What's the most expensive coin you accidentally damaged/destroyed?

Prethen · February 25, 2008 1:33AM

I've heard horry stories of improperly opening a slab a nicking a particularly expensive coin. Has something like this happened to any of you?

I've nicked some relatively inexpensive coins that were quite replaceable but nothing to cry over.

MadMarty · February 25, 2008 1:35AM

I watched a dealer open a 2X2 with a very high in Canada Dime in it and while he was removing it put a staple scratch right across the reverse!

ahooka454 · February 25, 2008 1:37AM

This thread is gonna suck. Lots of bad memories. Could be a good learning experiance though. I once put a staple scratch across a 36 type 2 Lincoln proof. Not the most expensive coin in the world, but it was a nice one.

edited: Because I cant spell to save my life.

ricko · February 25, 2008 1:39AM

Once, an airtite opened inadvertently. The coin ( a British, silver commemorative) started to fall. I caught it, but printed the brilliant mirror, proof surface. (I believe I posted this in the past). Not wanting to lose this coin, I immediately put Dawn dish washing soap on the surface and let it set for about five minutes - then rinsed in hot water, alcohol and a warm air dry. Fingerprint removed. I know it would not have worked if I had not taken immediate action... and I had no idea if it would work even then. I was pleasantly surprised. Value? $100 or so.. but hard to come by... Cheers, RickO

pf70collector · February 25, 2008 1:40AM

Luckily I haven't had that experience. The most of have ever handled at one time are 8-1 oz plats raw out of their capsules.

Julian · February 25, 2008 2:14AM

These did not happen to me:

Harry W. Bass, Jr. had a staple scratch his gem proof 1863 QE. He never used staples after that.

An MTB employee closed a safe door on a rare coin, I am not absolutely certain what it was, but put a nice dent in it.

ahooka454 · February 25, 2008 2:17AM

Yup, This thread is already making me cry abit...

moonshine · February 25, 2008 2:24AM

I guess you all are clumsy - I don't destroy coins.

RWB · February 25, 2008 2:29AM

A prominent dealer in ancients dropped a Syracuse decadrachmn a few inches onto a padded cloth – the coin cracked in half due to internal crystallization.

A few decades ago, I dropped a high-end half dime while making photos of it for Kam Ahwash. The coin rolled along the bourse floor finally coming to rest near the shoe of a collector. I quickly retrieved the coin and handed it to Kam for examination. He declared for all to hear that it was now “AU” then pulled another, this time a gem, out of his carrying bag, and asked me to continue with the photos. He took some good-natured teasing for “throwing his money around” from nearby dealers. I thought I was going to be in hock for the next decade, but Kam said he had a bunch of them, and that he’d still make a profit on the AU – it now had a good story to go with the coin.

YaHa · February 25, 2008 3:12AM

Why would you guys take a chance on destroying a coin, use freakin care, maybe someone should invent liablity insurance for expensive coins so you guys can be stupid all the time, not most of the time.

No wonder my car insurance goes up every year, idiots that don't take their time. HANDLE WITH CARE, ever heard of that word.

jmj3esq · February 25, 2008 3:14AM

Not much, but once I was dipping an 1881 S MS65 Morgan dollar in acetone to remove some grime. I dropped it on my tile bathroom floor. It left a big rim ding and probably wouldnt grade at PCGS.

sumnom · February 25, 2008 3:16AM

Just you wait, YaHa. You're time will come.

lava · February 25, 2008 3:16AM

lost - 1885 cc in 64 dmpl

richardshipp · February 25, 2008 3:23AM

I was saved by slabs once as I'd knocked over 2 blue boxes and when they hit the ground and popped open and coins (in slabs) went flying everywhere.... I thought it was the end for a moment. Had the coins been raw... it would have been a very expensive lesson.

FredWeinberg · February 25, 2008 3:26AM

Julian,

The MTB coin was a High Relief.......

And of course, I mention this every time a
similar-topic thread appears,.....................

In June 1986, (six months after PCGS started),
I threw away a PROOF-65 $4 Stella..

Worth $65K as a "5" at the time - today, a 66 easily.

BECOKA · February 25, 2008 3:28AM

I knocked an MS63 Half Eagle down to an MS62 Half eagle.

Accidentally dropped it on some keys.

