johndiii's Journal: Old Money

An odd thing happened this morning when I went for bagels. I got a 1918 penny in change. I occasionally get a silver quarter or dime, but I think that this is the oldest coin that I've ever gotten in change.

I watch for the new state quarters; I think that Montana is the latest, and it's a pretty good one. Most of them look like they have been designed by committees. Definitely nothing edgy on them, with the possible exception of the skull on the Montana quarter.

Do you notice the money that passes through your hands?

North Dakota isn't so bad either.

[Some Woman]

I check quarters, but I usually don't notice dates on smaller denominations. That's cool about the 1918 penny. The oldest piece of money I've had in my hands would have to be one of the ones that my grandma gave me. She had a collection of old-ish money that she split amongst the grandkids several years ago. I think the oldest piece is the Indian head penny, but I don't recall the exact date. As for actual transactions, I don't think I've seen anything older than 1950.

Money?

[BWJones]

Money? Like physical money? Wow.... About the only time I use physical money is when I travel these days. In my everyday life, credit card transactions are how I move about. Of course the credit card transactions are paid off every month, but physically touching money is something that rarely happens with me.

Hmm

[turg]

I used to notice it more when I worked a cash register a few decades ago -- there were interesting discoveries every day. I took home the best ones (exchanging them appropriately for my pocket change) and eventually had quite a jar full.

Random coin fact: Canadian nickels from before 1982 are actually made of solid nickel. That means that at today's prices they actually contain about 20 to 25 cents worth of metal.

Yes, I pay attention to my money

[GeckoFood]

I used to work as a cashier in a grocery store when I was in college (late 80's), and I would see all kinds of neat things come through. Once, I was given a $5 silver certificate (bought it out of the register), and later I got a 1909-VDB penny. I got several buffalo nickels, a couple of mercury dimes, and I even got a liberty quarter once. All of them are in my coin collection now.

About 4 years ago I was going through the cafeteria at Circuit City and I was given a 1943 steel penny in change - how the ca

Our oldest currency...

[arb]

Our oldest currency only dates back to 1966, when Australia first introduced "decimal currency" - dollars and cents. Prior to that it was pounds, shillings and pence, which are (naturally) not legal tender anymore.

Nickels

[BandwidthHog]

I see a surprising amount of vintage nickels. I’ve got a bunch of them in the drawer in my coffee table, dating from the 40s and 50s, but a few that are even older.

In terms of funny money, I’m rather fond of two dollar bills. Every once in a while I’ll get a stack while doing my monthly banking. They’re awesome for giving to children, and I enjoy using them for restaurant tips.

the usual change

[sparky4]

over the years, I gave my pop-by-law the 1928 dime because he collects old change.

I kept the $10 and $5 paper money that were made in 1950, both are in pretty good condition.

Moo

[ncc74656]

My coolest find so far isn't a coin, but a $2 United States Note [wikipedia.org]. The first thing you notice on it is that the Treasury seal on it is red instead of green. Mine's from either 1953 or 1963; I can't remember which offhand.

I notice wheat pennies when they turn up in the change I get. They're usually from the '40s and early '50s. I've never gotten a steel penny [wikipedia.org], though.

I just got Montana and Washington quarters

[WillAffleckUW]

And they released Washington this past Thursday.