What is the coolest coin you have held in your hands?

pennyannie · August 19, 2010 8:00PM

What is the coolest coin you have held in your hand and or looked at in person? Could you, or would you ever buy a coin of that nature? The coolest coin i have ever held was a 1895 high grade proof 1895 and a high grade 1889 CC at the same time. A few months after i started collecting coins 7 or 8 years ago a friend and i were in Dallas, Tx and went by Heritage. ( i actually thought they were a coin store at the time, LOL) My friend and i were clueless as we rode the elevator up to the 17th floor. The receptionist send a guy out to talk to us. I had figured out by that time that i was not in a coin store and that Heritage was THE COIN auction company of the stars. The man ask us would we wanted and or needed and for some reason i blurted out that i was interested in a 1895 proof morgan and a 1889 CC morgan. He did not blink an eye and said he would return shortly. He came back with both and i was truly blown away. My friend and i spent 10 minutes looking at them and handed them back with a little bantering back and forth. The Heritage rep would have brought any coin out we desired to look at. A little more chit chat and we headed for the elevator. Nervous laughter erupted as we walked out of the building. I was mainly glad that i actually asked to see 2 coins that were going to be in the upcoming auction. I would have looked even more stupid had i requested a couple coins that were not going to be auctioned. I get a chuckle ever time i think back about that incident. BTW those 2 coins were way cool and i will never be a buyer of those. I pretty much have drawn a line at 10k, i will never cross that barrier IMO. I may own 100 coins worth 10k each by my mentaility will not allow to shoot the budget on 1 coin.

What cool coins have you wrapped your fingers around?

BIGJAYVEE · August 19, 2010 8:04PM

1888-O,Full blown Scarface,unbelievably cool!!!!!

StubbyMcNumbthumbs · August 19, 2010 9:06PM

An 1852 Adelaide Pound at a well known B&M here in Adelaide. I realise this is a darkside coin, but it was a lot cooler than any US coin I have actually held in my hand, and worth as much as an average house.

ricko · August 19, 2010 9:13PM

A PanPac Octagonal $50 gold coin.... I really like those and they are truly impressive in hand. Cheers, RickO

Ahrensdad · August 20, 2010 12:07AM

For me it was an 1895 Morgan. It was slabbed by PCGS, but I can't remember the grade. It was actually sold at my small 20 table monthly coins show. This was about 7 years ago and I think it went for about $35,000 but there might have been some trade material in there.

FredWeinberg · August 20, 2010 12:12AM

Not counting some fantastic Mint Error coins,
I'd have to say a 1933 $20 St. Gaudens. Twice.

I had one raw in my hand around 1977,
and I was able to hold raw, out of the
holder, the one sold by Sotheby's in
2002 for $7.6 Million.

yellowkid · August 20, 2010 1:00AM

<< A PanPac Octagonal $50 gold coin.... I really like those and they are truly impressive in hand. Cheers, RickO >>

Me too! George at Legend showed me one in Philadelphia, until a few years ago you could have bought a nice starter home for what it cost. Beautiful coin!!

MrEureka · August 20, 2010 1:13AM

The Smithsonian's two 1877 half unions in gold. One in each hand, and both raw. (If there had been a third coin, I might have been tempted to juggle them.)

pennyannie · August 20, 2010 1:14AM

<< Not counting some fantastic Mint Error coins,
I'd have to say a 1933 $20 St. Gaudens. Twice.

I had one raw in my hand around 1977,
and I was able to hold raw, out of the
holder, the one sold by Sotheby's in
2002 for $7.6 Million. >>

I would say that was cool

CoinRaritiesOnline · August 20, 2010 1:15AM

<< The Smithsonian's two 1877 half unions in gold. One in each hand, and both raw. (If there had been a third coin, I might have been tempted to juggle them.) >>

OK -- you win.

curly · August 20, 2010 1:17AM

Harry Laibstain let me hold two Chain Cents in my hands. I said at the time that I wished I had a camera with me so I could get my picture taken.

customroll · August 20, 2010 1:22AM

In 1956 at the ANA in Chicago my father and uncle took me to my first ever coin show. My uncle, who was in town from California, was an avid collector and knew quite a number of people in the business. At the show, through my uncles contacts I was allowed to hold the example of the 1913 Liberty Nickel which was on display. Quite a thrill for a kid. Still a thrill as I think back about it today.

coinguy1 · August 20, 2010 1:24AM

<< 

<< The Smithsonian's two 1877 half unions in gold. One in each hand, and both raw. (If there had been a third coin, I might have been tempted to juggle them.) >>

OK -- you win.

