My Coin Collecting Epiphany from The Moth Radio Hour

I was driving down the highway last week, flipping through radio stations, when I landed on The Moth Radio Hour. You could’ve knocked me over with a feather when CoinTalk got mentioned! The story nailed the quirky charm of our hobby—a hilarious but spot-on tale about a coin dealer and a “rare” find that got me thinking about my own collecting adventures and lessons we’ve all learned.

The Coin That Started It All

In that story, a dealer swore a 1943-S doubled die cent could pay for college—now that’s stretching the truth! When I looked into it, he was probably talking about the 1943/2-S doubled die (PCGS FS-101). I pulled up PCGS CoinFacts and saw even in VF condition, it’s more like $20-$25. College fund? Hardly. It reminded me: always check claims before getting starry-eyed. I make it a habit to verify with trusted sources like PCGS or NGC—saves a lot of heartache later.

Practical Lessons Every Collector Should Heed

That whole story drove home some truths I’ve picked up over years of collecting. Here’s what I keep in my back pocket:

• Get a second opinion: Whether it’s a variety or grade question, I never take one person’s word. I cross-check with other collectors or reference books.
• Don’t count your chickens: That dealer’s big promises flopped. I’ve learned to hold my excitement until the coin’s authenticated.
• Too good to be true? Usually is: “College fund” coins set off alarm bells. I stick to recent auction prices to keep expectations real.
• Know who you’re dealing with: Most dealers are solid, but I’ve built my own trusted network through years of fair deals. Check references in collector forums first.
• Experts vary: Some folks talk a bigger game than they deliver. I stick with graders who’ve earned their reputation.
• Spread your sources: I work with multiple dealers—it keeps my collection diverse and prevents putting all my trust in one shop.

Grading and Market Realities

Looking closer at that 1943/2-S doubled die, I noticed how faint the doubling can be—easy to miss if you’re not looking carefully. That’s why condition matters so much: a worn example brings $25, but even top-grade coins won’t cover textbooks. It’s why I always get key dates slabbed by third-party graders. And it’s a good reminder: when prices sound fishy, I check recent auction records to stay grounded.

Wrapping It Up with a Smile

The story poked fun at “60-year-old collectors,” which gave me a chuckle—we all know this hobby spans every age! But behind the laughs, it captured what makes collecting wonderful and sometimes frustrating. I’m grateful for the honest dealers who’ve helped my collection grow, and this tale sharpened my eye. If you get a chance, listen to The Moth episode—it’s equal parts entertaining and insightful. At the end of the day, combining healthy doubt with good research turns near-misses into real treasures.