The help coinguy w/ post 1001 contest winner is..........

coinguy1

A deafening silence or a collective groan .....that is what I fear I might hear after posting this message, but I must do it sometime, so here goes.

First, I would like to express a sincere thank you to all who posted to the 1000th/1001st post thread started by Carl/Clankeye on my behalf. There were some great suggestions, requests, comments and questions. In fact, that is something I often think, when I read replies to posts here, whether mine, or someone else's.

I would also like to thank Carl publicly, for his help and efforts in posting the thread and in saving me after I mistakenly posted a PM to him in the form of a post to that thread - talk about a giant screw up at a bad time!

Before announcing the grand prize winner, a reminder that he or she will win the following : a starring role in the "Good Morning Class" series (I have no doubt that Carl will follow through on that). He or she will also win a "mystery coin" "AND.... and this is the best part" (according to Carl, at least), I will personally respond to no less than three of his/her posts, remarking on his/her intelligence, wit, and obvious numismatic genius. Personally, I think the starring role in "Good Morning Class" is a much more noteworthy award!

Before I get to the winner, however, I'd like to comment on a number of other posts:

Carl, you asked "Should it be an admission he was, in fact, Kincoin?"

Carl - If I were indeed Kincoin, this would certainly be the time to admit it. For the record and for all of history to witness, I am (most assuredly) not. Ok, who lost money on that bet? Fess up!

Brian, you suggested "it should be a story about his most outrageous numismatic experience/transaction."

Brian - While I've been a full time dealer since 1979, for better or worse, I've managed to stay away from any outrageous experiences.

Lucy, you suggested "He should post his top ten reasons on why he loves the Franklin half!"

Sorry, Lucy, I racked my brain for three days and couldn't even get to reason # 1.

KlectorKid said "He should post a message to me saying that I can have 1 coin from his inventory if I spell Mississippi."

KK -You already spelled it correctly, so you lost whatever leverage you might have had.

Don, you mentioned "How the kind of material submitted changed while I was a grader at NGC" by Mark Feld, would be an interesting read. Even if it isn't # 1000, I'd like to read it sometime Don"

Actually, Don, there wasn't much of a change in that regard, while I was still at NGC. Though the increase in modern coin grading trend was underway then, it was nothing like it is now days. I'm certainly glad I escaped when I did!

Jeremy suggested "It'll be a list... top 10 (painful) things he wants to do to FedEx employees right now".

Jeremy - Not a bad choice but I want my reply to address board members, not those ...... at Fedex.

RGL mentioned "How about, drawing on Mark's grading experience: A Top 10 list of why the average numismatist tends to misgrade/overgrade his/her coins, the mistakes made and how/why they are overlooked".

RGL - Your suggestion was one of the finalists. The reason I chose the one I did, however, was because it was broader in scope. I'd be more than happy to address your suggestion at a later date.

fcloud said "I would like to hear about why and how the coin market turned around with the advent of the top three grading companies, and what the services are doing to keep it that way"

Another finalist which lost out to the broader based question/suggestion, which I will eventually get to.

MrKelso "He should do an essay on the Top 100 Vam's".

MrKelso - Maybe I should but I couldn't ! And, even if I could, I wouldn't want to - sorry.

Mark (another one) mentioned "Mark Personally, I'd like to hear of the best 24 hours Mark has experienced in numismatics. Or else the greatest coin he has ever handled"

Another one which I'd be happy to respond to at a later date.

cladking had a couple of interesting ideas that made the top 5 list of possible winners "An explanation for his icon. Yea, that's the ticket. Why is your beaker bubbling and why are you seemingly puzzled? ... And why are you still wearing your mortarboard".
and
"remember his third or fourth post he said that he wouldn't have much time to post here. Two days later he had a higher average post per day than I. Perhaps his 1001st post could be used for an explanation"

cladking - In partial answer to the above: I didn't think any of the icons suited me just right, but Poindexter looked like as good of a fit as any. You already know, that I couldn't possibly disclose why the beaker is bubbling!

