Introduction/Explanation
Griffin1217
Posts: 44 ✭
Hi everyone,
In one of my recent posts, I had some negative interactions with several people. As someone explained to me, they thought I was a troll because I never really introduced myself, as well as asking stupid questions/doing stupid things (i.e. cleaning my coins), and, apparently, there's been a trolling problem. I'd like to take the time to apologize if I came off as a troll and to introduce myself here!
My name is Griffin. I'm 14 years old. I'm new to numismatics so I don't know a whole lot. I'm mainly into collecting coins I find in bank rolls. I also have an expensive school path ahead of me, and I'm not old enough to work so I'm using something I enjoy to potentially make and save a little money by selling any coins I find that have some value. Thank you to those of you who have already welcomed me to the community! I'm glad to have joined and I'm excited about my numismatic future.
Cheers!
Griffin
Comments
Thanks for explaining.
I would not advise spending significant time in searching rolls to finance school.
Good finds are quite rare, and you are competing against a lot of retired old guys with lots of free time on their hands,
who are doing it for fun.
Refreshing post! Good luck to you young man. Just remember most guys here have socks older then you ( albeit they probably don't match)
m
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
I probably should have explained a little further - I'm lucky enough to be in a well-off family that can pay for my school, but I'm going to take several expensive courses in my junior year of high school (I'm getting approved to graduate as a junior, but I have to take senior-level AND junior-level ones) and I feel bad not even at least helping with the course costs a little bit. It's not like I'm trying to make enough money to cover my student loans. Even if I don't make enough to help with the cost of the courses, I could at least make enough pocket change to buy things like a USB microscope or anything else I need. Regardless of whether or not I make much money, it's still something I enjoy and will continue to do.
Thanks for your advice!
Griffin
I represent that last remark!
But seriously welcome to the board. I hope you have many years of enjoyment in the hobby.
I'm must be getting cynical in my old age, cause something smells fishy here.
Could you please elaborate?
For starters, the timing of your post... but hey, don't mind me, I'm just an aging cynic. Carry on.
I'm sure I can explain whatever it is that you're worried about. If by "timing of my post" you're referring to the troll attacks that were mentioned to me, I can guarantee you it's just coincidental. I recently was scrolling through some social media as the youths do these days when I came across a video of someone who found a West Point quarter. I was somewhat into coins when I was very little ever since my grandmother showed me her collection, so I already knew I enjoyed it but had completely forgotten about it until I came across this video. This is how I was reintroduced to the world of numismatics. As I said, the timing of all of it is purely coincidental and it's unfortunate that my discovery of numismatics, and especially my discovery of this forum, happened at such an inconvenient and hard time for this forum's community. Please feel free to elaborate on whatever else seems to be bothering you about my post and I'd be happy to explain myself.
Cheers,
Griffin
" I'm lucky enough to be in a well-off family that can pay for my school, but I'm going to take several expensive courses in my junior year of high school (I'm getting approved to graduate as a junior, but I have to take senior-level AND junior-level ones) and I feel bad not even at least helping with the course costs a little bit. It's not like I'm trying to make enough money to cover my student loans."
Well right there - "I'm lucky enough to be in a well-off family that can pay for my school" - then this - "It's not like I'm trying to make enough money to cover my student loans."
If you are "well off" you won't have student loans............
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
I guess I kind of worded that wrong... I meant the overall cost of college.
Whatever interests you about coins is a good thing. Just soak up the knowledge here.
One thing about my various hobbies is that they open so many other doors for me. I learn about history, people, business, etc. etc. etc.
It is amazing how many questions I get right on Jeopardy! because I directly or indirectly learned things through coin collecting.
It will make you a smarter and better rounded person. And that can pay off in many ways.
Don't burden yourself with debt in the form of student loans. Try to get through with NO debt.
bob
Welcome kid.
Welcome Griffin.
You won't find these coins in your roll searching, but you may find the American Innovation dollar coin series to be interesting and educational. If you look into the back stories of each coin - what need or problem was being addressed by the innovation - you'll be amazed.
The series was conceived to appeal to history buffs, technologists, educators, and us numismatists. As a member of all of those groups, I am enjoying collecting them.
You say you are 14 - enjoy your youth while you can - don't even think about college just yet.!!!
