Andy, if you must know, is was an 1804 Dollar. Later, my dream upgraded when the Childs 1804 Dollar came on the market. Alas, it will always remain a dream coin. But, what a dream!
I first started with state quarters from circulation, then I moved on to building a date run of mint and proof sets (I successfully completed a date run of 1956-2008 proof sets and 1959-2008 mint sets which I later sold), I built a date run of ASE's where I bought all ASE's from 1986-2008 except the 1996 and 1995-W coins, and I started a date run of 1/10 oz and 1/4 oz AGE's between 2005 and 2008 which didn't get too far. While I was building all of these date runs, I also bought a bunch of random Morgans, Peace, SLQ's, Walkers, Buffalo nickels, Lincoln cents, Indian cents, V nickels, Washington Quarters, Mercury Dimes, Barber Quarters, Barber Dimes, Barber Halves, modern commems that I liked with no set goal of building a set of any of these series. I also had a draped bust half cent in AG, a flying eagle cent, and a capped bust half cent, also with no set goal of a set of the series or even a type set. My collection was more of an accumulation aside from the mint and proof set and ASE date runs I had. I sold my entire collection in the early 2010s because of financial troubles and now I want to buy bigger and better stuff since my finances are beginning to improve.
I remember being attracted to 1/2 cent, 3 cent and 20 cent coins as the denominations were no longer made, and being a kid, gold was out of the question. Not dream coins, but I found them interesting.
For me it was the Mormon gold coins. I thought that they we amazing and never saw one in person until I was an adult. My first three purchases were an 1849, 1850, and 1860 Mormon $5.
As a kid, I dreamed of having a US gold coin. I liked the incuse Indian design and purchased a nice uncish $5 in the early-mid 70s.
It took me a long time to save money from selling papers to accomplish this.
After that, I thought it would be cool to own a proof Indian Cent, V nickel, shield nickel, half dime, etc.
Another 6 months down the road I saved up with the addition of another paper route (at one time I had three) I bought a 1904 proof Barber Dime, and then for some reason I strayed into Standing Liberty Quarters.
I put together a full set minus 1916 and then lost interest in them.
As far as what young people today want....I dunno.
I think they are more into experiences versus acquiring things.
When I was 12, it was a number of moderately priced US coins that I thought I could eventually afford. My family wasn't affluent, so I never had the expectation of being able to afford what were even then four figure coins. The one I wanted to buy most was the 1805 half dollar because it was older and with a lower mintage than the 1806 and 1807 but cheaper than earlier dates. It listed for $150 in VF and $300 in XF in the 1977 Red Book which was something I could eventually afford. (I never bought this type.)
Today, I still don't have aspirations for "mega-priced" coins because it isn't very important to me. I collect within my means and can buy not all the coins I want, but any individual one if I really want it. I have passed on numerous coins, even within my primary series.
As for YN in the US, I don't know what they desire either but I'm very confident it isn't the 1909-S VDB cent or any coin like it most of the time. With the internet, they have access to practically any coin on demand if they have the money. So there is no reason to limit their collecting to what US collectors did in the past.
Today's collector is also on average a lot more affluent than the one from the 1960's or when I started and the 1909-S VDB cent is a lot more affordable. There are many YN now who can buy this coin now if they really want it while almost none could decades ago. It listed for $335 in "UNC" in the 1965 Red Book but sells for about $1200 in MS-63 BN now. It's evident from this change that the relative preference for it and other coins like it has collapsed.
A bar cent was my dream coin which I eventually acquired in AU58. My as-yet unacquired coin is a NE shilling: the sparse design really resonated with me.
Learn about our world's shared history told through the first millennium of coinage: Colosseo Collection
Comments
Andy, if you must know, is was an 1804 Dollar. Later, my dream upgraded when the Childs 1804 Dollar came on the market. Alas, it will always remain a dream coin. But, what a dream!
