And it took a large staff to fill all those square inches. Besides the big stories and the small stories and the club reports and the show reports we wrote fillers to make the layout easier. We got mockups of pages from the advertising department with the ads blocked out, and we had to fill in the rest. One hole might have room for a headline and 20 inches of text. If the layout editor had a story that had 21 inches of text, he could either make the headline smaller or find a paragraph that was not all that interesting and get rid of it.
If he had 19 inches of text he would paste it up and grab a filler off of a literal pile of small pieces of paper of different length that would fit the remaining hole. We all wrote fillers now and then, and they just sat there until needed. One day Bill Gibbs, who went on to be Editor of Coin World, showed David T. Alexander and I several sheets of fillers he had written and asked if he should leave in this one:
"The Quatloo of Triskelion has been demonetized."
David and I, being science fiction fans, said of course, the copy editor put a simple headline "COIN DEMONETIZED" on it, and it landed in the pile of fillers. Eventually it ended up in the paper, and we got five letters from Trekkies who wanted us to know that they got the joke. Eventually the big cheese Editor, Margo Russell, asked why we were getting these letters about a filler. David and I leaped to explain what a wonderful joke it was, and life carried on.
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
Yes, I remember the filler I wrote involving the Quatloo; I probably should not have done that. That was a lifetime ago.
I wish I could offer an explanation of the current situation at Coin World but I retired in December after 47+ years on the job. I am in occasional contact with my successor and management but since I am no longer an official spokesman for the firm, I am not in a position to share what little I know.
William Gibbs is still listed as editor at large on the Coin World web site. Perhaps Coin World needs to update the staff listed on their web site, among other updates.
William T. Gibbs
Bill Gibbs
Editor-At-Large
937.498.0853
bgibbs@amospress.com
William is the managing editor, appointed to that position on May 1,2015, after serving as news editor for many years. He joined the Coin World editorial staff in 1976 as an assistant editor for "Collectors' Clearinghouse." Bill manages the editorial staff and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the print and online editorial content of Coin World. He serves as chief copy editor for all Coin World publications and directs Editorial production aspects of Coin World. He has served as lead copy editor for all books published by Coin World since 1985. Bill began collecting coins at age 10. He is a graduate of Bowling Green State University and majored in journalism.
FYI: I received an email from Coin World telling me that they extended my subscription by 2 months. AND that they are working on resolving the printing problem they have.
I had written a formal complaint email and emailed it to the editor-in-chief last week, so if you have not done so, then do so you would get extra 2 months on your subscription.
@SilverPlatinum said:
FYI: I received an email from Coin World telling me that they extended my subscription by 2 months. AND that they are working on resolving the printing problem they have.
I had written a formal complaint email and emailed it to the editor-in-chief last week, so if you have not done so, then do so you would get extra 2 months on your subscription.
From what I understand, they will do that to all print edition customers. We shall see.
"Bongo drive 1984 Lincoln that looks like old coin dug from ground."
Rick Amos tells me it IS a printing issue which got more fouled up as they tried to fix it. He says they've got a handle on it now and the December issue should be printed and mailed. He's not sure whether they'll print and mail the missing Oct and Nov issues, but says if they don't... our subs will be extended. We shall see.
What about those of us that get the weekly printed issues?
Steve
A day without fine wine and working on your coin collection is like a day without sunshine!!!
Question for anyone who cares to answer. If you were an advertiser that had ads in the publications that didn't mail out (and let's assume they don't mail out the back issues), would you expect any kind of recompense from CW?
@nencoin said:
Question for anyone who cares to answer. If you were an advertiser that had ads in the publications that didn't mail out (and let's assume they don't mail out the back issues), would you expect any kind of recompense from CW?
I keep reading this thread and shaking my head an biting my tongue but since you asked...
I would switch my business to Greysheet and our related publications. We never miss a print deadline and we give out free copies of our retail price guide at most every national, regional, and local show in the country. But I am admittedly a little biased.
John
John Feigenbaum Whitman Brands: President/CEO (www.greysheet.com; www.whitman.com) PNG: Executive Director (www.pngdealers.org)
@allnewsanchor said:
Rick Amos tells me it IS a printing issue which got more fouled up as they tried to fix it. He says they've got a handle on it now and the December issue should be printed and mailed. He's not sure whether they'll print and mail the missing Oct and Nov issues, but says if they don't... our subs will be extended. We shall see.
has anyone received their latest (Dec?) print issue. I cancelled my subscription last month, but will most likely renew it, once Amos has fully resolved their print issue(s)
"Bongo drive 1984 Lincoln that looks like old coin dug from ground."
