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 Replies: 81 / Views: 6,429 |
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Valued Member
 United States
114 Posts |
Everything is in a 10"x10" safe deposit box- I don't know how long it is, but it's huge. Luckily, coins are pretty compact! About half the collection is pictured now, with another half sitting here waiting to be catalogued. I don't have anything else to do today, so hopefully I can get through the rest of it. The stuff coming up is the stuff I find really interesting. A ton of variety. I may be committing blasphemy here, but I can only look at so many half dollars and one dollars before I get a little tired of them! I'm glad those tubes are done! More pics will be on the way shortly.
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Valued Member
United States
114 Posts |
Just posted pics of proof sets. I'm now back to the pocket album. I really like the stuff in there! Pages 3 and 4 are now posted.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3234 Posts |
Personally, I would buy a Type album like a Dansco 7070 and put the best of each type in there. It makes a beautiful way to hold and show off your coins. You just have to be careful on how you place them in the album and make sure the slides don't slide over the coin surfaces. I'm not one in favor of keeping a bunch of loose material around in 2X2's or capsules or whatever.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2365 Posts |
Welcome Maryhm to our CCF! You truly are in possession of a very, very nice collection. Here are my suggestions: 1) Once you determine what the coins are, I would start organizing those coins together in some sort of container. Many use Tupperware containers. I would then label the containers: Morgans, etc. 2) Make a list of each coin and or set (i.e.: Morgan, CC and Dates. Mint sets I would keep together (those are the ones in the plastic looking folders. 3) Get yourself a Photograde book on coins and familiarize yourself with grading and grading requirements and terms. 4) Take a stab at grading the coins and then post here on our CCF in the Grading section. Do NOT clean any of your coins and be sure to store them away from humidity and prying eyes. The bank is safe enough but, unfortunately, not as available as you may need. You may want to concentrate on one "type" of coin for a while...Morgans, Peace, Cents, Nickels, etc. You have a big job ahead of you but, it is a wonderful, wonderful hobby as I believe your Grandmother thoroughly enjoyed! Share as much as you'd like on our forum. Our members are extremely knowledgeable as I think you've seen here. If there are any terms used that you aren't familiar with, the Glossary will help you to define them. Such as the word "shiney" is known as "Luster" and is very important in coin collecting and values. We have a vast number of members that love Morgans and they will help you with the errors and varieties. Those are called VAM's and to me it's confusing but, to many it is enjoyable and profitable. I see that you plan on keeping the collection (wise decision) but, you must known the values and market trends. Now that I've boggled your mind...please know that you don't have to do all of this in a day, week, month. It may take you years of enjoyment to even identify what you now have. Most of all - ENJOY! Again, welcome to our friendly and helpful Forum. You are VERY welcomed here! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2600 Posts |
Mary, You have heard the warnings about this hobby. Before the sirens dash you on the rocks, let me be of assistance. To relieve you this burden, I am willing to trade you my cat Cricket, a riding lawn mower and one, no two pairs of my best tennis shoes. you can e-mail me with directions to pick-up the coins. At no charge, naturally. Jim  |
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Valued Member
United States
114 Posts |
Just finished posting the rest of the coins in the Pocket Album- pages 5-10. I definitely need some help with a few things in there. Up to almost 1500 coins now! My paltry original estimate of 500-600 is just a little off. ;) http://www.monshaugenfamily.com/coins.htmPrethen- I heard there's a coin shop about 50 miles from me, so I'm going to head over there later this week and get one of the much touted Red Books and check out some good display albums. DSKing- Thank you for the excellent advice! My gameplan is to get all of this stuff photographed and somewhat organized so I can get it all into the safe deposit box by tomorrow afternoon. Then, like you suggested, I was going to start tackling the coins by type- with my trusty soon-to-be-here Red Book at my side, and all of you guys of course! Jim- My husband says throw in a small tractor and you've got a deal. ;) However, as with most wives, I override that offer and say "NO DEAL!". My kid is interested in the cat though... |
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Valued Member
United States
394 Posts |
"Just posted pics of proof sets. I'm now back to the pocket album. I really like the stuff in there! Pages 3 and 4 are now posted." maryhm.
