So a node doesn't save anything?
I don't know what exactly you mean by save. But in short, Bitcoin node keep partial/full blockchain data and UTXO set.
What would be the importance of an earlier node aside from the cool factor? Wouldn't the node still be able to sign for transactions with coins related to said node? I have an idea which transactions were ones that I made. For example, a set of transactions that occurred around July '09 where I consolidated 200 addresses into a 10k coin address for the "cool" factor when a friend of mine asked if it was possible to put that many coins into one address.
You need to explain what cool factor means. But,
1. You just need full node to get relevant transaction associated with address on your wallet.
2. There's no thing such as certain coin/UTXO related with specific node.