The Allure Of Piles Of Well-Worn, Common Date Classic Coins

I will echo the sentiments of others. I love considering the history behind one single coin and where it may have been and all of things it was once spent for.

I recently acquired my oldest U.S. coin (1816 Coronet large cent) in very circulated condition but, without any major problems. It is nice to think of what that coin has "seen" in the 200+ years it has existed. Also, for a coin like that, how long did it take for someone to think of it as more than just a cent and stash it away?

It is eye-opening to hold history in your hand.

I have an accumulation of classic world coins, all before 1965, been buying them for years. Just remove them from holders and toss them in the treasure chest, it's loads of fun to grab a handful and think about the past in places like 19th Century America, Holland, India, looking at the portraits of monarchs like George III, wondering just what a farthing would buy back in 1784, a shilling in Dickens' London, or an Anna coin to a beggar in Kipling's India.

That actually happened to me. We were cleaning out my grandparent's house after my grandfather passed away. Well the basement had those hanging ceilings, so I decided to lift the panels and check above them. I found a bag of about 50 circulated Peace dollars inside of a plastic bag. They all went to my father, but he gave me one for my collection. I couldn't believe it when I stumbled upon those. Yes we did check every possible nook in the house after finding that.

As for circulated common classic coins, yes, I like to pick up junk silver when I find it just because I want to have a pile of classic US silver coins similar to some of the lovely pictures that are posted throughout this site.

Sure, I get it.

Here is my "cookie tin"

There is something to be said about classic circulated coins. I find the allure to be about where the the coin has been, who had it and like you, who bought what with it. I always imagined a Morgan dollar being plopped on the bar counter for a whiskey or something. Perhaps depression era coins being used to buy flour or fabrics for clothing. If only money could talk...

Very nice!