I'm copying and pasting this excerpt from an email CW just sent:
Regarding the unprinted October and November monthly issues, as well as affected weekly issues:
For Subscribers: we will extend print subscription expiration dates proportionately to account for this disruption.
For Advertisers: we will extend a 35% rate discount for those printed ads in the form of a credit towards future ads to account for this disruption.
@nencoin said:
I'm copying and pasting this excerpt from an email CW just sent:
Regarding the unprinted October and November monthly issues, as well as affected weekly issues:
For Subscribers: we will extend print subscription expiration dates proportionately to account for this disruption.
For Advertisers: we will extend a 35% rate discount for those printed ads in the form of a credit towards future ads to account for this disruption.
Question for you and your company. Does this satisfy you?
The problem is supposed to be fixed, according to Rick Amos (see my earlier comment). Whether it is, and in time to print and mail a December issue, is something we'll have to stay tuned for.
With the overload of holiday mail, good chance this issue may be late.
Successful transactions:Tookybandit. "Everyone is equal, some are more equal than others".
Earlier this year, a business dispute arose between Amos Media, Coin World's parent company, and our contracted printing partner responsible for producing our coin and stamp publications. Despite repeated efforts to resolve the matter swiftly, the situation persisted for several months.
Please know that this was never an attempt to alter the delivery methods of Coin World. Throughout this period, our top priority was to restore printing and delivery of the weekly, monthly, and special issue publications. In the meantime, these products were made available in digital format to ensure uninterrupted access for our readers.
We are pleased to announce that the Coin World Monthly December issue, along with the 2025 Dealer Directory, will be mailed during the week of December 9th. Furthermore, Coin World Weekly will resume with the December 9th issue, scheduled for mailing the week of December 23rd.
Regarding the unprinted October and November monthly issues, as well as affected weekly issues:
For Subscribers: we will extend print subscription expiration dates proportionately to account for this disruption.
For Advertisers: we will extend a 35% rate discount for those printed ads in the form of a credit towards future ads to account for this disruption.
We deeply regret any inconvenience or loss of trust this situation may have caused. As we prepare to celebrate our 65th anniversary in 2025, we remain committed to providing the trusted information collectors rely on in the ever-evolving field of numismatics. Thank you for your patience and loyalty as we continue to guide and serve the numismatic community into the future.
Sincerely,
The Coin World Team
"Bongo drive 1984 Lincoln that looks like old coin dug from ground."
@winesteven said:
I have NOTHING to base this comment on, but MAYBE they owe the printing company a LOT of money, and he stopped printing until they pay him/her??? Just PURE SPECULATION!
Steve
Ah, perhaps my guess may have been close, despite being told they do their own printing!
Steve
A day without fine wine and working on your coin collection is like a day without sunshine!!!
Earlier this year, a business dispute arose between Amos Media, Coin World's parent company, and our contracted printing partner responsible for producing our coin and stamp publications. Despite repeated efforts to resolve the matter swiftly, the situation persisted for several months.
Please know that this was never an attempt to alter the delivery methods of Coin World. Throughout this period, our top priority was to restore printing and delivery of the weekly, monthly, and special issue publications. In the meantime, these products were made available in digital format to ensure uninterrupted access for our readers.
We are pleased to announce that the Coin World Monthly December issue, along with the 2025 Dealer Directory, will be mailed during the week of December 9th. Furthermore, Coin World Weekly will resume with the December 9th issue, scheduled for mailing the week of December 23rd.
Regarding the unprinted October and November monthly issues, as well as affected weekly issues:
For Subscribers: we will extend print subscription expiration dates proportionately to account for this disruption.
For Advertisers: we will extend a 35% rate discount for those printed ads in the form of a credit towards future ads to account for this disruption.
We deeply regret any inconvenience or loss of trust this situation may have caused. As we prepare to celebrate our 65th anniversary in 2025, we remain committed to providing the trusted information collectors rely on in the ever-evolving field of numismatics. Thank you for your patience and loyalty as we continue to guide and serve the numismatic community into the future.
I did not receive any Coin World Magazine as of this date!
So I will not renew my subscription which is due tomorrow.
Sorry Coin World you lost one subscriber due to your mismanagement.
I know one of the large full page advertisers in the magazine; they depended greatly on sales from the printed copy. Not very happy at all.... especially since Coin World took their money in advance for the advertising (not cheap!) and did not follow through. Bad situation.
You would think a business would have better customer service instead of not making a public statement on why magazine was not being published. Problem started in OCt and statement made in Dec!
