Post Coins You Have Seller's Remorse About/Wish You Could Have Back
pcgsregistrycollector
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I'll go first.
A couple years ago, I worked all summer long to save up enough money for what would become my very first PCGS-graded and CAC-approved coin. That coin was this 1851-D $2.50 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle, which I bought from a good friend later that year. At the time, I didn’t own anything like it — and to top it off, it wasn’t just CAC’d, it carried a Gold CAC sticker, the only one for the date.
That made it feel extra special. Not only was it my introduction to the world of slabs and beans, but I also had something that no one else had — the sole Gold CAC for the entire date and mintmark combination. For an 18-year-old collector who had been grinding away, working through the summer just to afford it, it felt like striking gold (literally). I can still remember the thrill of holding that slab in my hands for the first time. It wasn’t just a coin, it was a milestone.
The coin itself was a wholesome, problem-free XF40 Dahlonega quarter eagle — nothing flashy, just honest wear and a ton of character. That was part of what I loved about it. It represented a mint that already fascinated me, with its unique Southern history and relatively low mintages. And having that green-gold oval sticker on it felt like validation, like I was officially leveling up in the hobby.
But a couple years later, I made the decision that still stings today. I ended up selling the coin to help fund a 1998 F-250 truck purchase.
At the time, it seemed like the practical choice — and to be fair, the truck served me well — but over time, I realized what I’d given up. Trucks come and go, but your first slabbed CAC coin — especially when it’s the only Gold CAC for the date — doesn’t.
If there’s one coin I could have back, this is it. Not because of its market value, but because of what it represented: months of hard work, the excitement of my first “serious” coin, and the pride of owning something truly one-of-a-kind in the hobby. Selling it taught me a lesson I still carry with me today: the sentimental and historical value tied to a coin often ends up being worth far more than the money you get when you let it go.
Proud follower of Christ!
Comments
It would be difficult to match your story, it is such a good one.
(I wouldn't even try.)
peacockcoins
I would say this one because I like the way it is toned.
the sentimental and historical value tied to a coin often ends up being worth far more than the money you get when you let it go.
Agreed! Mine doesn't come close to your story however.
I don't intend on invalidating your remorse but that truck is pretty darn cool. I'd honestly have the truck, gold doesn't quite do it for me
Well said, and I wholeheartedly agree. Money is money, but the stories are what make life purposeful. Thanks for sharing.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33. Young fellow suffering from Bust Half fever.
BHNC #AN-10
JRCS #1606
Beautifully toned 1802 draped bust half dollar in an ANACS -VF20 Soapbox holder many moons ago, bought from Liz at JJ TeaParty… don’t even recall why I sold it, but man, what a total idiot.
No pics available to post, sorry.
Some expensive, some cheap, all had a story.
Probably could have filled a "Box of 20" every two or three years....
Over 20+ years that would have been a diverse and valuable collection.
One of the best coins I ever found raw was a more common date CC Morgan in a GSA holder. It just popped and knew it was a MS66. It went MS67. Flipped it quickly.
There was a top pops statehood Quarter that has stood the test of time. Got over $3k if memory serves.
All these sales to chase other collectibles. No collection and no direction.
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I really miss my 11 cent piece @pcgsregistrycollector
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Appreciate the compliments guys! We all live and learn... just sometimes I wish we didn't make mistakes in the first place.
Proud follower of Christ!
Back in 2018 or 19 I was on an ike kick for a while, So I was looking all over the country for unusual, one off ikes Something special. Well I came a cross a dealer from Florida, Gold man. He had stacks of ikes, and in the middle of one stack, I found that one. It was a 1971-D, but what made it special was, it was struck on a 90% silver planchet. To make a long story short, I got angry about a couple things, and I took my entire collection to a local charity. I walked in gave them the story, about what was going on with my collection. Then I turned around and walked out the door. I tried a few years later to find out about that coin, they wouldn't talk.
For those of you that don't know. These square body truck prices are through the roof. So even though it didn't seem the right choice I think a decent decision. I'll post a coin in a little bit that still hurts to this day
why an LOL?
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probably the 11 cent part
Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
Life is roadblocks. Don't let nothing stop you, 'cause we ain't stopping. - DJ Khaled
Well thats what they are called.
