Coin Finds: Coin Collecting Partner

I have what I consider a disappointing coin find. I collect Kennedy half dollars and for the last few years, I have been buying uncirculated rolls.This year I bought my usual two sets and was breaking one set for gifts and resale when I discovered that the reverse of the Denver half was deplorable.The tail feathers, the designer initials and the field in that area were all in deplorable condition.So I looked at my uncirculated set and the half was in similar condition.

Is this the new standard for the Denver mint or am I the only one who noticed or who caught this disappointing condition.

P.S. I sent three sets back and bought one more and all were the same.

Don (last name withheld)
Springfield, Mo.

Two years ago I found myself at a small rural bank. As per my usual routine, I asked for any half dollars that they might possess. I had gotten used to finding rarely anything remarkable so imagine my surprise when the first roll they handed me contained a Walking Liberty half dollar ender. I could barely contain my excitement while they handed me more.
This find followed up with more of the kind and Franklins and 40 percent Kennedys. After buying all they had I came out with 21 silver coins! The dates are as follows: 1917-S, 1935, 1941(x2), 1942-P, 1942-S,1943-D, 1944P(x2), 1944-S, 1945, 1945-S, 1952, 1954-D(x3), 1966, 1968-D(x2), & 1969-D(x2). Truly remarkable that a find as amazing as this can still be had today! Just another reason to always be on the lookout. You never know what sort of treasures you’ll come across.

Tyler Wisner
Address withheld

I have been searching coin rolls and pocket change for many years and for the past several months I have enjoyed having my 7-year-old daughter join me as a search partner. She seems to have particularly good luck with rolls and has come across numerous older wheat cents and Jefferson nickels (including a .....), a variety of Canadian coins and even the occasional non-circulating legal tender piece (a later-date presidential dollar.)

However, I was floored in September when she opened a roll of cents from the bank to discover a Benjamin & Herrick Civil War token from 1863! While the token certainly shows evidence of its age, we were delighted to come across what was not only a highly unusual find but also a piece from such an interesting and pivotal time in U.S. history.

Jason Gersh
Newtown, Pa.

The Great American Coin Hunt is in full swing. In change at a CVS, I found a 2019 ATB quarter bearing the big ‘W’ Westpoint mint mark! It showed up in Martinez, California.

Tim Mulgrew
Address Withheld

My grandson is aware of my lifelong habit of collecting coins. He works at a local convenience store and keeps a sharp eye out for coins or bills that look “out of the ordinary.” He has found several wheats, a few Indians, Buffalos and even Morgan dollars in past years. Naturally, him being a loving grandson, I became the beneficiary of some.

A week ago he spotted an older looking one-dollar bill that turned out to be a series 1935F Blue Seal silver certificate. That in itself is not so rare. Except for the serial number-all ones and sevens-5 sevens and 3 ones in almost perfect radar sequence. Being unsure if it had any numismatic value, I added it to my assortment of paper money.

Robert Kraemer
Ettrick, Wis.

Here is another great example of why you should check your change. A couple of weeks ago, I found a surprise. Though not a treasure, it is still a delight. It is a one-cent coin from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. On the obverse is an engraved bell and on the reverse is the number “1” with the word “cent” and a Hummingbird perched on the top of the numeral. It is dated 2002 and in XF condition. It is smaller and thinner than our one-cent coin.

Philip C. De Augustino
Hemet, Calif.

I was apple picking with my family on a Sunday morning and afterward, we decided to settle down with some cider donuts. I noticed there was a table with a few quarters on it and, being a collector, I went to check them out. I didn’t expect much but to my surprise, one of them was a War in the Pacific quarter and when I turned it over I saw it was a “W” quarter! Six months of searching finally paid off!

Ryan Kordziel
Schenectady, N.Y.

“Coin Finds” letters wanted.

Send your finds to:

Coin Finds,
Coins Magazine,
5225 Joerns Drive, Suite 2
Stevens Point, WI 54481
or email: numismatics@aimmedia.com

These "Coin Finds" were originally published in the December 2019 issue of Coins Magazine.

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