Having depending on the reader to write in and find out why?
Also they could have provided an extra issue or two to make good for delays erc.
Textbook example of how NOT to solved a customer service issue.
Good to hear. I have really missed the weekly issues.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
@giantsfan20 said:
You would think a business would have better customer service instead of not making a public statement on why magazine was not being published. Problem started in OCt and statement made in Dec!
Having depending on the reader to write in and find out why?
Also they could have provided an extra issue or two to make good for delays erc.
Textbook example of how NOT to solved a customer service issue.
My sense is it’s still a financial issue at Coin World! As it turned out, as we read in an earlier reply, they were NOT doing the printing themselves, but paying someone else to do that. Apparently, they were not paying that printer, so he stopped. Perhaps due to embarrassment, that’s why CW is not telling us the real reason for the continued delay/stoppage!
Steve
A day without fine wine and working on your coin collection is like a day without sunshine!!!
Not a good look to tail off at the end, if in fact they are considering ceasing the print issues. Alot of positive history within their publishing. Much to be proud of. Many of us grew up with them.
Successful transactions:Tookybandit. "Everyone is equal, some are more equal than others".
@BLUEJAYWAY said:
Not a good look to tail off at the end, if in fact they are considering ceasing the print issues. Alot of positive history within their publishing. Much to be proud of. Many of us grew up with them.
But there’s nothing to be proud about when they stop shipping the weekly issues to PAID subscribers with NO explanation!!!!
Steve
A day without fine wine and working on your coin collection is like a day without sunshine!!!
@BLUEJAYWAY said:
Not a good look to tail off at the end, if in fact they are considering ceasing the print issues. Alot of positive history within their publishing. Much to be proud of. Many of us grew up with them.
But there’s nothing to be proud about when they stop shipping the weekly issues to PAID subscribers with NO explanation!!!!
Steve
No debate there. I guess I was harkening back to a more positive era in their history. I am not a subscriber. Read CW via the local library facilities.
Successful transactions:Tookybandit. "Everyone is equal, some are more equal than others".
Call me “Old Fashioned”, but I don’t read digital publications. I want the comfort and ease of having my weekly issues of Coin World in my hands, or to get a refund of non-delivered issues instead.
Am I jeopardizing the size of my refund by waiting to get something in the mail from Coin World, instead of calling them now?
Steve
A day without fine wine and working on your coin collection is like a day without sunshine!!!
@winesteven said:
Call me “Old Fashioned”, but I don’t read digital publications. I want the comfort and ease of having my weekly issues of Coin World in my hands, or to get a refund of non-delivered issues instead.
Am I jeopardizing the size of my refund by waiting to get something in the mail from Coin World, instead of calling them now?
Steve
Probably. Every week you do nothing, you are really only entitled to the difference between the print subscription and the digital one.
Maybe they'll give you a full refund from the point they stopped printing, as a goodwill gesture, but you are not entitled to that each week they publish and you have an ability to view. Even if you don't.
I'd hope you'd be patient and see what happens, but it's entirely your call. Just realize that every person who calls them demanding a refund is pushing them just a little closer to going out of business.
How much money are we talking about anyway, and does it really make a difference to you? Because, if they can't pay a printer, they also might not pay you.
Gee, I hope you’re not correct. They NEVER notified me that they would stop sending me a print edition, and instead I’d better start reading their digital version, or else I’d be out money! That’s absolutely not right.
I’ll call them Monday, see what they say, and report back here.
Steve
A day without fine wine and working on your coin collection is like a day without sunshine!!!
@winesteven said:
Gee, I hope you’re not correct. They NEVER notified me that they would stop sending me a print edition, and instead I’d better start reading their digital version, or else I’d be out money! That’s absolutely not right.
I’ll call them Monday, see what they say, and report back here.
Steve
Did you call, if so, what did they say?
"Bongo drive 1984 Lincoln that looks like old coin dug from ground."
@winesteven said:
Gee, I hope you’re not correct. They NEVER notified me that they would stop sending me a print edition, and instead I’d better start reading their digital version, or else I’d be out money! That’s absolutely not right.
I’ll call them Monday, see what they say, and report back here.
Steve
Did you call, if so, what did they say?
Ha! It turns out my Weekly & Monthly subscription expired at the end of July!
However, I then mentioned to the woman that I heard from a few friends that there was a problem with mailing the weekly print edition, and asked if I renewed now, is that resolved, so I would receive my print issues? She said it was NOT yet resolved, and they were "anticipating" having it resolved in a month or two!
