Home U.S. Coin Forum

What a day! Completely random purchase of coin collection at a yard sale !

DNADaveDNADave Posts: 7,307 ✭✭✭✭✭
I was driving around this morning doing my usual Saturday morning yard sales and just stopped at a random sale here in town. As I was leaving an older gentleman told me there was some more stuff around the side of the house to look at, which I did. There was nothing I was interested in so I said my usual "I'm just looking for old coins or hunting stuff". So the man says "well come on inside I'll show you some coins" That tends to make me a little nervous but I introduced myself and went in. I was quite happily surprised to see a folding table full of coins that he was interested in selling.

At this point I was actually nervous. He showed me the two V nickels that his mother had put on his infant brother's eyes about 75 years ago. The child had died and these were coins used to close his eyes. This is the kind of stuff I told him to keep, and suggested he write it down to keep with the coins. The rest was really quite a collection, obviously old as I hope you can tell from the 2x2's. The aluminum foil wrapped dollars were a new storage method to me. I spent the last three hours looking closely and trying to make a good, fair offer (one that wouldn't get me tarred and feathered here) As an example, I gave $40 each for four 1916 Walkers.

Long story short and $1500.00 later and I'm a very happy collector today.

image
image
image
image
image
image

Comments

  • Nice little cache of coins. Great job.
    "One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making new discoveries" -A.A. Milne
  • very nice yard sale find. image
    my ebay items BST transactions/swaps/giveaways with: Tiny, raycyca,mrpaseo, Dollar2007,Whatafind, Boom, packers88, DBSTrader2, 19Lyds, Mar327, pontiacinf, ElmerFusterpuck.
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Are those Aluminum Foiled Dollars ready for Baking... or did the ex Owner really use Aluminum Foil to store coins image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,800 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That's quite a haul! I would pay $1500 to pick through that stuff. image
  • Very cool! I've seen rolls of coins wrapped in aluminum foil, I don't know if it was ever promoted to store coins that way or just some people thought it would be a good idea.
    imageQuid pro quo. Yes or no?
  • DNADaveDNADave Posts: 7,307 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Are those Aluminum Foiled Dollars ready for Baking... or did the ex Owner really use Aluminum Foil to store coins image >>



    He was 75 and a really nice man. NO signs of anything funny. Definately what I'd call "fresh" material. The coins inside the aluminum are common morgans, 1921, and a few common Peace dollars.
  • I'd love to see some more pics! image
    image
    To support LordM's European Trip, click here!
  • DNADaveDNADave Posts: 7,307 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I'd love to see some more pics! image >>



    My batteries are going dead image

    here's a few more though


    image
    image

    image
    image
  • Just out of curiosity what state did you buy this in??? the reason I ask is the A&M "love token"
  • DNADaveDNADave Posts: 7,307 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Just out of curiosity what state did you buy this in??? the reason I ask is the A&M "love token" >>



    From West Virginia (Hope they lose to MU next week BTW)

    Here's the other side of that love token
    image

    And a few more things. The "gold" dollar is clearly a fake that's been plated.
    At first, I thoght the type III three center was 1866, that would have been good !

    image
    image
  • 19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,492 ✭✭✭✭
    What a pleasant surprise for you!

    I am often tempted to check out these garage sales but with the cost of gas and a 99 out of 100 probability that no coins are available, I don;t pursue them.

    But.....................there is one around the corner that I'll go by in a little but! image
    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!
  • Any 1870 dated coins you want to get rid of?
  • HyperionHyperion Posts: 7,440 ✭✭✭
    great surfaces image


    gimmie those 8 reales !! whistle:
  • coolestcoolest Posts: 2,281 ✭✭✭
    I would call that an eclectic set
  • Buying those V nickels would have been kinda weird. I hope he takes your advice and keeps them with
    a note for future generations.

    I wonder what a Morgan would look like baked in foil like that...image

    MONSTER TONING.....image
  • kruegerkrueger Posts: 904 ✭✭✭✭


    Wow! What a great find. Thats only happened to me once. Those yellow square 2x2's are from the 60's. I remember using those when I was young kid. I still have a few coins in them, picked from 60's change . The walkers were probably picked from change too. They were very available then even the early teen dates with obverse mint marks. I know I nearly completed a set from change ( I still have them). Cash registers had a tray for halves and we got them all the time at the grocery stores. I would ask the checker to quickly pick through them and give me the older dates in change.

    enjoy
    Krueger
  • tahoe98tahoe98 Posts: 11,388 ✭✭✭



    ..........imagehaul! i try to call them first out of the newspaper. they seldom give a phone number BUT i use the address with "reverse look-up" on the web to get the number and make a call. some people wonder who gave me the number and i tell them 'can't remember' GOT ANY COINS FOR SALE?image
    "government is not reason, it is not eloquence-it is a force! like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." George Washington
  • lope208lope208 Posts: 1,960 ✭✭
    Dave-