Ron Guth, Chief Investigator
The Numismatic Detective Agency
I first started with state quarters from circulation, then I moved on to building a date run of mint and proof sets (I successfully completed a date run of 1956-2008 proof sets and 1959-2008 mint sets which I later sold), I built a date run of ASE's where I bought all ASE's from 1986-2008 except the 1996 and 1995-W coins, and I started a date run of 1/10 oz and 1/4 oz AGE's between 2005 and 2008 which didn't get too far. While I was building all of these date runs, I also bought a bunch of random Morgans, Peace, SLQ's, Walkers, Buffalo nickels, Lincoln cents, Indian cents, V nickels, Washington Quarters, Mercury Dimes, Barber Quarters, Barber Dimes, Barber Halves, modern commems that I liked with no set goal of building a set of any of these series. I also had a draped bust half cent in AG, a flying eagle cent, and a capped bust half cent, also with no set goal of a set of the series or even a type set. My collection was more of an accumulation aside from the mint and proof set and ASE date runs I had. I sold my entire collection in the early 2010s because of financial troubles and now I want to buy bigger and better stuff since my finances are beginning to improve.
I remember being attracted to 1/2 cent, 3 cent and 20 cent coins as the denominations were no longer made, and being a kid, gold was out of the question. Not dream coins, but I found them interesting.
My big dream for the future is a xf+ pre 1799 silver dollar, and some pre-1834 (non classic head) gold coins.
Somehow I remember....when I was 60
Keep Rowing!
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870
Gotta row to back drag for kings.
My 1866 Philly Mint Set
I'm a 9 year old YN and those are coins i dream of.
40 years ago I searched rolls of cents pulling wheats. I was always dreaming of finding a 1909S VDB or a 1955 DDO, but never did.
I dreamed of owning one each of the flowing hair & coiled hair 4 dollar gold Stellas.
Wayne
www.waynedriskillminiatures.com
For me it was the Mormon gold coins. I thought that they we amazing and never saw one in person until I was an adult. My first three purchases were an 1849, 1850, and 1860 Mormon $5.
As a kid, I dreamed of having a US gold coin. I liked the incuse Indian design and purchased a nice uncish $5 in the early-mid 70s.
It took me a long time to save money from selling papers to accomplish this.
After that, I thought it would be cool to own a proof Indian Cent, V nickel, shield nickel, half dime, etc.
Another 6 months down the road I saved up with the addition of another paper route (at one time I had three) I bought a 1904 proof Barber Dime, and then for some reason I strayed into Standing Liberty Quarters.
I put together a full set minus 1916 and then lost interest in them.
As far as what young people today want....I dunno.
I think they are more into experiences versus acquiring things.
Don't think I ever thought about a dream coin.🤔
proof 65 or better Gobrecht dollar
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
When I was 12, it was a number of moderately priced US coins that I thought I could eventually afford. My family wasn't affluent, so I never had the expectation of being able to afford what were even then four figure coins. The one I wanted to buy most was the 1805 half dollar because it was older and with a lower mintage than the 1806 and 1807 but cheaper than earlier dates. It listed for $150 in VF and $300 in XF in the 1977 Red Book which was something I could eventually afford. (I never bought this type.)
Today, I still don't have aspirations for "mega-priced" coins because it isn't very important to me. I collect within my means and can buy not all the coins I want, but any individual one if I really want it. I have passed on numerous coins, even within my primary series.
As for YN in the US, I don't know what they desire either but I'm very confident it isn't the 1909-S VDB cent or any coin like it most of the time. With the internet, they have access to practically any coin on demand if they have the money. So there is no reason to limit their collecting to what US collectors did in the past.
Today's collector is also on average a lot more affluent than the one from the 1960's or when I started and the 1909-S VDB cent is a lot more affordable. There are many YN now who can buy this coin now if they really want it while almost none could decades ago. It listed for $335 in "UNC" in the 1965 Red Book but sells for about $1200 in MS-63 BN now. It's evident from this change that the relative preference for it and other coins like it has collapsed.
As a kid I always wanted a Saint especially a high relief.
Today I guess my white whale is a 17/14 half dollar.
A: The year they spend more on their library than their coin collection.
A numismatist is judged more on the content of their library than the content of their cabinet.
A bar cent was my dream coin which I eventually acquired in AU58. My as-yet unacquired coin is a NE shilling: the sparse design really resonated with me.