Because coronavirus...
MrEureka
Posts: 24,419 ✭✭✭✭✭
How has the situation led you to do new and different things?
I’ll start. Today, I spent some time gathering my “collection” of NYC subway tokens, in preparation for their eventual sale. A job I expected to leave for my heirs, but coronavirus spared them.
Andy Lustig
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
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I remember using those when I started visiting in the 60s. I didn't realize there were so many different ones.
Besides catching up on chores around the house I've been straightening up toms-world, (the basement) and listing stuff on eBay.
it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide
I have been reading more, and gotten increasingly interested in esoteric numismatic items, especially pre-1800 numismatic books and ephemera. My acquisition this week: a receipt, signed by Sylvester S. Crosby for a copy of his magnum opus.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
I started to learn Chinese characters and words so I can better understand the chopmarks on my coins. Fun and sometimes frustrating. Many words and symbols no longer have meaning.
Andy, I still have subway tokens and all my monthly train passes framed together someplace (from 1987). I had never been to NYC and found myself thrust into working on 5th Avenue. We moved from Michigan. I lived in a dump in Edison, NJ with my young ( first) wife and two babies. The commute was a killer since I had to drive to a train station that I could park . Then a train, then a subway. My wife took a job at Denny’s as a waitress and made more money then I did. The cooks at that Denny’s were on work release from the local prison. I remember her throwing all of her tip money in a Tupperware bowl on top of the fridge. At the end of the month we would roll up the change and hope we could pay the bills between the two of us.
I really couldn’t afford lunch at that time and ended up making a deal with the corner hot dog vendor. He came to the store I was running asking to make change everyday. We made a barter deal. He gave me a hot dog and a soda and I did some banking for him. Some days instead of taking a subway from Penn Station to 5th and 54th I walked. That way I could buy a slice for the train ride home. If I walked both in the morning and at night I could also get a beer in paper bag for the journey home as well. The High Life.
To this day coming across subway tokens and the smell of dirty water dogs have a special place in my heart.
m
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
I was still in Junior high school back in the mid 80's. I had to take the subway and bus from Queens to Yonkers NY everyday after school to get to work in my uncle's restaurant " Peng's Garden". For your information, he was the creator of General Tso 's Chicken.
I spent all my time doing homework and studying during the 2 hours ride regardless if I was sitting or standing . My only luxury was 2 hot dogs and a soda in Bronx for $1 once a week when I missed the bus. I ended up graduated with 97 average and hall of frame. Although my parents didn't attend my graduation, at least I did had a hot dog before going back to work that day. lol
On the good side there seem to many duplicates which will save you some time.
It looks like my job and the job of my spouse is safe for a while so we picked up a used 2018 Model S for commutes from Boulder Creek, CA to Santa Clara. We’re splitting the payment but it will cut a bit into my coin funds for 5 years.
NYC subway tokens sell for ridiculous amounts of money on eBay, like $2-$4 each. That's hundreds of dollars of tokens in that picture!
I have a handful of those NYC tokens from the late 50's, early 60's.
My dad worked on Broad St in downtown and occasionally he'd take me to work. A Long Island RR trip to Penn Station and then a downtown subway. I handled the tokens.
Lunchtime we'd hit the automat for a fast, cheap lunch (weird...prepared food from a bank of coin operated boxes with glass doors). On special occasions we'd take the ferry to Staten Island. Five cents, round trip. Other times he'd take me to a coin shop and we'd buy something cheap I could keep.
20 years later I was married, living in Westchester County and commuting to Grand Central. More trips downtown. I worked three jobs, teaching computer programming. Four hours of sleep. Did that for six years while the missus raised our toddlers.
One day in the early 80's I got an offer to work at a young Silicon Valley company building something really cool...computer internetworking products. The break of a lifetime.
The NYC subway tokens bring great memories. I wouldn't sell them for 100x what they're worth.
Lance.
I'm working via online meetings more.
Waiting for assorted PAMP bars to show up in the inventory of jm or apmex. Not sure if corona shut the mint down or if demand is so fierce that it is just not available.
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
We went antique shopping the other day and made a stop in Naperville. When we pulled into the driveway we can see the child's wooden rocker chair we were after, sitting next to a small table with a tin can on it. Couldn't see anyone around, got out of the car and walked towards the garage and that's when we heard a voice say, "Just put the money in the can" and that's when we saw this 50ish old gal, sitting in the back of the garage with a mask and gloves on. We responded, "ok", dropped the money in the can, grabbed the chair to put it in the car. The gal simply pulled her little table with the can into the garage and closed the garage door.
My impression was, maybe she lost someone close to her from the corvid-19 virus. It was quite a strange encounter.....to say the least.
