What's the dumbest coin decision you ever made?

I've made a few, but there are two that come to mind. Both happened within 6 months of each other, before I knew much of anything about coins.
#1. When my wife and I were first married in 2001, I took some coins my grandfather had given me, mostly Morgan dollars, and had to sell them for some quick cash at a coin shop in our new town (I knew nothing about the place, and the only thing I knew about the Morgans was that they were common date [because I had checked a Redbook at a bookstore]). The dealer gave me about $3 each for the 25 or so I had. Freaking tragic...

#2. 6 months later we were once again dying for cash to pay bills. I had about 20 Ike dollars and 20-30 Kennedy halves. I never even checked them for silver content. Just went to the bank and turned them in so I could pay some on a bill. At least I made some roll searchers dream come true, haha.

 

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I never made a mistake that I didn't learn from.

Chris

 

I had two Dansco 7070 albums (mine and an inherited one). I consolidated the coins into one of the albums, put the duplicate coins in other holders (2x2's), then threw the extra empty 7070 in the garbage can.

 

Considering those can sell for $80-$100 now, then yeah, I get that.

 

When my brother and I were little we used to raid these big instant coffee jars in my parents closet for ice cream truck money. Little did I know then but those jars were all full of junk silver my father stashed away.

 

Ohhhhho no! Good one.

 

thats my big mistake i have 600 bucks in those

 

That I spent all my money on basketball cards in the early 1990's instead of coins. EVERYTHING I bought then is completely worthless now (I think I sold it all for maybe $35 on Craigslist about 10 years ago?) If I'd put it in coins, who knows what I'd have.

This also reminds me of the dumbest trade I ever made (not to hijack or derail your original post): a Jerry Rice RC that I bought for a nickel for a box of basketball cards. Didn't get anything good in the box, and I no longer have the RC of the greatest WR ever. That I got for a nickel.

Ugh. I hate even dealing with sports cards now.

 

My biggest mistake in life, including, coin collecting, was not concluding this 30 years ago.

 

What are they worth now?

 

Joining Coin Talk. Its like holding an AA meeting at a bar.

Rob

 

I'm not convinced that I'm not still making them.

 

never had any offer of more that 2 dollars over spot

no dealers want them either they all call them scrap

 

I had a complete set (Dansco album) of gem BU Lincoln Cents from 1934-1987 with the proof only issues too and sold it for $150 in 87 because I was broke. I thought at the time that wasn't a bad deal, but I still regret it and even quit collecting for years because of it.

 

Not selling a ton of silver yesterday, apparently.

I'm a little nervous that I'd jinx myself by posting a story here. I'd hate to have to come back a week or so from now with an even dumber one!

 

Selling my 1909 S V.D.B sold for $780.00 but bills had to be paid.

 

Not buying every (fill in your favorite rare coin here that has experienced dramatic appreciation over the past 20 years) I could find 20 years ago for a small fraction of what they go for today.

Shoulda-woulda-coulda exercises suck.

 

Yeah. The longer you are in this hobby, the more regretted miss purchases stories you will have. In ancients, its not even about the money. The quality and quantity of material available to buy has been going down for more than a decade. Many coins I wish I could buy are not even for sale anywhere at any price today. Buy what you can afford when you have the chance.