Have You Ever Had An Unplanned Coin Purchase?

I never go to a coin show or shop with any specific purchase planned. I have a general idea of what I'm looking for. If I can't find quality for a reasonable price I don't buy.

Most of my coins are unplanned, kind of like my two kids.

My latest purchase was me going on line looking for a 1814 US Large Cent and buying it, so that is planning.

I have purchased many a coin just cause, seems to be working.

My unexpected buy was just yesterday.


I made an appointment 2.5 hours away to meet the owner of Portsmouth Coin Shop in Portsmouth, OH: Daniel Malone. He has a great youtube channel and has a large amount of numismatic educational videos on just about anything coin related.

He and I spent quite a bit of time together with me becoming more educated. He did not have his sales stock out since he is not open for business on Wed., But I told him afterwards that I wanted to patronize his business b/c I appreciated his time and educational videos.

So he went into the back and brought out a large stack trays with 2X2s. A lot of nice coins there, but it was a pretty 1921-P WLH that told me she wanted to live in my WLH album. While little circulated, she has full rims, so I am happy for now.

BTW - talk about honesty in business. Daniel Malone has many youtube videos where he posts his buys, often telling what he paid for the coins, and then you can then find those exact coins on his website for sale. I just wish his shop was closer to my place!

I bought Ptolemy X11 silver tetradrachm (55-51 BC), in good VF, for $7. That was 40 years ago.
Found it in a dealer's junk box but it was very heavily encrusted and unidentifiable. Rubbed a lot of dirt off it with a dry rag, but still unidentifiable.

Asked dealer what it could be. He said it could perhaps be an ancient silver coin. He suggested that if I wanted to risk it, he would drop it in acid.
"OK" was my reply, with the possibility of a total loss.

Into the acid it went, he watched it like a hawk, and pulled it out at just the right time, and immediately thoroughly rinsed it.

Currently, this coin valued at perhaps $200.

Very nice!

Thanks! Oh, that is light reflecting near the eagle's beak - its not a flattened or damaged area.

Now I have to work on the expensive hole! Actually I am missing a number of the early ones (of course) and still need to pick up a 1938-D. I think about 9 holes in all need filled. Not bad for a collection pulled from circulation "back in the day."