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When was the last time you showed your collection (the actual coins, not pictures) to another person

I ask this because my coins are in a bank vault. It might be years - or decades! - before anyone else sees them. Sure, I've shown pictures of my coins to friends, but the actual coins stay in the bank for safety reasons.

Do any of you own coins that literally have not been seen by anybody for years?

Dan

Comments

  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,732 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I've got coins in boxes that I haven't looked at in many years.

    I often show coins to other collectors and non-collectors before they go in a box.
    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
  • mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    A couple months.
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
  • flaminioflaminio Posts: 5,664 ✭✭✭
    It's been years since another human has seen my "collection". However, I often show newps to trusted friends, if they happen to be around between the time the coin arrives and it goes into the vault.
  • ERER Posts: 7,345
    Recently.
    I showed my collection (the actual coins) to the folks at work and explained the history behind them. They were pretty excited.
  • mirabelamirabela Posts: 5,103 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think I'm the only person who has actually seen everything since it joined my collection. Most coins get a brief fly-by with my wife before going to the box. I showed my type album very recently to my parents and to my mother-in-law, but they haven't seen what's not in it. That's about it.
    mirabela
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,800 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I brought several coins with me to the CSNS show earlier this month to show around.

    I often show coins to my kids. My wife has zero interest (actually, less than zero interest).
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,851 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Never. I value my privacy.

    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

  • MrHalfDimeMrHalfDime Posts: 3,440 ✭✭✭✭
    I think that, for the same reasons of security that you sighted, most collectors have learned to forgo the pleasure of sharing their collections with others. It is a sad but true fact that one cannot be too careful in even discussing his or her collection, let alone showing it, even to close friends. Loose lips sink ships.

    In special circumstances, there can be exceptions, however. A few years ago, I had the distinct privilege of visiting another half dime collector whom I had never met in person, but had maintained a corresponding relationship with for several years. I was in his home state on other business, and he invited me to visit him and see his spectacular collection. I will never forget the remarkable experience of this very trusting gentleman who invited me to his home, having never met me in person, to view his collection. When I arrived, we went into his dining room, and there on the table were seven (7!!) double row boxes of half dimes retrieved from his bank safety deposit box. I took several hours to study his beautiful half dimes, ranging from a VF-30 1792 half disme fully through to a MS 1873-S, and everything in between. That experience is embellished in my memory, and one that I will likely never have the opportunity to repeat.

    I, myself, have done the same for just one other person. While my half dime collection does not include a 1792 (at least not yet), I hope that I was able to provide an experience nearly as memorable for my friend. After all, and with all due consideration to the security aspects of our hobby, if you cannot share them with selected others who will similarly appreciate them, have we not lost one of the great aspects of sharing this wonderful hobby?
    They that can give up essential Liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither Liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin
  • F117ASRF117ASR Posts: 1,416 ✭✭✭
    I too wish I could share my collection. Unfortunately there is too much risk involved. Such a shame too.
    Beware of the flying monkeys!
    Aerospace Structures Engineer
  • DarkStarDarkStar Posts: 463 ✭✭✭✭✭
    My former bridge partner has seen most of my collection (17 pieces). He imaged them, and listed one or two on Ebay on my behalf.
    A nice fellow, and a pretty good bridge player too.

    There are 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who do not.

  • PrethenPrethen Posts: 3,461 ✭✭✭
    I firmly believe that the point of having a collection is so that you can show (it off). I often look for reasons and opportunities to show different parts of my collection to friends and family. Occasionaly, I even bring coins into work to show. This hobby is not meant to be done only behind closed doors. Coins are about art, history, finance, etc. There's much to learn about ourselves and the country we collect from and others can gain from that knowledge.

    Some years ago, I used to be very active as an amateur magician (although, I did get paid a few times) and I knew of other magicians that were closet magicians. These closet magicians only practiced magic for themselves. What a joke. I realize that they're two completely different hobbies, one is practicing an art form meant for show and the other is about collectibles. But, I think the similarity is that a lot of effort and resources go into these hobbies and it's a shame and a loss for the community if it's permanently in a vault underground somewhere.

    Personally, I would find the hobby extremely dissatisfying if I couldn't share it. If someone asks how much something is worth (and they're not simply an acquaintance or a stranger), I give them a round-about true value. Usually, their eyes get real big and then they know they're looking at some fairly serious stuff (although probably not a tenth as serious as many of you folks show us here from time to time).
  • itsnotjustmeitsnotjustme Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭
    I showed half a dozen to a boy scout starting his merit badge project.

