Two maybe three more months and I'm done.

Well, I did one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my coin collecting life. I sold my partial interest (had been making payments) on a 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter. It's funny how life can change at the drop of a hat.

In my former job, all I had to do was work there one more month and she would have come home with me. Only a PCGS G-4 but it was a gorgeous G-4 to me. I couldn't have cared less if the thing was a MS-67 or a F-2, it was a real, true, honest to goodness SLQ from 1916 and it was almost going to go home with me.

Interestingly enough, my original intention was to trade in 25+ pounds of silver to pay off the remaining debt and walk out with a thousand or so. Then, at least I would have gotten that 1916 through my doorstep at least once. I don't know if I will ever come close to another one of those in my possession ever again. I hope so but who knows.

As I was talking to my local coin dealer she suggested that she call the big boy owner of the shop who is very well know in West Coast Numismatics and likely throughout the USA. She stated that he may be willing to give me 80% of my money back.

I was torn. I had come in knowing that if I didn't pay for the coin over $1,000 would fly out the window. They wouldn't give me one red cent of a "refund". Instead they suggested a buy back. I even told her that depending on how much they could give me for the silver I may just need to keep the cash from the silver sale and walk away from the 1916 leaving behind the aforementioned $1,000 plus. They offered the buy back. I was surprised, the big boy dealer (not the folks in the shop) had always been rather curt (to put it mild) with me and seemeingly anyone else who didn't have a couple million in coins on the bourse floor.

I don't know if I were speaking directly with him that this would have been possible but I think my local coin folks went to bat for me. I have been a very loyal customer (and friendly face) for several years now. I think they probably talked him into it, but I will never truly know.

Found out that I made the blacklist at one of the largest local health care facilities here in Sacramento, CHW (Catholic Healthcare West). I don't know how the Catholic church could affiliate itself with such monsters. I contracted with them for five years to provide psychotherapeutic services after hours at 7 hospitals. FIVE YEARS and one questionable misjudgement (no not a soul died) my arse went flying out of the ER doors. Honestly of all the contractors performing similar tasks, I was (am) the most determined to provide the highest level of patient care and do my best to assure the best possible patient outcome. The docs, nurses, RT, everyone new me, even the trauma docs. Everyone was releived when I walked in the door. Once I couldn't anymore it's as if I fell off the face of the earth. I suppose, in some sense, I did.

I am beginning to look for a seller to liquidate my entire collection sans Lincolns. I want to at least give a run at keeping those. Anyone have any idea of a company I could use? I hate to pay 15% seller's commision on 2,000 slabbed coins. Anyone?

I have received several emails from folks out there and see that I am on several folks' friends list. That has really helped me out. It is hard to talk with anyone who doesn't share the passion, the history, the beauty and the commoraderie. They really don't get it. To them they're coins, to me (and I think most of us) they are precious irreplaceable jewels. They are our legacy and a great source of pride.

I know that this hobby is about the intrinsic nature of all of the aforementioned experiences, however I don't dismiss the fact that I loved watching my composite registry score climb. I was thrilled when I broke into the top 200, peaking at 183 and, after today's wholesale defeat plumetting to 207. I know that 207 is great and that score really isn't the point. It does however instill pride in my hard work, dedication and devotion to his wonderful hobby. One that seems to be slipping away with a vengance. My heart is being torn apart as is my collection.

God, please help me.