MrHalfDime · February 25, 2008 3:37AM

Although I have not damaged or destroyed a coin myself (knock on wood), I do own an example of a staple scratched coin that causes me to cringe every time I see it. It is an 1829 LM-10/V16, an R5 die marriage, and a condition census coin. It has been variously listed in the past as MS-63/65, MS-63, and was once in a PCGS MS-62 slab, complete with the obverse staple scratch. The scratch is not deep, but it breaks the gorgeous pastel toning and is undeniable. The coin has an interesting provenance, and is Ex: Heritage F.U.N. Bullet Auction 1993; Ex: Bowers & Merena F.U.N. Brilliant sale lot #1106 (graded MS-63/65 prooflike. Possibly proof 63/65). I removed the coin from its plastic tomb right after purchasing it, and have allowed it to tone over the newly exposed silver at the scratch naturally over the years. Nonetheless, the scratch is there, and will always be there, serving as a constant reminder of the dangers of staples in 2x2's. Too bad a previous 'stupid' owner did not have the wisdom of Yaha, as I'm sure that would have made a difference.

kryptonitecomics · February 25, 2008 3:42AM

Posted last year but still funny.....

Friday January 05, 2007 9:25 PM

So there I was waiting for the Fun Show to open to the public when I ran into dpoole aka David Poole doing the same. He told me he wanted to go look at some Heritage lots in the viewing room and since he had a bidders ID I decided to tag along with him. This was not my first time attending a viewing but I must admit that there certainly was an air of complete distrust in the room when David and I sat down and while I understand the sheer magnitude of the $$$$ sitting in the room......I felt like all eye were on us and it was an awkward feeling to say the least.....now on to the story...

David had asked to see a box that contained a pretty amazing assortment of Flowing Hair half dollars and also some really nice seated material including proofs. Heritage made it clear that we could not both view coins out of the same box and since we hadn't selected another one at that point I decided to bide my time while he went through it. I am more of a 1 coin out of the box and then back in before I go onto the next coin......David is a "grab as many coins" as he can fit in his had at one time kinda guy....

So at this point we had already drawn the eyes of several employees along with the women assigned to assist us so I would guess we had 3 people standing their watching us and I guess it made David a little nervous so as he went to put the coins back in the case he squeezed the slabs together so tightly that they squirted out of his hand, over and to the right of his shoulder and onto the floor and in his lap

Now remember we are talking about like 5 or more 1795 Flowing Hair Half dollars probably worth at least $5,000 to $10,000 each, probably more and here they are flying everywhere..........I think we both just about died and all I could do was lean to the left away from David and keep my hands firmly planted on the table as we were swarmed by security and additional Heritage employees. David handle everything in stride as he picked them up off the floor like an old pro and there was a nervous tention around us as I waited for ther Tasers and batons to start appearing

I must admit that I almost shat myself when it happened but it sure makes for one heck of a story looking back.........needless to say that was the last box we looked through and we quickly mad an exit from the room

Patches · February 25, 2008 3:55AM

My 1st expensive coin I ever bought I ruined. I bought a 1916-D Mercury Dime certified Anacs either Fair-2 or AG-3/Damaged-Bent. I thought I would fix it by putting it in a vice lol. Needless to say, the coin was then flat, 50% thinner, 25% larger and cracked. I probably had paid around $150 dollars for it (I would guess I was around 12 or 13 years old at the time). Talk about a wasted summer of mowing lawns! But I know for a fact there are no more then 263,999 Mercury Dimes left on Earth.

DoubleEagle59 · February 25, 2008 3:55AM

I don't think I have ever damaged a coin (yet!!).

I've opened tons of 2x2 with staples and have never even come close to scratching a coin. I honestly don't know how you can do that unless you are extremely careless or in a great hurry.

I think I've dipped a few coins that were 'unattractively toned' and the result was a coin that had been dipped about 10 times before, that is, the coin had that pale grey 'overdipped' color to it, but these coins were very few and always under $100 each, so I guess I've been very lucky.

Prethen · February 25, 2008 3:56AM

<< In June 1986, (six months after PCGS started),
I threw away a PROOF-65 $4 Stella..

Worth $65K as a "5" at the time - today, a 66 easily. >>

Wait a minute...did I read this right...some trash dump has a Gem Proof Stella in it?

TwoSides2aCoin · February 25, 2008 4:00AM

I almost put a coin in a Taco Bell napkin, once

FredWeinberg · February 25, 2008 4:03AM

Not just any Trash Dump,
but the Simi Valley Trash Dump,
north of Los Angeles and the
San Fernando Valley.

It's only been sittin' there for almost 22 years.......

Shamika · February 25, 2008 4:03AM

kryptonitecomics - That story makes me laugh everytime I read it. I can just imagine the horror of it all.

