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Next Step For Inherited Coin Collection?

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Valued Member
United States
126 Posts
 Posted 01/09/2012  7:52 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add ozerman to your friends list
I'm looking at it in a couple of different ways. I was never really close with my grandfather so while the coins themselves aren't super sentimental to me, I'm finding the hobby itself to be what connects me to him, which is why the idea of "trading" some less ideal coins towards another addition to the collection appeals to me.

I have no plans to sell the collection now or in the future, however I would like to know that I've done everything possible to allow it to appreciate in value.

The question remains really what should I do with the coins that I do want to keep. They are so dirty that I don't want them contaminating all the hard work I've done.
Pillar of the Community
United States
3283 Posts
 Posted 01/09/2012  8:12 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add upstate to your friends list
You could soak them in acetone to see if that would improve their appearence,
it doesn't harm surfaces. Other than that your very fortunate to have them.
Valued Member
United States
126 Posts
 Posted 01/09/2012  10:49 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add ozerman to your friends list
Thanks upstate, any particular brand/concentration?
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts
 Posted 01/10/2012  12:50 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add just carl to your friends list

Quote:
They were your grandfather's. In my opinion, they will always be worth more than you could sell them for, regardless of condition.

And that is exactly how I feel about inheritances. You get them for free, they are a reminder of someone and if given to you, someone who thought you were special.
Myself being a gradfather, I sure would hope whoever gets my coins thinks enough of me to keep them.
You should try to get them all out of Folders and place in Albums too. Folders are not the greatest place for coins.
Pillar of the Community
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666 Posts
 Posted 01/12/2012  10:32 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add SpringCypress to your friends list
I have a feeling that the coins may be in better shape then you think. The black patina that's on the coins that you pictured is a type of toning that's very common with silver stored in old Whitman folders. This toning does not affect the grade of the coin (to much extent in circulated examples).

That said the folder you just randomly picked up isn't the one that I'd want to have better pictures of. In general the older the coins the more chance there is at something special being in the group.

The pics from your phone don't have enough detail for me to be able to gauge what you've got. For an initial assessment you don't have to go to great extremes in your pics. We'll be able to get a rough idea (basic category grade not numeric value) from scanned pics of the coins in the folders. The larger the pic size the better. If there's something that MIGHT be special you could then go back in and take better pics of the individual coin.
Valued Member
United States
126 Posts
 Posted 01/17/2012  07:09 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add ozerman to your friends list
I feel like I may of come off really poorly in this post. I do not plan on selling/getting rid of my grandfathers collection, however there are some coins saved, that I would of just been circulation finds that nowadays would just be sold for melt. My thought was to use some of those, as well as some of the triplicates to invest in the collection as a whole. From new coins to proper storage.

Hopefully I didn't come across as some young kid who is just looking to earn some quick cash.
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts
 Posted 01/17/2012  09:32 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add just carl to your friends list

Quote:
I feel like I may of come off really poorly in this post. I do not plan on selling/getting rid of my grandfathers collection, however there are some coins saved, that I would of just been circulation finds that nowadays would just be sold for melt. My thought was to use some of those, as well as some of the triplicates to invest in the collection as a whole. From new coins to proper storage.

Hopefully I didn't come across as some young kid who is just looking to earn some quick cash.

Not at all. I think we all know and understand that is the reason your here. A place to find out about coins, suggestions on what to do or what should be done. Glad your keeping them and it is a great reminder of someone that thought enough of you to keep them.
As to what to do with the common or ones you suspect are not really worth a lot of money. Again, remember it is not the value of each coin that is important, but the fun, enjoyment, education and rememberance of someone. If you don't need the money, keep all of them. Nothing to loose.
Valued Member
United States
172 Posts
 Posted 01/21/2012  02:05 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add RogerRamjet to your friends list
Your coins look like pretty typical circulated Walking Liberties to me. In that era, fifty cent pieces were very heavily used and many of them show it. Some of yours have pretty excessive toning. I had a similar problem that I think was caused by the paper flap in that kind of folder being not of archival quality. Since these halves aren't mint state coins, it's not a big deal.

