What's the dumbest coin decision you ever made?

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That IS a good one, but I call them 21st Anniversary sets, because the mint called the special 1995 gold and silver set (correctly) the 10th Anniversary set. Somewhere between 1995 and 2006 the mint obviously created a heretofore unknown number, and inserted it into the teens.

 

I have two very shiny key date "Gem BU" dollars in my safe, a Seated and a Trade. Each would have been really gorgeous XF/AU had they not been dipped. Note to self, no more buying "Gem BU" from online sources that promise totally original.

 

My biggest bonehead mistake was trading my PCGS PR67 Buffalo set for a PR64BN 1909 VDB Lincoln. I still have nightmares about that decision.

 

How many coins did you end up submitting?

 

Why yes they do.
The list is far to long and makes me sick just thinkin about it
(rolls of ASE's for $150-$160 come to mind)

 

Cheaper than that. Heck, I paid I think about $130 for my roll of 1986's. But, here is the big thing, there is such a thing as opportunity cost. I didn't buy more ASE's, but I was buying junk silver for 3x face. However, even that is not such a good deal as if I had invested in the money instead in the stock market at the time.

There are always mistakes, there are always good deals you wish you had taken. The important thing is to enjoy yourself, and not stress what could have been. Its a hobby, if you aren't enjoying yourself sell it all off and find yourself a hobby you enjoy.

 

A MATTE PROOF VDB??? How many Buffs were in that set?

 

Yes a MPL VDB. I had tunnel vision and had to complete the MPL set. Of course the trade just happened to be at the peak of the MPL price run up.

There are 8 nickels in the proof Buffalo set. Here is a link to the retired set.
http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/alltimeset.aspx?s=42053&ac=1

 

Biggest regret was getting involved with coins 45 years ago. I'm addicted and cannot help myself. It only took one, an 1890-O Morgan when I was 11.

 

Oh...my...gawd. That thump noise you heard coming from central PA was my chin hitting the desk when I saw that Buff set. What magnificence! Silver, schmilver. Well done, sir.

 

Lol, as us all sir. I was just six when I got "attacked" by a pretty WL half in my mother's little plastic bank under her bed.

 

argggh!

 

Listening to someone when they said to use a toothpick on a coin to get rid of gunk. It left scratches. It was a problem coin anyway.

 

Do dollar bills count?
a 50 dollar bill from 1930 something in horrible condition for 75$

 

Oh, that hurts to hear. I'd have a face that looks like this. Though the 1909 VDB matte proof is a big coin on my want list.

 

I do hear tell that not one, but two matte proof Lincoln specialists are looking to lighten up on their hoards. Hang in there. They might even be foolish enough to pull the trigger at the same time and you'll have an embarrassment of riches from which to choose.

One of these two guys owned the 1909VDB proof that went in the 2011 Platinum Night sale at ANA Chicago that year. Serious matte Lincoln guy. He has several others - I've seen several. Working on publishing a book, he is.

 

My biggest jar head move was just after I got out of the Air Force back at the end of 2000. Right at the beginning of 2001, I just got my tax money back and I bought an MS-64 1924 I believe it was St. Gaudens double eagle for $450.00 on eBay. I then sold it less than a month later. At the same time, I was buying several rolls of Mercury dimes for $15.00 each. Again, I sold those pretty quick. I wish I could reach back in time slap my self and tell me to keep those things..

 

For me it was buying that single 1855 Naples & Sicily 120 Grana coin (crown size silver coin of 27.53 grams) 3 years ago on ebay. I bought it because I was working on my family history and one of my ancestors was born in Sicily in 1855 and that was his birth year coin.

It started me on a one way ticket to coin addiction. I now have spent thousands of dollars and I'm half way through buying all the 120 Grana coins they minted from 1735 to 1859. I also have many of the smaller denomination silver and copper coins they minted in that era. And most of the Italian coins they minted 1861-1900.
And I just bought 2 more last night. Everyday I check American ebay and the Italian ebay for more of these coins.

 

What you are describing seems to me to be a fascinating collection, something that if presented well could be very educational. Is this collection really the fruit of a dumb decision? Do you think you might at least come close to breaking even with what you originally paid for these coins? Seems like a collection worthy of the auction block.