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 Replies: 27 / Views: 2,940 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3755 Posts |
It was the year after the war. We had recovered from our depression, fought the biggest threat modern society has known so far, and won. Looking forward everything looked more promising than ever. And it was. So, in this atmosphere some young man (I am presuming man as there were so very few women collectors then) walked into his local coin store in San Fran and purchased an Indian Head penny Dansco album. At the time, this young man could likely fill a good portion of this album with examples he could find in his change. He likely had fought in the war, and he wanted to do something far removed from those horrors. The pieces he could not find at his local diner, he could get for prices we would fall over t pay today. Except perhaps that 1877 and 1909S. Even then those would cost him a tidy sum. But there was time enough to save, and prosperity enough have savings. 65 Years later, I walk into one of my local coin shops and there sits an aged Dansco album for IHC. Immediately the above story formed in my head. I had to have this album. A number of the coins in it were far from perfect. They wanted too much for it. I didnt care. We had the money and this was something that just reeked of American history. So I walked out of that store with that album in my hand. I have only replaced a few of the worst coins. I will replace the other really bad examples then endeavor to fill the book. I dont know who it was that purchased this album when it was crisp and new and offered so many possibilities with all its spaces to be filled. I dont know if my romanticized imaginings are accurate. I like to think they are. I dont know if he ever finished the album. If he ever got those gems of the series and they had been removed later in those 65 years. I guess that doesn't matter. What matters is I now have that album. Not so new or crisp, but still offering up those possibilities. If I ever do get those two killer dates, I can say for sure they will spend only enough time in that album to take pics. But if I do manage that, it will be one heck of an accomplishment and the culmination of a decades long destiny for a simple old Dansco album.       |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36744 Posts |
Great old album. There's a lot of interest in these old albums and the coin boards of the 1930's.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
716 Posts |
That's quite a story that you wove around that old coin album. Who knows, maybe its true, maybe its not, but it is nice to believe that it is.
I wonder about many of my older coins--where have they been, anyone famous handle them, where they present for an important moment in our history. Boy, if only coins could talk.
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
Very cool! Thanks for sharing :-)
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
Thank you so much, smokeriderdon, for sharing this album with us.
I also cannot but help to think of the person who filled each hole, one by one,
with patience, excitement, hope and disappointment as each day brought a new search.
"Romance" is very much alive in the world of coin collecting.
Do not ever think otherwise, fellow collectors.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
That's a cool album. I bet it was filled and they pieced it out. Can you tell if coins had been in the empty spots ?
Awesome story and thanks, I enjoyed being transported back for a bit.
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
Edited by 52Raymo
09/04/2012 9:36 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3540 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1510 Posts |
I had one of those--it was for nickels
Retired USAF 1983-2003
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
10743 Posts |
Love the story, smokeriderdon... and great old album also, great find..  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1374 Posts |
Very cool album, thanks for sharing. Would be very fun to browse those for varieties!! :D
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Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
A wonderful find and an equally wonderful post. |
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Valued Member
United States
255 Posts |
Excellent find, great story and fun coins. Indian heads are one of my favorites!
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
That is beyond cool. My vision is of a soldier, home from the battlefield and wanting to build a future for his new child.
Either way, the album was purchased to be filled, and if you can finally accomplish the task after 65 years, you probably won't do anything finer in your numismatic career.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Really something you should keep in a Zip Lock Plastic Bag. Will help keep it looking good for a long, long time. I sure wish I could find this post in the future. I'm sure someday, someone will start that stuff about we don't have PENNIES, we have CENTS. Haven't had those arguments here for a long time but sure would be fun if one started and then made a Link to this post. Right there in large letters on the front is says INDIAN PENNY ALBUM.  And on the inside they list all the other PENNY Albums. Sure wish we had a smiley face thing for Guess What? Or are you calling Dansco liars? That Folder is more of a collectors item itself. Nice purchase. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2362 Posts |
Thanks smokeriderdon as this is so awesome. It's all about the history for me. Thanks for sharing.
Member ANA and EAC "You got to lose to know how to win". Dream On by Aerosmith |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2541 Posts |
Awesome find, I'd love to pick up one of those!
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Replies: 27 / Views: 2,940 |
Posted 09/04/2012 8:03 pm