I/the icon appear(s) puzzled because this is a puzzling place, of course. Certainly you'd agree. I/he am/is still wearing the mortarboard because I/he am/is still trying to learn from my/his experiences here. Lastly, it would take more than one post to explain why I've posted so much here!

Neil, please, no more singing or humming or whatever you do with those limericks!


Robert, you said "OK, for the 1001st post I would like to see Mark guest write the next episode of "Good Morning Class"

Sorry, Robert, I know better than to try that!

dpoole, you suggested "I think Mark should tell us of his deepest love, of his hopes and dreams, his profoundest fears, his rapturous joys He should tell us of how he has reached for Heaven, and touched an angel;of how his soul has soared and caught the briefest glimpse of enraptured peace and oneness with Time and the Universe. he should speak of eons past, when men knew Nature as a sheltering mother and a rampaging demon. He should tell us of his vision, his far-seeing, visceral wisdom , wherein he sees the destiny of all Mankind, living in goodness and brotherhood".



dpoole - I already did that in a series of 112 posts - sorry you missed it/them.

And now, if I haven't yet put everyone to sleep, the grand prize winner is.... Jay, who suggested :"My idea is for Mark to think back and do a post about what he has learned from all of us during his last 999 posts. I am sure there must be a few things that even the coinguy himself has learned, and I would like to hear about them. Maybe it is not about coins, but about this group of people, or anything at all."

Jay, that was a great idea, even though my work is cut out for me, as a result! By the way, have I told you recently of "your intelligence, wit, and obvious numismatic genius"?

Here are some of the things that I have learned and/or been reminded of in my presence (both as a poster and a reader) on this board - they are in no particular order of importance, merely thoughts that came to mind when I considered Jay's question/suggestion :


I do care what people think of me and my posts, even if I don't know them, though more so, if I do. That came as somewhat of a surprise to me. But this board is worth caring about.

There is a great deal to be learned about things other than coins here - people/relationships and how they treat each other ( the good and the bad), computers, photography, Ebay, legal advice, industry news, etc.

This is a great sounding board - members are seemingly ALWAYS willing to answer questions, give opinions, help out with suggestions, etc, no matter what the topic or who is asking. I have learned a great deal about many subjects, from numerous board members.

This board has repeatedly reminded me of the fun of collecting - the discoveries and discussion of coins - seeing reactions to coins reminded me of my collecting days, the excitement of waiting for a coin to arrive, sharing your pride and joy (or even your dogs) with others, etc.

The people are more fun and interesting for me than the actual coins are. I have made some truly good friends here.

There will always be misunderstandings, no matter how good peoples' intentions are - the key is to straighten them out and to forgive and/or forget. You can hurt without trying, but you can help make people feel good almost as easily and that is a most worthwhile end.

Treat people nicely and with respect and be straight with them and it usually comes back to you. Even if it doesn't it's a worthwhile endeavor.

A group of customers/people/board members can get together and make an impact on the big boys PCGS/NGC.

Be especially nice to newbies who don't know as much as you might - they are often the future of our hobby.

I have received much more than I ever expected from the board and the people on it and I want to thank all of you for that - hopefully, you're still awake to see this.

toners

Mark,
Thanks for the advice that that you have given to the board from which I have learned a great deal from and advice on that you have giving me on toned coins. Again thanks for being such a gracious member of this board.
Allen

1jester

So no giveaway?!?!

LucyBop

<< <i>Sorry, Lucy, I racked my brain for three days and couldn't even get to reason # 1. >>



Everybody, remember this person!

Mark, were you the cat with the receding hairline and glasses who was very polite and showed me and a friend some Commems at the Last Long Beach show?


(I need to get a visual of him, for no reason, really)

braddick

Humility and tons of coin knowledge- that's a rare combination of attributes in this hobby.
Thanks Mark for making this board just that much more of a great place to hang out.

cladking

Very wise choice and an excellent answer. I'd have tried harder had I known you'd call the winner a genius.

