It's my "birthday", sorta ... but that's not quite what made my night.

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by lordmarcovan, Nov 26, 2024.

  1. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    Yesterday was my 48th birthday.

    No, not my actual birthday, but rather my numismatic birthday. My 48th anniversary as a collector.

    Tonight at my hotel night auditor job, I came in to find they had put up the Christmas tree in the lobby. The fireplace was lit and the place was looking rather festive, even though the tree won't be officially lit until after Thanksgiving.

    IMG_9948.jpeg


    An hour or so into my shift, I had the S_ family from Upstate South Carolina check in.

    They had two kids with them: Charlotte, age 10, and William, age 12.

    Ha! Perfect. That fell right into a plan I had prepared... ;)

    I cleared it with Mom, then walked over to the kids and introduced myself.

    "Hi, my name is Rob. And I have something for y'all, but first, there's a little story to go along with it."
    ​
    They sat up on the lobby couch, intrigued. Mom S_ stood nearby, smiling, but obviously wondering where I was going with all this.

    "So... Charlotte... you're ten, right?" ​

    She nodded.

    "Forty-eight years ago today, it was November 25th, 1976. Back then, I was ten years old, just like you. Thanksgiving fell on that day in 1976. I was visiting my grandmother's house- she had this really neat, big old house in Atlanta. The adults asked me to set the table for the upcoming dinner. So I did, and while I was rummaging in my grandmother's silverware drawer, I found a dime. It was a 1936 silver dime. Forty years old at the time. Since I was only ten, it seemed really ancient to me! Finding that old coin turned me into a coin collector, and I still collect them today. The coin I found was a type of dime they don't make anymore, called a Winged Liberty dime."
    ​
    To their credit, they followed along and appeared interested. After a tiny pause for dramatic effect, I then reached into my pocket and withdrew two Mercury dimes in printed flips.

    "Well... I have a dime just like that for each of you. A Winged Liberty dime!"​

    Their faces lit up with amazement. Mom, for her part, also looked impressed.

    I gave Charlotte the older coin, a 1928, and William got a 1938.

    I went on to explain how they got nicknamed "Mercury" dimes, and how the wings on Lady Liberty's head stood for freedom of thought. You know, all that stuff.

    Bonus: when they brought in the luggage, they had two beautiful King Charles spaniels with them. I gave each dog a doggie biscuit shaped like a gingerbread man. It was hard to capture a clear photo of those pooches since they were wiggling so much, and ballistic with excitement.

    IMG_9951.jpeg
    IMG_9952.jpeg IMG_9953.jpeg


    So I got to make everybody’s night. Which made mine. That was fun. :)

    By the way, this is a picture of the 1936 dime I found in that silverware drawer 48 years ago. I still have it somewhere.

    IMG_9940.png

    @Randy Abercrombie - because I know you're really Santa Claus going incognito, and I know you like dogs, I figured you'd enjoy this. ;)

    I certainly did. These folks are from up in your neck o' the woods.
     
    lordmarcovan, Nov 26, 2024
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  3. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    You made my day!! I love seeing youngsters light up when they catch a fish or marvel over an old coin. I have a big smile on my face right now. Kudos to you for doing that and even better for posting it for our enjoyment.
     
    Randy Abercrombie, Nov 26, 2024
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  4. ToughCOINS

    ToughCOINS Dealer Member Moderator

    Awesome, Rob . . . Just awesome.:)
     
    ToughCOINS, Nov 26, 2024
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  5. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

    Excellent story! At least they were happy. That's all that counts. Love the dogs also! Very expensive breed too... :woot:
     
    SensibleSal66, Nov 26, 2024
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  6. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins

    Wonderfully kind gesture.......I really enjoyed the story.
     
    green18, Nov 26, 2024
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  7. RonSanderson

    RonSanderson Supporter! Supporter

    Well done, Rob. Have a great Thanksgiving. It seems you have the “giving” part down pat.
     
    RonSanderson, Nov 26, 2024
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  8. masterswimmer

    masterswimmer A Caretaker, can't take it with me

    Rob, how could the kids not be captivated? You had me sitting on the edge of my seat. I've heard your story before, and you've found yet another way to expand on it and pay it forward to the next generation. Kudos brother.

    It's like deja vu all over again. You never cease to amaze me with your generosity.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and may your holiday season be joyful.
     
    masterswimmer, Nov 26, 2024
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  9. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    Was reminded of my baseball coaching days. My last season we had a really good team and went to the county playoffs (a big deal for a ten year old league).... I researched the history of baseball and came up with a date that Doubleday made baseball an American institution and if memory serves, that was 1863-ish. I found an old slick 1863 dime and gave my "inspired coach talk" before the tournament focusing on the history of baseball and the old dime and that my tournament all-star would get the dime. Those boys played their hearts out but we came up short. I still remember the boy that I awarded the dime to. His ear to ear smile is burned in my brain as one of my life's favorite moments.
     
    Randy Abercrombie, Nov 26, 2024
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  10. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    What a wonderful story and what a pleasant surprise for those two children.
     
    Collecting Nut, Nov 26, 2024
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  11. PlanoSteve

    PlanoSteve Well-Known Member

    So, you're a "newbie" then...:smuggrin::p:joyful::joyful::joyful::joyful:

    Great post Rob!...and some awesome responses as well!

    Happy Thanksgiving to all!..My favorite "Family & Friends" time (My wife had her other hip replaced just last week, but we're still doing a full-blown celebration!)
     
    PlanoSteve, Nov 26, 2024
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  12. Kasia

    Kasia Got my learning hat on

    That is such a wonderful story. Glad you made that happen for them. Never will know where it will take them, but certainly they will both have great memories of this.
     
    Kasia, Nov 26, 2024
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  13. KBBPLL

    KBBPLL Well-Known Member

    What a great story. Those kids will remember it, even if they don't get the collecting bug. I think my "birthday" also dates to Thanksgiving (1972) when my grandfather passed out his box of coins to his five grandchildren, but I'll have to check with my siblings to confirm whether it was then or a slightly earlier gathering. Grandpa died from lung cancer shortly after that.
     
    KBBPLL, Nov 26, 2024
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  14. Neal

    Neal Well-Known Member

    What a cruel and heartless thing to do, knowing you have been infected with terminal numismatia to intentionally infect innocent children like that. We who have suffered from this since early childhood know the time, money, and effort it is going to cost them for the rest of their lives. I contracted the disease when I was gifted a 1911-D cent when I was 9. It, too, seemed ancient, even though it was less than 40 years old. Ever since then I have felt compelled to collect everything historic, old, odd, or whatever, ancient, medieval, or modern. Cruel man! :)
     
    Neal, Nov 26, 2024
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  15. Inspector43

    Inspector43 More than 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    Great story @lordmarcovan. Thanks for sharing it.

    In 1948 my aunt gave me an 1883 and an 1885 nickel. 76 years now.
     
    Inspector43, Nov 26, 2024
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  16. INDE1977

    INDE1977 Well-Known Member

    That’s a great story. Thanks for sharing
     
    INDE1977, Nov 26, 2024
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  17. Millard

    Millard Coindog Supporter

    Wonderful story!
     
    Millard, Nov 26, 2024
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  18. ddddd

    ddddd Member

    Great story and a great act! I enjoyed reading it!
     
    ddddd, Nov 26, 2024
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  19. cmezner

    cmezner do ut des Supporter

    What a lovely and memorable meeting with Charlotte and William on your 48th numismatic birthday. You are really one-of-a-kind. So very thoughtful.
    Thank you so much for sharing.
     
    cmezner, Nov 27, 2024
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