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Discover something new? Write about it!
RogerB
Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
Have you discovered a new example of a rare coin; or maybe a new die variety in an established series; or possibly uncovered new information about how coins were made or distributed; or something entirely unexpected…? (Maybe something from northcoin's message thread....)
Don’t keep it to yourself. Don’t put it in a safe and forget about it.
Tell your fellow coin collectors about it in an article. It’s easy and a fun way to connect with others in the hobby (and even business) of coins. The basics are:
- What did you discover or find?
- When did this happen?
- Are other examples known?
- How is this different?
- Who are you?
- Oh, and leave the fluff for stuffed animals and pillows.
[Copyright 2019 Stephan Pastis/Distributed by Andrews McMeel Syndication.]
So – maybe you’ll become a famous, wealthy author….or maybe not. But you will gain a lot for yourself and others by writing.
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I'm thinking about writing a book on pattern coins
Writing isn't an issue for me and I've already written some draft articles for a number of topics. Coin photography is the blocker now. I've discovered my iPhone doesn't cut it after getting an iPhone copy stand, so now I need a dSLR macro and copy stand. At least I have the dSLR.
Okay Roger, have put up a separate thread on the CC dollars. I tried to write an article for that outfit in Colorado Springs but found they are not easy to talk to or communicate with so I just will post it here.
bob
AUandAG - PM me and I can check your draft. Maybe there are a few minor things that will increase interest in Colorado. Do you mention the mushroom growers of Carson, NV?
@Zoins , maybe sub out the photography?
Several outstanding coin photographers here, as you know.
That way you could focus on the subject and leave the pics to the experts.
Maybe you could get a price break by giving them credit and exposure.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
About 20 years ago, i wrote a few articles for a local club newsletter in SC when I lived there. Been meaning to do more, but never found the time. Now you've got me interested again.
If anyone needs help, PM me and I'll do what I can - including providing access to my document database.
Well, I discovered, and published, not just a die variety, but an undocumented hub design that was implemented across all three mints for 1900 dimes. Nobody cares. You have to embark on this kind of stuff for your own enjoyment.
Well - I understand the "Nobody cares" comment, and it might feel like that is the case. But very few people mention things they read or interact with. Absence of comment, does not mean the article was not useful or interesting to a reader. Further, if in a publication tracked by NNP, your article will appear whenever someone searches for key words involving Barber dimes.
I have-I've written two books concerning my favorite series of coins. Neither will ever be a best seller but I didn't do it to get rich or even make a profit-just enough to basically cover the cost of printing them. Keeping them updated is one of the things that keep me sane in my retirement. Tho they cover an esoteric variety I do think they are the only books written on the subject.
What are the books? I’d love to know about them.
One covers the abraded dies for Buffalo nickels and the other is an in depth study of the striking characteristics for the same series.
Is there a VAM for dimes?
I understand what you are saying,Roger, but that is not where it is at for me.
I admit that some of the most fun I have had in years with coins was researching for the World War Two collection I am putting together.
But that was for me, not to publish. Coins are not a job for me and I refuse to let them become a job.
Coins are my joy, they have kept me sane they have driven me nuts they have been my addiction, I have spent rent money to get a coin, and I have gone ten years without buying a single one.
But always for my pleasure. I have learned that is often best to keep one's passion as a passion not a way to make a living.
My goal is to try and make publishing as easy as posting on the forums. Fingers crossed!
Maybe one day... I keep saying that ... and the days keep flowing by....I love to write, and do write, but mostly about things I see and do.... Have not yet tried my hand at a coin research article. Maybe....
Cheers, RickO
BTW, I'm a big fan of self-made publications like the following:
I've been wondering if it would be nice to publish some of these under a Creative Commons license so they can be enhanced over time.
@Zoins
An e-book would be easier, but most who buy numismatic books want a printed book for their collection - which takes considerable effort, as I found out!
That being stated, publishing is easier and less expensive than ever with self-publishing options. There are many fine self-published numismatic books. I did not have a lot of time for distribution so I went with a publisher.
That's along my thoughts as well. I've been using Pandoc ( https://pandoc.org/ ) to create books in PDF and Kindle format.
For my coin books, I'm thinking of starting with PDF and for my other books, I'm thinking of starting with Kindle. I've been working on a system to auto-optimize images sizes for PDF and Kindle which seem to be best viewed with different image sizes.
Once a book is in Kindle format, there are easy ways to self-publish physical books as well.
I have a bunch of content written already, so I'm curious to see which one will come out first.
Those are interesting and potentially valuable options and formats.
Be sure to use an ISBN number and enter the book in the Bowker "Books in Print" database. Those actions allow search engines to find your publication at any time in the future. Without these, books - regardless of subject or quality - soon fade away.
One day they will care more, trust me.