Scottishmoney

1954-D cent in change at Kroger.

The altyns were rather frowned upon after Petr I's reign - they didn't quite fit in with a decimal system.

The later 18th century 5 kopek coins are a prime example. They must have been saved instead of being scrapped - I have quite a few of them.

I know that in Britain and France surveys were done in the early 19th century on what coins were in circulation in particular areas - for instance a survey was done in Yorkshire in 1842 that demonstrated that most of the bronze coins in circulation were still dated 1797-1806. It is recounted in the book "Small Change in Scotland". Similarly a survey in southern France found that occasional Roman era coins were still circulating! It was conjectured that they were probably dug up long after the Roman era and re-circulated by illiterate peasants. About the only era in Russian history before 1917 when coins were really given a lot of scrutiny was during Petr I's reign with the recoinage and the eventual elimination of wire kopeks from circulation. It is believed that Petr had discussed coinage and minting practices with Sir Isaac Newton during his visit to Britain in the 17th century.

I think clear distinction needs to be determined as to location of circulation too, certainly coins in the far flung Oblasts circulated a lot longer than they did in the larger European Russian cities. Another factor is literacy - people to whom coins are familiar by design but texts, dates etc mean nothing to are not inclined to save something dated 1827 in say 1915. Literacy rates in Russia were pretty low before the Revolution.

Used to be nice to go to the Torex show in Toronto, but then post 9-11 with all the passport nonsense getting back into the USA with foreign passports and visas we just don't go anymore. The last time we went I got my wife front row and centre tickets to "Phantom of the Opera" at the Pantages Theatre there in payment for letting me blow dosh at the show.

It is a Masonic lodge penny from the early 20th century - the first image is of the Masonic symbol, the reverse is of a Jewish shekel design.

They have a Native American art festival there every year that I would love to go to - I love Native American pottery especially.

1957-D Roosie in the same machine I found the 45-D Merc in last week.

Isn't it cool finding Barbies in the slot?

Nepalese coin solves your mystery. Gosh I love the smell of silver in the machine, finally found three silver dimes in two different machines this week - see above.

I almost cheet my breeches tonight: Yesterday I found a 1903 IHC in $25 worth of cents from my credit union. Something has been going on lately, Barber dimes in the coinstar machine, a Merc yesterday in the coin machine. The other day I got $50 in CWR cents from another branch of the credit union that have been sitting in the dining room waiting to be searched because I was too busy with work. So a slow night and don't have to be up as early in the morn I decided to peak at the rolls: Here was the little darling in the second roll I broke open.... IHC's I have found about 17 of them since 2010, never ever thought I would see a CN, let alone an FE. This is in miserable shape - but it is my new record for the oldest coin found roll searching and my first FE cent. The credit union tellers are going to have a better than the usual treat for my finds this time. Thinking they may have to have lunch.

Started a new job this week. Do lots of travelling and see lots of places where they have those ubiquitous big green machines. Here is my big find from today, there were a couple of smaller finds earlier in the day but nothing silver or old.

Oh, the litany continues. With new job, coin searching has taken a back seat - but I have been slowly going through them. From $25 in CWR cents last night found a 1903 IHC two 1936 Lincs, and 5 other 40s 50s wheats. Not sure where all these IHC's are coming from - I have been finding them like gangbusters the past few months. Have another $50 in CWR cents, but may tack them tomorrow or something. But my new job has a new benefit - travelling around my area and checking grocery stores I get to visit the big green machine. Another post.

Went to a credit union today, they called yesterday with a huge deposit. They weren't ready when I got there so popped on over to the grocery store to check out produce. Oh, and the Coinstar. A 1945-D Merc was waiting forlorn and unloved in the reject slot. At the bank, got $800 in dimes - found four silver, including a 1939 Merc, a 1946, 1954-D, and a 1964. Did $150 in nickels and the best find was a '38-D, no silver though. Searched $75 in cents and found - another IHC - a 1903, probably in G-4 condition but nice all the while the fifth example of an IHC I have found since November. Cashing out the castoffs at my other credit union they only had a half dollar for me, teller said it wasn't silver and I probably wouldn't want it. Asked to see it anyway, sure enough a 1967 40%. Had to have it, of course.

Went to a credit union today, they called yesterday with a huge deposit. They weren't ready when I got there so popped on over to the grocery store to check out produce. Oh, and the Coinstar. A 1945-D Merc was waiting forlorn and unloved in the reject slot. At the bank, got $800 in dimes - found four silver, including a 1939 Merc, a 1946, 1954-D, and a 1964. Did $150 in nickels and the best find was a '38-D, no silver though. Searched $75 in cents and found - another IHC - a 1903, probably in G-4 condition but nice all the while the fifth example of an IHC I have found since November. Cashing out the castoffs at my other credit union they only had a half dollar for me, teller said it wasn't silver and I probably wouldn't want it. Asked to see it anyway, sure enough a 1967 40%. Had to have it, of course.

Black box collectables are never shared.

I have some in the next date range, but there is a reason I don't post them publicly.

Saw a 2014 something quarter at work last week - but couldn't tell Eve from Adam as far as what park it was.

Only a '68 Canadian 5 cents today. But still stoked about yesterday.

Searched $100 in nickels, $25 in cents and they were not too exciting. So I took them to my credit union and found these in the reject slot: Zowwweee - the usual stuff that when I find it I am thankful for something but wished for more. Oh that is right, there were a couple of other pieces in with the detritus above: Sweetest find since last summer, same machine at the same credit union I found a '32 Washer and a '45-S Roosie. These are my first and second oldest coin machine finds ever. Kind of makes me wonder what the machine accepted. Fortunately my teller is going to go sniffing around in the bags when they are full.

I have some ugly coins, PMD actually from approximately the time of the Civil War - trench art likely, but probably not appropriate for our family friendly forum. Also have some potty coins made from Seated Liberty coins. Again not appropriate. I collect the "uncollectable", the not quite politically correct, the somewhat profane, and downright dastardly stuff.

How do I know you are not related to a 2007 dated Russian 10 Kopek, should we do DNA tests for paternity?

Thought of you the other day when I got a 2007 Russian 10 kopek in change as a cent. First time I have ever gotten a Russian coin in change in the USA.

I probably do have some 1897 something or another, but I have a huge collection and only about 25% of it is imaged.