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 Replies: 18 / Views: 2,646 |
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Valued Member
United States
455 Posts |
When I was a kid and introduced to coin collecting I was young and naïve. I handled my coins carelessly, carried them around with me, showed them off, etc. True, my coins were mostly pulled from circulation and not worth very much. As I got older and my collection became more valuable, my collecting skills improved. You know, white gloves, 2x2s, air-tights, the whole bit.
You know what? I miss the closeness I used to have with my coins. The touch, the feel, the smell. I'm thinking of cracking out a few pieces, nothing MS, but some of my circulated gold and silver pieces. I'm going to carry them around with me for a while, enjoy holding them, show them off a bit.
What do you guys think?
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Valued Member
United States
65 Posts |
I completely agree. As I collect mostly bullion grade U.S. Coins ("junk silver") I don't really have that problem, but the few coin sets I collect "in grade" are handled oh-so-carefully!
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Valued Member
United States
173 Posts |
I think you will find that a LOT of people, whether it be a collector or not carry a "Pocket Piece." A lucky coin, a memento, etc. I, personally have carried a Pocket Piece since the day I entered the Service (40+ years ago). I change it out every year or so. Some of my very old friends will ask to see what I've got now, knowing they will see something different, and that each coin will have a story behind it.
I say crackout a few and in your pocket they go. I promise YOU and others will enjoy seeing them.
Good Luck.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
655 Posts |
Same here. Touch is a sense we deny ourselves in coin collecting, but I wanna do it so much. Especially to big coins like a 1oz silver kangaroo. Or even a 2oz kooka...
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
want some real fun ,, put about 15 or so silver coins in your pocket and every chance you get reach in and jingle them around ,, nothing like the sound of silver to calm the savage beast !
I also carry a pocket piece,, If I get a chance in the next couple of days I will share a picture of it .
Metalman
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2254 Posts |
You are sure to enjoy it. I've only been collecting a little under a year now, and I keep a Morgan in my pocket that is probably in fine condition at best. Believe it or not, I have used it to identify coins in others peoples collection a dozen times now. Folks that have no clue and are in the same boat as I was with coins handed down over time and inheritances...Now when they come and ask me, I just say, "Do any of them look like this?". From there I explain how to properly handle them since I am just using bare hands, and also try to help them figure out what they have....
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2703 Posts |
I always carry around an ancient or two. Not the quality pieces, of course.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
I have the very first Morgan I ever bought in my pocket, its a 1883-S in I would estimate in the upper XF condition. It has dark dark tone and very ugly but you would be surprised how many conversations it has started up with people because I have a bad habit of taking it out and thumping it while holding it with my other hands forefinger and thumb and watch it spin while I'm idly standing around somewhere (just like hearing the "Ring" of the silver I guess)
Edited by Bryan1315
09/04/2007 07:09 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
I have an 1877 Seated Half that resides in my pocket and an 1898 Barber quarter that I use for a ball marker on the greens. Both are in G/VG condition and great conversation pieces. I am continually tracking down that quarter when my golf partners concede the putt and pick it up for me.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
597 Posts |
I have a 1794 Liberty Cap restrike cent that is my pocket piece. But yes I love to handle my real 1794 Cent occasionally. It is an airtite, but fun to hold and look at the lettered edges etc. about once a year.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2600 Posts |
TS, I am like you, tired of being afraid to touch my coins. There are some that just should never be touched and I leave them alone. I am much quicker to handle my circulated coins, today. Right now, my pocket coins are Washington quarters. I enjoy showing them and spending them for the reaction. I really like Metalman's idea of a few silver coins for that unique ring. Jim |
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Valued Member
United States
144 Posts |
If I buy a proof that I think is especially pretty, like American Eagles, I always buy an uncirculated along with the proof, so I can get my grubby fingers on it. Also good for showing to kids or other visitors (here's the pretty one, don't touch it. But then flip them the one they can touch.)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
533 Posts |
I always carry usually a Morgan or Peace dollar. Nothing of great value or course but something to touch, feel and show. It gives some folks a bit of an education when they find out that not all old coins are "priceless" and the hobby can be enjoyed on the cheap by people like me. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
882 Posts |
Im moving to Singapore today and I plan to take some AG SLQ's with me, because I wont see my coins for 4 months. It's gonna be tough!
Ty
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I myself do not like to carry any coins if possible. As soon as I get home I always put all change in a drawer. There is a lot of good and bad things about carrying a coin though. Eventually many of them wear a hole in the pocket and the coins fall out. That is one of the bad things. The good thing is I usually find them.
As to handling them. For me once they go into an album, that is where they usually stay until moved to another album.
For real, I just don't like to carry anything that is heavier than paper currency.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
595 Posts |
 I refuse to buy slabbed coins for that very reason. They're MY coins, and if I want to touch them with my bare hands, I will. Actually, I don't want to touch them with my bare hands very often, but if I DID want to -- well, then I could. I could probably give several CCF members a heart attack by showing them how I get coins in those blue Whitman folders when they're being stubborn......  Jan |
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Replies: 18 / Views: 2,646 |
Posted 09/04/2007 02:10 am
