Here. In the holiday spirit, I just gave you 100 imaginary US dollars, with the sole proviso that you buy US or World or Ancient coins or exonumia with it. What are you going to buy? Alternately, those who have made actual <$100 purchases recently with real money may leave the hypothetical nature of this challenge behind and gain bragging rights by posting what they got. I have one on my radar I might pull the trigger on before too long. It's under $100. I'll post it if I buy it. Let's see your shopping, either real or imagined!
Hmm. Not much gold for under $100. Can you pick up a graded 1921 Peace for that? If so, that would be my choice.
I would buy the best 1918 Lincoln Commemorative that I could find for a $100 dollars. Love the design on that coin and with it representing my states centennial makes it even better.
Actually, there is a surprising amount of gold, even proof gold, though of course the coins are tiny. As to your "graded 1921 Peace" scenario, I was gonna say "good luck with that", but it turns out it is indeed possible. Most I saw <$100 were in problem slabs, but there were some straight graded midrange pieces. Highest straight grade I saw was an ANACS VF20.
At risk of tipping my hand, here's the one I'm considering. German States (Pomerania-Stettin): silver doppelschilling of Bogislaw XIV, undated, ca. 1620-1625. Monster-toned and possibly Mint State. Plus, I like griffins. I also like this 1575 Elizabeth I sixpence for the price. Though well circulated, it has nice original grey toning and a decent portrait compared with many. Plus it's a dated coin. I have wanted a dated QE1 sixpence for a while, but it's not easy finding an appealing one that isn't also expensive. This one seems to be a "happy medium". I might keep looking for a higher grade example, but I've watchlisted this one because it is tempting at the <$100 price.
This was my last purchase under $100. Bought it in March for $99. It's a small date, which is fairly hard to find. Edit: Seller's photos
Nice shiny bling for the money! Aside from the faint (and I think acceptable) rim chatter, that piece has a nice, wholesome look. I like that early No Motto stuff in midgrade with an original look like that. Congrats.
Yay! Your pix of it looķ better than the ones I had from the last seller. More where that one came from, y'know, though no more choo-choos.
Hasn't arrived yet, so I can't post actual photo. Will post when arrives. But it did cost <100. Actually £85.00 direct from the Royal Mint. Oops, that's >100 USA. About $114. Close enough. 2017 Silver Proof Britannia Mintage 7,500
Ha! Snappy comeback of the day! The group of 3 do look a bit scrubby, once I click on the bigger picture. (I'm on my phone, so a small screen.) But the prior group of 6 looks nice and lustrous to me.
Well I do use state of the art equipment. For this I used my LG phone, plastic stand, swinging arm wall lamp and photoscape.