Actually, a couple of new members

Payday has come and gone, everyone is still asleep, the coffee is hot and the morning is cool. It?s the weekend and a long weekend on top of that. I?ve been up for a couple of hours and I?m immersed in my coins once again.

With the first payday of the school year comes my re-entrance into active acquisition of coins for my sets. So far, my budget is still good. Let?s just say the budget of $50 a month is more of a guideline than a hard and fast rule. This year I am really trying to stay focused on my goals. Having said that, I have already added 2 MS Lincoln Cents to my registry set, an MS 67 1985D I got in a trade and an MS66 1963 I picked up for well less than 25 cents on the dollar of book value. (My coupe of the month here) I also managed to fill 6 holes in my Jefferson Nickel album. In total, I think I spent about $30. (I?m feeling pretty good about myself for the budget thing so far.)

My Jefferson Nickels seem to have bubbled up to the top of my mind and priority lists of late. I have made a conscious choice to fill the holes with inexpensive lesser grades and then take my time looking for top quality upgrades. (Credit OCD or something but having holes in an album just gets under my skin.) I figure as I start to find the upgrades I can divert the coins being replaced to the folder my youngest son has going for Jefferson Nickels. (Of course, I put them in a piggy bank instead of his album and then salt the bank with a roll or two from the bank so he can go through the stash of nickels and find the ones he needs.)

Back at school, the kids have started feeding me their unwanted spare change, particularly pennies. It?s a running joke with the kids that I am a teacher that literally works for pennies. (Don?t worry; I?m not taking advantage of the kids. My wife loves to back so I always have fresh back cookies and kids to give to the kids.) My 24 yr old son has gotten into the act of looking for coins for me as well. He recently got a new job at a convenience store and he keeps his eyes open for anything unusual. He?s been doing pretty well, too. So far, he has nabbed a nice SBA, a Bi-Centennial Kennedy half, a couple of wheat pennies, and an 1896 Indian Head from the cash drawer. (Of course, he replaces the money in the cash drawer so he doesn?t come up short.) I was floored when he brought the Indian Head home. When was the last time you saw an Indian Head penny in circulation? In my case, it was in the late 1960?s and then it was only 1 of them.

Anyway, after a fund less summer, I could be lamenting that my budget is only $50 and my appetite is like $5,000,000 but I am not. I am just glad to be back in the game. There is even a local coin show in a couple of weeks. Now, I just have to decide whether or not to blow this month?s budget.

Finally, I?m still working on getting proficient at taking pictures of my coins. I wouldn?t say I?m good at it but I am getting better. I still experiment a lot particularly with lighting. I?m always fighting glare and shadows. I figure though with enough practice, I will get it right. (Probably in about 10 years or so) Anyway, I attached a picture of the 1963 MS 66 Lincoln Cent I just acquired.

Dennis