Very first coin...remember when?

I thought this would be a fun and interesting post. So, here's the question, does anyone remember, back when they began to plant the though of coin collecting, what was their very first coin admited into their "collection?" My story is simple enough. My grandfather was a huge coin nut. I remember him showing me the coins he was looking through one night when I stayed the night. The next day I helped him go through a couple bank rolls of nickels. From there I was sort of hooked. My collection goal, get one of every coin. Next weekend I proudly showed off what I had accumulated, penny, nickel, dime, quarter. He laughed then told and showed me the Kennedy Half and the Eisenhower Dollar. He also showed me the dates. After rummaging through a lot of bank rolls that day I was so proud to have every penny from 1969-1992. But of course, he had to deepen the rabbit hole and told me about mint marks. We spent all day completing as much as possible, then several weekends after. I'll admit, though not to him, that I eventually gave up the pennies, but I do remember that is how the addiction started. Any one else have more interesting or similar stories please feel free to share.

 

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My was kinda neat, IMO. On my 14th birthday I found a 1914 wheat cent on the sidewalk. I have been hooked every since.

 

I found a 1904 Liberty nickel in the ground turned black at about 8 years of age. it started from there. Traci

 

One of the first coins I can remember buying was an uncirculated 1955-S Lincoln cent. I think I paid 55 cents which was almost a week's allowance. I pushed the coin into a Whitman folder, and then taped Saran wrap over the coin to protect it. Yes, I was a very "smart" young collector.

 

very first coin. it should be around 1958.

 

"When" is easy. 1955.
"What" isn't. But it definitely was a Lincoln cent.
Long gone.

The first coin paid for (a gift from my wife) was in 1971.
It was a 1971-S Brown Ike.
Recently sold.

The first coin I bought at a store was in the early 70's.
Don't remember what it was.
Probably in my collection somewhere.

 

I received a Mercury 10c in change when doing a garage sale. Late 60s, just after the switch to clad coinage. I was fascinated. Later, I came across a Buffalo 5c. Hooked !

My first memorable purchase was an 1838 10c. Probably VG (of course I thought it was VF !). Then I convinced myself it was some exotic oddity - large date, small date, large stars, whatevah... totally unique !

I'M RICH !!! RICH, DO YOU HEAR ME ??!? BWAHAHAHAHAHA !

 

My grandmother gave me a 1954 proof set that year for Christmas.

My grandfather was a bus driver, so I got to look through his coins when we went over for Sunday dinner thereafter. Started filling up my Whitmans.

 

1964, as "coinboy" at the local bank, counting all the change from vending machines, a 1921D Mercury, been collecting them ever since!!!

 

I found a 1909 Indian cent in my mother's change box.

Thought that it was a foreign coin, until I turned it over.

The rest, as they say, is history!

 

I will never forget. In 1955, I found a 1818 large cent in my Father's desk drawer and he gave it to me. I polished it with a brillo pad, sanded and lacquered it (ugh). Yes, I still have this testimony to an 8 year old child's stupidity.

Well, from there it was a red book, Whitman folders, and the start of a lifetime pursuit that has been fun and rewarding,

I still "cringe' every time I look at my first coin.

 

nah, don't 'cringe' enjoy it and realize all the fun that you've had in the following years!

Lesson learned, heck --
I think all of us did that kinda thing back then.

In fact, in the 1920's they had books on cleaning & laquering coins.

So, forget it and enjoy.

 

In the late 50's I recall people still actively searching their change for 1955 DD's, it piqued my interest, so I took my allowance and went to the G. Fox in Hartford, Ct., they had a coin and stamp dept. Bought a Whitman book and a 1909 VDB for my start. I filled a good part of the book from Mom & Dads change, and on my next birthday, my Mom got me a 1857 Good, FE and I was in heaven! Still have both coins.

 

I used to clean up all those dark cents with a pencil eraser!!:goof:

 

Now, that I really remember!

 

First coin was from my Dad. It was a brand new, just came out 1943 Lincoln Cent and it was all Silvery looking. Eventually, a few years later, to find out about them I purchased a thing called the Red Book. Now have well over 3,000 of those steel Cents and every Red Book.

 

1889O morgan from my grandmother along with a Cottage Cheese container of wheat pennies.

 

offical coin 1922-s peace dollar

 

Both grandmothers had their "special" stash of old coins. My 1st personal keeper was a 1943 steelie because it was odd to me and had a story to explain why. Then I started filling Whitman's and looking for that elusive 1909 S VDB and 1955 DD.

Since I'm yet to find either I continue to look.

 

I have said this a few other times here, but it always give me a good memory. My grandmother gave me a 1913-D Type 2 Buffalo (I think it was actually my grandfather's). It took me years to figure out whether it was Type 1 or 2 (the guides tended to just confuse me on this mound vs. plain stuff). I still have it, it's maybe VF but it is still a precious one to me. If I ever get around to taking photos, it's one of the first ones I want to take.