    I showed my whole collection (all slabs at least) to my parents and siblings last June. They covered the dining room table!

    I sometimes show new arrivals to workmates.... showed my 1838 quarter that way today.
    Give Blood (Red Bags) & Platelets (Yellow Bags)!
  • mrcommemmrcommem Posts: 1,189 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I showed some of my club friends a 12 piece gold type set about 2 week ago. I had them out of the safety deposit vault to check their condition and decided to take them to a club meeting. It is amazing how many people never knew the U.S made any gold coins. Most are really surprised if I tell them that this coin was minted at Dahlonega, Charlotte, or New Orleans. It is obvious to me that the schools are not teaching anything about our coinage system or history.
  • CameonutCameonut Posts: 7,384 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Years. Even my wife shows no interest in visiting the safety deposit box and looking at the goodies inside!

    Occasionally, I will take a coin or two to a local show to share with appreciative dealers. They always appreciate the "eye candy".

    “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson

    My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!

  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,316 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Showed a friend a few toners today as a matter of fact. Most of them are still safely in hibernation tho.
    theknowitalltroll;
  • DUIGUYDUIGUY Posts: 7,252 ✭✭✭
    Have never showed the hole collection, only a couple of coins to a good friend. image
    “A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly."



    - Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
  • mrpaseomrpaseo Posts: 4,753 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I ask this because my coins are in a bank vault. It might be years - or decades! - before anyone else sees them. Sure, I've shown pictures of my coins to friends, but the actual coins stay in the bank for safety reasons.

    Do any of you own coins that literally have not been seen by anybody for years?

    Dan >>



    The good ones are in the bank, the 1-5 dollar and all the dark side are here for me to finger anytime I want image As for showing others.... No one is interested in them accept my wife and daughter image
  • ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,785 ✭✭✭✭

    I've never shown any of my coins to anyone.

    I don't like the idea of non-collectors asking "How much is that worth?". To me, that's like asking "How much do you earn at work?". Despite being rude, non-collectors just can't help themselves. I guess I can't blame them.

    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
  • rainbowroosierainbowroosie Posts: 4,875 ✭✭✭✭
    Onlyroosies is the only one I show my best stuff.image
    "You keep your 1804 dollar and 1822 half eagle -- give me rainbow roosies in MS68."
    rainbowroosie April 1, 2003
  • NicNic Posts: 3,411 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I had the BEST time a few months ago showing several of my coins to another collector. It really helped that he loved and shared his coins and his sh*t was incredible. K
  • JrGMan2004JrGMan2004 Posts: 7,557
    Yesterday at lunch image
    -George
    42/92
  • CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,252 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Last Saturday.
  • nwcsnwcs Posts: 13,386 ✭✭✭
    A couple of weeks ago I believe.
  • lclugzalclugza Posts: 568 ✭✭
    I think the last time was when I showed a coin to my uncle in 1977. Can never be too careful about something like this.
    image"Darkside" gold
  • TommyTypeTommyType Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Most of my new purchases find their way to work for a quick show and tell. I'm not particularly worried that the collection is in danger since they don't sit around the house long, and frankly I trust these people.

    The funny thing is I can always predict who will like a coin, and who will shrug their shoulders.

    -One guy only likes bright and shiney coins. Show him a grey AU coin, and he doesn't care.
    -One guy has the makings of a collector. He looks closely at the coins, and makes his assessment....not always what a collector would determine, but very thorough in his observations.
    -One guy only likes old coins. The older the better, and then he ALWAYS asks the retorical question, "Who once held this coin?"
    -The one other collector, who specializes in MS-69 Silver Eagles, will often start wondering if he should change directions. I'll get him some day. image
    Easily distracted Type Collector
  • ColorfulcoinsColorfulcoins Posts: 3,371 ✭✭✭
    I recently showed Board member Tom Killian my 1792-1964 type set (about 100 coins) and he shared his type set with me. There is only 1 other Board member, Onlyroosies, that's seen that set and another friend of mine that's a lurker here <grin>...he'll read this and he knows who he is.

    Type sets are fun as a lot of people have never seen some of the coins - and the fact that mine are worn to the point of being, in many cases, almost unrecognizeable, makes it even more of an "interesting" endeavor.
    Craig
    If I had it my way, stupidity would be painful!
  • My entire collection consists of a tiny tin box. Easy to show people it. Hopefully my collection will be doing a lot of expanding this week.

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