North Carolina - Western Part, In The Mountains

I live in the mountains of western North Carolina, USA.

My people (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.) lived in the western US since the 1850s, along the Rocky Mountains, so they say to me, "North Carolina 'mountains'? You mean those little hills out yonder?" I just smile. ;-)

My grandpa introduced me to coin collecting when I was 7. He was one of the major influences in my life--a superb role male role model for me and all of his grandkids. I still have all the wheaties, Buffalo nickels, Mercury dimes, and other coins he gave me over the years, along with the Whitman folders we put them in.

He never had tons of money (he worked as a mechanic, heavy equipment operator, and silver miner), so all the coins came from him checking his change over the years. We would occasionally get a roll of pennies from the bank, but it was mostly about being eagle-eyed when the cashier gave you change. :O)

I moved recently and as I was unpacking boxes I came across those Whitman folders, which I hadn't opened in 20+ years. Four weeks later and here I am on this forum; my dining room table is covered with recent ebay bargains; I've bought four coin books, inventory software, two magnifiers, and have read a few dozen articles on the Internet across many websites.

And I haven't had this much fun with a hobby in a long time.

Thank you Grandpa.

~ Mark

P.S. I am focusing on wheaties to start with for all the usual reasons, and because they were grandpa's favorite. He was born in 1909.