What was your single worst numismatic event of 2004?

WACoinGuy

What one event was your single worst numismatic event of 2004? It can be anything coin-related: The worst rip-off you got on a coin, the worst downgrade you got, running over Bowers in the parking lot, etc.

For me, it would be the purchase of my ANACS MS-64 1909 Liberty nickel from a dealer to remain unnamed. I had been looking for this date for a while in vain, and in desparation purchased it based on not too good pictures online and paid much more than I should have for it. When I got the coin, I definitely liked the way it looked (very nice color and toning), but wasn't sure it was an MS-64 because the luster just wasn't there. I wanted it in a PCGS holder (as my other uncirculated Liberty nickels are), and eventually sent it to cross at PCGS. It didn't. When my registry set hit 90% complete, I decided I'd rather have it in an MS-63 PCGS holder to include in my set, so I sent it as a freebie. It crossed at MS-63. The real kicker is that right after I got the grades back, I ran across a nice looking MS-64 PCGS 1909 nickel. Oh well. It's still a nice looking coin even if it is an MS-63 that I spent way to much on.

Lessons learned? Don't be so desparate to buy the first coin you see that you need -- it can pay to wait. I stand behind buying the coin, not the holder, but trust your instincts when seeing the coin in hand. If you don't think it's the grade you want, send it back!

MadMarty

Letting Russ, Ken, Don and George outsnipe me on some very nice proof sets!

Windycity

My worst included the ups and downs of buying an "original" roll of 1936 cents. When opened, it was clear the coins had been mishandled in the past and few were nice and most were fingerprinted or worse... then I found a 36 DDO # among the coins and it was one of the better condition coins... to me it appeared to be a 63 or 64. Sent to PCGS the sent it back body bagged... "cleaned." Oh well...

Hedger

My experiences of '04 are mixed. Where to begin? I sold all of my circulated sets from Indian cents to Walking half dollars though there weren't any key dates in these sets but maybe a few semi keys in not so good condition. I sold my 1928 P peace dollar too soon and now it's in the dealer's case for more than double what I got for it. Felling I should have kept my Lincoln 14D and 31S but sold those as well. They weren't that astheticly pleasing but I can't afford top notch stuff so now I have veered toward modens. I like the proofs and my sets of modern coinage and my son will inheret those. The biggest thing I have learned is to just enjoy the hobby with what I can afford and that is moderns now. So now, all my collection consists of is modern coinage from 1941 to present. I think this up comming year I will spend much less. I learned my lesson. The dealer always wins. Also, the wife will be much happier as I agreed to a budget cut in '05.

JrGMan2004

<< <i>Letting Russ, Ken, Don and George outsnipe me on some very nice proof sets! >>

Some of my best moments!

I don't know... I can really think of really any bad numismatic events....... all of the bads of my submissions were offset by the goods...

Probally the worst thing was over the summer, I put up coins 2 consecutive weeks on EBay, about 6 coins each week, ,about $300 worth of coins total... and I took a fairly hard hit on both lots...

100proof1957

Being an old timer that should know better,making all the newb mistakes !

Bought an sold over 50 k in Walkers back in the boom of 88-89 and i get back into the game this year and bought too many 3rd tier slabs on looks,think i got rid of em all now !

mrearlygold

Meeting a buyer in Florida who was ripped off by a NJ Telemarketer for almost 2 million dollars. Rick Bagg and I went to see the guy and couldn't believe the prices this guy was charged. Great collection. But the guy will lose at least half of his money ( a million dollars ) when the coins are sold and this is after the coins have RISEN in value since he bought them!

Stay tuned. The NJ slimeball is going to have troubles he wasn't counting on and it will be in the media.


Tom

JrGMan2004

Nail those Scum Bags to a post, Ton!!

astrorat

Leaving UT-Austin and not being able to teaching numismatics to the students there anymore.

Lane

mrearlygold

<< <i>Nail those Scum Bags to a post, Ton!! >>





We're working on it man.