I'll wait for it to be resolved to renew, if by chance that happens.
Steve
A day without fine wine and working on your coin collection is like a day without sunshine!!!
Comments
And it took a large staff to fill all those square inches. Besides the big stories and the small stories and the club reports and the show reports we wrote fillers to make the layout easier. We got mockups of pages from the advertising department with the ads blocked out, and we had to fill in the rest. One hole might have room for a headline and 20 inches of text. If the layout editor had a story that had 21 inches of text, he could either make the headline smaller or find a paragraph that was not all that interesting and get rid of it.
If he had 19 inches of text he would paste it up and grab a filler off of a literal pile of small pieces of paper of different length that would fit the remaining hole. We all wrote fillers now and then, and they just sat there until needed. One day Bill Gibbs, who went on to be Editor of Coin World, showed David T. Alexander and I several sheets of fillers he had written and asked if he should leave in this one:
"The Quatloo of Triskelion has been demonetized."
David and I, being science fiction fans, said of course, the copy editor put a simple headline "COIN DEMONETIZED" on it, and it landed in the pile of fillers. Eventually it ended up in the paper, and we got five letters from Trekkies who wanted us to know that they got the joke. Eventually the big cheese Editor, Margo Russell, asked why we were getting these letters about a filler. David and I leaped to explain what a wonderful joke it was, and life carried on.
Yes, I remember the filler I wrote involving the Quatloo; I probably should not have done that. That was a lifetime ago.
I wish I could offer an explanation of the current situation at Coin World but I retired in December after 47+ years on the job. I am in occasional contact with my successor and management but since I am no longer an official spokesman for the firm, I am not in a position to share what little I know.
Coin World was in the newspaper racks at my junior high school in 1978.
Curious if Linns stamp issues are having the same issues. They are published by Amos Press as well.
William Gibbs is still listed as editor at large on the Coin World web site. Perhaps Coin World needs to update the staff listed on their web site, among other updates.
https://www.coinworld.com/authors/william-t-gibbs.html
William T. Gibbs
Bill Gibbs
Editor-At-Large
937.498.0853
bgibbs@amospress.com
William is the managing editor, appointed to that position on May 1,2015, after serving as news editor for many years. He joined the Coin World editorial staff in 1976 as an assistant editor for "Collectors' Clearinghouse." Bill manages the editorial staff and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the print and online editorial content of Coin World. He serves as chief copy editor for all Coin World publications and directs Editorial production aspects of Coin World. He has served as lead copy editor for all books published by Coin World since 1985. Bill began collecting coins at age 10. He is a graduate of Bowling Green State University and majored in journalism.
FYI: I received an email from Coin World telling me that they extended my subscription by 2 months. AND that they are working on resolving the printing problem they have.
I had written a formal complaint email and emailed it to the editor-in-chief last week, so if you have not done so, then do so you would get extra 2 months on your subscription.
From what I understand, they will do that to all print edition customers. We shall see.
Have not seen any recent issues in my local library as I check every 2 weeks.
UGH!!!!!!!!> @allnewsanchor said:
What about those of us that get the weekly printed issues?
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
Question for anyone who cares to answer. If you were an advertiser that had ads in the publications that didn't mail out (and let's assume they don't mail out the back issues), would you expect any kind of recompense from CW?
I keep reading this thread and shaking my head an biting my tongue but since you asked...
I would switch my business to Greysheet and our related publications. We never miss a print deadline and we give out free copies of our retail price guide at most every national, regional, and local show in the country. But I am admittedly a little biased.
John
Whitman Brands: President/CEO (www.greysheet.com; www.whitman.com)
PNG: Executive Director (www.pngdealers.org)
Sorry, couldn't resist.
Thanks for the update.
has anyone received their latest (Dec?) print issue. I cancelled my subscription last month, but will most likely renew it, once Amos has fully resolved their print issue(s)
I'm copying and pasting this excerpt from an email CW just sent:
Regarding the unprinted October and November monthly issues, as well as affected weekly issues:
For Subscribers: we will extend print subscription expiration dates proportionately to account for this disruption.
For Advertisers: we will extend a 35% rate discount for those printed ads in the form of a credit towards future ads to account for this disruption.
With the overload of holiday mail, good chance this issue may be late.
if they ever stop printing golf magazines, my father will have to relearn how to spend an hour and a half in the bathroom every morning.
Official Story behind C.W.'s dilemma
December 1, 2024
Dear Coin World Readers and Advertisers,
Earlier this year, a business dispute arose between Amos Media, Coin World's parent company, and our contracted printing partner responsible for producing our coin and stamp publications. Despite repeated efforts to resolve the matter swiftly, the situation persisted for several months.
