[Rick Lee]

When I was about eight or nine I had a US savings bond that matured for $179, IIRC. My mom said I had to spend it on something that would appreciate. I was into coin collecting then, so we went to a fancy shop in Dallas and I bought several Franklin halves in BU condition. I don't think they use that condition anymore. They've been in a book ever since. The owner of that coin shop has passed away, but his son now runs a shop by the same name in Philadelphia, where I travel often. I may even still have the original receipts from 1980. I will eventually bring the book in to try to sell, as I just don't care about them anymore.