The strangest way you obtained a coin or banknote.

Hi users of Numista

I’ve got a strange topic that might be funny. What was the strangest way you got a coin or note. (it could be that you was walking over a bridge and a passing car threw a penny to land in the river for luck but it lands next to you and you find out that it was a Indian head penny or something like that) So let’s share the strangest way you obtained a coin or banknote.

Pulling banknotes out of a charity donation

This happened around 2017-2018. I was going back to my old primary school and happened to come across another woman counting banknotes. I sat next to her and sure enough, there were a few 90s banknotes (some of which were extra crisp, EF with one fold down the middle). So I waited, and waited, and waited whilst thinking about those old banknotes that were about to be given off to charity. For whatever reason, I get anxious about these scenarios simply due to the fact that these relics of history would potentially never return to circulation.

Finally, I spoke to the woman about my desire to get those notes (some of which I didn't have at the time) and she gave me permission to search the entire lot. I found a few 20-dollar notes from various banks, the most notable being a 1994 Bank of China note with prefix AA (one of the first batches of notes issued by the Bank of China for Hong Kong). After that I put down a sum of money equivalent to what I had taken (probably around $100-$200). Then I returned home with the thought that I "saved" these banknotes.
< The aforementioned $20 note still remains in my collection to this day.

Quote: "KS5331 Productions"​Pulling banknotes out of a charity donation
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​This happened around 2017-2018. I was going back to my old primary school and happened to come across another woman counting banknotes. I sat next to her and sure enough, there were a few 90s banknotes (some of which were extra crisp, EF with one fold down the middle). So I waited, and waited, and waited whilst thinking about those old banknotes that were about to be given off to charity. For whatever reason, I get anxious about these scenarios simply due to the fact that these relics of history would potentially never return to circulation.
​
​Finally, I spoke to the woman about my desire to get those notes (some of which I didn't have at the time) and she gave me permission to search the entire lot. I found a few 20-dollar notes from various banks, the most notable being a 1994 Bank of China note with prefix AA (one of the first batches of notes issued by the Bank of China for Hong Kong). After that I put down a sum of money equivalent to what I had taken (probably around $100-$200). Then I returned home with the thought that I "saved" these banknotes.
​ < The aforementioned $20 note still remains in my collection to this day.
​

​Hi KS5331 Productions.

That was a strange way to obtain the note btw it looks fantastic. Also going off topic slightly do you find pre China rule coins in circulation still or they have been all withdrawn? Because one day I would like to visit Hong Kong and while there collect some of the British Hong Kong coins to take home.

I think just last British type because the others are different sizes.

Quote: "SpuDy"​I think just last British type because the others are different sizes.

​Thanks for telling me.

Back in the 1980's, the companies gate keeper and myself became good friends within work and often talked for a while about many things.
On day, we got around to talking about my interest in WWII, and he opened up about his military career, which I found very interesting.
Over time he elaborated on his military service, and eventually took his wallet out of his coat and showed me three very tatty banknotes that he had kept in there since 1945. These banknotes were used by him as POW (prisoner of war) money.
When he retired, he gave me the three banknotes for my collection. Although they are a bit tatty, they are more precious than others in my collection for the reasons in my story above.

Even stranger is the fact that a few years later, I met him again when his daughter married my brother in law. How strange is that.

Photos to follow.

Quote: "COINMAN1"​Back in the 1980's, the companies gate keeper and myself became good friends within work and often talked for a while about many things.
​On day, we got around to talking about my interest in WWII, and he opened up about his military career, which I found very interesting.
​Over time he elaborated on his military service, and eventually took his wallet out of his coat and showed me three very tatty banknotes that he had kept in there since 1945. These banknotes were used by him as POW (prisoner of war) money.
​When he retired, he gave me the three banknotes for my collection. Although they are a bit tatty, they are more precious than others in my collection for the reasons in my story above.
​
​Even stranger is the fact that a few years later, I met him again when his daughter married my brother in law. How strange is that.
​
​Photos to follow.

Hi ​COINMAN1

Thanks for posting that was a strange way you got those banknotes and the events that followed. I can’t wait to see the photos.

The condition of the 10 Reichsmark would be classed as "been through the wars" and that is exactly what they have done.

Quote: "COINMAN1"​
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​The condition of the 10 Reichsmark would be classed as "been through the wars" and that is exactly what they have done.

​The notes are in great shape apart from the 10 Reichsmark note like you said and that you’ve owned them for the past 35-40 years and they have a historic backstory to go with them.

Back in college, I worked for the city as a garbage man during the summer. We pulled up to a house that had a huge amount of stuff on the front lawn. The homeowner explained his daughter ran away with her boyfriend, so he threw out her entire bedroom, including her change jar that had about $20 in it.
Between that and all the change found in thrown away chairs and sofas, it was quite a profitable summer.

Quote: "JRo69"​Back in college, I worked for the city as a garbage man during the summer. We pulled up to a house that had a huge amount of stuff on the front lawn. The homeowner explained his daughter ran away with her boyfriend, so he threw out her entire bedroom, including her change jar that had about $20 in it.
​Between that and all the change found in thrown away chairs and sofas, it was quite a profitable summer.

