What were the most interesting, helpful, surprising or important things you learned here in 2004? Ha

coinguy1

What were the most interesting, helpful, surprising or important things you learned here in 2004?

Please feel free to list as few or as many as you choose.

Wishing each of you and yours a happy, healthy and safe New Year, and thanking you for making this such a great place to visit.

dthigpen

I learned how easy it was to punch a hole in a flowing hair dollar...

Millertime

Don't buy gold on eBay (especially slabbed by NTC).

JrGMan2004

Man... where to start... especially considering that I've just celebrated my 1 year aniversary here.......

So... everything!!

Actualy, most interesting thing to me, was everything I've learned about Bust Half-Dimes... Most interesting of that sort, was that, while the other denominations' Capped Bust design was designed and engraved by John Reich, the Half-Dimes, were actually engraved by William Kneass, but based on John Reich's design, because John Reich had left some years before...

FC57Coins

<< <i>What were the most interesting, helpful, surprising or important things you learned here in 2004? >>




To keep nicely toned Roosies away from a certain dealer who flushes them down the toilet.

Happy new year!

Longacre

I learned that there is an incredible amount of knowledge collectively on these boards. I also learned who is an expert in particular series, and I know the dealers that I can trust.

Prethen

I learned to have a more discerning eye towards problem coins (cleaned, polished, scratched, etc.). I made some unfortunate "discoveries" in my own collection, even as recently as a week ago (ouch!).

I'm learning that I'm so infatuated with coin collecting and the hobby in general that I'm leaning towards going into coin dealing (part-time).

I've learned that I'm still capable of buying stupidly and overpaying for crap!

coinguy89

I think the most important thing I learned on here is not too just go out and buy like I used, until you know you REALLY want that coin.

TUMUSS

I've learned there is a fine line between hobby and insanity.

Purple73

Interesting and helpful:

Frank the Pugs Tutorials on Franklin Half Dollars.
LucyBop's post on Franklin Half Dollars.
All the people who has answered my questions.

Surprising:

All the stuff that you find out about coins that have been doctored , cleaned, etc. that you would not know about and the fast rate that these things come to light on this forum.

The ACG suit.

Important:

Don't need to be a gozillionaire to collect coins but it helps.

Coin collecting can lead to other things.......like:

The bad: homelessness, divorce and empty wallets

The good: Friends, Information for the unknowing and Caring folks who will make contribututions for those in need.

Happy new year!

PURPLE!
a.k.a Chris

PhillyJoe

Most rewarding:
After reading threads for 3 years, I got to meet about 30-35 forum members at the Pittsburgh ANA.

Most maddening event:
I met Marty

Most interesting dealer/member I met:
Robert Abbey of Cameo Coins

Best sources for information regarding Kennedys from someone who lives in a refrigerator box:
Russ

Prettiest members I got to meet:
Traci And Danaca

Only reason in the world to visit Pittsburgh:
ANA

From the forums, I learned that a book is being written about my favorite series.
Through a member's help, I had a chance to talk to the author, J.H. which was a thrill.

My new favorite pre-owned car dealer and world class 1965 expert:
Don Heath

The questions posted here and my quest for knowledge encouraged me to visit the National Archives
in Philadelphia where all of the Mint's records are kept. So many records; so little time.


Joe

nwcs

Quality is always the best measure of a coin and the better the quality the easier it will be to sell if you ever want to. That I enjoy 60s and early 70s clad more than I expected to. Don't be afraid of an opportunity but always be wise. Learn how to sell the right coin to the right people. Learn how to buy the right coin from the right people.

Elcontador

I've had many of my ideas re my collecting habits and the hobby in general reiterated by a number of people on these forums that know more than I do.

I like to think this has helped me better distinguish between value and hype in numismatics, and in general, keep me out of trouble.

RYK

Most rewarding:
Meeting forum members at FUN, at the ANA, and in St. Louis.

Best reason to visit Pittsburgh in 2004:
1. Steelers
2. Steelers
3. ANA

Most infuriating thread:
Poe58 vs. Mirabela

Most annoying thread I imposed on others:
My position on Moderns and related spin-offs.

