Do you have any numismatic superstitions?

RWB · February 1, 2011 10:50PM

All cultures have superstitions, but do you have any relating only to coin collecting?

bidask · February 1, 2011 11:01PM

Yes, the more I apply the Golden Rule in my life, the more opportunity comes my way to buy great coins.

BillJones · February 1, 2011 11:07PM

Here's my main superstition:

I will never in my life been in the right place at the right time with a ready checkbook to buy the ideal 1796 half dime. In over 35 years of collecting the series, I’ve bought the wrong coin every time and not been able to pull the trigger when the right coin was offered. For me the 1796 half dimes (both varieties plus the so-called “LIKERTY”) have a curse on them.

Now its very big sister, the 1796 No Stars quarter eagle, is working on acquiring the same reputation. When I didn’t have the funds available, nice AU examples were available all over the major bourse floors. Stacks’ of all people had the last nice one I saw, and they were anxious to sell it a good price. Now there’s nothing but over graded and problem coins in the auctions and on the bourse floors.

RWB · February 1, 2011 11:16PM

I was thinking of "bad luck" or "good luck" things you do...equivalent to the number "13" being bad luck or tossing a pinch of salt over your shoulder if you spill the salt.... or "good luck" socks you wear to every coin auction.

AnkurJ · February 1, 2011 11:20PM

Only a positive one. There will be another coin if you miss out on one.

RichieURich · February 1, 2011 11:36PM

<< Here's my main superstition:

I will never in my life been in the right place at the right time with a ready checkbook to buy the ideal 1796 half dime. In over 35 years of collecting the series, I’ve bought the wrong coin every time and not been able to pull the trigger when the right coin was offered. For me the 1796 half dimes (both varieties plus the so-called “LIKERTY”) have a curse on them.

Now its very big sister, the 1796 No Stars quarter eagle, is working on acquiring the same reputation. When I didn’t have the funds available, nice AU examples were available all over the major bourse floors. Stacks’ of all people had the last nice one I saw, and they were anxious to sell it a good price. Now there’s nothing but over graded and problem coins in the auctions and on the bourse floors. >>

I've been there too. Sometimes it seems like lining up the planets to have the right coin show up at the right price when you have enough money to buy it. But sometimes the first two will happen and you don't have the funds. It is worth considering borrowing to make the purchase. I know, a lot of people are going to say I would never borrow to buy a coin. But maybe I should have borrowed in 1994 when I was offered a 1794 dollar in Choice Good for $10K. I learned from that and did borrow to buy a VG 1878-S half a year or two later for $8K. Still have it in my personal collection, now in a PCGS VG-10 holder. Was it worth borrowing to get that coin?

BillJones · February 2, 2011 12:04AM

<< 

<< Here's my main superstition:

I will never in my life been in the right place at the right time with a ready checkbook to buy the ideal 1796 half dime. In over 35 years of collecting the series, I’ve bought the wrong coin every time and not been able to pull the trigger when the right coin was offered. For me the 1796 half dimes (both varieties plus the so-called “LIKERTY”) have a curse on them.

Now its very big sister, the 1796 No Stars quarter eagle, is working on acquiring the same reputation. When I didn’t have the funds available, nice AU examples were available all over the major bourse floors. Stacks’ of all people had the last nice one I saw, and they were anxious to sell it a good price. Now there’s nothing but over graded and problem coins in the auctions and on the bourse floors. >>

I've been there too. Sometimes it seems like lining up the planets to have the right coin show up at the right price when you have enough money to buy it. But sometimes the first two will happen and you don't have the funds. It is worth considering borrowing to make the purchase. I know, a lot of people are going to say I would never borrow to buy a coin. But maybe I should have borrowed in 1994 when I was offered a 1794 dollar in Choice Good for $10K. I learned from that and did borrow to buy a VG 1878-S half a year or two later for $8K. Still have it in my personal collection, now in a PCGS VG-10 holder. Was it worth borrowing to get that coin? >>

Another problem I had was that I was holding the "less than perfect 1796 half dime" and wanted to let it go in trade when the better one came along. I'd never have the trading stock with me when the better coin was available.

