swamperbob

I began collecting coins when I was about 8 years old in 1954 when I won a third grade contest and the prize was a quarter dollar. The teacher had several quarters, but I was drawn to a Barber quarter dated 1894. Although it was worn I had never seen the design before. When I got home, I found that my grandfather knew all about that design and even earlier ones. His stories about an Indian cent and the 2 and 3 cent coins got my attention. When I saw his lucky half dollar (1830 Bust half he got in 1904) I was hooked.

About 1957, I got my first Mexican Cap and Ray 8 Reales from a junk box for 50 cents. I liked the design and the price. In 1960 I found a Henning 1944 no P nickel in change. When I found out it was counterfeit, I began asking questions about the subject of counterfeiting. I was introduced to a counterfeiter soon thereafter and I was fascinated by his stories about the manufacture of Mexican 8 Reales in my home town around the turn of the 20th century. He gave me an 1805 Portrait 8 Reales that he said he made in the 1920s.

That small gift began my quest for confirmation of that story and it lead to my collecting Mexican Counterfeit 8 Reales. It also interested me in becoming a coin authenticator.