So many terrific acquisitions!

I have been very blessed this year. Though I'm fighting off a cold at the moment, my family and I have continued to enjoy good overall health. I continue to be "indispensable" in my job, which is well insulated from the ups and downs of the economy. My wife will finish her MBA this month (and hopefully get a better job in the near future). Numismatically, it's been pretty good too.

The year started with preparation for the sale of the Naftzger middle date large cents. I was preparing a spreadsheet to summarize the relevant info from the catalog and add pricing data and my comments. Although I had resolved to save money for a coin or two from that sale, I took the opportunity to upgrade my 1855 cent and get a nice 1839 half dime in Heritage's auction at the FUN show. Being out of money, I made the decision to sell all my remaining stock to fund Naftzger purchases, and to go to the live auction in Beverly Hills. After that experience, I didn't think I'd be getting many more coins for a long time. But the blessings just kept coming. Even though I keep careful track of all my financial dealings, I still can't figure out where all the money came from. All I know is that over the last several years, as I have given more substantially and systematically to my church, I've had more than I can understand for building my collection. Here's the full list of this year's acquisitions:

1855 cent MS 67 BN

1839 half dime MS 66

1831 cent MS 65 BN Naftzger

1833 cent MS 65 RB Naftzger

1834 cent MS 66 BN Naftzger

1836 cent MS 66 RB Naftzger

1837 cent MS 66 RB Naftzger

1838 cent MS 66 RB Naftzger

2009 gold UHR PF ??

1819 cent MS 64 BN

1832 half dime MS 65

1999-S nickel PR 70 UC

1942-D cent MS 67 RD

1834 half dime MS 65

1862 half dime MS 66

2009 silver PS PF ??

1841 cent MS 65 BN Naftzger

1849 gold $1 MS 64

1854 half dime MS 66

2008 telescope MS ??

In addition, I bought a few coin-related books and have another year of membership in the ANA, EAC, and LSCC coming up. I've got some friends in EAC, and hope to make more in LSCC (I'm new to that group). But this NGC Collectors Society has been the biggest part of my numismatic "social life", despite the fact that it is largely impersonal. I have appreciated the messages several members have sent me since I started writing journals. And I enjoy reading others' journals about their acquisitions and participation in our great hobby. My interests are mainly in 19th century US coinage, and I think of myself as a traditional collector. Even though I don't necessarily share specific interests with others, their journals have helped me at least to appreciate the other kinds of coins and other approaches to and reasons for collecting.

Aside from that, I think the time I have taken to document my collection in the registry, including taking and retaking photographs, and the time spent sharing the coins through the journals have helped to make me a better collector. Without this website and community, I'm sure I would not be enjoying our hobby as much, and might not be enjoying my coins as much either. Thanks to NGC and to all of you! Merry Christmas!

Here is a picture of the first coin I ever owned. It was a birth gift from my paternal grandfather, who died before I was old enough to remember him.