68,000 Likes and a Golden Celebration: My Journey with the 1911-D $2.50 Indian
July 15, 2025Lady Godiva: Unraveling Myth, Legend, and Numismatic Wonders
July 15, 2025I was driving the other day, tuned into The Moth Radio Hour as usual, when suddenly I heard CoinTalk mentioned. Naturally, I pulled over and looked up the story at The Moth’s website later that night. What I found was a tale that felt like it could’ve come straight from any coin show—and it got me thinking about our hobby in fresh ways. After decades in numismatics, I just had to share my reflections.
The Story That Caught My Ear
The storyteller described meeting a dealer who claimed a 1943-S doubled die cent could pay for college. The audience laughed at a joke about “60-year-old coin collectors”—and I chuckled too, since we’ve all heard that stereotype. Truth is, I see more young faces at shows every year. What really stuck with me was how easily myths spread in our hobby. Like when my cousin swore he’d found a Brasher Doubloon at a garage sale last summer (spoiler: he hadn’t). It’s a solid reminder to verify what we hear.
Setting the Record Straight on the 1943-S Doubled Die Cent
That story sent me straight to my reference books. Turns out the coin was likely the 1943/2-S FS-101—a steel cent with minor doubling, not the mythical bronze version. I flipped through PCGS Coinfacts and found that in VF condition, it’s maybe worth $20-25. College tuition? Hardly. Even in near-perfect MS68, you’d barely cover community college costs—and good luck finding one that grade! Here’s what I’d tell any collector hunting for this coin: grab a loupe to check for doubling, know that authentication matters (PCGS or NGC slabs help), and always cross-check values against recent auction results.
What I’ve Learned: Tips for Collectors
This whole episode reinforced lessons I’ve gathered over years of collecting:
- Never trust a single valuation—get multiple opinions
- Check facts before opening your wallet
- If a deal seems too good to be true, walk away
- Find dealers you can trust (they’re out there!)
- Build relationships with honest sellers—they’ll help you grow your collection
- Remember that not every “expert” knows their stuff
My own collection grew when I found dealers who’d call me about new arrivals. Sure, you need to be careful—but avoiding all dealers means missing out on great coins and even better conversations.
Parting Thoughts from a Fellow Collector
What stays with me is how coin collecting thrives on stories—some funny, some cautionary, all human. That Moth episode was a fun moment for our community, but it also shows why we need each other: to share knowledge, spot fakes, and preserve our hobby’s integrity. Whether you collect errors, silver dollars, or ancient coins, keep questioning, keep learning, and above all—enjoy the hunt. Because at the end of the day, it’s the people and stories that make this passion so rich.