Do you believe in love at first sight?

I have on my computer as one of the Favorites or quick links, an article reprinted by David Bowers from a very old issue of "The Numismatist."

The article has a wonderful old list of "The Ten Commandments of Numismatics"--I believe that I just broke number 4. I will add a link to the 10 commandment list/article when this appears on the chat boards.

Without changing windows for reference real quick, I believe Commandment #4 relates to staying focused on your collecting goals and avoiding "straggler" coins. ( it is evident that the "box of 20" idea of non-connected but lovingly selected coins as a collection does not work for these commandments.)

I cannot deny that the coin I just purchased and received has no place in any of my sets and will join a host of others that I own which will never appear in the registry.

You see, my hunt for an attractive, MS67 1947-D Walking Liberty Half continues. I search national auctions, ebay, webpages etc etc..I just have been unable to find one at what I consider a fair price and with the qualities I enjoy in this series--maybe I'm being foolish and the coin I desire and the price I can afford are not compatible at all.

My most recent purchase is a 1947-D, however it is even lower graded at MS65 than the MS66 I currently have listed as part of my set. Once I laid eyes on her however I had that "wow" thing happen to me. That thing that only fellow numismatists can understand when we glance upon a shimmering, lustrous piece of well struck coinage--one with rainbows and patina of aging gracefully but somehow maintaining its underlying radiance. The kind of coin that you leave out for weeks before finally placing it in the safe/storage/deposit box with your other coins which you only bring out for the occasional perusal and enjoyment.

It has been 2 weeks since her arrival. I have tried in vain to capture her skirt lines and strike as well as the shimmering gold, green and deep amber adornment. Oh well, I guess I can only present a semblence for you of what I get to behold in hand...sometimes we purchase coins simply because the look stirs in us the very core reason we started collecting in the first place. That is reason enough for me.

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