    Glad you made a nice, fair offer to the old gentleman. You're happy, he's happy, and we all get to look at what you found image

    Well done.
    Successful BST transactions:
    commoncents123, JrGMan2004, Coll3ctor (2), Dabigkahuna, BAJJERFAN, Boom, GRANDAM, newsman, cohodk, kklambo, seateddime, ajia, mirabela, Weather11am, keepdachange, gsa1fan, cone10
    -------------------------
  • Can imagine how surprised the older gentleman was when you offered him the $1,500 image

    The two V nickel story is kinda creepy I agree, would have thought they were buried with the body..
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • BearBear Posts: 18,953 ✭✭✭
    That collection is really cool.

    What a neat find. It will be a

    joy to look thru.
    There once was a place called
    Camelotimage
  • Wow excellent find!image

    From the pictures it looks like you received some very nice coins. From what I do see there along with the many offers I have seen people make when they stumble on a lot such as that, It appears to me that you gave the man a very fair price.

    Cheers and
    Best Regards,

    Rob


    "Those guys weren't Fathers they were...Mothers."

    image
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great find... looks like some very interesting items... Cheers, RickO
  • dohdoh Posts: 6,457 ✭✭✭
    Living the dream, living the dream....nice work, sir!
    Positive BST transactions with: too many names to list! 36 at last count.
  • Classof67Classof67 Posts: 1,502 ✭✭✭
    What a fun find! Congrats!
    GREAT BST transactions with Wondercoin, segoja, moderncoinmart, notwilight, wingsrule, 123cents, fivecents, hunted, alohagary, ibzman350, WTCG, sonofagunk, amigo, coincoins, dcgolfer, chumley, nycounsel, tootawl, guitarwes, kimber45ACP, Zubie, Egger, RYK, 1tommy, EagleEye, NEFPROLLC, jmdm1194, Coinfolio
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,739 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Looks like a hoot but I suspect you paid a very strong price. Unless there's
    some pretty good stuff not pictured you left no room for profit.
    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
  • OKbustchaserOKbustchaser Posts: 5,546 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Are those Aluminum Foiled Dollars ready for Baking... or did the ex Owner really use Aluminum Foil to store coins image >>



    The aluminum foil was an old trick in the 1960's to keep silver coins from toning agan after being dipped.
    Just because I'm old doesn't mean I don't love to look at a pretty bust.
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,739 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yard sales are fun and I've got quite a bit at them.

    A buddy of mine has a friend who asked for coins at a yard sale
    and an older couple fetched a few coins they had in their base-
    ment. There were three or four rolls of BU silver dollars (better
    dates no less) and refused to take more than face value because
    they didn't think it sounded honest. No, so far as I know there
    was absolutely no reason to believe they had alzheimers; they
    just wouldn't take more.
    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
  • Very nice group....and seems like a fair offer to the old fellow.

    I like the 8 Reale and the Mexican Libertad....do they have a home?

    RAH
  • Very sweet haul, congrats man! Any Lincolns?

    Phoenix image
    "In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But in practice, there is."
  • fcfc Posts: 12,793 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Looks like a hoot but I suspect you paid a very strong price. Unless there's
    some pretty good stuff not pictured you left no room for profit. >>



    finally someone who mentioned exactly what i was thinking
    and will not get labeled as negative.

    sure it is fun... but just looking at the stuff makes me think you
    over paid by a lot. i would have been thinking melt for almst everything
    i see there. sure a few pieces deserve more but nothing strikes me
    as wow.... i will give 1500 for the whole lot.

    i am hoping those boxes are all full of silver where 5 times XXX turns
    into a pile of money... for each half dollar or what not.
  • garsmithgarsmith Posts: 5,894 ✭✭
    image great day indeed
  • DNADaveDNADave Posts: 7,307 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The bulk of the money was Barber halves which I paid $8-10 for

    $10 for the Morgans and Peace
    $1 for the mercs
    $3.50 for the Barber Quarters
    $5 for most of the Walking liberty halves which are early.


    It all adds up quick and I would expect to be able to make around 200 or a little more if I sold. But really I'm going to keep most of it.

    Afterwards, he showed me about 30 Mexican Gold Libertads that he also wants to sell (1.2 oz gold each) and I'm going back to make another offer on the rest of the collection.


    Edited to add: I looked at every single coin and made sure I would at least break even or make a little profit.
  • commoncents05commoncents05 Posts: 10,096 ✭✭✭
    I once went to a garage sale and spent over $5000 on coins! It was a lot of fun, mostly moderns and 90%, but lots and lots of stuff. I was 18 at the time and my parents thought I was nuts!