maryhm,
Your collection is fabulous. Have you thought about the joy and happiness this collection brought to your grandmother? Can you imagine the work and money spent to acquire this great set of coins? I'll bet grand-mom had a wonderful time with the coins and she was a true collector from seeing the coins you have posted. I hope you do become a collector and enjoy the legacy of coins that grand-mom left and that you don't just sell them for "money". I wish you and your family a lot of fun looking at and learning about the coins and the history behind many of the earlier coins. What an education. Again, I wish you good luck and success with your coins.
Berry
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1083 Posts |
Just checked out your new pictures Mary. You are getting into the good stuff. A few comments. The 1943 Lincoln is gray in color because in 1943, because of WWII shortages of copper, they minted cents in steel. The Barber quarter 1904-O is worth around $200 if the grade is really Extra Fine. The 1803 Draped Bust Large Cent in Fine condition is also a $200 coin. The small silver coin you couldn't get a good picture of is a Three Cent Silver is valuable if the grade is VF or XF. I can't tell from the picture. The 1838 Capped Bust is a $200 coin in XF, but with the spots it is probably a VF, but still worth $125. It looks like your husbands Grandmother, like so many of us, started out collecting common coins from circulation and than moved one to purchasing some older and better items as her taste and knowledge improved. Ain't it fun? Colin |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2600 Posts |
Mary, oh all right, but you can't blame a guy for trying, can you? If you run over to Barnes and Noble you will find most the print info you need. If you are trying to grade them, the ANA grading standards book is there, too. Easy to read and has pics to compare with. Best of luck with a great collection and welcome to an addiction for life. You will now add terms to your vocabulary like, coin money, from circulation, bank roll searches and much more. Remember, I am still willing to step in and help. Ya know, yada yada yada.........  Oh, and welcome to the forum. Jim |
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Valued Member
United States
114 Posts |
Run over to Barnes & Noble? LOL. That would require about a 500 mile roundtrip car ride. :) But I did learn that there's a coin shop about 50 miles away, and I'm going to try to get over there tomorrow if it stops snowing.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
675 Posts |
A 500-mile round trip to Barnes and Nobles? Wow!! Anyway, the local dealer will most likely have some books such as the RedBook for basic coin values as well as the ANA grading book that has been mentioned above. Have fun with your first trip to a coinstore! |
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Valued Member
United States
394 Posts |
"But I did learn that there's a coin shop about 50 miles away, and I'm going to try to get over there tomorrow if it stops snowing." maryhm Do you have a library around your home? They carry many books about coins and probably will have an up-to-date "Guide to United States coins 2007, R.S. YEOMAN, edited by Kenneth Bressett." (" Red Book") Good Luck, Berry |
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Valued Member
United States
114 Posts |
Got the Red Book!! I found out that there was a sport collectibles place here in town, so I thought it couldn't hurt to call and see if they had it, and save myself a 100 mile roundtrip drive. They did! I decided against the grading book since I don't plan on selling anyway. The Red Book has some general grading guidelines, and I think those are good enough for my purposes. Does anyone think I'm foolish for not getting a grading book too? It's just all so darn confusing! :o |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2365 Posts |
Mary: Noone here is going to say that you are "foolish" but, once you start reading the RedBook you'll find that there are sometimes very fine lines between one grade and another and that there are also big differences in values. You've probably already noticed that since you picked up the RedBook ;-) The ANA Grading book is actually the one that I have and it is VERY helpful. So keep posting! I know that we're all enjoying your enthusiasm, questions and your collection is wonderful! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
954 Posts |
I don't think you are foolish at all. You have so much to learn, but you have the rest of your life to learn it. So enjoy the ride!!  |
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Posted 01/31/2007 09:21 am
