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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;jaceravone, post: 356935, member: 9474&quot;]This would be sort of tough for me - and let me explain before everyone jumps on me and rips me apart - from previous threads I know we have some incredibly honest members here.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>There is no doubt that this gentleman did the right thing - and knowing myself, I probably would have done the same. This is why I ultimately collect coins - so that I have something to pass on to my kids when I&#039;m gone.&nbsp; This is obviously what this gentleman wanted to do for his kids.&nbsp; Finders laws excluded - this would be the righteous thing to do. What&#039;s interesting though, is that the article never mentions what the coins were - therefore, two scenarios play out in my mind.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>First, hypothetically lets say this box was filled with silver rounds - nothing specific - just silver rounds - without a second thought these would be returned.&nbsp; I don&#039;t collect these, these would have no personal value to me, but understandably would have great significance to the family and most definitely returned.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Second scenario - Now lets say this box is filled with silver dollars, half dollars and various other coins from the 1800&#039;s.&nbsp; Not slabbed - just raw coins.&nbsp; As a coin collector, I would inherently know the value of these pieces and would want to preserve them.&nbsp; It would be very difficult to hand these coins over when odds are that the kids probably don&#039;t collect coins and would probably just go down to the local coin store and cash them in for pennies on the dollar.&nbsp; Worse case scenarios are that they are just thrown in the basement or attic somewhere or given to their children to &quot;play&quot; with.&nbsp; There would be no attempt for preservation and the values of these potential historical coins would be destroyed.&nbsp; Ultimately still, I would probably return them - minus one or two of the more valuable coins. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie11" alt=":rolleyes:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /> :kewl:</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Here is an example that illustrates the potential train wreck that could ensue once these &quot;valuable&quot; coins are turned over to the family.&nbsp; Several years ago, my sister in-law knowing that I collect coins and currency showed me a box filled... and I mean filled... with $1, $2, etc up to $20 bills from the late 1800&#039;s.&nbsp; There were several black eagles and other rare bills that I had never seen before.&nbsp; I almost crapped myself.&nbsp; No joke. She said that her dad collected these and when he died she just gathered them up and threw them in a shoe box not knowing the value of these.&nbsp; They were not protected by plastic covers or anything.&nbsp;&nbsp; She told me that she kept them for years up in her closet.&nbsp; I immediately asked her if I could preserve these for her.&nbsp; I went out and bought her plastic holders and carefully saved each one.&nbsp; Now - these weren&#039;t UNC bills, but regardless they were in decent shape and unprotected.&nbsp; She wanted to give me one for my troubles and I told her to keep them to give to her kids one day.&nbsp; Just the joy of looking at such items was payment itself.&nbsp; I did tell her that if she ever got rid of them, please take me along so that I could make sure she received proper compensation or that I would buy them myself. True story.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Now that would be my dilemma.&nbsp; Not that I&#039;m greedy or that I would cash these in for money - but rather I would preserve them for the historic value - and put them in my personal collection to be looked at and appreciated for years to come. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Morally right - maybe not - but each one of you can&#039;t tell me that these very thoughts wouldn&#039;t go through your head if you saw a 1870CC or 1878S Seated Liberty Half Dollar or a 1871CC Silver Dollar or any of the Trade Dollars for that matter staring at you in the face.&nbsp; Some of you may want to trade any of the above in for instant cash, but as a collector I would be more concerned with preservation and historical appreciation.&nbsp; No more - no less.&nbsp; Hope I have made sense from all this rambling.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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