>>

Not so fast there! I think my experience tops that, but you be the judge....

In my case, it was the Smithsonian's two 1877 Half Unions in gold AND the 1849 $20.... One in each hand, and all three raw. (If I had had access to the other 1849 $20, I might have been tempted to juggle them.)

FredWeinberg · August 20, 2010 1:36AM

Oh, I forgot....

I also held all 5 1913 Nickels at the 2002 " Midnight Meeting "
that authenticated the "lost" Walton Specimen.....

TPRC · August 20, 2010 1:42AM

<< An 1852 Adelaide Pound at a well known B&M here in Adelaide. I realise this is a darkside coin, but it was a lot cooler than any US coin I have actually held in my hand, and worth as much as an average house. >>

OK I'm an idiot. Will someone tell me what a B & M is.
Many thanks.

coinguy1 · August 20, 2010 1:52AM

<< 

<< An 1852 Adelaide Pound at a well known B&M here in Adelaide. I realise this is a darkside coin, but it was a lot cooler than any US coin I have actually held in my hand, and worth as much as an average house. >>

OK I'm an idiot. Will someone tell me what a B & M is.
Many thanks. >>

No you're not - B & M = brick and mortar (physical, as opposed to on-line store/shop).

Lewy · August 20, 2010 2:00AM

That would be one that I found in the refrigerator at my sister's house.

scottgardener · August 20, 2010 2:58AM

FredWeinberg

<< Oh, I forgot....

I also held all 5 1913 Nickels at the 2002 " Midnight Meeting"
that authenticated the "lost" Walton Specimen..... >>

OK, you win!

How can one forget that!?!

I'd have to list one of the 1804 dollars and two of the 1913 Liberty nickels among the coolest I've SEEN. As far as actually held, "merely" (compared to some of the gangbusters coins you're describing) a draped bust $5, PCGS AU58, for a hair under $10k.

Right now, if I had a single coin estimated price limit between keep and auction off, I'd put it around $60k. More than that, and I think of all the work hours between now and retirement I would not have to do. After factoring investment interest, it could shave off months. (Then again, depending on the coin itself, I might have to mull keeping it AS my retirement portfolio.) That's if handed a coin by a generous benefactor, random meditation genie, or what-not. On my best day to date, I went in with a $3k budget and found what I wanted for $1900, plus a second item for $600.

123cents · August 20, 2010 3:05AM

<< A PanPac Octagonal $50 gold coin.... I really like those and they are truly impressive in hand. Cheers, RickO >>

Same here.

CaptHenway · August 20, 2010 3:22AM

Well, I've held the unique 1870-S half dime, and five 1804 dollars at various times, and all five 1913 nickels at once during their Reunion Tour, but the coolest coin I have ever held was an 1876 Sailor Head pattern silver dollar, Judd-1457, my favorite pattern design.
TD

johnny9434 · August 20, 2010 3:44AM

The one that sticks with me is an 1856 Flying Eagle cent MS-64. That was bout 5 years ago.

ColonialCoinUnion · August 20, 2010 3:50AM

For me the answer would be all seven of Ford's Higleys at one time at lot viewing in 2004, or all 4 of his New England Shillings at once in 2005 (one of which - arguably the worst of the group - just sold for $416K at Heritage).

baddogss · August 20, 2010 3:52AM

PCGS graded 1856 Flying Eagle cent.

I stopped by Rick Snows table at a FUN show to introduce myself and say hello.
During our conversation he casually handed it to me and asked what I thought about the coin.

