Finally, After 5+ Months: My Coin Grading Triumph and Insights
June 18, 2025Roll-Searching Adventures: My Personal Coin Hunting Insights
June 18, 2025
It’s been a while since I last updated my beloved box of 20 coins, and this time around—version 8.0!—I made just one switch, but it felt like a big moment. I finally pulled the trigger on swapping out a “Gold Morgan” Whipple Dollar token for a Dan Carr piece I’d been eyeing forever. You know how it goes when something keeps whispering to you from the want list! Like many of you, I organize my set with US coins by denomination up front, then tokens and world coins (including territorials). Here’s what changed, what stayed, and a few stories behind the coins.
What’s New in the Box
Only one coin moved out this time, but it shows how our tastes shift over the years. The outgoing Whipple Dollar made room for a 2011-D Dan Carr Capped Bust Copper Amero—I lucked into it on eBay for way less than dealer prices. Score! These favorites really capture where my collection’s at right now:
- 1961-D NGC MS 62 BN Lincoln Cent: We call this one “Headbutting Lincoln” for its wild error. It’s proof that even common dates can steal your heart with personality.
- 1893 PCGS AU 58 Isabella Quarter: Bought raw, then got a details grade I didn’t agree with. Sent it in myself and landed an AU 58 straight grade. That rich color and prooflike glow? Totally worth the gamble.
- 1877 PCGS AU 55 Trade Dollar: Filed under world coins since it traveled so widely. Found this borderline DMPL beauty in a dispersal sale years after missing it—had to pounce! Still takes my breath away.
- 2004 Portugal 8 Euro Stylized Goal Keeper PCGS MS 65: My unicorn! That abstract design and wild toning celebrate the 2004 Euros. PCGS has only graded one, so it’s always a conversation starter.
- 2017 Kazakhstan 100 Tenge NGC PF 70 UCAM: Snagged this bimetallic stunner early—tantalum shell, silver body. Paid about $50 over issue, but now? Try finding it under $300. Lesson learned: buy intriguing moderns before the hype hits!
Grading Wins and Tough Calls
Grading’s taught me to trust my gut. That Isabella Quarter? Sticking to my guns saved me from overpaying for a coin I knew was better than the details grade suggested. For the Trade Dollar, I’m wrestling with whether to resubmit for the PL designation PCGS offers now. The cost and wait make me hesitate, so for now, I’m just calling it PL/DMPL in my head. My advice? Hold coins in hand when you can, and remember—sometimes eye appeal matters more than the label.
Market Moves and Smart Hunting
Watching trends has changed how I collect. Take that Guatemala Peso I mentioned last time—MS 65 prooflikes have gotten scarce and pricey as world crowns heat up. Upgraded my Mexico 8 Reales to a toned AU 58 after swapping stories with a buddy at a show. And that Kazakhstan Tenge? Buying early saved me from today’s premiums. If you’ve got oddballs or orphans that don’t fit your main sets? Build a “box of 20”! It’s perfect for those misfits and keeps your focus sharp.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
Hard to believe eight coins from my very first box years ago are still here—ten others found new homes along the way. Funny how a well-loved set grows with you! That Columbian Expo/Isabella pairing still whispers history to me every time I lift the lid. Time flies when you’re chasing coins, huh? Document your journey—whether through videos (I’ve shared mine on Instagram) or notes. It makes the hobby richer. And coins like my Capped Bust Half, with colors that’ll make your jaw drop? They’re proof that paying up for eye appeal never goes out of style.
