Ep.16 - Tony Littlejohn on Collecting Standing Liberty Quarters #numismatics #coin #podcast #money

In this episode of the Cabbage Coins podcast, host Tony Gryckiewicz interviews renowned coin collector Tony Littlejohn, who shares his extensive journey in the world of numismatics. From his early fascination with coins to becoming a top-tier collector of Standing Liberty quarters, Littlejohn discusses the competitive nature of registry collecting, the importance of community among collectors, and the strategies he employs to acquire rare and high-grade coins. The conversation also touches on the challenges of finding specific coins, the appeal of coin shows, and the significance of quality in coin grading. Additionally, the episode features a fun segment where Littlejohn identifies coins from his collection, showcasing his expertise and passion for the hobby.TakeawaysTony Littlejohn began collecting coins in the early 60s.His interest in coins was sparked by the removal of silver from U.S. currency.He transitioned from collecting to selling coins at auctions.Littlejohn's engineering background helped him develop an analytical approach to coin collecting.He started focusing on registry sets in 2016, driven by competition.Coin shows provide a focused environment for collectors to find specific coins.Littlejohn emphasizes the importance of quality in coin grading.The community of registry collectors is generally supportive and competitive.He shares strategies for competing in registry sets, including keeping his collection hidden.Littlejohn is also exploring the Susan B. Anthony dollar series and the Everyman set. Sound Bites"I was too competitive to not pursue the registry.""I bought a number of coins, most of them to resell.""Buy the best coin. That's always been my motif."Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Cabbage Coins Podcast02:56 Tony Littlejohn: A Journey into Coin Collecting06:16 The Influence of Engineering on Coin Collecting09:13 The Competitive Nature of Registry Collecting12:19 Building a Top-Tier Collection15:06 The Challenges of Collecting Standing Liberty Quarters17:48 Instinct vs. Research in Coin Acquisition20:43 Rare Finds: The 1927-S Standing Liberty Quarter23:25 The Difficulty of Finding High-Grade Coins25:01 The Community of Registry Collecting27:25 Strategies in Competitive Collecting30:40 Bidding Strategies and Auction Dynamics33:58 Fun with Standing Liberty Quarters38:00 The Intricacies of Key Dates43:57 The Politics of Coin Design47:42 Exploring the Simpson Coin and Its Features48:31 Identifying the 1918 Coin and Its Characteristics50:22 The 1930 Coin: A Collector's Perspective51:56 The 29-S Coin: A Journey to Upgrade53:13 Diving into the Susan B. Anthony Dollar Collection56:16 The Everyman Set: A Unique Collecting Approach58:04 The Challenge of AU58+ Coins01:03:09 Lessons in Building a Top Registry Set01:04:38 Legacy and Future of Coin CollectingKeywordscoin collecting, numismatics, registry sets, standing liberty quarters, coin shows, coin grading, coin dealers, Susan B. Anthony dollars, Everyman set, coin communityIntro Music - "Obverse Fields" by Timothy GryckiewiczWhere you can find Tony LittlejohnIG: @TL_coinsWhere you can find Tony Gryckiewicz and Cabbage Coins:website: https://cabbagecoins.com/email: [email protected]: @cabbage_coinsUpcoming Shows to Meet Cabbage Coins:PAN ShowOctober 16-18, 2025Monroeville, PennsylvaniaSouth Carolina Numismatic Association ConventionOctober 23-25, 2025Greenville, South CarolinaBaltimore Whitman ExpoNovember 6-8, 2025Baltimore, MarylandLike the content? Consider buying me a Coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/cabbagecoins