​Anything special in the change jar if you can remember?

The 1st is a £1 that my Mother did a Swop for the Price of a Cup of Tea in 1943 with an American G.I on his Way to North Africa as it was all they Had she gave it to me in 1959 its Priceless.
The other I acquired around 1987/88 for the princely sum of 10 bob the Owner of it Tried to buy a Morning Paper and 10 Cigarettes' with it in the local Newsagents The Newsagents Wife Chased him out of the Shop shouting at him and hitting him around the Head with a rolled up News Paper I asked him later in the Day what it was all about and he Showed me the Note I offered him 10 Bob for it and he Accepted the Queen looks ok in the altogether don't you think. I have a few Copies if anybody is interested in one but I must Stress the Revers is a bit over the top.



Ian.

Quote: "Ian P"​
​The 1st is a £1 that my Mother did a Swop for the Price of a Cup of Tea in 1943 with an American G.I on his Way to North Africa as it was all they Had she gave it to me in 1959 its Priceless.
​The other I acquired around 1987/88 for the princely sum of 10 bob the Owner of it Tried to buy a Morning Paper and 10 Cigarettes' with it in the local Newsagents The Newsagents Wife Chased him out of the Shop shouting at him and hitting him around the Head with a rolled up News Paper I asked him later in the Day what it was all about and he Showed me the Note I offered him 10 Bob for it and he Accepted the Queen looks ok in the altogether don't you think. I have a few Copies if anybody is interested in one but I must Stress the Revers is a bit over the top.
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​Ian.

Very funny and strange scenario.

Quote​
​Ian.

​The top is causing a lot of stressful excitement

Moving on .....what other strange ways you got a coin or note?

Quote: "Worldwide collection"​

Quote: "JRo69"​Back in college, I worked for the city as a garbage man during the summer. We pulled up to a house that had a huge amount of stuff on the front lawn. The homeowner explained his daughter ran away with her boyfriend, so he threw out her entire bedroom, including her change jar that had about $20 in it.
​​Between that and all the change found in thrown away chairs and sofas, it was quite a profitable summer.

​​Anything special in the change jar if you can remember?

​Sadly, no. Just general circulation coins.

Quote: "JRo69"​

Quote: "Worldwide collection"​
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Quote: "JRo69"​Back in college, I worked for the city as a garbage man during the summer. We pulled up to a house that had a huge amount of stuff on the front lawn. The homeowner explained his daughter ran away with her boyfriend, so he threw out her entire bedroom, including her change jar that had about $20 in it.
​​​Between that and all the change found in thrown away chairs and sofas, it was quite a profitable summer.

​​​Anything special in the change jar if you can remember?

​​Sadly, no. Just general circulation coins.

Ok​

Quote: "Worldwide collection"​That was a strange way to obtain the note btw it looks fantastic. Also going off topic slightly do you find pre China rule coins in circulation still or they have been all withdrawn? Because one day I would like to visit Hong Kong and while there collect some of the British Hong Kong coins to take home.

​Of course, as "SpuDy" said, you can expect to find plenty of colonial-era coins in circulation here in Hong Kong. The oldest pieces I have pulled out of circulation are from the mid- to late-70s, though early 90's QEII coins are in circulation in much larger quantities.

If you want something extra, whether it be coin or banknote, I suggest you go to hobby shops (here I must note that I am not sponsored in any way, either directly or indirectly, I just felt like saying this since people are buying from foreign collectors at insane prices that are several times higher than their true market value. And hey, you're planning to visit Hong Kong anyway). Generally, beginner-level collectibles go for ridiculously cheap prices. 19th- and early 20th-century 1-cent and 10-cent coins will probably cost you no more than HK$100 each. I saw a small bag of about 10 of those 1-cent coins on sale for $20.

Please do note that the aforementioned items have to be very worn and usually in VG-F condition to go for prices lower than $100. If you want to go the uncirculated route, you most definitely can, but that'll cost you a few thousand extra.

Quote: "KS5331 Productions"​

Quote: "Worldwide collection"​​That was a strange way to obtain the note btw it looks fantastic. Also going off topic slightly do you find pre China rule coins in circulation still or they have been all withdrawn? Because one day I would like to visit Hong Kong and while there collect some of the British Hong Kong coins to take home.

​​Of course, as "SpuDy" said, you can expect to find plenty of colonial-era coins in circulation here in Hong Kong. The oldest pieces I have pulled out of circulation are from the mid- to late-70s, though early 90's QEII coins are in circulation in much larger quantities.
​
​If you want something extra, whether it be coin or banknote, I suggest you go to hobby shops (here I must note that I am not sponsored in any way, either directly or indirectly, I just felt like saying this since people are buying from foreign collectors at insane prices that are several times higher than their true market value. And hey, you're planning to visit Hong Kong anyway). Generally, beginner-level collectibles go for ridiculously cheap prices. 19th- and early 20th-century 1-cent and 10-cent coins will probably cost you no more than HK$100 each. I saw a small bag of about 10 of those 1-cent coins on sale for $20.
​
​Please do note that the aforementioned items have to be very worn and usually in VG-F condition to go for prices lower than $100. If you want to go the uncirculated route, you most definitely can, but that'll cost you a few thousand extra.