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I meant a like
Proud follower of Christ!
I always regret selling this amazing quarter. A tough seated quarter in a rare state of preservation. Luckily it was purchased by a friend.
DOG acolyte
End Systemic Elitism - It Takes All of Us
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I don’t why I let this go. Would love to get it back in my collection again.
Always regretted letting her go.
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Will always regret letting this bearded goddess go
Dave
I wish I would have kept this one:
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
I haven't sold any that I really regret, but I passed on buying a gorgeous original problem free 1796 half dollar in XF that I still kick myself for not buying.
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Remorse isn't quite the right word because it helped fund an even better coin but I do miss this one.
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
There are a couple I’d like to have back, but generally once they’re gone, there’s no true remorse felt.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
I'm afraid selling any coin leaves me with a pain in the bottom of my stomach. My wife can just look at my face and go, "No, you sold coins didn't you." I'm glummy, and morose for weeks. This is why I never became a coin dealer. Too much personal investment. James
I keep pictures of the coins that I sell so that I can still look at them, but in most cases they were upgraded from what I could afford originally. It is a bit nostalgic looking back at the files of pictures. No regrets though, coin collecting has been very satisfying for me the past 64 years (I started at age 6 going through pocket change and then trading up).
years ago I had and sold the number 2 registry set of Ike dollars all cac
It makes me sick to think about it but sometimes you have to just let go. I still have time to make some purchases as time passes.
I try not to look back.
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
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I managed to sell my first and favorite cherry picked 55/54 without remorse, but I was horrified to see that the buyer had cracked it out and put it in their Dansco album. Finding nice 55/54 overdates was my goal; by getting them graded and slabbed they became my trophies. Then I "got real" and busted up laughing - my shock from seeing that coin in a Dansco hilariously hammered home the fact that I didn't own that coin anymore. My trophy that I 'polished' often is just another coin in someone's collection. Honestly, I like the buyer and am delighted with the sale. And I will always have this nice Trueview.
1855/54 WB-2 PCGS VF20
About 7 years ago my wife and I were building a house. I had sold off my entire collection to help fund it. This was the last coin I had and was only gonna sell it unless we were short at closing. We'll we ended to doing a bu ch of upgrades and were short. Selling this coin got us to the finish line.
Side note: I thought it was a lock pr63 tis the only reason I cracked it. I know i know i should have left it in the OGH
What in the world????
Just Gorgeous.
I ache for you!
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What a great coin. Even I wish you had it back.
Reminds me of a recent trip to go out shopping.
Just moved to town, took a trip to Lennox Mall and the Rolex dealer.
"Yeah. I used to have the Batman. Sold it to pay for a new roof."
The look of disdain from the sales clerk was unmistakable. It was either from the comment or the fact I was in shorts and a tee shirt.
Gotta do what you gotta do. The Batman was from a time in my life where I felt self conscious displaying any kind of "wealth" or success and felt the need to hide it.
Don't really miss it. It was simpler to sell TBH and didn't carry any emotion vs cold hard cash.
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I don't typically keep pictures of my ex's laying around... but a certain 1873 Trade Dollar gets me "misty" sometimes...
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I am not a dealer so im bummed out when I sell anything. Sometimes it has to be done for an upgrade or a personal emergency.
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
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I sold a lowball Chain Cent that I’d like to still own. It was a great example, with wonderful surfaces … challenging to find in low grade examples. I purchased it raw on eBay, and immediately shipped it off to ANACS, where it came back P1. Wahoo!
I sold it years later to another board member, so at least it’s still in the family. He has since crossed it over to our host. Maybe he’ll see this and post a pic!
Dave
Toned, Choice MS, perfect grade and strike/surface ratings. Essentially a Gem BU masterpiece from the 2nd century BC. I miss it.
Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.
Speaking of the OP’s selling of a Dahlonega piece to finance a vehicle purchase, I bought my daughter her first car (an ‘06 Saturn Vue) with this:
Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.
Wow! Those are some amazing coins! Thanks for sharing the backstories behind the pieces as well. Any luck with tracking em down?
Proud follower of Christ!
My avatar, for one:
Empty Nest Collection