The Grande Dame of Coin Collecting (Part 1)

On opening day of the 1981 Michigan State Fall Convention, in Dearborn, MI, I notice a stately older woman strolling down the aisle, perusing tables and showcases as she progresses.  She stops in front of my table, and asks to see the Colonial coins in my showcase.

She examines the coins and politely returns them to me.  “They are very nice, but I have all of these.  May I see your Half Cents?”  She looks at these, and again politely returns the tray. 

“I’m so sorry, but I already have all of these examples.  But thanks so much for showing the coins to me.  They are lovely.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Norweb.” I say quietly.  She looks up at me, smiling sweetly, charmed that I knew her name.  What a nice lady.

Saved In Omaha

Surely your town has seen “road buyers.”  You know -- those folks who set up shop in a hotel, place large advertisements in the local paper and offer to buy just about anything precious.  Road buyers have ranged across the country for many years, and for a time, I was one of them.

1934 Silver Certificate
www.wikipedia.org

In 1967, my first coin shop was history and I headed out on the road.  It was the final year when the public could redeem silver certificates for silver value.   (Redemption for silver value ceased June 24, 1968.)