George Washington Commem

I found an old metal box that had a lot of foreign coins in it along with some U.S. coins in my garage. I had forgotten about it for quite some time. There was also a proof G. Washington Commem. I decided to crack open the plastic holder and keep the coin in my pocket. I have about 6 of these coins in proof and uncirculated condition. Since we, the U.S. are about to be in a long war I think carrying our first President in my pocket would be a great reminder as to why we are at war.

And for some strange reason I can't get into the Political Forums.

 

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Wouldn't carrying a quarter accomplish the same thing, without damaging a relatively rare commemorative proof?

Click on the "User CP" link near the top of any page, then scroll down the left box to the "Group Membeships" link and click again. You will then be able to join either or both of the opt-in forums. :smile

 

So you're the one who left the open can of worms in the cointalk fridge.

Politics aside, I agree that a quarter would have done it though.

 

There isn't anything better than to have one of our Founding Fathers and first Pres. in my pocket. And like I said, I have about 3 of each proofs and uncircs. So it reallly isnt that big a deal for me. I like the feel of the new silver coin in my pocket.

Whatever the can of worms is I didint do it.

 

Why would a quarter be your choice instead of a half-dollar? I am assuming it is because GW is on the quarter as well, but I like the fact that hardly anyone has seen a GW Commem thereby making it more of a conversational piece if someone were to see it out of my pocket. What quarter would you use?

 

I think that the point is you destroyed the value of the commemorative coin by what you have done. But since the damage is done, you might as well keep it in your pocket until it is well-worn. Maybe someday you will own the only George Washington commemorative proof half dollar in VG condition.

 

I think it makes a great pocket piece and since it was worth about $8 before becoming a pocket piece and now it is worth about $5, I'd say you didn't damage it too much! Especially for as much fun as it is to have a silver half in your pocket all the time.

 

George

I like the idea of keeping it in pocket. I carried a 64 kennedy for quite a while. if nothing else it's fun to look at. As far as the Washington commem goes ,I think more people should carry them and mabey someday the ones I have will acually be worth something!

 

Well, I know that the value just plummetted by taking it out of container and I knew that would happen. I think the minor loss in value was worth it to me to be able to share it and appreciate it more. Like I said in my first post, I have many of these commems and found this particular one in an old forgotten box. Maybe that was telling me something. Hmmmmmm

 

I bought two of these coin sets in 1982 at the old San Francisco Mint which was a museum then.

 

I also have a bunch of the G. Wash. Commem.s.
I personally don't think I'll ever remove one from the plastic. But since they're worth about $5.50, I don't think is too big a deal that jwevanv ruined one of his six...... I do think a quarter would have worked though. Maybe a bicentennial quarter, or something. Idontknow

 

But a quarter is too small for one and also a quarter isn't very unique. We see quarters all the time every day.

 

Now, I would be upset if I accidentally misplaced that coin or it accidentally fell out of my pocket without me knowing. I can handle losing a $5.50 coin but not an ounce of gold!

What other coins do people in this forum use as pocket pieces?

 

I have always liked the idea of carrying around a conversational pocketpiece. Many people know absolutely nothing about coins, and an unusual coin will often generate interest.

My pocketpiece is a cleaned 1939 Walker Half.....something I'm not worried about losing too much value....lol.

 

I carry a 1964 half in PO1 and a 1980P half in FR2 in my everyday pockets, but during football season in my knickers I carry a 1879O Morgan in G/VG that I use for the pregame coin toss.

 

Almost 5 million were minted, would hardly call it rare, lol... I think the only proof commemorative half dollar that's more common was the 1986 Statue of Liberty half (about 7 million).

Still a nice looking coin though... value just never picked up because it was minted so heavily. The mint had finally got back into the commemorative business but overestimated the market a bit. Nowadays they tend to limit commemoratives to the 250,000 to 500,000 range.

I'm trying to complete a collection of modern commemorative halves myself... recently picked this one up because was dirt cheap, a nice looking coin, and marked the beginning of US modern commemoratives! The first commemorative minted since the George Washington Carver / Booker T. Washington half in 1954, considered the last classic commemorative.

 

A proof is always a proof, as long as it can be identified as one, and since all 1982-S Geroge Washington halves were proofs, this always can be pretty much. It can't wear down to VG but I suppose one day it can become a PF-20.

I have a couple PF-50's myself (estimated grade), some proof Kennedys that got into circulation somehow. Saved them before they got much wear, still well defined features although the field lost most of the mirrored surface.

 

Speaking of rare and pocket coins....

When I started collecting with my dad, a gentleman (whom we met at Mr. Harold King's coin shop, Windward Coins, in Kailua, HI) would carry in his pocket, loose, no protector, or holder, an 1895 Morgan Dollar. He thought the mint mark had been removed so, that's why he carried it. He got me started in Morgan Dollars back then. Though my Morgan collection only has 5 coins, I still have them and will always remember who and what got me into Morgan Dollars.

My pocket coin these days is my 1877 Indian Head. But I keep her in her 2x2. One of these days, I'll get a Saint-Gaudens for a pocket coin.

 

What does a George Washington commemorative $1/2 look like? Could someone please post some photos of this coin?

Aidan.