How I feel about heavily circulated coin sets changes frequently. Sometimes, I really appreciate them and other days, like when I'm freshly back from a coin show with row after row of high grade coins, I'm less enthusiastic. But the tie to your grandfather is something you won't be able to replace so I recommend hanging on to most of them. Over time, that tie will probably be more valuable to you than whatever you'd get for the silver.

But I wouldn't recommend "freezing" the collection as your grandfather kept it. It's your collection now and your grandfather wouldn't have a problem with you selling some and buying others in ways that made the collection more appealing to you. The tie to your grandfather will still be there even if it's not the exact same group of coins.

A very wise lady who collected oriental antiques taught me that the happiest collectors are the ones who are fully aware that they are merely the temporary stewards of their collections. If we do a good job preserving our treasures, they can be enjoyed for many many generations. Who knows, one day, you may get the opportunity to pass these coins on to your grandchildren.
Valued Member
United States
172 Posts
 Posted 01/21/2012  02:09 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add RogerRamjet to your friends list
Oh, I forgot to mention that I like heavily circulated coin sets much more after I buy one excellent type coin and store it somewhere else. Not many coins prettier than a high grade Walker.
Pillar of the Community
United States
1934 Posts
 Posted 02/12/2012  10:19 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add j_h_s to your friends list
ozerman..I'm on board with several others here: the coins are worth more than melt, whether you keep them for your own interest or you sell them to someone else. The coins you posted are not in bad condition...I like them.

Have you decidedly become interested in collecting coins now that you've done some research? If so, have you decided you're interested in collecting all denominations or maybe some other parameter of collection, like issued denominations for specific years, etc.

There are all sorts of way to begin collecting coins....all sorts of ways to continue...all sorts of ways to be collect-specific or expansive.

I tried to be interested in collecting very modern coins (1990 and later)....must not have tried hard enough !


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2541 Posts
 Posted 02/12/2012  12:02 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Gothic Florin to your friends list
Family heirlooms are priceless. I'm glad to see you are taking an interest in preserving them. Too many people walk into a coin shop and hawk them for whatever they can get then blow the money.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3283 Posts
 Posted 02/13/2012  5:35 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add upstate to your friends list

Quote:
Thanks upstate, any particular brand/concentration?

A can of the stuff from home depot is fine. May or may not do anything but it won't hurt them.
Valued Member
United States
126 Posts
 Posted 02/14/2012  5:19 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add ozerman to your friends list
Update...

J_H_S I'm definitely interested in collecting and I did start some time back before joining this forum.

I started small filling Dansco albums for cents, nickels, dimes, quarters and Kennedy halves. Between my own searching and my grandfathers coins I'm only missing a couple of key dates throughout the albums.

I've filled new folders of Indian Head cents, Buffalo nickels and Mercury dimes both which are just missing a few key dates.

I transferred the Liberty and Franklin halves out of the old folders and into better storage, trading a few duplicates out for years/mints I was missing. Also transferring Peace dollars and Morgan dollars into better storage.

I've filled up folders of all circulating coinage (aside from dollar coins) in duplicate/triplicate as well as moved the large quantities of extra Buffalo nickels and wheat cents into more appropriate storage containers compared to their previous falling apart envelopes.

Lastly I've been buying lots of silver coins like maple leafs, silver eagles and philharmonics and have been archiving one of each year that I get.

Still haven't really gotten into all the foreign coins yet. I still really just don't know where to start with them or if I'm even interested in pursuing them.

Thanks for the interest.
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United States
526 Posts
 Posted 02/19/2012  06:07 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Freedom to your friends list
Maple Leafs, ASE's and Philharmonics are not really coins, per say, they are very attractively designed Bullion pieces although they do have an amount on them. I have the complete ASE and Maple Leaf collection but look at them as bullion, not coinage.

jMO
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