1853-P Seated Liberty

This tired and worn coin managed to land in my great grandfather's collection before all traces of its identity were rubbed away. Liberty's image is indistinguishable and , with the exception of the stars. the date and the outline of Seated liberty, it would be easily overlooked on the ground. Thankfully, he chose to add it to the Mason jar. I treasure it just as much as I do the Seated Liberty Dime in AU condition, because it came from my family. I believe that our generation is largely apathetic to the existence of coinage, of any origin, at least, in our nation. I tested the waters among my 2 daughrers and my 2 daughters-in-law to see that sparkle of intrigue in the eye when I mention my coin collection. My youngest responds, "When you're gone, if I have it I'll just cash it in. I don't 'get into' things like you do. You've got way too much stuff!." . Definitely a fail. I know better than to pass this legacy on to her. Her sister doesn't fare much better. so I move on to my daughters-in-law. Complete oblivion between them and, the oldest son-in-law. I begin thinking of nmismatic associations that may best recieve my family's legacy collection. Finally, at a breakfast to tell my husband he's gonna be a grandpa, I lock eyes with my youngest son-in-law and ask the million dollar question. "So, what do you know about coins?"! Immediately, he straightens his slouch and begins to tell me that he's always loved to look through and collect older coins. The sparkle is blinding, with this one! LOL

I speak of four generations and he's fidgeting! Yep. I do believe I've found the Gate-Keeper.

This half-dime has been around! Who knows what pockets or change pouches it may have been in! Heavily circulated, features are completely occluded. All lettering and the date are clear to see. On the reverse, the wreath is very much worn.. No mint mark is evident.. I"m working on building on to my 4-generation coin collection but, as a disabled veteran on a fixed income, am doing so, slowly as I can afford to. There are so many coins, such as the 1909-S Indian Head, that I'll likely never be able to afford. I'm 54 now. This collection is so precious, to me, because my great-grandfather, grandfather and love of my life--my dad, all built upon it. From the time I was 5 years old, I would go through the old ammo can, carefully picking out each piece and admiring the stunning artwork of the Standing Liberty quarters and all the old coins; this resulted in my father gifting me this collection several years before he passed away, in 2019. I miss him, so much but, when I'm in the collection looking through all of the items, I can remember sitting in the middle of our living room floor, hearing him speak of some "lost" half dimes and Seated Liberty Dimes. It would be three years after his death, when organizing my garage and the belongings from the old house, that I'd stumble upon another ammo can--one that I had no knowledge of and, one that he'd hidden so well that, even he, had forgotten where it was! I know he's looking down upon me as I found the two small shoeboxes containing amazing coins that I'd never laid eyes upon.