Author: Thoreson Numismatics

I was reading an old reference book with many articles on coins when I read a piece on coin collecting and relaxation.   Here are my thoughts on the subject.

Our brains need a break from time to time, but in this day and age, who has time for a break, right?  Coins, with their ability to mentally transport us to other times and places, can give us a break from the complications of our modern world.

Take a mental vacation when looking at one of our new national park quarters.  The coins started in 2010 and include: Yosemite, Smokey Mountains, the Everglades, and many others.  Please help promote the addition of Pinnacles National Park quarter to the list. Pinnacles and at least three other parks were missed in the original authorization because they became a national park after the original authorization.  To complete this set, these four additional parks need to be added to this series, which ends in 2021.

The Standing Liberty Quarter, made from 1916 to 1930, the type two coin, features Liberty in armor with a shield for protection and an olive branch in hand. The entire design is a symbol of strength and peace.   The model for this quarter was a 5’4”, 22-year-old nurse who served with the Red Cross. Her friends called her the quarter girl; imagine she as the Wonder Woman of her time, and how exciting it must have been to be featured on the quarter.  Standing between favoring peace and preparing to defend our liberty, the actual model used for the Standing Liberty quarter is still up for debate, but I tend to lean toward the story of the young nurse, according to early accounts.

Struck down by lighting in the 1850’s, The Charter Oak is represented on the Connecticut state quarter.  How many times do we see this tree and never think of the trials and tribulations of our original colonists and the important role this Oak played in their struggles against royal interference.  The Charter Oak tree on the state quarter mirrors the tree designs of the coinage of the future American states minted in Massachusetts in the mid 1600s. The first coins featured Willow, Oak, and Pine trees and will forever live as part of the beginning history of America.

Please stop by the coin shop sometime and take a trip back into the past or enjoy coins for more insight into the present.

Special coins are timeless and the memories associated with them will last a lifetime.
Which coins have a high value?  Here are a few that surprised their owners after coming into our shop:

At the top of the list is a 1917 over 18 D, Buffalo nickel.  The coin value was $17,000.  This was a complete shock to the customer, and he used the money to travel with his family to Europe.  Most Buffalo nickels are not worth a high dollar value.  We sell common full date Buffalo Nickels in the shop for approximately 60 cents while a worn Buffalo sells for 18 cents.  This 1917/18-D Buffalo nickel was a rare treasure to find among an accumulation of coins.

Next is a 1908-S Twenty Dollar Gold coin that we paid over $10,000.  A high grade Saint-Gaudens piece made in 1908 San Francisco is scarce.  The client traveled over an hour to our shop because of a referral.   The highest offer was $1500 before his visit to my shop.  Current retail values on common coins is in the $1400 neighborhood, but needless to say, he left pleased with our offer.

I once received a call on two coins in a dresser drawer.  The customer chose not to spend the coins until getting them checked out.  One coin was a 1931-S valued at fifty dollars.   Most pre-1959 cents are common and sell just over three cents each.  It is rare to find rarities in accumulations, but there are exceptions, particularly accumulations gathered before the 1950’s.

Lastly, a client walked into our shop with a small bag of silver bars.  One of the bars was a 10oz bar of Platinum valued at over ten thousand dollars.   The customer was ecstatic. The lesson here is that Silver can mimic platinum, palladium, and rhodium.  It is imperative to look and read the hallmark to identify rare precious metal bars.

What is your special coin (s)?  A priceless sentimental coin or a valuable treasure? Regardless, do not clean your coins!   This includes dark and dingy coins!   Unless you want finger prints on your coins, try to avoid touching the obverse or reverse and only handle on the edge.  Keep coins stored as found and then seek professional help from a Numismatist.   A Guide Book of United States coins or the Red Book is a great reference for pricing or visit us today to have your coins evaluated.