Please know that this was never an attempt to alter the delivery methods of Coin World. Throughout this period, our top priority was to restore printing and delivery of the weekly, monthly, and special issue publications. In the meantime, these products were made available in digital format to ensure uninterrupted access for our readers.
We are pleased to announce that the Coin World Monthly December issue, along with the 2025 Dealer Directory, will be mailed during the week of December 9th. Furthermore, Coin World Weekly will resume with the December 9th issue, scheduled for mailing the week of December 23rd.
Regarding the unprinted October and November monthly issues, as well as affected weekly issues:
For Subscribers: we will extend print subscription expiration dates proportionately to account for this disruption.
For Advertisers: we will extend a 35% rate discount for those printed ads in the form of a credit towards future ads to account for this disruption.
We deeply regret any inconvenience or loss of trust this situation may have caused. As we prepare to celebrate our 65th anniversary in 2025, we remain committed to providing the trusted information collectors rely on in the ever-evolving field of numismatics. Thank you for your patience and loyalty as we continue to guide and serve the numismatic community into the future.
Sincerely,
The Coin World Team
So glad they got it resolved, and the printed issues will continue to be published and made available!!
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Ah, perhaps my guess may have been close, despite being told they do their own printing!
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
Okay good to hear that........
So I will not renew my subscription which is due tomorrow.
Sorry Coin World you lost one subscriber due to your mismanagement.
I suspect they have lost a few more than just you!
I know one of the large full page advertisers in the magazine; they depended greatly on sales from the printed copy. Not very happy at all.... especially since Coin World took their money in advance for the advertising (not cheap!) and did not follow through. Bad situation.
You would think a business would have better customer service instead of not making a public statement on why magazine was not being published. Problem started in OCt and statement made in Dec!
Having depending on the reader to write in and find out why?
Also they could have provided an extra issue or two to make good for delays erc.
Textbook example of how NOT to solved a customer service issue.
Good to hear. I have really missed the weekly issues.
My sense is it’s still a financial issue at Coin World! As it turned out, as we read in an earlier reply, they were NOT doing the printing themselves, but paying someone else to do that. Apparently, they were not paying that printer, so he stopped. Perhaps due to embarrassment, that’s why CW is not telling us the real reason for the continued delay/stoppage!
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
Not a good look to tail off at the end, if in fact they are considering ceasing the print issues. Alot of positive history within their publishing. Much to be proud of. Many of us grew up with them.
But there’s nothing to be proud about when they stop shipping the weekly issues to PAID subscribers with NO explanation!!!!
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
No debate there. I guess I was harkening back to a more positive era in their history. I am not a subscriber. Read CW via the local library facilities.
The February 2025 DIGITAL issue is posted: https://reader.coinworld.com/Weekly/20250203/ along with an annoying page turn sound effect.
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
Call me “Old Fashioned”, but I don’t read digital publications. I want the comfort and ease of having my weekly issues of Coin World in my hands, or to get a refund of non-delivered issues instead.
Am I jeopardizing the size of my refund by waiting to get something in the mail from Coin World, instead of calling them now?
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
Probably. Every week you do nothing, you are really only entitled to the difference between the print subscription and the digital one.
Maybe they'll give you a full refund from the point they stopped printing, as a goodwill gesture, but you are not entitled to that each week they publish and you have an ability to view. Even if you don't.
I'd hope you'd be patient and see what happens, but it's entirely your call. Just realize that every person who calls them demanding a refund is pushing them just a little closer to going out of business.
How much money are we talking about anyway, and does it really make a difference to you? Because, if they can't pay a printer, they also might not pay you.
Gee, I hope you’re not correct. They NEVER notified me that they would stop sending me a print edition, and instead I’d better start reading their digital version, or else I’d be out money! That’s absolutely not right.
I’ll call them Monday, see what they say, and report back here.
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
Did you call, if so, what did they say?
Ha! It turns out my Weekly & Monthly subscription expired at the end of July!
However, I then mentioned to the woman that I heard from a few friends that there was a problem with mailing the weekly print edition, and asked if I renewed now, is that resolved, so I would receive my print issues? She said it was NOT yet resolved, and they were "anticipating" having it resolved in a month or two!
I'll wait for it to be resolved to renew, if by chance that happens.
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
With all the promises given by c.w. over the last 4 month, I'm not "holding my breath."
Yeah unfortunately they might go out of business.......