Rgrds
Tom

ziggy29

Hard to say, really. I don't have a real "worst event" in that I don't regret any of my purchases -- and 2004 was the busiest purchasing year I've ever had in over 30 years of collecting -- but my worst experience was watching much of what I wanted to obtain spiral out of control in terms of prices and making collecting feel more futile. Much of the reason I restarted my old circulated Seated Dime collection was because it was mostly a "sleepy" series with prices that aren't constantly rising and with auctions that don't consistently reach "stupid money" levels.

I suppose some of my "non purchases" could rate as some of the worst experiences -- coins I had the opportunity to buy or bid on, but passed or forgot about until it was too late. I can think of at least three VERY nice coins I could picked up for my type set at fairly reasonable prices had I not fallen asleep at the switch.

ARCO

I collect the Barber halves and have a complete set. I passed on an NGC F12 1892-o micro o, that was well within my price range and in my opinion, overgraded and a strong F15. It had original natural toning and would have made my set almost one of a kind. Oh well!

Tyler

ARCO

Tom - Sorry to hear about the devastating financial loss your friend suffered. For 2 million, how come he didn't have a mentor or some outside professional opinions on the coins and the collection?

Tyler

MFH

Letting an EBay "BIN" get by me, a 1901-S Barber Half in an NGC holder graded AU-58.

tsacch

Watching my daughter, who used to collect coins with me (her favorite was rainbow buffalo nickles), go from a healthy 100 lb soccer star to a anorexic 82 lbs. who is weak and unhealthy. We are cancelling our vacation and we are admitting her tomorow for very expensive care...to the tune of $1200/day...of which insurance covers 50%. My coin collecting is seriously on hold and I hope I dont win any ebay things i am high bidder on.

Please watch your kids closely and say a prayer for my daughter.
tom

Craton

Being sued by a certain coin certification company.

Yes I know I answered the same for the "greatest numismatic event of 2004". It was great as in it greatly affected my life and it was by far the worst as well.

mrearlygold

<< <i>Tom - Sorry to hear about the devastating financial loss your friend suffered. For 2 million, how come he didn't have a mentor or some outside professional opinions on the coins and the collection?

Tyler >>





Hey Tyler,

He thought the seller was the mentor. A fool and his money are soon parted is applicable. He's in good hands now, but over the years it never ceases to amaze me what people do.

Just when you think you've seen it all, Surprise!


Tom

MrEureka

say a prayer for my daughter

tsacch - done. we're all on your daughter's side. collectors have to stick together.

tsacch

Thanks Andy..........I appreciate it.

nolimitz

Tascch
Our best thoughts for your daughter's recovery. That has to be hard.

RYK

Taschh,

Best wishes to you, your daughter, and the rest of your family.

Robert

topstuf

I'd like to see the jury that would convict a company on bilking someone out of a million bucks.

Anyone with a couple mill just about HAS to be expected to do SOME "due diligence."



Unless of course it was some scum bucket shop that advises that coins are an "investment."

morgannut2

Expecting a well known P.N.G. dealer with many ANA presentations not to lie about whether a toned coin was A/T or not and buying it. I've learned to trust the expertise/word of no dealer when selling their own coins, and to do my own homework!

Merc

Tascch,

I hope your daughter recovers. I had some friends back in high school that went through that but are now healthy young women.

I don't have too many bad coin things happen to me. Cameron heard me complain at the FUN show last year about my coin exhibit. It was a full set of 1940-1942 proof coin in PF65 to 67. It finished 2nd in its catagory and was beaten by a set of low grade pollished seated halves that looked terrible. One judge told me I lost because he didn't like coins in PCGS slabs in a coin exhibit.

majorbigtime

Being slammed and flamed to beeJesus on this board.

clackamas

Cracking a stunning (Monster according to David Lange) MS66 52-D only to have PCGS finger print is and return it in an MS66 holder.