Clankeye

Very well put, Mark. Your 1001st post was worth waiting for.

Clankeye

coinguy1

Lucy, you asked "Mark, were you the cat with the receding hairline and glasses who was very polite and showed me and a friend some Commems at the Last Long Beach show?"

Nope, that wasn't me. While I definitely have a receding hairline and am (usually) very polite, I don't wear glasses to coin shows. Please introduce yourself next time!

By the way, you're confusing me with that new icon.

tjkillian

Excellent post! I would ask that you continue to enlighten us on the ways of numismatics.

Tom

Wisconsin

Hi Mark,

I am honored that you chose my question for this big milestone in your life I also thank you for the compliments:

Jay, that was a great idea, even though my work is cut out for me, as a result! By the way, have I told you recently of "your intelligence, wit, and obvious numismatic genius"?

I think you are exagerating on this one, but I will take it.

I really enjoy reading these posts just as much as I do collecting coins. The fun of the hobby is to interact and communicate with people who have similar interests. I have not met one single member in person, but do feel that there are a lot of great people here. It is a great place to talk, and listen to some of the experiences of others. If we are going to progress in this hobby, we need to listen and learn from what others have already been through. I for one know in the past few months I have learned more that I would have ever learned on my own in this hobby, and I am grateful to each and every one of you.

Mark,

You in particular have helped me out more that I could ever ask or expect anyone to, and I thank you and am glad to be able to consider you a friend.

Keep posting all your great advise and opinions as I am sure we have all grown because of it.

Congratulations!!!

Jay

coinguy1

Jay, on a serious note, you and your enthusiasm have helped to make my job fun - thank you!

And, as per the contest rules, I will go on record for the third time as saying "I must remark on your intelligence, wit, and obvious numismatic genius".

LucyBop

I DEMAND a re-count!!!

cladking

<< <i>I DEMAND a re-count!!! >>



Yea, Gore'em LucyBop.

Speaking of recounts; I can only find two references to Wisconsin's numismatic genius!

coinguy1

cladking, here is the 3'd reference, from another thread :

"Clankeye, me thinks a few people might not know better, but that most of us do.

To those who do not yet realize it : Clankeye still owes us a new episode this week (if not today)! And, it will star Jay/Wisconsin, our very own contest winner/board member. It has recently been said of him and I quote "By the way, have I told you recently of "your intelligence, wit, and obvious numismatic genius?"

Trime

Mark,
It has been fun having you on board on this forum.
Judging by the appreciation expressed by a usually contentious group, you have gone from a guy with an icon to an icon yourself (or is it a Coin Diva?)

TomB

Nice post, Mark. I think, at the beginning of the post, if my memory can recall that long ago, that you might have warned us that this post would be as long as the previous 1,000 posts combined.

cladking

<< <i>cladking, here is the 3'd reference, from another thread :


To those who do not yet realize it : Clankeye still owes us a new episode this week (if not today)! And, it will star Jay/Wisconsin, our very own contest winner/board member. It has recently been said of him and I quote "By the way, have I told you recently of "your intelligence, wit, and obvious numismatic genius?"

>>



Why thank you. That wasn't so hard was it?

MrKelso

MrKelso "He should do an essay on the Top 100 Vam's".

MrKelso - Maybe I should but I couldn't ! And, even if I could, I wouldn't want to - sorry.

It's been a wonderful fun post... lol top 100 vam's lol lol

Android

<< <i>cladking - In partial answer to the above: I didn't think any of the icons suited me just right, but Poindexter looked like as good of a fit as any. You already know, that I couldn't possibly disclose why the beaker is bubbling! >>



Phew!!! I was worried, when you first came to the forums, as a professional grader and dealer, that your beaker was some fabulous new high tech version of jewel luster that was going to revolutionize the industry!

Congrats on your milestone Mark, and thanks for teaching me so much.

Andy

RGL

Great post/reply, Mark, and thanks for the honorable mention -- and the call for fun and civility.