Every school morning my mother would give me a quarter for my hot lunch and she would tell me not to loose it or I would go hungry that day. So I would push it deep into my pocket and off it went. But one particular day as my mother was to hand me my quarter I instead experienced a heavy thud hit my hand followed by the words, "Donnie that is a Walking Liberty 50-cent piece and it is equal to two quarters so make sure the lady at school gives you back a quarter in change". I stood there mesmerized by that silver monstrosity in all its glory. I remember taking it back out of my pocket and holding it in my hands as I walked to school admiring all of its details and beauty. The coin seem alive as LIberty herself appeared walking to greet the rising sun. It was huge...it was beautiful... and it was more than just a coin--it was a piece of art!
During my morning classes and recess I would occasionally retrieve Lady Liberty from my pocket and sneak a peak at her. As lunchtime neared I was hit by the realization that in no way could I surrender her to the cashier--no way! So I went hungry that school day and instead of joining my friends in the cafeteria I opted to play tetherball by myself at the playground. The remainder of the school day was slow as everything slows down when your hungry. But the final bell came and with it came another problem as realized I didn't have the quarter my mother was expecting. With this in mind I sprinted to our local liquor store and scurried about the open fields that bordered it in search of the beloved 3 cent coke bottle--the bread & butter of my childhood. With my adrenaline pushing me perhaps 30 minutes passed and enough were had--I had my quarter.
As expected I ate a big dinner that evening and that night I held Lady Liberty in my hand and admired her until I feel asleep. I had mixed sentiments in that I was happy that the coin was mine and that I earned it by going hungry and collecting bottles. But I also knew that what I did was wrong and that my mother worked hard every day to give my that quarter. But as the days passed so did my guilt--its like that when you're a kid. My mother is gone now but I still have that Walking Liberty and I would not trade it for a $20 gold piece. I am sincere when I say this because every time I take a look at that wonderful coin it brings back all the memories of my childhood and all that my parents did for me. No $20 gold piece can do that for me.
That special day back in 1966 is a day I'll never forget as it was the first time I ever laid eyes on a Walking Liberty half-dollar--and it was the first day that I became a coin collector!
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