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
Unfortunately, I have to start thinking about it. I'm currently a freshman in high school and I've only got a year and a half left in my high school career.
Thank you so much! I'll definitely be sure to check it out!
Why? And being in high school is not a "career"
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
Why what? And yes, I know it's not technically a "career" but that's what the teachers and other staff all call it. I don't really know a better word for it.
You say you are 14 - ask your parents about the meaning of the word "Career" - after all, their "careers" are paying for your existence.....
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
I don't really understand why you're arguing with me? Or maybe I'm just reading into it too much? A lot of your comments seem a little snippy. I don't want to start anything but I'm really trying my best to be friendly and I haven't gotten a lot of that in response.
Some times it is best to sit back and smell the roses.
Well Charles - sit back and learn the English language - YOUR vs YOU'RE -
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
I figured its a new year and I’m giving the benefit of the doubt. I could certainly be wrong. I reserve the right to change my mind
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
typos happen dude
rude
Welcome aboard.
My youngest is a junior in HS and has his SAT's coming up in March. He made good money last year doing instacart deliveries (for and on behalf of his older brother) along with the occassional coin flipping on eBay (bought a used BMW and even went on a vacation to CA this past summer).
While these activities are commendable, have told him that he has very big shoes to fill by getting a full ride because am not going to pay for college (my older two are in the university on full academic scholarships) because I am just paying forward what my dad said to me and I quote verbatim, "if I paid for your college, you would just party away".
Do focus on your grades and scores to enrol in your choice of school for the program you wish to pursue. And yeah, do partake in as many sports and extra curricular activities as you can manage.
https://s18670.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/College-Admissions-Timeline_8.5x11-1.pdf
The above link takes you to a poster in pdf format that has a very nice explanation of the "timelines" and need to focus areas while in HS.
My oldest played varsity soccer and was swim team captain, yet managed to burn the midnight oil racking up enough credits in HS to actually skip a year in college.
It is all very doable. Wish you all the very best.
Edited to add timeline poster link
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/quarters/PCGS-2020-quarter-quest/album/247091
While the sentiment is nice, I aspire to go to a prestigious college which is something I have to take very seriously if I want a shot at it. Not to mention my school is very serious about preparing us for the "real world" young.
Unfortunately, with this whole "graduating as a junior thing," one of the forfeitures is scholarships. I still need to clarify with the guidance counselor if this just means scholarships to in-state universities or all universities, but we'll see. Very few people can get full-ride scholarships to their dream college, much less to a top university as a 16-year-old. In my state, the child labor laws are very strict and I wouldn't be able to work more than one hour per day for less than minimum wage. I've decided to take up tutoring since the child labor laws don't apply to that, but I doubt it can pay for even four years at an Ivy League, and I'm planning to go for a doctorate. We'll see, I suppose. I won't be able to take up a real job for more than eight months or so if I head off to college immediately after I graduate, which makes things even harder. I just hope it all works out in the end.
There is nothing preventing you from getting external grants and scholarships. Your guidance counsellor would be the apt person to guide you but it would be prudent to do your own groundwork and initiating after searching for monies. Internships are great while still in HS.
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/how-to-find-and-secure-scholarships-for-college
There are so many resources out there on the world wide web - just have to keep looking.
https://www.salliemae.com/college-planning/college-scholarships/types-of-scholarships/scholarships-for-college-students/
https://www.discover.com/student-loans/college-planning/scholarships/directory/general
Good luck.
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/quarters/PCGS-2020-quarter-quest/album/247091
Put down the books and start pumping iron, kid. That's how I got a full-ride to a prestigious school, but then I was 6'5" as well.
Oh, and good luck with your coin collecting adventures. I'd suggest learning grading and cherrypicking rare varieties as a method of making some money with coins.
None of the educational/life “advice” or paranoia directed at the OP in this thread is warranted. To the OP: welcome.
Gobrecht's Engraved Mature Head Large Cent Model
https://www.instagram.com/rexrarities/?hl=en
Hey @Griffin1217
I can tell by your post above you know which end is up. It's always great to get new collectors to join us on the forum.
I have a granddaughter who graduated after her junior year so I can tell you're someone willing to work hard.
Have fun!
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
If I didn’t say welcome. Well welcome stop trying to fix coins they are what they are this is something you will need to learn and you will over time you can’t rush it.