Forum member I would least like to debate on any subject:
Cladking

Forum member I would most like to debate:
(PM me)

Favorite forum collector-turned-dealer:
EVP

Forum member with whom I have the most PM:
Coinlieutenant

Forum member I admire most:
Tie: Frank (modern division) and Dahlonega (gold and "classics" division)

Runners up: Russ and Keets

Forum member new to the scene I would most like to meet:
Longacre, Reece, and SaintGuru

Forum member not new to the scene I would most like to meet:
SethChandler and DaveG

Forum member I miss not seeing here as much:
LucyBop and Winged Liberty (hmmm...they both collect Mercs....)

Forum member with whom I have eaten the most Indian food:
Coinguy1

Forum members who have helped me the most with coin-related endeavors:
shylock, barry, mgoodm3, coinlieutenant (photography)
airplanenut (website)

All-around nice guy award (dealer division):
Coinguy1 and JadeRareCoins

Dealer appreciation award for giveaways (there are sadly few dealer giveaways):
Mr. Eureka

Forum members with whom I would like to go to the Super Bowl:
Kranky, myqqy, KenSteelheader

Personal New Year's resoltion re: forum:
Spend less time here (but higher quality time) and more time with family

Coin collecting goals for 2005-6:
1) Wrap up Dahlonega $5 collection
2) Wrap up Civil War $3's
3) Stay focused on #1 and #2
4) Occasionally deviate from #3
5) Get involved in a modern series (and enjoy it!)

Happy New Year to Coinguy1 and everyone!

Millertime

One thing I've learned here is that the prices and coins on "Coin Vault" are not good. Here's my example.

12/30/04, (20) $50 Raw Gold Eagles for $18000. That's $900 each!!!

I'm in the the wrong business, if I head down to my local coin shop I can get them for spot + $27 ($470 or so) and then I'll sell them for $900 a piece and almost double my money. Do people really buy this stuff?

I've seen a couple of threads talking about the Morgans they sell. I thought those were a good deal until I looked a little closer and saw all the marks on them and the dates are the most common.

If it wasn't for this forum I would have been tempted on a few items so that's one thing I've learned here. Thanks everyone!!

jshawaii

For a returning collector who took too many years off... THIS FORUM - is the most helpfull discovery of 2004 that I could ever have.

The most interesting part of the year was the knockout blow of finding out how many crooks have taken over the "selling" side of the industry. When I started as a teen in the 60's, the collecting business was all up and up. I still have some of my original receipts to many purchases and laughed when I saw how many owner's trusted my enough to mail me their products on consignment - through the US Mail!! To a 15 year old!

This forum has had many great threads and a bunch of good internet arguments over whether we should ever trust anyone, either as a buyer or a seller. Boy have I learned from these posts!

From the lawsuit that was page one back a few months ago when I first came to the forum, I read about and learned the truth about 3rd party grading and the horid discoovery that I bought some overgraded AGC and NTC coins ( less then $1000 worth, but still it sucks!) coins on E-Bay... but I owe it to this forum for waking me up and giving me a hell of a lot of knowledge that I didn't have and didn't know I needed.

Another important lesson of this year is something that all members of this forum should learn from... that the power of the internet is incredible, but when used to attack people when you don't have all the facts is a nasty tool, as we all should have learned when this forum attacked a person looking for some simple information on selling a "lot of heirloom coins" and he was blasted as a moron and a crook I and that's being real nice... - and then later a very considerate forum member visited this "Crook" and found out he was legit.... I doubt if that person will ever want to collect coins after that attack!! Hell, the response of this forum scared me from writing in with any questions that I had.

But all in all, from a new collector, I say Mahalo and Aloha for all the great posts that are here and may you all the coins you desire be yours!

And coinguy1, you are one of the best posters here - I always read your threads! Keep it up.


JShawaii

oldjoe55

I’ve learned that this is the place to find fair and honest answers to coin related questions. Sometimes not what I want to hear but to a coin collecting rookie like myself it’s what I need to know.

keets

hey Mark

this past year has served to reinforce my belief that our little "community" is just a microcosm of American Society. we have all the same cast of characters here that one can bump into in daily life. the Rush is seeing them in the confines of a show hall or busy restaraunt. somehow it's hard to conceive of so many inmates/patients on work release/medical leave at the same time!!!

al h.

