Bucket of Coins

After nearly 40 years of dealing in and collecting coins, I have finally decided to put my thoughts/experiences/insight/expertise down for others to read/enjoy/learn from.

Funny as I sit here at my desk looking at a 1909 VDB Lincoln cent, I used to think I was a coin collector. But as I have “grown-up” in “the hobby of kings”, I have come to realize none of us are collectors. Why you say? It’s simple if you think about it, using this 100 years old coin lying on my desk as a perfect example, how come it is still in mint state condition and fiery red after all this time? You have to think that shortly after it was minted someone thought well enough about this first year Lincoln cent to put it somewhere safe and secure. So during the time since a coin was minted, the cent has had how many owners during its existence? It sure would be interesting to know wouldn’t it?

I have often pondered the thought of writing my own pedigree for the coins in my possession and if I did decide to pass it along to another person either directly or indirectly, the history would accompany it. I know I am not a “Jack Lee” but I have had some nice coins over the years and potentially someone would like to know something about the coin they have gotten from me! I think it’d be nice too if the new owner did the same when they were ready for the coin to change possession. I envision and encourage this practice as it would answer the age old question of “who carried/owned this coin”. Think about how many times a coin may travel from state to state or across the country or to another country for that matter. Kind of reminds me of the time I went back to my Elementary School when I was in High School and went to the library to find my favorite book. Once I found it I looked at the back of the checkout card and there was my signature from 10 years earlier…kind of took me back.

I still say that there are not “coin collectors” out there, but there are “Coin Custodians”. We are just like the people before us, we simply maintain, protect, and preserve coins so others in the future can enjoy them. Like they say, you can take them with you. I am a believer in protecting and remembering a person’s heritage and honoring their country…what better way than keeping a little history alive than sharing “coin custodianship” aka coin collecting with others…especially our children, family, and friends.