It was amazing and I was kind of nervous holding it. Pretty nice of him to share like that.

sparky64 · August 20, 2010 3:59AM

I guess it would be the time I

<< Not counting some fantastic Mint Error coins,
I'd have to say a 1933 $20 St. Gaudens. Twice.

I had one raw in my hand around 1977,
and I was able to hold raw, out of the
holder, the one sold by Sotheby's in
2002 for $7.6 Million. >>

uh, never mind.

Maybe it was

<< Oh, I forgot....

I also held all 5 1913 Nickels at the 2002 " Midnight Meeting "
that authenticated the "lost" Walton Specimen..... >>

aw, forget it!

photog · August 20, 2010 4:14AM

The du Pont 1866 No Motto silver dollar. I was in the office (ANR) when it came in from Maine, before it was handed back to the family. It was still raw, and I have a photo of me holding it.

Swampboy · August 20, 2010 4:17AM

Forum member Bochiman's 09 S VDB in RB.

shorecoll · August 20, 2010 4:29AM

Matched set of 1793 large cents, cap, chain and wreath in VF/XF raw and loose on a velvet tray. I kick myself for not buying them at the time, but take solace in the fact that I know I would have had to sell them at some point, and probably would have sold them at the worst possible time.

Elcontador · August 20, 2010 4:38AM

1) Saw the unique 1849 Double Eagle @ the Smithsonian when I was 15
2) Saw the 1913 Liberty Nickels @ last year's ANA
3) Held a midnight blue toned 1799 Bust $ in PC 4 in my hands @ a Long Beach Show in 2004 or 2005. Think the only reason it wasn't in a 5 holder was because the powers that be deemed the toning to be too dark. There wasn't a mark on the coin, if I remember it correctly.

pennyannie · August 20, 2010 4:41AM

Poor Fred can not even remember all the cool coins he has held. LOL

So how does one get to view the Snithsonian coins in hand?

EagleEye · August 20, 2010 4:59AM

....Waiting for Cardinal to respond to this thread.....

For me it is the Brasher Dubloon (punch on wing) during lot viewing at the Garrett sales. I was in a plastic holder, so I didn't actually hold it in my fingers.

SanctionII · August 20, 2010 5:08AM

I have not had the pleasure (yet

) of holding them in my hands, but I suspect that for anyone who has held them in their hands [i.e. the Langbord family, their attorney, the Deputy US Attorneys, the Secret Service agents, the persons at NCGC who graded and encapsulated them, etc.], holding the 10 Langbord 1933 double eagles would be pretty darn COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL.

Could you imagine being the person (Joan Langbord) who (according to her deposition testimony) opened the SDB the 10 coins were stored in, opened the paper the 10 coins were wrapped in and saw them sitting there?

pmac · August 20, 2010 5:18AM

<< The Smithsonian's two 1877 half unions in gold. One in each hand, and both raw. (If there had been a third coin, I might have been tempted to juggle them.) >>

Reminds me of the video of the 1913V nickel being handled by the TV newsman. OMG

Baley · August 20, 2010 5:33AM

coolest coin? probably a 1964-D nickel that had been immersed in liquid nitrogen. probably about -140C.

SanctionII · August 20, 2010 5:40AM

I would also nominate Skyman's 1958 DCAM proof Frankie and his 1938 Cameo proof Walker as some of the COOLEST coins around, simply because looking at them makes you feel cold with all of the FROST on the devices of these two coins

His 1938 Cameo Walker is so COOL it has frozen over the sun on the obverse and made it frosty white. Quite a feat given the surface and the internal temperatures of the son.

swhuck · August 20, 2010 5:41AM

More than one 1804 dollar. Did you know that they have a die break on the obverse, even on the originals?

Actually, Dwight Manley's New England Silver collection, all at the same time, was mighty cool.

Baley · August 20, 2010 6:00AM

I found this fascinating,

In my case, it was the Smithsonian's two 1877 Half Unions in gold AND the 1849 $20.... One in each hand, and all three raw.