The more you see on this board the more you will get good at buy or sell or picking even roll searching. There are many way you can roll search.
Ask about that not how you are doctoring a coin that just doesn’t sit well here.
Pick up a cherry picker book and read it get to know it, save up $50.00 then go to a coin shop and ask for roll’s and to look at some coins in those date’s in the book. Then you will see how this is one of many ways to get you started on having fun and making a little extra cash in coins.
And Please don’t walk in to a coin shop and say I’m here to cherry pick you. Lol
Hoard the keys.
Welcome to the forum.
Good for you for making the effort to provide some background and politely stand up to skepticism and criticisms. Many of us - myself included - who were beginners a long time ago, sometimes forget what we didn’t know way back when.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
@Griffin1217... Welcome aboard. And thank you for the personal resume. Best of luck in your educational endeavors... Though I can see you are taking a hand in making sure they are successful. Cheers, RickO
Welcome Griffin. Despite a lot of snarky attitudes from others here, I recognize a lot of my much-younger self in you. I'm glad you are here and wish you all the best. I won't belabor my own resumé here, since it is ancient history. But I started planning my own educational journey and yes, career, before I turned 12 years old. And it didn't involve pumping iron unless you count the iron in blood going to the brain. It paid off well.
Wishing you all the best,
Kind regards,
George
Welcome to the forum. Not sure why others are being jerks to you (probably the same ones who say we need young collectors in the hobby), but don’t worry about them. This is the best place on the internet to improve your knowledge of numismatics. Good to have you.
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Welcome. Enjoy your time here. Collect what you like is probably the most important thing I’ve heard. Now selling is different in that your opinion of a coin will change as you look for inventory. What you like and what can bring a couple bucks are different.
Been a couple years since I was your age , about 55 of them. I was a go getter in school and enjoy your enthusiasm. Such a great age.
I have learned to study and ask questions ( grumpy old people don’t always express themselves well but there’s some very serious knowledge on the forum.
Good luck to you ( we are only grumpy some of the time 😉)
🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶
I never got an allowance but I got money for good grades.
Education is a career even without money.
Good luck. Though I doubt you'll need it.
A couple questions/comments
1) if graduating from HS early is going to significantly reduce your chances for scholarships and financial aid, why do it?
2) some debt isn't necessarily bad if you can use the degree to get a stable, good paying job that you enjoy (Engineering, for example). Avoid debt if you feel it will be difficult to pay it off once you get a job in your chosen field (French medieval poetry, for example)
3) depending on your field of study, a graduate degree from a well respected school may be more important than where you earned your undergraduate degree. High achievement at a good state school is one strategy that can help get you into a prestigious grad school. I've worked with a number of research scientists who have BS degrees from NoPlaceYouEverHeardOf Univ, but PhDs from top engineering schools.
4) you're not going to make $$$ searching coin rolls for errors. If it was possible, I would be sitting on a beach, sipping rum drinks with little umbrellas in them, instead of getting ready to shovel the snow out of the driveway (and I'm doing a good job of procrastinating while I write this 😇). The best way to make money is to use your numismatic knowledge to find and buy undervalued coins and flip them for a profit. That takes a lot of time to gain the knowledge, experience, and find the right coins.
I bought and sold coins in HS and college but only made beer money, and even that took a lot of effort (but I was having fun so I didn't mind the low profits).
My unsolicited advice; take the time to enjoy your teenage years. You'll be working for the rest of your life. Just keep you priorities straight and you'll be fine. Time for me to shovel the driveway.
Welcome aboard Griffin!
Excellent to see the better side of the forum coming forward here.
Thank you for the introduction.
You seem like an incredibly grounded young man. Certainly a far cry from where my head was at when I was your age! But, that’s another story…. I sure had a lot of fun BEFORE I finally buckled down ;-)
Don’t forget to have some FUN in there somewhere.
Happy, humble, honored and proud recipient of the “You Suck” award 10/22/2014
Don't waste your time or money on common material. Buy one carefully selected coin rather than a lot of common junk. I wish I had done this when I started collecting.
Don't waste your time or eyesight on minor "errors" or "varieties".
Welcome to the forum. Good luck to you. Luck = preparation followed by opportunity.