LanLord

Best post(s):
Tie between Cardinal's post with all his early dollars and TDN's post linking to his unmatched registry sets of Trade and Seated dollars.
(BTW, I know have all those pics in my virtual collection of digital pics on my laptop -
[enable kinky freidman voice] Thank you very much [/disable kinky freidman voice]

Posts that I ALWAYS read:
Anything started by clw54 or Braddick. clw for his unusual wit, open-mindedness and ability to include everyone, Braddick because you will occasionally catch a glimpse of a coin that is so worn, you have to have faith in what the date/MM/type is because it looks more like a slug than a coin.

Most important thing learned:
Hard to point to one thing, basically everything I know about numismatics has been turned upsidedown by the infusion of knowledge from this place. It didn't all take place in 2004, it's been a constant learning experience.

jbsteven

I learned that arguing over stuff on a message board is stupid and not worth my time.

Riceman

I learned about civil war tokens from Bill Jones. Now I'm hooked.

razorface1027

Most INTERESTING thing I've learned: Just how stupid I am when it comes to numismatics.

Most HELPFUL thing I've learned: How not to be stupid and spend stupid $$$ this year on numismatics.

Most SUPRISING thing I've learned: My stupidity far surpasses my knowledge in the realm of numismatics; therefore, I'm willing to listen

to those with expertise that frequent these boards and TRY make some SOUND decisions while purchasing coins this year.

Most IMPORTANT thing I've learned: Accept all of the above and start anew.

Happy New Year to you and your's, Mark...The same goes out to all the rest of the forumites.


Best regards,
Tom
rf1027

oreville

Mark and everyone else, Happy and healthy New Year!

I leaned once again in 2004 that no matter how much or little you know about anything especially numismatics, there is always room to learn lots more.

Howdy razorface, haven't seen you in a while!

RYK: Whew, that post of yours must have taken a while to put together.

thebeav

Hello.
Most HELPFUL thing I've learned: Using flourescent lighting for coin photography !!

Happy and healthy new year all !!

Paul

DHeath

I've enjoyed the company of friends. They all suffer from a similar affliction. The information provided by members is too volumnous to list. Buddies like Marty, Russ, Keets, IrishMike, PhillyJoe, Frank, Cladking, JDimmick, RGL, Ash, George, Zenny, Neil, etc. have kept me busy and jealous for the last year. Insight from guys like TDN, Lustig, yourself and others has made us all better collectors. I'm leaving lots of folks out, but that's not intentional. It's early.

coinguy1

Thanks for some great replies (and anticipated and appreciated humor, as well).

It is readily apparent that this forum is an excellent source of information for anyone who cares to participate. It is also a fine place to share all types of experiences.

I think the most surprising thing I learned, was that you (or I, at least) never know who might be reading posts here.

For every person who replies in a given thread, there might be many others who silently read, absorb and benefit. However many people we think we might be reaching, is probably far less than the actual number we do reach. That is extremely gratifying and encouraging to me.

AuldFartte

I've been here less than a year, but I've learned a lot from so many people. Overall, I think I now look at coins with an eye towards quality (for lack of a better term) because of so many threads that educated me about strike, surface originality, toning, etc.

I would especially like to acknowledge Russ' threads (and photos!!!) of proof coins. Because of him, I now "see" proofs differently than I used to, and am better able to spot higher quality coins.

And my thanks to all here who have been so kind in answering my questions. I greatly appreciate your assistance

IrishMike

For sure the information gained, the friendships acquired, the opportunity to meet some of you in person (haven't met up with anyone who isn't down right likeable) and just the personal enjoyment I get from watching the others enjoy the hobby.

PhillyJoe

Would be a nice surprise to find out that Sela Ward is a coin collector.

Joe

mgoodm3

What I've learned.

I really like copper, especially RB and BN (cheaper too!)

Digital SLR's make coin photography easier.

I have coin collecting friends now.

I can waste a lot of time here, if need be.

Raw coins take better pictures than slabbed.

I've learned that I have a lot to learn.

PTVETTER

Just to add a short note almost all of the board members are willing to help some one in this forum at anytime.

I want to thank Kranky for all his help and congraduate him on owning one of the nicest 1937 PROOF nickels around ANYWHERE!

RGL

I agree with Don, the company and knowledge of friends is both treasured and invaluable. The myriad opportunities to learn about series in which I am deficient are also much appreciated. You could not pay any price for the great information that eminates from these boards. Thank you all for sharing and the best of New Years...