​Thanks for the advice and I know because of the current situation almost all coins and banknotes go for silly money and that’s the reason that I resort to “buy it now” lots and auctions from my local area but occasionally I get good deals on coins and banknotes online.

Quote: "Ian P"​
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​how is this even legal...

Quote: "KS5331 Productions"​

Quote: "Ian P"​​
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​​how is this even legal...

​Your guess is best as mine.

I Think it came from Amsterdam but I'm just Surmising I've never seen another and there is no information on the Internet and I think yes when I 1st Acquired it it must have been illegal but now probably not the Man in question whom I acquired it from has now Passed away but I don't think he even looked at it until he tried to purchase something with it so somebody must have passed it to him when he purchased something previously the dire Consequence's where he was chased out of the Shop and I have the memory of him being shouted at and being hit around the Head with a Newspaper by the Irate lady newsagent.
Ian.

Quote: "Ian P"​I Think it came from Amsterdam but I'm just Surmising I've never seen another and there is no information on the Internet and I think yes when I 1st Acquired it it must have been illegal but now probably not the Man in question whom I acquired it from has now Passed away but I don't think he even looked at it until he tried to purchase something with it so somebody must have passed it to him when he purchased something previously the dire Consequence's where he was chased out of the Shop and I have the memory of him being shouted at and being hit around the Head with a Newspaper by the Irate lady newsagent.
​Ian.

​You must be owning a 1 of 1 note and it is illegal to deface notes since the 1920s but no one really cares about that law anymore. Also the note was demonetised a few years after the old one pound coin was introduced. So the Police would not really care about a older defaced note.

My strangest way I obtained a coin only happened about a month ago,


me and my family were paying for LPG . We paid as usual and we got some change. In the few coins , we got the University of Mysore Cenntennary Celebrations 5 rupees coins which is pretty rare as it has a rarity of 25 in the Numista Rarity Index (which is twice as rare as a 1 rupee coin -George V), which is pretty cool to be honest.

Quote: "Goutham Sivasailam"​My strangest way I obtained a coin only happened about a month ago,
​
​
​me and my family were paying for LPG . We paid as usual and we got some change. In the few coins , we got the University of Mysore Cenntennary Celebrations 5 rupees coins which is pretty rare as it has a rarity of 25 in the Numista Rarity Index (which is twice as rare as a 1 rupee coin -George V), which is pretty cool to be honest.

​Pretty good and very lucky to get a rare Indian coin because I bet most of the other designs are minted in much higher quantity.

The Note was never defaced as its a Fantasy note not a real one and is slightly Smaller than a Genuine one it is only when one is used to Purchase something that it becomes a Criminal offence as it Should be Along those lines would it be a Criminal offence to Drill a Hole in a Coin , Solder a Clasp to a Coin , Clip a Coin or Enamel a Coin all these are Defacing a Coin of the Realm and by Definition a Criminal Offence.
Here is a stack of £50 and £20 Notes that can be bought for penny's they look very real but they are Napkin's should they look so real but that's another story .



Ian.

Quote: "Ian P"​The Note was never defaced as its a Fantasy note not a real one and is slightly Smaller than a Genuine one it is only when one is used to Purchase something that it becomes a Criminal offence as it Should be Along those lines would it be a Criminal offence to Drill a Hole in a Coin , Solder a Clasp to a Coin , Clip a Coin or Enamel a Coin all these are Defacing a Coin of the Realm and by Definition a Criminal Offence.
​Here is a stack of £50 and £20 Notes that can be bought for penny's they look very real but they are Napkin's should they look so real but that's another story .
​
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​Ian.

​Anyway love the napkins.

Nice - I got my £50 napkin about 9 years ago ...
https://en.numista.com/forum/topic6428.html#p39542

Quote: "ZacUK"​ Nice - I got my £50 napkin about 9 years ago ...
​https://en.numista.com/forum/topic6428.html#p39542
​

​I’ve only seen £50 on a couple of occasions this was the first note I got for my birthday and I kept it until it went out of circulation sadly I it was paid in.

Quote: "Worldwide collection"​

Quote: "Goutham Sivasailam"​My strangest way I obtained a coin only happened about a month ago,
​​
​​
​​me and my family were paying for LPG . We paid as usual and we got some change. In the few coins , we got the University of Mysore Cenntennary Celebrations 5 rupees coins which is pretty rare as it has a rarity of 25 in the Numista Rarity Index (which is twice as rare as a 1 rupee coin -George V), which is pretty cool to be honest.

​​Pretty good and very lucky to get a rare Indian coin because I bet most of the other designs are minted in much higher quantity.

​You're definitely right as the other commemorative Indian Coins aren't as rare. Since I live in India it's slightly easier to get commemorative coins but it's still pretty rare. That too I got the Hyderabad mint version which is like only 18% of coins while the Mumbai Mint version of this coin is about 81% of all coins (from numista).