Shamika · February 25, 2008 4:05AM

<< 

<< In June 1986, (six months after PCGS started),
I threw away a PROOF-65 $4 Stella..

Worth $65K as a "5" at the time - today, a 66 easily. >>

Wait a minute...did I read this right...some trash dump has a Gem Proof Stella in it? >>

I doubt it could be call a "Gem" at this point.

ahooka454 · February 25, 2008 4:05AM

Looks like I need to make a trip to Cali. Ill let you know if I find it..... Wow, what a trash find that would be....

oxy8890 · February 25, 2008 4:08AM

<< Julian,

The MTB coin was a High Relief.......

And of course, I mention this every time a
similar-topic thread appears,.....................

In June 1986, (six months after PCGS started),
I threw away a PROOF-65 $4 Stella..

Worth $65K as a "5" at the time - today, a 66 easily. >>

OUCH! How in the hell did that happen???

jmski52 · February 25, 2008 4:12AM

I've opened tons of 2x2 with staples and have never even come close to scratching a coin. I honestly don't know how you can do that unless you are extremely careless or in a great hurry.

I think I've dipped a few coins that were 'unattractively toned' and the result was a coin that had been dipped about 10 times before, that is, the coin had that pale grey 'overdipped' color to it, but these coins were very few and always under $100 each, so I guess I've been very lucky.

I agree on the staples. All you need is a little technique and there should never be a possibility of a scratch. This boggles my mind.

It's funny you should mention the toning. I bought a Morgan for $18.00 at a farm auction that apparently nobody wanted because of the toning. It did have full toning in a full array of colors that looked like Battle Creek Toning to me, maybe a bit darker. Figuring that MS-70 wouldn't hurt anything, I used it and most of the toning came off. Hmmmm. Now, I have a $14.00 Morgan.

I really am hooked on nice toning, but no matter what the toning looks like, I take it with a grain of salt.

jmski52 · February 25, 2008 4:15AM

Anyone ever been to the Simi Valley Trash Dump? Hmmmm.

Prethen · February 25, 2008 4:27AM

Fred, once you realized what happened, did you ever think about calling the dump and the trash company to get details on where it may have been dumped and pursue a search. In theory, that search could be expensive, but wouldn't it be worth it?

Elcontador · February 25, 2008 4:33AM

When I was 16 or 17, I accidentally bought what I thought was the most beautiful 1931 D dime in existence until I noticed a staple scratch on Miss Liberty's jawline after buying it.

shorecoll · February 25, 2008 5:00AM

Somewhere in my house is a VG 16-D dime. I never thought of throwing it away

I hope to find it if I ever move, but I'm not moving 11,000 books and all my other assorted stuff just to find one coin.

OPA · February 25, 2008 5:02AM

<< Anyone ever been to the Simi Valley Trash Dump? Hmmmm. >>

If interested ... here is Mapquest directions....

Semi Valley

PerryHall · February 25, 2008 5:10AM

I've never opened a 2X2 cardboard holder. Too dangerous. I just poke a few holes in the window just beyond the edge of the coin using a toothpick and then I bend the holder slightly to tear the window until the coin comes out. Quick and safe.

TwoSides2aCoin · February 25, 2008 5:13AM

<< 

<< Anyone ever been to the Simi Valley Trash Dump? Hmmmm. >>

If interested ... here is Mapquest directions....

Semi Valley >>

Thank you.... I've submitted application for a permit to dig

NOT

but it was a funny thought in my mind.

GoldenEyeNumismatics · February 25, 2008 5:29AM

An MS64 Barber Half (common date---but I don't remember the exact year).

I dropped it and it hit the metal foot of my chair. Put a huge ding in the reverse. It was then graded MS62 by PCGS.

jonathanb · February 25, 2008 5:43AM

Earlier threads: 1, 2, 3, 4

FredWeinberg · February 25, 2008 7:05AM

It's a long story, but by the time we
figured out what happened to it,
there was almost a week's worth
of dumping on top of it, and it would
be impossible to figure out where,
in the large dump area, the truck dumped
it's load....

It's been 22 years, so it doesn't bother me
now - it was my own fault, too!

DJCoinz · February 25, 2008 7:29AM

Man there are some scary (and funny

) stories in here!

ArizonaJack · February 25, 2008 8:01AM

I dropped an 1881-S $, MS-65 , on my tile in my kitchen resulting in a nice rim bump and a $35 coin after that

robkool · February 25, 2008 8:04AM

<< Not just any Trash Dump,
but the Simi Valley Trash Dump,
north of Los Angeles and the
San Fernando Valley.

