ikaros

I agree on the sense of history that comes with a circulated coin; it is a coin that has done its job. And some coins actually wear in an attractive way - the late Victorian coppers come to mind, especially the final portrait issues from 1895-1901.

I don't mind saying that I'm in my early 50s, since I think I'm a reasonably well-preserved fiftysomething

The Indian Head turned up when I was collecting for my paper route in '73 or '74, so I was ten or eleven at the time.

It's not the oldest coin I've found, but it is the first time I've found one that was over 100 years old at the time of finding it. That 1908 Indian Head was only about 65 when I found that.

1979 Canadian nickel, and a Wheatie.

From 1916. 101 years old!

Well, I'm known to be an Ike fan - they're the only slabbed coins in my collection. It's a big, meaty coin that *feels* like money.

Good riddance 2016!

(I'm not going to feel safe until it's gone in *all* time zones!)

Oddities in change today: a 2007S Sacagawea dollar -- an impaired proof, obviously -- and a 2009D Kennedy half, probably liberated from a mint set.

And a happy Festivus for the rest of us!

Hello and welcome!

It is a fascinating hobby, and it's broad enough to pick and choose what areas you care to study, and how deeply. I research some with care; others I get just because it both caught my fancy and I had a willing wallet at the same time. I always recommend having a few coins that are just had for the sake of "ooo, shiny".

I love when something far afield turns up out of the blue like that. Nice find!

I had one many many moons ago; I don't know where it went. I should like to replace it some day.

 

The US is on the 2013 series. Since 1963 there have been over 15 series.

Okay, so you mean completely unchanged, updating the year or signatures counts as a change?

Then I got no clue.

The current design of the US $1 dates to 1963 without a change (other than dates and signatures).

Yeah, but I can imagine looking for progressively worse examples could be a bit of fun, until I reach the point where I can only just identify the date and mintmark due to wear and/or environmental damage. I got a really cruddy and worn Washington Presidential dollar today -- and I mean worn to the point where calling it VF is possibly being kind to it. And it all looks like natural wear, it hasn't been artificially abraded. So I guess I'm starting there, with a 2007P Washington dollar that has had a pretty rough nine years.

Especially some of the older or tougher issues. I don't really mind a beat up coin more than two centuries old, or in a 'from pocket change' set -- and that tempts me now to see the *worst* set of moderns I can create from pocket change, all the most beat-to-heck examples I can find that can still have their date and mint mark identified.

Yeah, the hole damage on the half doesn't detract too badly from the coin, and the rest of it's quite nice, I think. It's a gorgeous design -- I didn't know until I had it in hand that it has a lettered edge: "FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR" and I don't think it's unfair to grade it F to VF outside of the damage. 'Course, it can't actually have that grade because of the damage, but I'm happy with it.

Have I really not posted anything here since the last state coin show? For shame, me.

PCGS MS65 1972D Ike with really intense gold toning, for the registry set:

1828 Bust half, because I've always wanted one, and I don't mind the damage because the rest of the coin is better than I could've afforded otherwise:

Haven't successfully imaged the rest of them yet. I think my camera needs a good cleaning, and I need a steadier hand.

I always get mine at my local coin shop so I can't make any online recommendations. You can get a look at the sort of thing I'm talking about here -- please keep in mind that I'm only providing the link for the image, I haven't done business with this company so I can't speak to their pricing, delivery options, or the like, and I definitely recommend trying to find a local provider (online or physical store) or the shipping might be an issue.

I use the plastic folder pages with cardboard flips for my world birthyear set; the flip doesn't need to be stapled or taped since the pocket will hold it closed. I haven't seen A4 sized pocket pages... but then I'm in North America where we don't use that size, so I'm afraid I don't know where to point you. But it is a very handy way to store your coins, since it allows you easy access and easy sorting.

Oh, that Benton Harbor apple cutout is great!

*sigh* The downhill tumble has started. I have the three Toledo tokens I know about -- the old Community Traction with a round cutout, the 'T' cutout, and the larger school token with an 'S'. Photos when I get around to 'em...

And we're glad to have you!

(checks -- good grief, I've missed my 10^th anniversary, too!)

Here's to inattention!

It appears there are a couple big dogs in the business, Like Osborne coinage. At one time Cincinnati had more coining firms than any other city in America. They were and refereed to as trade checks, An old line company is C.C. Wright of Cinci. they are using the same equipment,die punches,and stock dies that they have used for over 70 years this was published in the late 60's.

The other part of the reason can be that the companies that are were supplying the trade checks, would get them form another company that made them. Like A.E. Schmidt which was a billard table manufacturer but sold trade checks. They were made by S.G. Adams Stamp and stencil Co. out of St. Louis. Some of the die's are so old that they will only strike them in aluminum now, as they will crack if struck into brass!

Scovill manufacturing Co of Waterbury Ct made tokens for about 125 years giving it up in the 50's there have been dozens of companies over the last 150 years making tokens. Some were button makers that made tokens as a side line. Grant money meters inc a turnstile maker, along with Meyer & Wenthe So you see It is hard for even the American Vecturist Association doesn't have a good idea of who made what

Oh! I've seen some of Osborne's fantasy coins at Origins; they're quite nice, actually. They're still around, though they seem to have two websites, Osborne Mint and Osborne Coinage.

Very nice! They're all such a similar style; was there essentially just one or two private mints making these things?

Easy question for me. I don't own any gold.

I should like to, though. I'd love an Indian head quarter- or half-eagle.