I had no idea that coinguy1 had 3 hands!

roadrunner · August 20, 2010 6:19AM

I'm not in the same league as some of you big boys. When coins like the 1804 dollar and 1913 Lib nickels were at auctions I attended, I rarely if ever asked to see them since they were special lots and back in the vault or something. Maybe even under M-16 guard. But I did view the James Stack 1894-s dime back in 1990 (PF66) and also an 1876-cc 20c piece (MS65) back in 1988.

I also had fun viewing these coins at auctions/shows over the past 30 yrs...in order of ga-ga-ness.

1. 1873-cc NA 25c Gem -ex James Stack - viewed in 1976 at Bill Grayson's table at NYC summer ANA. He paid $90,000 for it a year earlier at auction. This was, and still is my dream coin. This is by far the coolest coin I've ever handled because it was a time when I was still a newb and it represented the pinnacle of all seated coins...and still does imo.
2. 1873-cc NA 10c Gem - ex Norweb - 1987 auction viewing
3. 1894-s $5 Lib - superb Gem - Eliasberg 1982 (now graded MS69). And I thought I was possibly going to "rip" that coin for $10K or under back then (it sold for well over $20K).
4. 1893-s $1 Morgan - Stacks Vermeulle sale - 2002 (now graded MS67 tied for finest).

roadrunner

BigDowgie · August 20, 2010 6:22AM

Mine would have to be a 1916 MS64 DDO Buffalo Nickel!

It was awesome!

crazyhounddog · August 20, 2010 6:33AM

<< I have not had the pleasure (yet

) of holding them in my hands, but I suspect that for anyone who has held them in their hands [i.e. the Langbord family, their attorney, the Deputy US Attorneys, the Secret Service agents, the persons at NCGC who graded and encapsulated them, etc.], holding the 10 Langbord 1933 double eagles would be pretty darn COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL.

Could you imagine being the person (Joan Langbord) who (according to her deposition testimony) opened the SDB the 10 coins were stored in, opened the paper the 10 coins were wrapped in and saw them sitting there? >>

This would surpass my wildest dreams....

SkyMan · August 20, 2010 6:35AM

First off, thank you Sanction II for your kind words about my coins.

Second, strictly numismatically, I'd say the one I enjoyed the most was the MCMVII Ultra High Relief Saint in PR69.

<< coolest coin? probably a 1964-D nickel that had been immersed in liquid nitrogen. probably about -140C. >>

Got you by about 10C. This one was exposed to orbital vacuum (range roughly 240 to -240 F., e.g. 116 to -151C). It's also pretty cool in its' own right as it is (to the best of my knowledge) the only flown US gold coin of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo era AND, more importantly, it flew on Gemini IV which had the first US spacewalk.

swhuck · August 20, 2010 6:40AM

<< Second, strictly numismatically, I'd say the one I enjoyed the most was the MCMVII Ultra High Relief Saint in PR69. >>

Oh, God yes. I forgot about that one. Seriously cool.

kranky · August 20, 2010 8:46AM

I can't decide among these three. And there are many others right behind these. Boiler78's patterns, Saintguru's double eagles (thanks to both of you)...

1958 DDO Lincoln, 2 known. (thanks, Stewart, for the opportunity)

J-44, 3 known. Struck in platinum from the regular dies.

J-115, about 5 known. Pattern hand-engraved by James Longacre.

EagleEye · August 20, 2010 9:28AM

Oh yeah, The infamous 58 DDO. Three known, two 64RD and a 65RD.

Cladiator · August 20, 2010 9:40AM

1792 Half Disme. Had two of them in my hands at once one time.

Cocoinut · August 20, 2010 11:21AM

I saw the 10 1933 double eagles at the 2006 ANA show in Denver. Other rare coins I've seen include a 1913 nickel, and there were some fantastic coins at one of the FUN show's Platinum sales a few years ago, including a 1796 no stars quarter eagle. Those were all impressive rare coins, but the ones that stick out most in my mind are some that I saw or held while working at a coin shop in the early 1980's. Among those were a 1794 large cent in mint state, a beautiful glossy red-brown coin; 2 Continental dollars at the same time; a COMPLETE set of proof $3 gold that the owner of the shop had assembled over a period of many years (some of those would rank near the top for rarest coins I've seen or held); there were several proof Trade dollars with beautiful iridescent toning. Looking back, I think I've been lucky to have seen such a variety of great coins.