Being a dealer - collector can be great because you can dispose of your duplicates so much more easily. Every time I upgraded something in my collection I'd put the extra piece out at a show. I never had one last longer than a few hours before it was sold.

When you are walking the floor to sell something the dealers firgure right away that they "should not pay good prices to the public." That's poor attitude because I can't tell you how many times I got some coins from people who been hosed by the offers they had gotten from other dealers. I paid fair money and ended up making a decent buck on my purchases. Turnover and reasonable mark-ups is the name of the game IMO, but some dealers don't see it that way. They seem to think they have to get the same mark-ups the people in the jewelry business get.

ScarsdaleCoin · February 2, 2011 12:12AM

yes, I stay away from 911 coins..bad vibes

BillJones · February 2, 2011 12:15AM

<< yes, I stay away from 911 coins..bad vibes >>

Yes, I agree. I don't want to be anywhere near that material. To me money made on the 911 tragedy is blood money.

RichieURich · February 2, 2011 1:02AM

<< 

<< yes, I stay away from 911 coins..bad vibes >>

Yes, I agree. I don't want to be anywhere near that material. To me money made on the 911 tragedy is blood money. >>

Definitely NO on those items.

Halfhunter06 · February 2, 2011 1:15AM

If its in an ANACS or ICG holder, then it must have been rejected by PCGS or NGC.

SaorAlba · February 2, 2011 1:36AM

Back in 1996 I gave my then fiance a 1562 English sixpence, and she had it in a holder in her shoe - it is an old British tradition. She still has the coin. My cousin lost her sixpence at her reception, and well her marriage lasted about 2 years.

DRUNNER · February 2, 2011 1:39AM

Not exactly a superstition, but more of a tradition??

I always provide a commemorative ballmark of some cool type for the guys in my foursome (sorry Jerry, we haven't yet played, but I agree with your sigline) every time we play. Over the years, the other three guys have gotten the #2, #3, and #4 best coin collections in the state. We play a lot. The bigger the better. I like the double crown size best, and those Russian 1800s bronzes that are like Frisbees.

Drunner
(The Doily Slut)

(Oh, and they ARE NOT gonna' ever get a Doily.)

scottgardener · February 2, 2011 2:06AM

Weirdly enough, I don't think I've developed any. I've generally stayed good with mathematics and probability mechanics. Contrast this to my workplace as an ER physician, where we never use the word "quiet," and I fear shifts on a full moon as much as a werewolf.

SaorAlba · February 2, 2011 3:53AM

<< Weirdly enough, I don't think I've developed any. I've generally stayed good with mathematics and probability mechanics. Contrast this to my workplace as an ER physician, where we never use the word "quiet," and I fear shifts on a full moon as much as a werewolf. >>

My wife is a school principal and she and most of her teachers would swear that the moon affects children's behaviour.

oreville · February 2, 2011 4:04AM

Being that I am a CPA, I swore that I would quit coin collecting if the coin collecting hobby ever became a hobby centered around numbers.

As soon as the numeric grading system came around in the early 1980's, I quit collecting coins.

I started hoarding coins instead.

By the way, my numismatic superstition is to NEVER buy a coin based on potential short term profits only UNLESS wondercoin tells me to do it!

He has never been wrong on my behalf.

MsMorrisine · February 2, 2011 4:05AM

<< All cultures have superstitions, but do you have any relating only to coin collecting? >>

fingerprinting a coin is bad luck

johnny9434 · February 2, 2011 4:47AM

i do when out metal detecting. if i hit some silver or a good piece of jewelery within the first 5 minutes i usally pack it in early. when i do hit it tends to dry up early for me, thats why. superstition i know

derryb · February 2, 2011 4:50AM

Don't throw a perfectly good coin into a wishing well. You will be wishing you had it later.

WoodenJefferson · February 2, 2011 5:31AM

Tap a wooden nickel three times on a table/desk after mentioning good fortune so evil spirits won't ruin it.

BAJJERFAN · February 2, 2011 5:34AM

<< I was thinking of "bad luck" or "good luck" things you do...equivalent to the number "13" being bad luck or tossing a pinch of salt over your shoulder if you spill the salt.... or "good luck" socks you wear to every coin auction. >>

I never buy a coin made on a monday or a friday!!

Do you have any numismatic superstitions?

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