What Got You Started In Coins?

I was in the UK on vacation at 5 years old when I was given some (I think) United Arab Emigrates coins from a pair of soldiers returning to Canada from active duty. These coins started my interest in coins. A year after, my grandfather gave me a State Quarter folder and a bunch of old Canadian coins and I have been hooked ever since.

When I was younger, my mother worked Saturdays at a beauty salon. So, my father and I would take drives around Michigan and look for new adventures. I remember going to the Thumb of Michigan to an antique festival or something. We looked at all sorts of coins and things. I got hooked! We started looking for coin and collectible shows around the state. As I grew out of my young childhood and into my early adolescence, my father and I grew apart as friends became "more important". later in my teen years, my father and I began hanging out more and became closer. Recently, now that I am in my mid 20s, he gave me his coin collection. It was not much more than a water jug full of mostly american coins such as wheat, silver, early dates...etc. I caught the bug. It has brought us closer ever sense. We have all kinds of discussions on coins and our collection. Great times and great memories.