How can anyone compete with CladKing?

MrEureka

To me, a truly great collector builds an unprecedented and perhaps unmatchable collection. Perhaps the quality of the coins is extraordinary. Perhaps nobody has ever collected the coins by die variety. I think you get the idea.

From my point of view, a collector gets extra points for taking on a project that cannot be completed without MANY years of effort.

From my point of view, a collector also gets extra points for taking on a project that is relatively inexpensive. After all, if wealth is the primary barrier to competition, it may not be the collector that is great. It's probably just his wallet.

For example, CladKing may be leading the pack on the Lightside. (Braddick may be in second place.)

Now, on to the real question: If you wanted to give CladKing a run for the money in competing for the MrEureka Seal of Lightside Greatness, what would you collect? Make your case!

mrearlygold

Who is cladking and is this some sort of named collection ?


Tom

darktone

<< <i>Who is cladking and is this some sort of named collection ? >>

Say something bad about moderns and you'll meet Cladking

PutTogether

He collects modern coinage. He as collected and gathered emperical data seemingly proving exactly how difficult it is to get certain obsolete clad coinage in certain grades. He's paving the way for collectors of the future, and does amazing work with research and study. He tracks the movement of circulation of coins through the country. He does an amazing job.

RYK

He collects modern coinage. He as collected and gathered emperical data seemingly proving exactly how difficult it is to get certain obsolete clad coinage in certain grades. He's paving the way for collectors of the future, and does amazing work with research and study. He tracks the movement of circulation of coins through the country. He does an amazing job.

All that, and he is a really nice guy.

cosmicdebris

<<MrEureka Seal of Lightside Greatness,>>

Only the liteside?

JRocco

Some names of course come to mind- Keets with Jeffs, Russ with Kennedy's, Chuck (coppercoins) with Lincoln's Marty with little old ladies etc etc etc. They are all scary good with their specialties. There are others, of course, before anyone shoots me the evil eye. As for me- I am here to learn, and contribute whenever I can. I stand back and try to learn from those that are willing to teach- and all the names I mentioned are always willing to do that.

RELLA

I find to hard to argue against CladKing, I only wish he would publish some of his work.

On the other hand, I think coppercoins deserves strong consideration for his work in 20th century die varieties. His website is already hands-down the best reference for attribution in the Lincoln series IMHO and that's with only about 10% of the projected photo content in place. Things are really starting to rock-n-roll over there too...go to his website and click on the "recent additions" on the left side of the main page and you'll see what I mean. And the long-term plans and projects that he and some of his co-conspirators have already begun work on are even more impressive.

RELLA

cladking

Thanks guys. I never imagined being cheap would get any accolades.

There are underappreciated and understudied coins everywhere. There
is much to interest collectors in any areas of numismatics and it is this in-
terest which might lead to great collections whether they're inexpensive
or not.

Even in my specialty someone with money (and a little time) could easily
surpass my efforts. Some of the registry sets are quite formidable already.

JRocco

It's what is inside your head cladking that is impressive. There will always be someone who can throw more money at a higher graded slab than you (or me), but it is your knowledge and understanding -due to your due diligence- that can not be easily matched. There will always be respect for the person who really knows his stuff. I post a lot of stupid threads, but most of them are posted for the 1 or 2 insightful responses I get from those few who really want to share their understanding and knowledge. You area one of those few cladking so hush up and accept my thank you.

MrEureka

<<MrEureka Seal of Lightside Greatness,>>

Only the liteside?

Yes. It's too easy to find virgin territory on the Darkside.

MrEureka

Now, on to the real question: If you wanted to give CladKing a run for the money in competing for the MrEureka Seal of Lightside Greatness, what would you collect? Make your case!

Isn't anyone going to answer the "real question"?

RELLA

<< <i>Isn't anyone going to answer the "real question"? >>

What, and tip my hand? You wish...your "cute and fluffy dog" act isn't fooling me!

RELLA

skydivdav

Great thread~~me too Cladking~~Kudos to you and thanks for the information you so willingly share.
GO MODERNS!

blue skies!
david

Cam40

..washies from 65-present by die variety and not just poptop grades.

coppercoins

I'll bite and answer the question:

Lincoln cent die varieties, of course. While my collection may not be highly valuable I do have enough knowledge in the field to publish on the subject. Those who have been around me talking Lincolns are quickly made aware that I do know the subject quite well. I have invested more money in writing and self-publishing a book and website on the subject than I spent on my collection over the last three years combined. Knowledge is king, so they say...good thing money and wealth aren't - I'd never have a chance at being numismatic royalty.

As for accolades and fame - I don't believe anyone who does this for the sheer love of it like Cladking and myself are ever looking for their names in the limelight. I think we are the true numismatists. We are the ones who study ad nauseum to find the answers that the mint either won't release or never kept track of in the first place. We are the ones who will spend three hours working on a package of coins for a collector just to find similarities that prove two different coins with a value of less than $5 each were struck with the same die pair.