    -Paul
    Many Quality coins for sale at http://www.CommonCentsRareCoins.com


  • << <i>I once went to a garage sale and spent over $5000 on coins! It was a lot of fun, mostly moderns and 90%, but lots and lots of stuff. I was 18 at the time and my parents thought I was nuts!

    -Paul >>



    My question is.....where does an 18 year old get 5K??? I was lucky to have $5 nevermind 5K @ 18!

    Were there any negotiations to arrive @ $1500? Did he have a clue as to what the collection was worth?
    Chaz

    Proud recipient of Y.S. Award on 07/26/08.
  • DNADaveDNADave Posts: 7,307 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I once went to a garage sale and spent over $5000 on coins! It was a lot of fun, mostly moderns and 90%, but lots and lots of stuff. I was 18 at the time and my parents thought I was nuts!

    -Paul >>



    My question is.....where does an 18 year old get 5K??? I was lucky to have $5 nevermind 5K @ 18!

    Were there any negotiations to arrive @ $1500? Did he have a clue as to what the collection was worth? >>

    +




    He had sold a few things at a local B&M. So I'm sure I was over what he got there. I'm almost certain he could have been "ripped" hard and I'm honored he trusted me. For example, all of the 3 cent silver coins were mixed in w/ a bag of foreign stuff, the 1860 was the nicest but dealers wouldn't have went through to find them. The roll of barber dimes had the two seated dimes, also would not have been looked through IMO. I'm certain there are many who would have taken huge advantage of this person.

    but no, I wrote down what I'd pay, he accepted and I paid it. all on a hand shake.
  • RayboRaybo Posts: 5,341 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I would love to tell a story like this!!!


    Ray
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,739 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>


    Edited to add: I looked at every single coin and made sure I would at least break even or make a little profit. >>




    I'm not sure why I'm relieved. image

    I hate to see a deal where both parties can't profit. It's bad for the hobby. It's worse if the short changed party is someone you know and set the price himself.
    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
  • leothelyonleothelyon Posts: 8,492 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I love it when this stuff happens but not often enough for me. But anyways, not to take anything away from your enjoyment but if the guy was pulling this stuff back in the 1960's, perhaps earlier, why wouldn't the quality be higher/better.


    Leo

    The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

    My Jefferson Nickel Collection

  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,739 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I love it when this stuff happens but not often enough for me. But anyways, not to take anything away from your enjoyment but if the guy was pulling this stuff back in the 1960's, perhaps earlier, why wouldn't the quality be higher/better.
    >>




    There was nothing but junk in circulation back in 1960. Even if
    you went to the bank and got silver dollars most were circulated
    and they were picked over too.

    The treasury started releasing stuff in '63 but there was so much
    of it most collectors weren't very interested.
    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    like RG, i've seen rolls wrapped in aluminum foil and other single coins, also. it never seemed to have any adverse affects on the ones i've seen. i imagine that it's "old school" from the 40's/50's and most coiins in foil have been that way for quite awhile.
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,618 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Would you prefer making five hundred off of it or getting a thread to 500 with it ?
    This is a rhetorical question and requires no answer image
  • robkoolrobkool Posts: 5,934 ✭✭✭✭✭
    KOOL !!! It would be nice to come across a collection like that...
  • kazkaz Posts: 9,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
    In my dad's collection there were some pennies in rolls which were lined with very thin aluminum foil, like for chewing gum, I guess to keep out moisture. Never seen anything like it.
  • Type2Type2 Posts: 13,985 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That is all you have to do is ask and doors will open Nice find good for you Nice pickups. image


    Hoard the keys.

  • like RG, I've seen rolls wrapped in aluminum foil and other single coins, also. it never seemed to have any adverse affects on the ones I've seen. i imagine that it's "old school" from the 40's/50's and most coins in foil have been that way for quite awhile.

    I bought some rolls of late 50's early 60's dimes and quarters off of a guy on ebay last year, I thought it was strange looking at the op's pics of the end of the rolls, they were shotgun type rolls but you could not see the end coin, they looked like Jiffy Pop Popcorn in that foil pan that would balloon up when you cooked it,

    Evidently someone had taken the coins out and rolled them very tightly in the foil then placed the roll back in the shotgun paper, they were some of the whitest bright coins I have ever seen, I even pulled some 63 Roosevelt MS66 DDR's from them.........

    Maybe the aluminum does something ?
  • pennyanniepennyannie Posts: 3,929 ✭✭✭
    I would have paid maybe 600 for what i can see. The local B&M probably would have offered 400.

    But it looks fun and you may find a coin or 2 that will bring you well over the top. Coins bought back that long ago need to be checked for variety's and semi key dates that did not command a premiun back then. Dealers around here do not pay ANYTHING for coins that come thru the door like that.
    Mark
    NGC registry V-Nickel proof #6!!!!
    working on proof shield nickels # 8 with a bullet!!!!

    RIP "BEAR"

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Emoji
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file