Introducing… Pat C. our Gold Coins Sweepstakes winner
Sometimes it’s inspiring to hear about someone who’s actually won a collector’s sweepstake. So it’s with pleasure I introduce the winner of Littleton’s gold half eagle and quarter eagle sweepstakes – Patricia or “Pat.” I caught up with Pat a few weeks ago just as she was finishing up her morning coffee, and chatted with her about collecting, the hobby and the prize. Her warm, friendly voice put me right at ease.
Q. What was your reaction when you learned you had won the sweepstakes?
A. After I found out I, was excited and cautiously optimistic, because sometimes people don’t always follow through or the prize isn’t what was promised. Then, I got a second call saying I had won the prize while I was in my car… it was then that I knew it was true.
When I actually received the gold coins, I was really excited! It was real – I was a winner! I enter contests, and my husband doesn’t. My husband just inherited a small collection of coins from the 1800s from his mother, so I gave the prize to him. We were thrilled! We couldn’t wait to show our neighbors who are collectors too.
Q. How long have you collected?
A. About 46 years… My husband was a collector when we got married, so it came with the territory! He started with a 1968 Proof Set he got from his parents and now we’re starting the third generation. We have 5 grandchildren and two of them are really interested in collecting. I try to give them Proof or Mints Sets for their birthdays or Christmas – something that they’ll keep.
Q. What do you collect?
A. We collect Indian Heads, Wheatie cents, silver Liberty Walking half dollars and more. We get our coins from pocket change, flea markets, Littleton Coin and the mint. Every week we get out the magnifiers and my husband takes the change out of his pockets and I empty my purse and we go through it to see what we’ve got. It’s fun. Then, we put some stuff aside for the grandkids, because we don’t know what they need for their books.
Q. How did you become a Littleton customer?
A. Littleton has always been a name that I’ve known about and a source for coins. And your company is the only “magazine” (catalog) I order from, that and one other. Plus, you have excellent customer service!
Q. Do you have any advice for collectors?
A. Never stop looking; you never know what will turn up! We’ve found good coins in flea markets and other places. Just never stop looking…
Q. Many people think coin collecting is primarily a male hobby. Do you have any advice for women? Why they might want to collect?
A. There are a lot of nice pieces out there – some that are really beautiful. I think it’s as important for women to collect as men. After all, statistics say women live longer than men, so it’s important for them to know about the collection and coins, because they’ll probably become the keeper of it. It’s a good hobby, and in fact, I’m teaching my daughter-in-law about it.
Q. Do you have any other hobbies?
A. I make my own greeting cards. I stamp and emboss them, and usually put coins in them. Coins last longer than toys, clothes or other things. I like to travel and I like gourmet cooking too.
Congratulations to Pat!