I have nothing bad to say about those who don't get into the science of the hobby - it does take a certain pattern of thought...a certain hunger that can't be quelled by collecting type coins or series by date and mint alone. While these facets give many people great pleasure, we find it to be a boring task to collect anything that can possibly be assembled and completed in less than five years...or thirty.

Enough. I'm not here to compete, only to learn, teach, and share. You ask a question, I provide an answer...Lincoln cent die varieties. My specialty now going on 24 years.

edited to add: I know that over 75% of the collecting public wouldn't care to delve into my subject nearly as deeply as I do, and that's okay. A number of people scoff at looking through $1 rolls of "pennies" for doubling. I can, however, tell you that for the 25% remainder of the collecting public, those of us who will spend day and night finding the answers and publishing them are among the most appreciated in the business. I don't do what I do to find my name in the record books - my satisfaction comes from receiving notes that people have finally identified what they have due to my guide, or that the whole thing finally makes sense to a novice collector who has been searching for answers. We don't deal in money - we deal in knowledge that makes the hobby more interesting and more rewarding for the people who want the detailed answers.

In a nutshell, I don't believe it's the size of a person's collection that counts. While my hoard does include well over 250,000 coins, the important part is the true sense of knowledge that I fully know and understand what I collect and am willing to share what I know so others can gain that same satisfaction.

clackamas

Cladking can't beat this set, in the core of the clad heyday 1968 Mint set Almost all self made since the coins are very hard to find, will upgrade to all self made eventually as I get upgrades within the grade. Lincoln upgrades are on the way. Passion for this year becasue it is my birth year and I want to build the best and enjoy the hunt. So far 1100 mint sets searched plus who knows how many rolls. Proofs will be next when the set is impossible to improve.. can it ever be?

JRocco

Well said Chuck. Anyone who excels at their specialty (whatever it may be) has to have a fire in their belly that can't be put out. And those that really stand out are always willing to help others light their own fire.

mgoodm3

You guys make me fell like I should be reading more.

originalisbest

clackamas, a great set and idea! I've always like '71 for the same reason.

And I agree with all, cladking is a smart and dedicated collector - and I am in full agreement with what coppercoins has had to say about his specialty.

Smart people all, I like this thread. Well done Mr. Lustig. But I don't know that I personally, can answer your original question/challenge.

clackamas

OB the 1971 set looks like you could get #1 with a little work and #2 seems moderatly easy. 1971 is my wifes birth year and someday I will do this as well, but not right now.

weems

<< <i>Now, on to the real question: If you wanted to give CladKing a run for the money in competing for the MrEureka Seal of Lightside Greatness, what would you collect? Make your case! >>



I would collect all coins minted '64 and earlier in grade P01 ONLY.

DHeath

CK and Chuck are hard to beat. Supercoin added lots to the pool too.

astrorat

Twenty-cent die varieties, of course. Now, if can only find the time to finish the %$*&^#$ book!

Lane

clackamas

With all due respect, Chuck is a good variety person and a professional. The ture great colelctors here are guys like:
Ray Overby, JHF, TDN, Gerry, Richard Greene all of whom would never put themselves forth as greats. The only great collector I know of that would be so self absobed is Stewart, but hey he is Stewart Blay, whos name will go down like Eliasberg.

coinkat

I remember looking for Morgan VAMS 10-12 years ago and most other collectors thought I was anything but a collector. Times change as do collecting interests.

Andy, while I believe that die varieties are probably the final frontier of US collecting, it is more than just a collecting interest that gets one to that point. I am not sure that there is a correct answer here... As an example... what about WLH Dollars? How many 1918-D halfs without the reverse initals of the Designer really exist in a grade above EF45 and how many people who call themselves collectors really want to know? I think these are the questions that need to be asked and considered before your question really can be entertained.

Honest, I am not trying to be difficult or a pain in the neck here... we can go on in this same series with the 1936 DDO and even better the 1946 DDR and it seems that the answer to the question boils down to how many exist? And can it be promoted?

edited to add: Cladking has made countless positive comments on this forum for which we should be thankful...

haletj

I'm working on all modern coinage in top grade from only my own finds (and a $0 budget, selling duplicates pays for the rolls/mint sets) but I can in no way compete with cladking or coppercoins on the knowledge they have and the collections of die varieties they have. Truly amazing!

clackamas

haletj - AKA, Jaime, you are a true great collector, we will see how great once you get your set graded. A top 3 Mem set all on your own would be greatness far surpassing the wanabees like myself. I wish you all the luck and rolls.

haletj

Thank you Brian! And not only for the comment, but I'm sure I learned most of what I know about roll searching etc... from you. You were doing this years ahead of me! And I could not compete with your late date wheat cent sets which is the set most impressive set to me considering they are all your own finds (esp if you count in an ms67 1951 and 1958!!).