM

Rollercoaster of a story. For me, the selling or trading of coins to those who are passionate about them is just as rewarding as finding them. I assume I will dispose of my coins well within my own lifetime, hopefully to those who appreciate them as I have.

Smudge · May 11, 2018 1:29PM

Great wife. All mine talks about is makeup and women's clothing and when I don't listen she whines that we never talk. Hope she doesn't see this. When it comes to coins I'm on my own.

Kkathyl · May 11, 2018 2:10PM

Great story, and I have to say, you should always believe thing will work out well, always believe in yourself and your family. It sounds like you have learned lots in your young life thus far. More great thing to come. And always more coins to collect.

thanks for sharing.

Paradisefound · May 11, 2018 9:20PM

Timbuk3 · May 11, 2018 9:25PM

Interesting !!!

BlindedByEgo · May 11, 2018 9:27PM

I'm glad my attention span let me finish your touchingly honest story. Thanks for sharing it.

ACop · May 11, 2018 11:18PM

So where'd the Camry go?

Hydrant · May 11, 2018 11:20PM

@BlindedByEgo said:
I'm glad my attention span let me finish your touchingly honest story. Thanks for sharing it.

Me too. I didn't quite understand any of it; but I did read all the words. I have the headache to prove it.

1Mike1 · May 12, 2018 3:41AM

@Paradisefound said:

You have heard of the old tradition that as soon as you finish reading your fortune you are supposed to add "in bed" to the end of the sentence? It gives most of them a whole new perspective.

ricko · May 12, 2018 5:49AM

Your collection - at least to this point - will always correlate to life experiences. Each coin - or set - will recall life events. The coins become a chronology of experience. Cheers, RickO

Hydrant · May 12, 2018 10:50AM

Please disregard my first post. I thought I was responding to your post about going out to dinner after a coin show, etc. My mistake. I'm not even sure that the whole Golden Corral episode was posted by you. Just got mixed-up

Justacommeman · May 12, 2018 4:14PM

@Hydrant said:
Please disregard my first post. I thought I was responding to your post about going out to dinner after a coin show, etc. My mistake. I'm not even sure that the whole Golden Corral episode was posted by you. Just got mixed-up. I apologize.

It was and its been deleted

m

Hydrant · May 12, 2018 5:17PM

@Justacommeman said:

@Hydrant said:
Please disregard my first post. I thought I was responding to your post about going out to dinner after a coin show, etc. My mistake. I'm not even sure that the whole Golden Corral episode was posted by you. Just got mixed-up. I apologize.

It was and its been deleted

m

I figured that. And for good reason.