What's the rarest coin you've held in person?

[centMD]

I'm curious what people have seen in person. My personal story is from around 10 years ago at a show in Kansas City. My dad and I were walking by the booths and one of the large name dealers had an 1895 Morgan Dollar NGC PF-69UC. One of the people working noticed that I was impressed by the coin and offered to let us have a closer look. He let us hold it and examine it as much as we wanted. Quite an impressive coin, and still to this day the only certified 69 deep cameo from either NGC or PCGS. I'm not sure he would have been so friendly if we didn't have our ANA member cards hanging around our necks. I remember looking around and not seeing any uniformed security but I imagine there were a few plainclothed individuals there if I tried to pull a runner! Quite a unique experience for a 14 year old kid and a very fond memory!

[Maineman750]

An uncirculated 1916 SLQ....and I handed it to Peter so he could drop it on the floor.

[Roller]

An uncirculated 1916 SLQ....and I handed it to Peter so he could drop it on the floor.

Poor Peter; hell never be allowed to live that one down.

[flyhi3]

An uncirculated 1916 SLQ....and I handed it to Peter so he could drop it on the floor.

And, now its AU.....

[flyhi3]

I would say a 1955 P DDO 1 in UNC or 1909s VDB in UNC. I think I have held some pretty rare silver dollars also, If I remember correctly, but those didn't stick in mind like the cents lol.

[tstone]

Many years ago I held a slabbed 1969S Doubled Die. I couldn't believe how doubled it was.

[koinmon]

A 1829 Curl Base 2 Bust dime that a friend of mine picked up at a local coin shop f0r less than $20.00 bucks in around 2004. Sent in for grading came back G-4 sold in major auction for nearly 5 Grand in 2010; he rented a beach house in S.C. for 2 weeks.

[liveandievarieties]

A couple of years ago I held and photographed a 1909 VDB Matte Proof in NGC PF-66 Red, tied for finest known. I've also been within 6 inches of one of the 1913 Liberty Nickels.

[admrose]

Probably a 16-D Mercury that I then proceeded to sell

I've also been within 6 inches of one of the 1913 Liberty Nickels.

They don't want people close enough to drool on the case.

[coppercoins]

Held in my own hands...hmm...

The ANA 1804 Silver Dollar. Only six of these known. Value over a million.
Both of the 1958 DDO cents. Value over $100K each.
1969S DDO cent in MS64RD. Value over $150K.
1982 DDR cent discovery coin. At the time it was unique. Value around $2K
1937-D 3-Leg Buffalo in MS66. Value over $50K
Unique $10 Utah (Mormon) Gold coin. Value around $5K.

Several gold and silver patterns for which fewer than 5 are known.

Most of Kagin's California gold pattern and unique test strikes.

Probably up to hundreds of Lincoln cent varieties for which only one or two are known.

[Gunnovice09]

Admrose, did you find the 16 d or did to buy it?

[admrose]

Admrose, did you find the 16 d or did to buy it?

Bought it. Needed the cash and had to sell it

[Peter]

An uncirculated 1916 SLQ....and I handed it to Peter so he could drop it on the floor.

I never actually held that coin but I did see it on the floor.

[Arjohn]

It's the coin that started me into collecting. My Uncle (Godfather too) showed me his 1955P DDO in what had to have been UNC... I was quite young -- I guess 9-10 -- And therefore around 1959-60

[amosamos16]

A mint state 1815 bust half, I drooled!!