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
Since my wife's lung transplant 5 months ago, she has been staying with one of our daughters. Her survival decreases 20% every year so with this virus thing which is very scant in my area, some .0013 of 1% of anyone catching it, her staying away from those who are interacting with the public on a daily basis. But anyway, I might find 1 or 2 coins to add to my collection per year so......to kill time, antiques have been a thing with me. Some here may think I'm going crazy but I'll drive 220 miles, like I did today to pick up the following for $50. The story behind this 3D picture, her husband bought it for her some 50 years ago when they lived in Mexico. Sometime after that it went to California for a time. 27 years ago she decided to move closer to her son and daughter in Illinois but he stayed in California. So this picture has been on her wall where we picked it up for 27 years. She's 89 getting rid of all her stuff waiting to enter a nursing home which are not allowing anyone in or out, she says.
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
In many ways this story sounds familiar. I was working in the Detroit area for an a large agency that had a New York office and corporate headquarters. Several co-workers transferred to New York with what they thought were big pay increases. A good percentage of them returned to the Detroit area after they found out about the reality of the commuting and cost-of -living situation in the New York area. I had previously worked for companies that had ad agencies in New York so I had traveled there many times and knew about the problems that came with the opportunities. I never had any desire to actually work there.
She should've just used Square or Stripe. But I don't blame her. Good on her for having initiative, taking responsibility for herself and others, and enjoying self-care.
I'm sure she wasn't doing it because she likes to. Or she's been waiting her whole life for this very moment to finally get her mask on in public.
I'd like to hope people understand this is a virus that hides in our nervous systems, causes circulatory damage, kidney damage, heart damage, amputations.. the list goes on.
It just baffles me seeing morbidly obese or old or sick people saying the virus isn't real or doesn't kill anybody. I'm so sick of hearing it that I'm glad it's just natural selection doing its thing. I just gotta outlive them and I'm good.
I refuse to be "re-educated."
Humbly taking my shoes off at the airport and exposing my smelly socks was the last straw.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
And all it because of a stinky, dim-witted would-be terrorist, who had spent most of his adult life in the British prison system, who couldn’t set his shoes on fire. Yes, it used to tick me off too when I had to remove my shoes because of him.
I remember my first New York City subway tokens and my first ride. My father called them “Subway Ys.” He took me on a two block ride to show me what it was like. They cost 15 cents apiece. I still remember the big political arguments when the politicians were working to “save” the $1 fare.
That story brings back memories, although my experiences were much more pleasant.
I was working as a graduate school intern for AT&T in lower Manhattan. I was mostly living in northern New Jersey at the time. I took the train from Morris Plains to Hoboken. From there I took the PATH train to the station that was under the original World Trade Center.
I was dating a New York City model at the time, and I used to stay with her at times. I was finishing my MBA, and figured my future was bright, which is was for a while. The divestiture broke up AT&T and some bad decisions by senior management sank the company although I had left it by then. It was an exciting and glamorous period of my life.
Business as usual here , no time off
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
I have yet to hear anyone say that "the virus isn't real or doesn't kill anybody". What kind of people are you associating with?
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
Started fossil collecting - bought a few megalodon teeth.
Nothing has changed for me ... except for the mask.
Putting more time in manicuring my relaxing spot on the riverbank in my backyard. These pictures taken at sunrise yesterday morning...
Well... I am staying home mostly... going to the market for necessities of course. I take the proper precautions since I am in the age group most threatened - though other than that detail, I am very healthy. (My cardiologist says I am boring
- and that is good )... This is the most I have slowed down since I retired almost 13 years ago. The dogs love the company, cats would like their privacy back 
....No subway tokens, have not been to the city in many, many years and do not intend to go ever again. Maybe I will get to looking at my gallon jug of wheaties.... 
Cheers, RickO
I located my old bottle of Nic-a-Date and my small pile of Buffalo Nickels, pulled out the mintmarked ones, and “restored” the dates. The stuff still worked although it hadn’t been touched in 7-8 years. There were no key dates, but plenty of teens.
I had done this years ago with a much larger bag of coins and found a few ‘14-D’s and two ‘13-S Ty. 2’s. For me, this was way more entertaining than watching a movie. When this virus thing is over, I’ll give the findings to the young numismatist on the next block.
Just spending alot more time on the " puter " Catching up on organizing the coin safe. Worst part of the damn pandemic, not being able to see my grandbabies. I work a high risk job ( EMS paramedic ) and I WILL NOT risk exposing them. Haven't seen them for more than a few minutes since February and that was from 6 - 8 feet. THAT SUCKS
It has been nice going through my assorted hoards of accumulated stuff and finding stuff that I don't even remember buying - the 1884 CC GSA Morgan in bright blast white was a particularly nice find. I've found other stuff that I sort of pondered selling years ago and have no regrets about not having sold it.
