The best help doesn't always come from another collector

Like most of you, I got my start collecting coins from my dad. He filled Whitman folders as a kid (I envied his Walker Halves!), so he got me started filling my own Whitman folders. Usually, Christmas would bring me a proof and mint set as well.

He never spent his spare change. When his piggy bank was full, he'd buy something fun for a couple hundred dollars, like a primitive computer/calculator hybrid. Once I got to pick out dates from his change before he spent it. I was thrilled to find a handful of Wheats. Boy, if I could have that day back and save every gem+ mid-80's coin ...

But the more creative help with my coin collection came from non-collectors. My aunt traveled worldwide with her job. I've acquired many business strike foreign coins since, but her spare change from faraway places rivals anything I've personally found.

I just got this 10 Drachmai graded - it's from Greece in 1973, when the monarchy was abolished in favor of a "republic" (what a nice synonym for anti-Communist Cold War-era dictatorship). There are nicer examples out there, but MS 67 is not too shabby!

Pardon the dust on the NGC holder - I just got a Fuji S7000 to help with coin photography. I'm trying to learn fast.