:hammeruring Tropical Storm "Fay's" lingering over Lee county, Florida I began remembering the "good old days" of the 1960s when I was a member of three coin clubs in Ohio. I, also, remembered some of the other members who collected Crowns. A Crown, to those collectors, was the largest silver business strike coin produced by any country. Their collections contained Barber and Morgan Dollars, English Crowns, Panama Balboas, Thalers, Australian Crowns, etc. Since this is a "trivia" post I'm not going to write about every Crown in the world nor the denominations, but so you understand what I'm talking about, here's a few worth mentioning: (Also, if a country struck proofs, as-well-as circulation coins, the collector could opt to purchase the proof). That brings us to the "nut" of this trivia. Also, in those Crown collections, were the 1904 and 1905 50 Centesimos of Panama, the 1905 through 1915 Barber Half Dollars, 1916 through 1920 Walking Liberty Half Dollars, plus Walking Liberty Halves dated 1929, 1933, and those dated 1936 through 1947. These were followed by Franklin Halves dated 1948 through (at that time) 1960. Those who collected Australian Crowns had a special place in their collection for the 1937 and 1938 George VI Crowns. But all other Crowns in their Aussie Collection were Florins dated 1910 through 1934 and 1939 through 1960. Their Canadian Collections had three denominations of silver Crowns: Dollars: 1935 through 1939, 1945 through 1960 Half Dollars: 1910 through 1921 plus 1929, '31. '32, '34 and a group dated 1940 through '44 Quarters: 1901 through 1909 plus '27, '28, '30, and '33. I hope you enjoyed this "trivia." Clinker
You know Clinker, I think it can safely be said that we all read and enjoy the information that you post in these forums...I, for one, look forward to your posts. When I look back at the "good old days" I think of a time when you could pull Franklins and Walkers right out of the change. Back then I used to wish that my father and grandfather had done the same...man, what a collection could be had if only they had done that. Kids today don't have the advantage that we had back then. Ah, "the good old days".
Ahhh... the good old days. I was six when I started. Dad was out of town on business and knew nothing about coins. Neither did I and no one to teach me. What I DO remember is dad coming home with coins now and then. He'd talk to friends, stop in a shop and come home with something. Still have those coins and know EXACTLY where a few are (that's good for me). Still got that 1866 Two Cent Piece that eventually turned into an addiction. Also have the 1851 Large Cent that I HORRIBLY cleaned as a child and it looks bad 40 years later! What can I say a little kid with a coin collecting set from the Sears Wish book. It came with a "polishing compound" and I used it! clembo
To be fair, Clembo, most people did clean coins back then. We know better now, but it was widely accepted then. Informative post, Clinker. I had heard of people collecting crowns, but never quite knew what it meant. I assumed it wasn't refering to literal crowns such as royalty wore, although that would be a cool collection! Guy~
green18 and clembo: Thanks for joining me with your recollections... My first memorable finds in 1960 that quickened my heartbeat were an an XF (interchangeable with AU before 70 point system) '31-S Cent, a VF '55-S Cent, a F Buffalo Nickel with a mint mark (17-D) on a plane, an 1892-S Barber Dime, two XF 1918 Standing Liberty Quarters and a '24, '25 and '26 Standing Liberty Quarters all in the first week of June 1960. Clinker
I started collecting in 2002, so I am still on my honeymoon. I started by buying bullion as an investment, and got lured into collectible coins. A few years ago I started to appreciate mexican coinage for their countries designs. I would probably pursue world coins more but the information is not as readily available as it is for US coinage. I like the old stories from coin collectors, and yes, I cleaned coins (cents) my uncle gave me when I was a kid.
coleguy To some "Crown" collectors. a "Crown" is a silver coin produced for or by any country being at least 35mm in size and being at least .60 Actual Silver Weight (ASW). And, you realize, that under the definition of "largest business strike silver coin" that in 1970 the 5 oz (3.4 oz ASW) 20 Balboa of Panama became that country's "Crown." Clinker
To kidromeo It's always a pleasure to read positive comments like yours here.They keep me keeping on! Clinker
40 years of retoning I pulled it out for you all. The 1851 Large Cent that I cleaned as a child. Color is still off. I also have it in the original 2x2 I put it in. Reminds me of two things. My dad and why NOT to clean coins. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x275/clembo1872/scan0003-11.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x275/clembo1872/scan0004-9.jpg clembo
Hey.....I have a few crowns in my mouth!? :goofer: Nice thread. And Clembo, it's not the cleaning, it's the memories that make that cent noteworthy, right?
To Catbert And the history and the hole it would make in the set if not there...Thanks for Commenting... Clinker
Clinker, thank you for your post as always very informative. The post got me thinking about the 60's. In 1963 I had to go to a tutor after school to help me with my English. At that time I was struggling big time in school due to my lack of language skills. My tutor was an older lady and I was nine years old at that time and I would go to her apartment after school, that's about all I remember. Except for this one day, after the lessons where finished she handed me this coin and said I could have it. That coin was the biggest coin I had ever seen. It was a 1883 Morgan dollar and that's when my interest in coins started. I still have this coin and it's traveled with me to South America and back a few times. Like Clembo I polished my Morgan to make it look nice and shinny. Clinker stay safe there's a few more storms out there and don't let the mosquito's get you. :smile Lou