Here we don't have subway tokens, but years ago there was a trolley system - and I still find those damnable creations in coin machines occasionally. Even though they haven't been used in over 60 years. When they are for sale on feeBay they are offered at $5 each. I'd be happy to get a dime each.
nothing has changed i live my life as normal as possible and never worry about the world or nature as i can't control them
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMx0x0MY9_dYEwK5mIFUuhp4mScp9LT-jakrKwE
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPWUndcm4VDbAj7kXDQjtWkPCaT3qb5Bhr9sxrk
Looks like the Sudbury or Concord river??
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
Two of my employees have had it - one fully recovered, one is hanging on but having a really rough time. He's in his low-30s and healthy... otherwise, it's business as usual in the tech industry.
CPG/Food industry is booming. Working from home balancing teaching subtraction and multiplication to an 8 year old while presenting on video to an organization and co-workers.
Contractors are back to work with my library completing today. I’ve been buying coins when they come up, about as active as before.
The weather is turning here in Michigan and hitting the boat on the water each night when works and calls wrap up.
Latin American Collection
Nice place to put in a putting green (if you could amongst the trees)!!
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
Andy, a quick review indicates you have examples of Atwood-Coffee NY 630AO-AP-AS-AT-AY-BA-BC-BD-BE-BI-BJ at the minimum that are visible. I'll let you figure out which is which -- a very Manhattan-centric group.
Great hobby - been collecting these incredible fossils for 40 years.
So far, nobody we know has been stricken ill by the virus, although the numbers are rising locally, so we’re all staying distanced and taking precautions serious. My mom recently got a test but symptoms were not Covid......
As things shut down and the highlights I was preparing for this year got cancelled I naturally turned to things I typically don’t make time to do. More yard work, organization and deep cleaning of the home and business. Exercising, meal prep and deeper engagement with my immediate family and digital contact with distant friends and family.
I’ve been calling it the Covid porthole. Lots of things in pre Covid life didn’t make it through the porthole to this new world. @Justacommeman called it a Covid life raft and I’ve taken on his terminology and use it with my associates for things we deem worth preserving. Some things I’m gonna miss and hope with all my heart they can resume someday, like concerts. Other things, I realize were not nourishing me and I’m not looking to drag them through to this side. Cutting a lot of stuff loose. For me, I’m evaluating if and how coins pass the threshold. If they do at all, it will be different going forward. I’m def not gonna take on more work so I can maintain the level of spending I was on. Definitely gonna craft more medals.
My general spending has changed quite a bit. Basically just bills and the bare essentials till this is past. The goal being a home repair with things we have on hand and the biggest win is when no trips to the store were required. Wife and I are harkening to our origins as our lifestyle was really overblown and have pared it back easily 50% lately. Even with all the fear attached to the virus and what’s its doing I can say we are leaning happier in ways. I’m enjoying project survival mode, it’s a good exercise. I’ve always had a survival plan and now just implementing it, we’ll see how we do. We’re workers and get ours the old fashioned way. I’ve always put my head down and just made all I can not knowing anything else and it’s been more than we need for a long time so I have to learn a new mentality. Been teaching my 13 yr old daughter to drive and weld making skateboarding rails in our backyard, and my son and I are crafting a scale Star Wars pistol out of scrap steel, stuff like that. All with on hand tools and materials.
With the shuttered business and it’s now tepid reopening, I am having trouble allowing myself to engage in enjoyable leisure activities despite the time available to do so. I feel like I need more stability nailed down before I go mess around. Can anyone relate? I guess the responsibility's I’ve taken on have strangled me up too much to go play. I did get in a prairie rock hunt that was epic. On the river gravel bar I crossed a bald eagles nest and watched at a good distance the pair a half hour at least, found two agates and an arrowhead. I hardly ever find arrowheads.
The two months we have been closed have done wonders for me and the facilities. I’ve been in my field 23 years and my own business 19 years and never dreamed of not being open. The model is changing to appointment only and I may never open my lobby again! Now I think I might shut down a month every year In January to clean, paint, rearrange and organize. To engage in family and do the things I have on the back burner.
I appreciate all you folks.
In an effort to downsize and just organize what I own, I came across pictures that I took of political posters that I collected and sold about 20 years ago. I wish I still had them. A major lapse in judgment on my part. But at least there are pictures to capture what there was so to just find those was better than not finding them at all.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
The Merrimack.