I Am Just Not Good Enough for This: My Coin Collecting Wake-Up Call

I’ve collected coins for years, but a recent find made me seriously doubt my skills—that gut punch of “I am just not good enough for this.” It started when I spotted what I thought might be a holy-grail 1958 doubled die dollar, only to tumble down a rabbit hole of modern fantasy coins. Here’s how I worked through the confusion and what it taught me.

The Moment of Doubt

At a coin show last month, I spotted a dollar with those iconic VDB initials that made my heart race. Could this be one of those legendary 1958 doubled dies? My excitement fizzled when I noticed it was struck over a Susan B. Anthony dollar—dead giveaway it wasn’t genuine. Turns out it was a clever “what-if” piece from Dan Carr’s Moonlight Mint, imagining an Eisenhower dollar series that never happened. Felt like getting fooled by a convincing costume at a party. Even after decades in this hobby, reproductions can still trip me up.

Fantasy Pieces: Collectible Art or Problematic Fakes?

Digging into this, I found collectors fiercely divided. Some love these creative hybrids—like Carr’s Ike-over-SBA dollars—as fascinating alternate-history art. Others worry they muddy the waters for newcomers who might mistake them for real rarities. Here’s what I figured out:

• Spotting Fantasy Coins: Check for modern bases like SBAs or odd weight. Real vintage coins won’t have those giveaway signs.
• Respectful Collecting: Critique the coin, not the collector. Just because I wouldn’t buy it doesn’t mean others can’t enjoy it.
• A Simple Solution: Artists should sign their work visibly. A tiny signature makes all the difference between art and deception.

Practical Lessons From My Blunder

That humbling experience taught me a few things I wish I’d known earlier:

• Verify Before You Buy: Always cross-check supposed rarities online. Five minutes of research saves weeks of regret.
• Trust the Basics: Weight, mint marks, edge lettering—the fundamentals still catch most issues. Modern fantasy coins often feel “off” when compared to genuine pieces.
• Collect What You Love: If unconventional pieces spark joy, display them proudly—just keep them separate from investment-grade material.
• Pick Your Battles: Some debates about coin legitimacy go nowhere. State your case once, then move on.

What I Carried Forward

That moment of self-doubt? It taught me uncertainty is part of collecting. I’ve made peace with never knowing everything—now I appreciate Carr’s clever designs while staying alert. This hobby thrives on passion, whether you chase historical treasures or creative curiosities. Next time I feel out of my depth, I’ll remember: we’re all learning as we go. That’s what makes coin collecting endlessly fascinating.