Hello
Today we are going to Muse about collecting. If this is your first visit, welcome to Musings. If you have been here before, welcome back. Over time we are going to talk about many things: the past, the present, perhaps the future, travel, art, society and more. Wherever my musing takes me. I hope you will come along with me.
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I am being nostalgic today. Recently I was watching a movie and heard “A penny for your thoughts”. It triggered some memories.
During my childhood, with the exception of a few years, I lived in a different state than did my grandparents. Almost every year, however, I would be sent to them for a visit lasting a week or two. I loved those times.
I was very fond of my grandparents, in particular my grandmother. She was formal. I was allowed to call her “Grandmother”. My grandfather was “Grandpa”, but there was no “Grandma”. It was “Grandmother”.
She had been a school teacher and had good way with children. She was thoughtful and caring.
My Grandfather also was formal. I don’t remember ever seeing him without a tie. He was a quiet dour looking man. He was 69 when I was born so, by the time I focused on him, he didn’t have a lot of playfulness left. As a child, I was more guarded with him.
But he was a collector: stamps and pennies.
One day when I was about 10 he took me into a bank and bought $5 worth of pennies, ten rolls. Wow! I had no idea why.
When we got home we unwrapped the pennies and started seeing how many different dates we could find. Grandpa produced a blue book with slots to hold one of each date and mint (S – San Francisco D – Denver and blank – Philadelphia). I was fascinated.
So started my little coin collection. It was something I could do with him every year when I visited. It wasn’t expensive because you only found a few missing pennies and it took time, time we had together.
As you can see, the collection is not complete. I know people who purchase coins from coin collectors to fill their collection. I never have. I always have taken them from circulation. And, over time I have done it less and less.
There was one year I always wanted: 1909. Four different pennies were produced that year: 1909, 1909 S, 1909 VDB and 1909 S VDB.
VDB are the initials of the coin’s designer Victor David Brenner. The S and the S VDB coins are valuable.
When I was about 15, I played Canasta with my Grandmother and a lady friend of hers nearly every night. I talked about wanting to get a 1909 penny, but that they were hard to find. The lady said, “Come on over to my house tomorrow. I think I might have one you can have.” When I got there the next day she pulled out a mason jar filled to the top with 1909 pennies, all four mints. The first year it came out she saved every penny she got in change.
She gave me the 1909 VDB. So I have two of the four.
They are not much to look at now, but . . .
Hey they are 110 years old!
more to come
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thomas-tribby.pixels.com
Thomas-Tribby.pixels.com is now offering I Phone Cases, Coffee Mugs, Throw Pillows, Greeting Cards, Bath Towels, Hand Towels, Shower Curtains, Duvet Covers , Yoga Mats, Tote Bags,Women’s T Shirts, Men’s T Shirtsand more with reproductions of my artwork. If you want to check them out, here are the steps:
- 1. Click on this link: thomas-tribby.pixels.com.
- 2. Click on one of the categories in the menu bar at the top: Wall Art, Home Decor, Lifestyle, Stationery or Apparel. It will list a number of options.
- 3. Click on option.
- 4. Click on image and a sizing slide will open allowing you to adjust the image to the way you like it..
Have fun.
My work is available as traditional prints on canvas, paper or metal, but it also available on greeting cards, phone covers, tote bags, shower curtains, t-shirts and more. It makes for some very personalized gifts. Below is the link to the site. I hope you like it.
Click on: thomas-tribby.pixels.com
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Books by Thomas L. Tribby Available Click on title below to preview
Works on Paper
On The Waterfront
Impressions of Florida
Works at
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