What's the longest you've ever waited for the right coin and found it?

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renomedphys
renomedphys Posts: 4,018 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited January 31, 2021 10:11AM in U.S. Coin Forum

I define "right coin" as one that you intend to keep.

Last week I bought an S-3 1856 cent PR65+ that ended a 35 year search. This is only my third of this variety ever having owned.

Cert lookup:

https://pcgs.com/cert/40959199

My old record was an 1809 cent in AU55 that ended a 10 year search. This is perhaps my fourth of this variety.

I'd still like to find a nice 1864-L proof cent and an AMERI. (I have owned one of each, but didn't keep them) And I'd love to get my old '55DDO back from Bill C.

Cheers!

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  • WAYNEAS
    WAYNEAS Posts: 7,271 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    beautiful coin
    hope you pass it on to a grandchild. :)

    Kennedys are my quest...

  • rec78
    rec78 Posts: 5,963 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I have been searching for a circulated 1863 three cent silver (F-AU-slabbed or raw) for over 45 years to no avail. Still searching. I either miss them at auctions or they are not the right coin or they are proofs. I never give up. I may find one eventually. I have all the other dates of 3 cent silver coins from 1864-1872 in circulated business strike conditions. I search everywhere, coin shops, coin shows, auctions, ebay, dealers that specialize in coins that are pre1892, such as Brian Greer, Gerry Fortin, Gene Bruder, J.J. Teaparty, West Coast Coins, and a host of others. Sometimes even Googling "1863 three cent silver".

    image
  • Hydrant
    Hydrant Posts: 7,773 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Eight+ years and I'm still looking. I located it on a Friday two years ago but then waited until the next Monday to call the dealer. Big mistake.

  • Hydrant
    Hydrant Posts: 7,773 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 31, 2021 11:55AM
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    And..,..there is a coin featured in a current auction that I've been waiting 3 or 4 years to locate. It's not terribly expensive but it's a perfect fit. I'm placing a ridiculous bid. I don't care. I want it.

  • Pnies20
    Pnies20 Posts: 2,605 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Been searching for an 1827 O-120 for several years in AU50 or above. Never seen one for sale. Seen several that PCGS and NGC labeled O-120 and were even sold by auction houses as such, only for me to see the die crack on the reverse 😑

    BHNC #248 … 140 and counting.

  • Inspired70
    Inspired70 Posts: 710 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Looking for a quality 1873-CC Seated Dollar for years. Can't seem to locate one that hasn't been messed with in some capacity. Long search!!

  • TONEDDOLLARS
    TONEDDOLLARS Posts: 2,928 ✭✭✭✭
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  • Catbert
    Catbert Posts: 8,258 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @renomedphys said:
    I define "right coin" as one that you intend to keep.

    Last week I bought an S-3 1856 cent PR65+ that ended a 35 year search. This is only my third of this variety ever having owned.

    Cert lookup:

    https://pcgs.com/cert/40959199

    My old record was an 1809 cent in AU55 that ended a 10 year search. This is perhaps my fourth of this variety.

    I'd still like to find a nice 1864-L proof cent and an AMERI. (I have owned one of each, but didn't keep them) And I'd love to get my old '55DDO back from Bill C.

    Cheers!

    Wow. Great coins and great patience. Would love to see your collection?

    Seated Half Society member #38

    "She comes out of the sun in a silk dress,
    running like a water color in the rain...."
  • BustDMs
    BustDMs Posts: 1,706 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Still looking

    Q: When does a collector become a numismatist?



    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.
  • Hydrant
    Hydrant Posts: 7,773 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @SkyMan said:
    I was born in 1958 and Franklins are a favorite coin series. In the Franklin proof series 1958 is a tougher date to find with deep cameo proof appearance, and almost impossible to find with ultimate two sided deep cameo black and white contrast. There is only one die pair that is known to produce this appearance, and even with that pair, probably only the first 12 - 15 strikes (well, double strikes given the proof process) produced a 1958 Franklin with that ultimate level of contrast. After 17 years of searching I found one of these proofs...


    Wow! That's a looker Skyman. Fantastic!!!

  • tcollects
    tcollects Posts: 1,139 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @MrEureka said:
    I suppose it's this one. I've always liked Sommer Islands coins and have handled a fair number of them since the early 80's, but this is my first threepence, purchased about a year ago. Now all I need is a sixpence to complete the denomination set.


    that's beautiful Andy

  • pocketpiececommems
    pocketpiececommems Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Great looking PR65 - 56 cent :)

  • WCC
    WCC Posts: 3,322 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Not US coinage but I'd gladly buy temporary decent fillers in average circulated for many dates in my primary series, but I haven't even seen this with most. Going on 19 years and counting and over a decade since I have been actively looking.

  • MasonG
    MasonG Posts: 7,588 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 31, 2021 5:22PM
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    I started collecting with Lincoln cents out of circulation. I always hoped to find one but never did. 20+ years later, I bought one for my collection.

    edited to add... an 09-S VDB, that is. Doh!

  • Tom147
    Tom147 Posts: 1,619 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    WOW !! Decades looking for " that " coin ? Kinda makes my piddly little 3 year search seem like nothing.

  • MasonG
    MasonG Posts: 7,588 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    In my case, I could have found what I was looking for much sooner- it was more a matter of when "what I want" and "what I can afford" happened to intersect.

  • SanctionII
    SanctionII Posts: 13,190 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I looked for over 10 years for a 1957 Cameo proof nickel in OGP before I finally found one. That was a good hobby day.

