I was just reading a post here about a pocket piece being purchased from a grandson of a deceased person. Then another poster mentioned a war medal. Made me start thinking and remembering. Back when the hunt Bros were playing their game with silver. Most know of it. Silver was skyrocketing and anyone with silver was selling. I was helping out at the local coin shop and a lady walked in. In a bag she had a box about 6x6x12 was made of cedar and had sterling silver scroll work almost like a cage around it. Beautiful piece of work. She handed it to me and said how much will you give me for this. It was fairly heavy maybe 3-4 pounds I cant really say for sure. I told her that we would purchase the cage so to speak but had no interest in the cedar part of the box. I wanted to know what was inside but it did have a small padlock on it that was locked. She said well I want to sell whatever on it I can so she asked for a trash can to empty the contents into. I thought to myself dang, I was hoping there were coins or bills in it. She opened the lock, opened the small cedar box and dumped into the trash can the remains (ashes) of her long ago deceased husband, she proceeded to break the box away from its sterling silver cage. By this time she had a small crowd around her watching. I was aghast at the ashes. She handed me the cage, I weighed it and promptly paid her. Wasnt much if I recall. Anyway, she took the money, stood up, turned around and started to walk away. She stopped, came back, looked in the trash can and said, I finally got some money out of you, you cheap SOB and left. We quickly took out the trash! Needless to say that transaction was probably the most callous that I can think of that has happened on my end. What is the ashes of an Ex really worth... Sure led to alot of discussions at the ole coin shop. Hey Jim, buy any dead guys today.. Stuff like that. Anyone else have any stories about sentimental value. or LACK OF... Just thought I would share.
No stories - Even if I did I doubt they could compare with yours! WOW - how sad is that - to end up in a trash can of a coin shop. I am just dumb-founded - as I am sure you were shocked on that day! What possess people to be so thoughtless - not one of her proudest moments regardless of the circumstances.
Clearly the woman had unresolved issues. She could have easily disposed of the ashes and destroyed the box at home, but instead she decided to make it a big public spectacle. Maybe she was trying to pull your leg, and those were actually the ashes of her pet poodle!
Seriously! Even if you hated somebody intensely...would you dump their ashes in a garbage can like that? COLD.
I have one 2¢ piece that is dated 1867 that I have owned since I was about 10 years old. My then 86 year old grandfather had given it to me, because he knew I was interested in coins. The story he told me was that he had gotten it from his brother in 1897, when he had lost a finger in a corn shucking machine. He had returned from town with his hand all bandaged up, and his brother gave him the 2¢ piece to take back into town and spend on candy. Instead he kept it, for almost 80 years. I cannot imagine selling that coin for a million dollars. The touching story of his brother giving it to him to spend, and his saving it because he was moved by the gift, and keeping it for nearly 80 years. I save old things from my family, they are a connection to people long gone, some I never knew, but know through the items I have, like a WWI trenchcoat in my closet that a great uncle wore in France in 1918. It is big and heavy, and kind of a pain to have, but I cannot imagine not having the distinct privilege of owning it and preserving it.
I have some coins that are special just because they at one time belonged to my dad (still alive) and some that belonged to my dad's dad (deceased). My most cherished possessions though, are some other items that my great grandfather brought with him when he came here from Germany in 1881. I'm gonna get those posted in the general discussion area one of these days. As to the original post...WOW! That is unbeleivable.
Maybe the guy was a real SOB but yes I think she took it a bit too far. As for the dog thing. My wife and I had our dog put to sleep a bit over a month ago. We have her ashes and I would NEVER do that to my dog. A great little dog that gave us nothing but love. Now, as many of you know I'm working in a shop these days and we see a lot of silver and gold. Hope I NEVER top your story Jim M. What I do see too much of, and it really bothers me, is people in their 70s and 80s selling because they need to pay bills. They are going to sell regardless so we buy but it really makes me think. Jewelry is real tough at times. People bringing in their mothers wedding ring etc. We buy for the gold but if it's really nice we suggest jewelry stores (even though we sell jewelry) so maybe they'll get a better price. Too many people selling out of "necessity" these days. clembo
Clembo sorry to hear about your dog they do become one of the family , my dog has been a little sick lately , and me & my wife are both worried sick .
