The one that got away: Rare coins used at face value

Nothing makes a numismatist cringe like someone letting a rarity pass through their hands unwittingly (unless it is passed into the hands of that numismatist).

Along those lines, Coin World Facebook follower Jack Kennedy posted this on our wall:

"I wanna hear a story if you've ever had someone you know, (spouse, sibling, etc.) unknowingly spend one of your coin pieces from your collection, as face value!"

Here’s what we’ve heard so far:

Ken Lemke: "The wife spent one of my $20 gem star notes on dog food. The identification of a star note was the dinner topic that evening."

Elijah Homuth: "I didn't myself but a kid I know showed me like 8 Morgan dollars and bought stuff with them. Or that's what I heard. I wasn't there when he actually bought the stuff....But I heard he bought McDonalds."

Louis Fiorella: "The kids cashing in pennies at machine when I looked down to see 2 Indian Heads moving on belt. I was able to grab but where did they come from, and what got by?"

David Martin: "I have a nephew who works for the PSA, and someone came in last year and paid part of their water bill with a roll of pre-1964 quarters. At face value.."

Jon Herrick: "Got a proof Statehood quarter in my change from a vending machine at work one day. I figure some kid cracked a set open and spent it."

Paul Gunsallus: "Went to the local grocery store to pick up a few items. Thought I would stop to get a scratch-off at the lottery vending machine. Some old dude was having a difficult time getting his $1 to get accepted into the machine, when I noticed he had what I seen as an original $100 pack of consecutive serial numbered silver certificates. He was not getting any of them to get accepted and I offered to buy them so he could get some different $1's and he said, 'Mind your own business,' and walked out of the store."

Paul Gunsallus: "I used to crack open Proof sets to submit Proof coins to PCGS. If I had a coin that didn't make my grade, I would just spend it. I must have dumped dozens of Proof coins that were already scratched up or whatever. On occasion, I would come across one in change.”

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