It's only been sittin' there for almost 22 years....... >>

WOW !!!

At least it's not too far from my house...

MRK · February 25, 2008 10:23AM

When my great grandfather passed his coin collection down to me at the age of about 12, I made them all bright and shiny with a polishing wheel. Not knowing a thing about coins, I ruined every silver dollar and large cent he gave me. They were common coins in circulated grades, but the sentimental value here is what really bothers me about my stupid attempt to make them look better.

Connecticoin · February 25, 2008 10:35AM

<< I've never opened a 2X2 cardboard holder. Too dangerous. I just poke a few holes in the window just beyond the edge of the coin using a toothpick and then I bend the holder slightly to tear the window until the coin comes out. Quick and safe. >>

I would be afraid of poking the coin's surface with the toothpick. Unless the staples are very close to the coin, I just cut off the staples around the 2x2.

Connecticoin · February 25, 2008 10:37AM

Oh, and BTW, I had a DMPL Morgan in a 2x2 that my Black Lab got a hold of when she was a puppy. Put a huge tooth mark in the coin and turned it onto junk silver.

BAJJERFAN · February 25, 2008 10:38AM

A 1994 silver eagle that I cut in half with tin snips.

oxy8890 · February 25, 2008 12:20PM

<< Oh, and BTW, I had a DMPL Morgan in a 2x2 that my Black Lab got a hold of when she was a puppy. Put a huge tooth mark in the coin and turned it onto junk silver. >>

Good for her you are a dog lover or she could have wound up a dinner delicacy!

tightbudget · February 25, 2008 12:34PM

<< Not just any Trash Dump,
but the Simi Valley Trash Dump,
north of Los Angeles and the
San Fernando Valley.

It's only been sittin' there for almost 22 years....... >>

All right then. I'm going to Google Earth now to look up the place. Once I find it, expect me to be there with a high-end metal detector.

TexasNationals · February 25, 2008 12:49PM

1913-S Ty 2 Buff in a 62 holder, PCI, Popped out and found it(trust me I looked) 3 years later in a crevice of a garage that pooled water

Edit: PS: This is why I will never use a vice again.

PerryHall · February 25, 2008 9:22PM

<< 

<< I've never opened a 2X2 cardboard holder. Too dangerous. I just poke a few holes in the window just beyond the edge of the coin using a toothpick and then I bend the holder slightly to tear the window until the coin comes out. Quick and safe. >>

I would be afraid of poking the coin's surface with the toothpick. Unless the staples are very close to the coin, I just cut off the staples around the 2x2. >>

Unless the coin is a proof, a wooden toothpick shouldn't hurt a coin if it touches the coin. What are you using to cut the holder? If it's a scissors, I'd worry about my hand slipping and cutting the coin.

Shamika · February 25, 2008 11:18PM

<< 

<< 

<< I've never opened a 2X2 cardboard holder. Too dangerous. I just poke a few holes in the window just beyond the edge of the coin using a toothpick and then I bend the holder slightly to tear the window until the coin comes out. Quick and safe. >>

I would be afraid of poking the coin's surface with the toothpick. Unless the staples are very close to the coin, I just cut off the staples around the 2x2. >>

Unless the coin is a proof, a wooden toothpick shouldn't hurt a coin if it touches the coin. What are you using to cut the holder? If it's a scissors, I'd worry about my hand slipping and cutting the coin. >>

Why not poke through the plastic along the edges of the window??? This is how I've always done it. This way, nothing touches the coins except possibly the coin's edges.

PerryHall · February 25, 2008 11:32PM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< I've never opened a 2X2 cardboard holder. Too dangerous. I just poke a few holes in the window just beyond the edge of the coin using a toothpick and then I bend the holder slightly to tear the window until the coin comes out. Quick and safe. >>

I would be afraid of poking the coin's surface with the toothpick. Unless the staples are very close to the coin, I just cut off the staples around the 2x2. >>

Unless the coin is a proof, a wooden toothpick shouldn't hurt a coin if it touches the coin. What are you using to cut the holder? If it's a scissors, I'd worry about my hand slipping and cutting the coin. >>

Why not poke through the plastic along the edges of the window??? This is how I've always done it. This way, nothing touches the coins except possibly the coin's edges. >>

That's what I already suggested. What do you use to poke through the plastic? I figured a toothpick is less dangerous than an knife or a needle.

What's the most expensive coin you accidentally damaged/destroyed?

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