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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Doubled Eye, post: 3377956, member: 92790&quot;]This thread has brought back so many memories about my first coin shop experiences. I had received an uncirculated Bicentennial 40% silver set when I was eight years old and got hooked immediately. My father took me to the coin shop in Springfield, Massachusetts owned by Max C. Kaye. Because of my dad’s schedule, we had gotten there a minute after closing time. Mr. Kaye had already put the coins into the back safe for the night, but he took an interest to us right away, and showed me what he still had left out. We walked away with a $.25 fractional currency Civil War era note for just $1.00 but were told “... that’s because it’s in terrible condition. Come back next week and I’ll show some better items.” I still treasure it. The next week we raced back and got there a minute BEFORE closing this time. We left with a ‘51-S Franklin half, AU, which I picked out from a roll. More importantly I left with ten-minute lesson: “Here’s how you hold the coin, along the edge… Here’s how you open up the holder so the surface won’t get scratched when you slide it in.&nbsp; And remember, don’t clean it when you get home. Never EVER clean your coins.”&nbsp; Each and every week I learned more real wisdom at that shop then I could get from all the coin-related YouTube videos today.... all before I could shave!!! Once Mr. Kaye took out two SL quarters, both the same date and mint mark. He said, “I’m selling one of these for $30, and the other one for $180. Can you tell me why?” He also didn’t mind if I just sat and listened to him banter with the other dealers and higher-paying clientele who came in each week. Some other kid demanded Mr. Kaye to sell him some dip so he could dip clean a walking liberty he had just bought. The shop owner responded, “Do you see that tiny light scratch in the field? Maybe you don’t, but I do. After we dip it, it will be the only thing that you see.” Of course, it was always fun to buy something and get your change in clad Kennedys, dateless buffalo nickels, and 1930s wheat cents. Mr. Kaye was great about that.&nbsp; So, for me, the most important thing in a coin shop is an owner who takes interest, takes the time to educate his or her customers, and can easily pass on the passion that she or he has for the hobby. I’m curious… Does anyone who grew up in the Springfield Massachusetts area have memories of the scene shop?[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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