Jim

dizzyfoxx · August 20, 2010 11:36AM

A couple years ago at the Long Beach show I held a 1796 Quarter in PCGS AU55 or 58 that had the most incredible skin/toning.

cardinal · August 20, 2010 12:54PM

<< ....Waiting for Cardinal to respond to this thread...... >>

I've had the good fortune to hold quite a few historic coins, including many of the known 1794 and 1804 dollars, 1913 nickels, 1894-S dimes, the Brasher Doubloons, the King of Siam proof set, the MS68 1792 Half Disme, the Lelan Rogers 1796 and 1797 half dollars (both PCGS MS66), the Col. Green 1796 quarter (PCGS MS67), most of the MS64 and better bust dollars, some fantastic gold like the MS67 Paquet reverse double eagle, a 1795 half eagle graded MS65 in a first generation holder, 1796 No Stars quarter eagle graded MS65, and an 1800 half eagle graded MS66*, and lately some superb early copper like an MS65 Chain Cent and MS69 Wreath Cent.

Still, the coolest would have to be the Amon Carter 1794 dollar that recently traded for $7.85 million. It's labeled as a specimen strike, but it is every bit as much of a full proof as any 1804 dollar. I held and examined the coin raw:

I was among a small group of individuals to witness the coin being cracked out at the Pittsburgh ANA in 2004. Each of us got to hold and examine the coin raw, and for purposes of comparing the diameters and edges, we also examined the PCGS AU58 1794 dollar, a superb 1795 flowing hair dollar with a silver plug, and two 1803 proof bust dollars -- all raw. Quite an experience!

Dropdaflag · August 20, 2010 1:09PM

<< The one that sticks with me is an 1856 Flying Eagle cent MS-64. That was bout 5 years ago.

>>

I held one 7 years ago. PCGS MS-64 as well.

BigRick · August 20, 2010 1:14PM

BaseballAbs · August 20, 2010 1:30PM

<< 

<< ....Waiting for Cardinal to respond to this thread...... >>

I've had the good fortune to hold quite a few historic coins, including many of the known 1794 and 1804 dollars, 1913 nickels, 1894-S dimes, the Brasher Doubloons, the King of Siam proof set, the MS68 1792 Half Disme, the Lelan Rogers 1796 and 1797 half dollars (both PCGS MS66), the Col. Green 1796 quarter (PCGS MS67), most of the MS64 and better bust dollars, some fantastic gold like the MS67 Paquet reverse double eagle, a 1795 half eagle graded MS65 in a first generation holder, 1796 No Stars quarter eagle graded MS65, and an 1800 half eagle graded MS66*, and lately some superb early copper like an MS65 Chain Cent and MS69 Wreath Cent.

Still, the coolest would have to be the Amon Carter 1794 dollar that recently traded for $7.85 million. It's labeled as a specimen strike, but it is every bit as much of a full proof as any 1804 dollar. I held and examined the coin raw:

I was among a small group of individuals to witness the coin being cracked out at the Pittsburgh ANA in 2004. Each of us got to hold and examine the coin raw, and for purposes of comparing the diameters and edges, we also examined the PCGS AU58 1794 dollar, a superb 1795 flowing hair dollar with a silver plug, and two 1803 proof bust dollars -- all raw. Quite an experience!

>>

Show off! I'm not even going to participate now.

ArizonaJack · August 20, 2010 2:25PM

For me, I am with the 1895 Morgan crowd.
Leroy VanAllen allowed me to hold one ( raw of course) at his table at a MSNS show in the late 70's. I'll never forget that coin. I was just a kid, but it was so groovy, lol. Wayne Miller, Leroy and the like were rock stars to me.

What is the coolest coin you have held in your hands?

Comments

Leave a Comment