I stopped at a garage sale today. It was an older couple and they had a lot of collectibles, so I asked if they had any coins. They laughed and said, "No, she just sold all her coins not too long ago." So I figured I missed out but mentioned that I mostly collect foreign coins. Well, actually they still had some foreign coins (people never seem to think of foreign coins as coins). She went in the house and came out with an album and two small bowls with coins in them. The album was really nice stuff, mostly from the 1960s from different countries with several silver coins, all of the coins in really high grades. I said they were nice but would cost more than I wanted to pay, but I looked through the bowls and saw some decent coins so I ended up buying them for $7. I was pretty happy when I got home and looked through them. About 6 smaller silver coins and several other coins from countries I collect that I didn't have yet. Also several tokens and a few ancient reproductions. I wanted to share this set of Lundy reproductions. If you don't know the story, in 1929 the man who owned the small British island of Lundy minted his own coins, called the half puffin and puffin. The British were not amused and put a stop to it, but the coins still exist and they are pretty neat. I am fortunate to have one of the original half puffins. These that I got today are a special set that was made in 1965 to commemorate the original owner's purchase of the island. I guess they made 3,000 sets, in three types of metal. I didn't get the gold variety, but I got the other two. I think they're pretty neat, and a nice garage sale find.
Really? When I saw a few in the bowl I was aware that they were reproduced and didn't really think they were worth anything.
Nice. At the time I made the purchase I didn't get to look at many of the coins and I wasn't even sure if I'd break even value wise.
Nice catch, man. Never seen coins worth buying at a garage sale before, so this makes me think I should go garage sailing soon. Lots of them around this time of year.
The key was I asked about coins. They didn't have any on display. Sometimes I ask but this is the first time I've ever gotten a positive response.
I am back to CT after surgery and was wondering if anyone could elborate on the history of the puffin coins? I know I could google it but it just seems better to hear it from another CT member. Thanks in advance.
The short of it is - rich dude buys an island, island belongs to Britain. Dude makes his own coins in 1929, coins get mixed in as circulating money with official British coins. Dude loses court case. The later examples are commems of the originals and did not circulate or infringe on British laws.
I know you said you didn't want to look it up, but this article isn't too long and explains it well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coins_of_Lundy
@Hiddendragon that's a really cool set you picked up! I would never have thought you'd find these at a garage sale! Just for others to see, I hope you don't mind me posting pics of the original 1929 1/2 Puffin and 1 Puffin coins here.
Very nice. My half puffin I was lucky enough to find in my local coin shop's 25 cent bin. It's not as nice as yours but the price is right. Photo is attached. Yours are awesome. Someday I'll focus on getting the 1 puffin to finish my set.
