if you had $500 to spend

[GP_]

what would you buy? There is a local show coming up sometime soon (spring, not sure on the date) and I am planning on buying something cool. I should have about $500 of mad money to spend. I have a few coins I will be looking for to add to my current collections, but I also want to maybe get a nice coin. I like my collection, but for the most part it isnt anything to write home about, and sure as heck wont be worth anything anytime soon, if ever.

 

So basically, if you had an $500 to spend at a show, what would you look for?

[Clankeye-migration]

I would look for that coin that made me stop in my tracks and say "I want this" regardless of whether it is $500 or $25.00.

 

I just recently went to a small show and saw a 1947-S MacArthur 50 Centavo from the Philippines. I bought it. For $25. I didn't even really know much about it. But it captured me with it's beauty. The good news is I was forced to learn something about it, and what I learned was very interesting, and has actually opened up an interest in an area of collecting I never dreamed I would care about. Now you can certainly throw way too much money at a coin on surface appearances and come to regret the buy. But, with that amount of money I didn't figure I had much to lose. And as it turns out, I think the gain will be plenty (not talking money here).

 

So I guess my point is, keep your mind and imagination open to see what might capture it. If nothing does at this show, hold on to your dough.

 

(If you really have to spend $500, buy a nice Antietam commem in 64 or 65 if you can find one)

 

Clankeye

[Hoot]

Currently, I'd probably spend it on having graded the 50 or so post-1959 Jefferson nickels that I have!

 

I think, however, that I'd rather spend it on a nice MS66 example of a 1930 buffalo nickel.

 

Hoot

[PQSeated]

I'd buy me some PCGS MS Seated Liberty Dimes!!

[Peace_Fan]

That's easy....I'd get the nicest MS66 common date Peace dollar I could find ($400-$450), and then go to dinner on the remainder to celebrate. We're all very predictable here, in case you didn't notice.....

[fcloud-migration]

I'd be looking for a nice medium grade 42/41-D Merc.

[BankNote1]

I think I would put it on a Classic Head $2 1/2 gold coin, I found on the internet. Then, I also have bid on an Aberdeen, Mississippi national, for around $500.00.

[Julian]

I would focus on my collection and make it something that you really enjoy. There is no point in having a collection that you are not proud of. Where's the fun?

[Clankeye-migration]

I would like to follow up that I do believe in having discipline and certain goals to collecting. Certainly knowledge about what it is you are looking at can save you a world of grief and increase your appreciation of a coin.

 

In my first post, I was suggesting keeping an open mind to something new, something unexpected, which can be fun and invigorating. It happened to me last week, and it's just been one of those happy experiences that makes numismatics worthwhile for me.

 

Clankeye

[GP_]

Keep 'em coming guys This is supposed to be a fun question

 

My current collections are stalled (O mint Morgans and toned Roosevelt dimes) so whatever I decide to get may very well become the next direction in my collecting.

 

Currently thinking maybe half dimes, always liked that design on that size coin

[jeh46544]

If I had $500 to spend I would buy as many raw coins as possible and clean them until their value is totally gone! HAHAHAHAHAH! I'm crazy! HAHAHAHAHAH!

 

Seriously, I think I would buy a few PF Kenndy halves for my collection and then maybe a nice classic coin. Oooooooh!! I'm drooling just thinking of buying some nice coins!

[nwcs]

With $500, I would look for 1 really nicely toned Morgan, some great (and cheap) raw lincolns, perhaps a few MS-64 walkers, and some superb Jeffersons. You'd still likely have enough money left over for lunch and dinner!

[CarlWohlforth]

I've been looking at matte proof Lincolns. I keep thinking that for $500 I might track down one in PR 64 Brown that as some color.... I haven't found one though so might have to cough up more dough.

[agfox-migration]

I'd look for a nice appealing CC Morgan. Or possibly something nicely toned. Of course if a good DMPL showed it's head...

 

 

[JamminJ]

Hi GP,

 

I have almost the exact same financial situation for the upcoming Long Beach show! My number one priority is another small size Bust Quarter in AU, I should be able to cover any one but the 1833. If you would also like one please go for a '34 or '35 as these are the two I already have and you will not attract my numismatic jealousy

 

-JamminJ

[swhuck]

Like you, my collection is nothing to write home about, although by plugging along I've managed to put together some value and a few decent coins. I've wandered into shows a handful of times with $500-$600 to spend on one coin, which is a lot by my budget standards. Unless I have a very specific wantlist, generally what I've done in these cases is pick things that I've always wanted for my collection -- a 1909-S VDB, a Bust Dollar (this was a while ago ), a Classic $5.

 

What I would do now in this situation, I suppose, would be to pick up a really nice Bust Quarter; that is, unless the ever-elusive Draped Bust dime in VF wandered in and I could scrape together the extra $200 I'd need. Maybe an 1877 cent. Definitely, though, I'd zero in on either a nice type coin for the type set or a nice key date coin for a set I was working on.

[MikeKing]

I like the idea of a bust quarter. You could find a really nice bust quarter for 500, and they're all pretty much under-rated I think. I might go for a nice proof Cameo Franklin, beause they're just so beautiful and large. Anyway, did you buy that coin yet?

[GP_]

nope not yet, actually wasnt able to make it to the show I was going to spend it at. The local local show will be here soon (not sure when, they havent updated the web listing yet I dont think) so hopefully will be getting something killer soon! (and the fund has gone up a bit as well)

[TomB]

Wait until May 15-17 and spend the money at the GSNA show! I'll be there with a table for the three day show and I have some nice coins to sell!

 

Sorry about the shameless plug.

[JamminJ]

Oh, I had forgotten about this thread but I wanted to post a picture of my Bust quarter. I got this guy for almost exactly $500 at a local show it's in a 53 holder (I won't mention who's). The picture doesn't accurately capture the album toning about the rim, but I'm a coin collector - not a photgrapher!

 

 

 

For those of you who have seen this coin in my posts repeatedly my apologies, but I only have a few top notch coins to share.

 

-JamminJ

[goose3]

I'd find a nice circulated (preferably slabbed) piece of bust coinage. I'm not choosy. I'd take a dime/half dime/quarter or even a half dollar!

 

I have always wanted to buy some of them but something else just always seems to come up.

[bigd5]

I'd hunt down some attractive proof IHC's, or a nice proof barber dime. Maybe a nice red/brown mint state early half or large cent.

Maybe a nice ch. vf draped bust half dollar.

[GP_]

Tom yeah i just found the mailer I got with the dates for the show on it tonight when i went through my mail! Definately hitting your table before I buy anything, cause well you have an awesome eye for coins!

[TomB]

Nice CB quarter, JamminJ. The way you describe it with the album toning must make it look quite attractive in person.

 

GP, thanks for the kind words!

[EVillageProwler]

TomB,

 

Now that I live in the area, I'll try to make it to the GSNA show on Saturday. I'll stop by your table...

 

EVP

 

[JamminJ]

Nice CB quarter, JamminJ. The way you describe it with the album toning must make it look quite attractive in person.

 

Thanks very much! WIth $500 you can really get something nice. I hope you'll let us know what you finally decide on.

 

-JamminJ