Chapter 5: Selling the Coins or ‘Let’s Make a Deal’

Sitting at a booth in an empty Waffle House restaurant, I asked Scarlett about last night.

She was sitting across from me.

“Are you complaining?”

I slightly shook my head.

“You are living in a house with two old ladies and three young women who have been starved for the affections of a man for over a hundred years. We only had each other. We learned to satisfy our need for sex by pleasing one another. Does that bother you?”

I was grinning my biggest smile and had not notice the waitress pouring me another cup of coffee.

“Judging from that smile on your face you must really like those waffles!”

“I do! See how I stacked all three on top of each other, with butter in between and syrup all over. Wow! What else could a man want. I would love to have that every day!”

She shook her head and walked away. Scarlett was laughing and said, “You better like it and get accustomed to having it every day. We have a lot of catching up to do!”

Coin Shop number one

I finished my breakfast then left for my first stop. A coin shop.

‘The Silver and Gold Coin and Pawn Shop’ was open and seemed to be busy. When I walked in a heavyset man with a bald head stood behind a counter.

“How can I help you today?”

“I have a coin I would like to sell.”

I took the handkerchief out of my shirt pocket. He produced a velvet covered board and I poured the coin onto it.

He put a glove on his hand and picked the coin up.

“Where did you get this?”

“My grandfather died, and I was cleaning out an old trunk of his and found it.”

“What do you want to do with it?”

“Sell it.”

He started explaining where it was minted and how. He told me how many were made then asked how much I wanted for it.

“I saw on the internet that they sell for about $3200. I know you have to make a profit so I think $2500 would be fair.”

“Those internet prices are for coins that have never been in circulation and have been graded. I would have to get this graded and that costs money. Then I would put it in an auction. Again, auction fees and who knows what I would get. I’ll give you $1100 for it.”

“$2400.”

“Not going to happen.”

I reached down and picked the coin up with the handkerchief and was folding it up.

“I don’t like this man. I think he is trying to make a lot of money off you.” I nodded my head ‘yes’.

“What’s your best price?”

“I’ll take $2300 for it.”

“No, if you change your mind, you know where to find me. $1500 cash money. Last offer.”

“Have a good day.” With that I walked out of his store.

Coin Shop number two.

‘Turner’s Rare Coins’

The shop was small but nicely laid out. There was a young boy looking at a coin held by an older man who was explaining to him where the coin was minted and when. When I walked in, he put the coin back in the case and the kid thanked him and left.