    Still looking for a 1956 type 1 Cameo proof half in OGP. Over 20 years now. No luck yet.

  • Justacommeman
    Justacommeman Posts: 22,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    12 years. Twice

    m

    Walker Proof Digital Album
    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......
  • Walkerfan
    Walkerfan Posts: 10,392 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    A decade.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • Crypto
    Crypto Posts: 4,098 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    A decade to land my white-whale. It can be a tough adjustment to pull the fish in and realize it’s time to head back to shore. Sitting out in the boat in most of the fun.

  • ricko
    ricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Based on the definition in the OP, all my coins are the 'right coins'... and I must still be waiting for another 'right coin' since I am still acquiring. ;) Cheers, RickO

  • PerryHall
    PerryHall Posts: 47,760 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @ricko said:
    Based on the definition in the OP, all my coins are the 'right coins'... and I must still be waiting for another 'right coin' since I am still acquiring. ;) Cheers, RickO

    The next coin that I buy will be the right coin. I don't know what it is yet but I'll know it when I see it. :D

    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

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,111 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nice coin all. Yes perry hall wedo have to wait for the good stuff

  • SaorAlba
    SaorAlba Posts: 7,593 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    About 20 years, wanting one with a full unclipped flan and no bends, wear etc.

  • Cocoinut
    Cocoinut Posts: 2,556 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I began my first "penny board" in 1955, barely old enough to be able to read. I collected from circulation until 1965, when a coin shop opened near my home. The 1909-S VDB was always a dream, but even when I began working, and could have saved enough to buy one (if I'd had the self-discipline), I purchased large quantities of less expensive coins, many of which have performed extremely well over the years, but I still lacked the S-VDB. Last year, I resolved to attempt to complete some of my sets that had gaps. When I saw the MS65RB coin below, it seemed to be the right mix of eye appeal and price, so after 65 years I have that slot filled!

    Countdown to completion of my Mercury Set: 1 coin. My growing Lincoln Set: Finally completed!
  • renomedphys
    renomedphys Posts: 4,018 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nice coin, Cocoinut! 65 Years! That has to be the record.

  • rec78
    rec78 Posts: 5,963 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    65 years wow! I got lucky and found a 1909-S vdb in circulation about 1963 when I was 12. I still have it. Congrats on that one!

    image
  • airplanenut
    airplanenut Posts: 22,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Cocoinut said:
    I began my first "penny board" in 1955, barely old enough to be able to read. I collected from circulation until 1965, when a coin shop opened near my home. The 1909-S VDB was always a dream, but even when I began working, and could have saved enough to buy one (if I'd had the self-discipline), I purchased large quantities of less expensive coins, many of which have performed extremely well over the years, but I still lacked the S-VDB. Last year, I resolved to attempt to complete some of my sets that had gaps. When I saw the MS65RB coin below, it seemed to be the right mix of eye appeal and price, so after 65 years I have that slot filled!

    That's about as close to red as you can get without the designation--gorgeous example, especially for the grade/color!

    @renomedphys said:
    Nice coin, Cocoinut! 65 Years! That has to be the record.

    He's cheating. Some of use would have relive our whole lives up until now to tie him.

    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
  • CoinJunkie
    CoinJunkie Posts: 8,772 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Still looking for the right Gothic Crown after about a 15 year search!! Actually came across "the one" over ten years ago at Long Beach, but $16.5k seemed too much of a stretch for an OGH 65 with beautiful toning at the time. Still kicking myself!

  • No Headlights
    No Headlights Posts: 2,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    One of our members has an extremely nice XF45 1901-S half, They know who they are. :)
    It will be worth the wait and I don't even collect Barber Halves anymore.

  • Jimnight
    Jimnight Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nice!

  • specksynder
    specksynder Posts: 26 ✭✭✭
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    Started a Classic Commem type set, calling it my 20-year set, figuring it would take that long to finish it as a back-burner project. Took more like 7 years.

    I was able to pick up a mint state Spanish trail, a pretty nice Hudson, and even an Isabella quarter I'm proud of, by waiting and being in the right place at the right time.

    After watching several Hawaii's for a while, found a nice piece in an NGC UNC Details holder. It arrived and looked nicer in hand than in the photos. The day I bought it, a dealer I know had bought an entire commem set, thinking he had a built-in buyer for the Hawaii. He made me a smoking deal on a coin I later got into an AU details holder and flipped.

    So after looking for 7 years, I owned TWO Hawaii commems for about a month.

  • BryceM
    BryceM Posts: 11,940 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I don't know yet. Still looking....

    :)

  • BWRC
    BWRC Posts: 1,448 ✭✭✭
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    Sweet F.E.C.

    Here is a recent Buff aquisition

    Brian Wagner Rare Coins, Specializing in PCGS graded, Shield, Liberty and Buffalo Nickels varieties.
  • cccoins
    cccoins Posts: 302 ✭✭✭✭
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    I started looking for a specific major rarity yesterday, and found it by 1:00pm today. I will post pictures and details in the future. I had just received confirmation that a lower grade example that I owned sold, so I had the cash to upgrade.

    I have been pretty lucky and found things fairly quickly. For example, I was looking for this exact coin a few years ago, and it shook loose on its own, and founds its was to me within 45 days:

    https://images.pcgs.com/TrueView/41400227_Medium.jpg?v=1612327218462

    I had no chance of being able to but the other four examples extant. However if you own the NGC40 example, let me know and we can do cash and trade, or just cash. :-)

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