On the hunt for excessively rare coins in Delhi, and did not even have to leave my hotel...

Longacre · February 11, 2011 2:02PM

As I write these words, gentle readers, I am in Delhi, on a hot and steamy Saturday morning. My business forced me to spend a weekend in India, and I arrive back state-side on Tuesday.

I took a quick jaunt through the shopping plaza on the 2nd floor of the hotel, which is laden with jewelry stores. I will be sure to pick up a bauble or two for Mrs. L before I leave.

As I was looking in the windows, I spied a few excessively rare coins in the window. The shop was not open yet, so I need to go back. Here is a picture (please disregard Longacre's feet in the reflection). One coins was a One rupee coin from 1901. The other coin had King George(?) on the front:

I also stopped by another shop that was open, and was excessively warmly greeted by Manoj. Immediately I was referred to as "my dear friend", and he regaled me with stories about how he has a sister shop in NYC, and spends a lot of time in Connecticut. He must have thought I was a big fish, because he was immediately pushing the diamonds and rare gems on me.

If you are ever in Delhi, and if you have the means, I highly recommend that you stay at the Le Meridien Hotel, and stop by and see Manoj. His card is attached for reference:

Lastly, with a nod to Dentuck, I am venturing out, seconds from now, to Connaught Place, which has several bazaars and shops. I plan to also stop by Jain Book Depot, which supposedly has a huge selection of books. I hope to pick up a few of the latest Whitman titles at factory-direct prices.

AMRC · February 11, 2011 2:09PM

Perfect, can't wait to see those in your collection.

ColonialCoinUnion · February 11, 2011 2:13PM

I don't believe those are your feet in the reflection, as they are not clad in velvet Del Toro slippers.

JamesMurray · February 11, 2011 2:15PM

This can't be right ...surely you sent your manservent to take those pictures. I can't imagine Longacre in sneakers and denim touring the steamy climes of India.

Coinosaurus · February 11, 2011 2:16PM

<< If you are ever in Delhi, and if you have the means, I highly recommend that you stay at the Le Meridien Hotel >>

Isn't that what Ferris Bueller said about Porsches?

<< I hope to pick up a few of the latest Whitman titles at factory-direct prices. >>

You'll be flying me to Delhi to sign it in person, right

AnkurJ · February 11, 2011 2:24PM

My wife and I stayed at that hotel a few years ago during our last trip. The shops there are VERY overpriced. I bargained one item from about $800 down to $300. Dont agree with any of their prices, and be ready to walk out!

Also, visit the Cottage Emporium in Connought Place. You will find amazing things there!

Baley · February 11, 2011 3:31PM

I think you ought to reduce the frequency of "excessively" and go with "exceedingly" more often. I found your travelogue extremely interesting and thank you extra-muchly for posting it

cladking · February 11, 2011 3:44PM

Pick me up a few rolls of early cu/ ni rupees in Unc would ya'? 1962 and 1969 are favorites.

kurtdog · February 11, 2011 6:29PM

As long as you're at the delhi pick me up an Italian Sub no tomatoes.

ricko · February 12, 2011 2:02AM

Did you stop at any good burger places??

Cheers, RickO

RYK · February 12, 2011 2:07AM

I do not plan to visit Dehli, so if you see any dirty Dahlonega or Charlotte gold coins, there please pick them up for me.

Dentuck · February 12, 2011 2:13AM

Longacre, be sure to stop by the Oxford Bookstore in Connaught Place,
first floor of the Statesman House on Barakhamba Road. You will see an
excessively portly gentleman reading a German-language newspaper and
smoking a Dutch cigar. Ask him if he's seen Mr. Kanishka and if the morning
crullers are in yet. He will reply, "Do you mean Mr. Kanaka?" Your reply must
be "Yes, I'm sorry, I was thinking of his accountant." The portly gentleman
will then lead you into a back room, where a tall, thin woman will introduce
you to an elderly, wizened dwarf who will offer you such rare numismatic-
literature treasures as the only known 1945-edition Red Book, a water-buffalo-
hide-bound edition of Roger W. Burdette's Guide Book of Peace Dollars,
and the unpublished final chapter of Augsburger and Orosz's Secret History
of the First U.S. Mint, which was so secret that it's been officially impounded
until 2061.

Good luck.

bushmaster8 · February 12, 2011 2:16AM

The most beautiful women on the planet! And no Mrs!

Tread carefully!

Longacre · February 12, 2011 2:38AM

<< Longacre, be sure to stop by the Oxford Bookstore in Connaught Place,
first floor of the Statesman House on Barakhamba Road. >>

Hmmm. I walked by the Statesman House today, but didn't notice the bookstore or the portly gentleman.

CoinJunkie · February 12, 2011 2:45AM

Longacre, I must confess I find your latest dalliance with these tourist widgets (it hurts me to utter the
word) quite out of character for a collector of your stature, a man of your station. And what, pray tell,
are you doing in public with running shoes on? Perhaps a subtle ploy to remain incognito?

MsMorrisine · February 12, 2011 2:58AM

<< he regaled me with stories about how he has a sister shop in NYC, and spends a lot of time in Connecticut. He must have thought I was a big fish, >>

now you have the populace of NYC and CT mad because you're hurting their image by being reserved.

Think of the effect on the property values!

CaptHenway · February 12, 2011 5:39AM

<< This can't be right ...surely you sent your manservent to take those pictures. I can't imagine Longacre in sneakers and denim touring the steamy climes of India. >>

How is Passpartou, anyways?

On the hunt for excessively rare coins in Delhi, and did not even have to leave my hotel...

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