Always from an early age was I fascinated by money, coins in particular. I loved just holding them, and counting them. When I discovered that I could buy things with these coins, they were out of my hands and into the cash register pretty quickly. This kind of made me lose touch with coins for a long time. I spent them so quickly, I didn't even look at them.
It wasn't until 3rd grade that coins made their way back into my interests, that was in... 2004 or 2005, I can't remember exactly. What I do remember is that were reading a book, I believe it was about baseball, the kid's father, who was a PHD, collected "State" Quarters, apparently because they were going to be worth more in the future. This struck my fancy (remember, I was still spending money as quickly as I was earning it), how could a quarter be worth more than a quarter? I went home and asked my mom if she had heard about these "State" Quarters, she said she had, and brought me a large "map type" folder. She then continued to explain how they were different, she then proceeded to pull out one and show me. She showed me the position of the date, I didn't even know there was a date on a coin before that! I then began looking through all the change I recieved, and soon caught onto the difference on the front. Sometimes I would amaze my friends by picking out the State Quarter as compared to a regular on. Eventually, State Quarters died down for me, I had all the ones I needed, and didn't want to wait another year. I moved on to other things...
A few years after, during the winter of 2007, my family took a trip to Philadelphia to visit family. Of course while we were there, we did some sight seeing. One of our stops, was the US Mint. Unfortunately it was not minting that day (it was New Year's Eve) but I was still amazed at the machinery. That was what jumpstarted my interest in numismatics. I, of course, lost interest 1 more time before I really started collecting...
It was my birthday (early February), and I was opening presents from my parents and grandparents. I opened my parent's first, nothing I can remember. I then went to my grandparents, taped to the top, was a small State Quarter folder (the size of a Whitman one). I opened the small container and was suprised to see a case marked "UNITED STATES MINT SILVER PROOF SET, 1996" (1996 was my birth year). This one here-
(TOP RIGHTHAND CORNER)
I was then determined to start collecting coins!
The coin I consider the actual "first" to my collection was a 1940 Merc I found looking through pocket change my parents had collected. I was so surprised. It looked horrible though, the only thing I could tell was the bands on the back, I think it was PVC damage. I cleaned it off with a jewelry cleaner, turned out great! That moment was when my coin collecting career launched. I asked my grandma where she got the Proof Set, she told me where the coin store was. I went there with my mom, and bought the Redbook. After that, I did my research, and with mowing money, I bought my first Franklins, 1948-P&D, and 1955 with a HE Harris folder. I wasn't planning on buying the 1955, but did because the dealer told me it was the Key Date. I spent $12 on the P&D, and $25 on the 1955. You can see them in this picture-
I was introduced to Coin Roll Hunting by the internet, one day I searched "Coins" and up popped an article labeled "Coin Roll Hunting- How to get Old Coins at Face Value". I clicked on it, and read it. After, I was eager to go to the bank, my mom assured me that she had a deposit to make and would go the next day. We did, and I bought $30 worth of half-dollars. The next morning, we wen. The teller was a young girl, she came from the vault and said, "I found these 3 different types." One was a Bicentennial reverse, one was a Kennedy obverse, and one was a Franklin reverse! I immediately picked up all 3, paid, and then left. I was extremely excited with the Franklin, and immediately put it into my folder.
To this day, I've collected coins. Most of my coins have been found in circulation, and the most I've ever paid for a coin was the $25 for the 1955. I like the hobby because of the beauty in the designs, and the thrill of finding a needed coin in circulation.
Thank your for reading, and happy collecting!!!
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