Should I Cry ?

westnlas · New Member

Friday, my Dad who is 88 wanted to go look and see what was in one of my late mom's deposit boxes. So we go to the bank and get it out. I opened it and set it on the counter. We are looking at some really old stuff like uncashed War Bonds from 1943, etc. Pop sees a white paper coin envelope and opened it. Slid the coin into his hand and asked if I could see what it was. Yep a 3 cent piece. 1885 and the envelope was marked UNC.

Anyway, Pop handled it pretty good. I didn't say anything, just told him it was an old coin, and put it back. I am sick. LOL

eagames · Expert Member

I think the war bonds can't be cashed, there was a time limit. I'm assuming they were the books with stamps? Best just to keep em as family heirlooms.

westnlas · New Member

I realized that, and had no intention of doing anything with those. There are some series E in another box that are redeemable but quit drawing interest 20 years ago. But Pop really mis handled the coin and I think it might have lost a grand or so in value by that ?

Still, what could I say ?

Dick · Expert Member

My dad had a stamp book for each of us kids, and in mine, there is five stamps. He stopped when I went into the navy, in '43

westnlas · New Member

Well, the war bonds are worth more than face to collectors. But are worth more as family history. But the 3 cent piece had never been touched wothout gloves, if even then, prior to dad handling it. I am afraid that might have made a $1300 coin into a $300 one? LOL

It/s not the matter of money so much that it's seeimg your parent losing it, you know.

Bob P · Site Admin

When you talk about mishandling the coin, what exactly did he do? Unless he scratched it or dinged it up pretty good, the value shouldn't have been affected too much. If he handled it with fingers, the oils can be cleaned off pretty easily.

westnlas · New Member

That's great !
Thanks

Robert · Senior Member

The mintage on those is very small... 5000 or so. I would love to hear the story on how she acquired the coin in the first place.

westnlas · New Member

That I really cannot say. Mom had a concession during the late 50s early 60s which dealt mostly in coin. Every night (since I was in Scouts and earning a Merit Badge) she & I would go through the receipts and remove any hard to find coins. Or anything that was rare at that time. Her father even gave me a 1932 S Quarter, that I have had since.

Anyway, Mom was a bit more of a collector than the rest of us. She would buy Whitman Books and start filling them. When she would get one full of the common coins she had duplicates of, she would start another book. She after she retired, she would save new currency. Especially if the serial number had some meaning to her, like birthdays or anniversaries.

She had purchased a few gold and rare coins she liked over the years as the money was available. She sold most at one time.

westnlas · New Member

But some of the really rare coins she had, I think she bought during the WWII. She was a "Rosie the Riveter" who worked up to supervisor on B52's. She earned a lot more money than she spent. Mom would buy coins over jewelery any day, so she got a ton of stuff. Like I mentioned, hard times, illness, etc and a lot of them were sold. This might have been overlooked ? We didn't even know she had it ?

She left me a lot of things and I added some. Now I have 2 of the 3# coffee cans full of old change that I found the heart to start sorting. I already found a couple of really nice 1964 D DDM's that might be worth having graded and a 1935 S DDM Buffalo. It will take me a long time to sort the cents. Oh, a 1964 D 25c that looks like a DDR to me (machine ?) but there are doubled lettering in AMERICA and QUARTER DOLLAR.

Dick · Expert Member

looks like you have your work cut out for you!
If you post some pictures, we might be able to help.
BTW, welcome aboard!

westnlas · New Member

Thanks Dick,

What I am starting now is the loose cents in the old metal 3# coffee cans. I glanced through and it ended in 1980. I may have found a 1944 S/D, that as soon as I can set up a photo rig, will post a pic. The coin is worn, but there seems to be a high + right in the center of the S. That may be caused by the underlying mark ? My scanner wont pick it up correctly. Hopefully, I will get a pic.

I did find some OMMs of Washingtons (1964 D, couple of them) a 1935 S over S Buffalo. I think she looked closely at EVERY coin she took in change and tossed anything funky aside. Let's Hope ! LOL

Thanks again,
Gary