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Numismatic pet peeve: "making a coin"

RYKRYK Posts: 35,797 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
I detest the expression, "making a coin", when it refers to sending a coin to a grading service and having it slabbed at a certain grade. Beside the fact that the coin was "made" at the Mint, it almost implies that there is some skill in "making" a coin when we know that it is 75% luck and 25% who you are...unless of course you have doctored the coin (and would therefore not want to talk about it).

Anyone else share this pet peeve?
My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132

Comments

  • pharmerpharmer Posts: 8,355 ✭
    Agreed. But to see it from their standpoint, and I believe I know who you mean, someday you should trying searching raw coins for that special coin, be it a super gem or rare variety, and get it graded very high and/or confirmed as a rarity either by condition or intrinsically. Then you may understand when they refer to the process that way.

    And by the way, they are the ones who provide the slabbed material for non-searchers to buyimage
    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."

    image
  • coppercoinscoppercoins Posts: 6,084 ✭✭✭
    I completely agree with the peeve...I don't like the term at all. You're not "making" anything when all you do is send a coin and a check. The mint made the coin, the slabbing company made the slab.
    C. D. Daughtrey, NLG
    The Lincoln cent store:
    http://www.lincolncent.com

    My numismatic art work:
    http://www.cdaughtrey.com
    USAF veteran, 1986-1996 :: support our troops - the American way.
    image
  • mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    Everybody know that they're not coins until they're in plastic.
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
  • BarryBarry Posts: 10,100 ✭✭✭
    Agree, and welcome back CD.
  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,162 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You're not "making" anything when all you do is send a coin and a check

    Smoetimes you get to make a sound .... 'cha-ching'! image
    Early Dollar Set
  • JcarneyJcarney Posts: 3,154 ✭


    << <i>it almost implies that there is some skill in "making" a coin when we know that it is 75% luck and 25% who you are >>



    I disagree with this against the background of how the term is mostly used here. Typically, the folks who post about "making" a coin are modern collectors/dealers who search through many, many coins to find very high grade examples. They are also looking at these coins with an eye toward what the grading companies look for when assigning a high grade. This, I believe takes a lot of skill, patience and a good eye. Sure, some luck comes into play, but to downplay the hard work some people put in to "making" high grade coins is to ignore reality.
    “When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.” — Benjamin Franklin


    My icon IS my coin. It is a gem 1949 FBL Franklin.
  • gripgrip Posts: 9,962 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>it almost implies that there is some skill in "making" a coin when we know that it is 75% luck and 25% who you are >>



    I disagree with this against the background of how the term is mostly used here. Typically, the folks who post about "making" a coin are modern collectors/dealers who search through many, many coins to find very high grade examples. They are also looking at these coins with an eye toward what the grading companies look for when assigning a high grade. This, I believe takes a lot of skill, patience and a good eye. Sure, some luck comes into play, but to downplay the hard work some people put in to "making" high grade coins is to ignore reality. >>



    Thanks John C.I could not have said it better.If some of these people only new how many
    rolls I/We have searched to make that high grade coin.I have had buyers thank me for doing so.
    Al
  • BarndogBarndog Posts: 20,502 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think "making a coin" is just part of the vernacular in numismatics these days. No negative connotations are implied, it is a phrase that describes a well-understood series of actions. Accept it.
    JR Newsletter Online Edition
  • 13PacesEast13PacesEast Posts: 712 ✭
    I don't like pet peeves.
    know what you don't know.

    hi, i'm tom.

    i do not doctor coins like some who post in here.

  • DennisHDennisH Posts: 13,996 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I disagree with the statement that it's 25% who you are... unless you mean the skill that some people have that helps them get better grades.

    Once coins are in the Grading Room, no one has a clue who sent them in.
    When in doubt, don't.
  • seanqseanq Posts: 8,694 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Personally, when I say I "made" a coin, I'm really talking about the holder. The coin is what it was before I sent it in, just the plastic surrounding it is new. image

    Seriously, I can see your problem with the term, though I think of the use of "made" in this case as "achieved" ("I made the varsity team.") rather than "manufactured". But if anyone can think of a good alternative, I'm game. "sealed"? "holdered"? "entombed"? None of those seem quite right to me. Any other suggestions?


    Sean Reynolds
    Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.

    "Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
  • gripgrip Posts: 9,962 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I scoredimage
  • DennisHDennisH Posts: 13,996 ✭✭✭✭✭
    "I scored"


    I like it!!
    When in doubt, don't.
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,797 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I mean no disrespect to people who search rolls or proof sets, or estate sales, or buy raw coins at Stack's. It is a word choice that I do not like, but admittedly I do not have a suitable replacement.

    pet peeve
    n. Informal
    Something about which one frequently complains; a particular personal vexation.

    Which definition of the word "make" is closest to the numismatic slang?

    make ( P ) Pronunciation Key (mk)
    v. made, (md) mak·ing, makes
    v. tr.
    To cause to exist or happen; bring about; create: made problems for us; making a commotion.
    To bring into existence by shaping, modifying, or putting together material; construct: make a dress; made a stone wall.
    To form by assembling individuals or constituents: make a quorum.
    To change from one form or function to another: make clay into bricks.

    To cause to be or become: made her position clear; a decision that made him happy.
    To cause to assume a specified function or role: made her treasurer; made Austin his home.

    To cause to act in a specified manner: Heat makes gases expand.
    To compel: made him quit.

    To form in the mind: make an estimate.
    To compose: make verses.

    To prepare; fix: make dinner.
    To get ready or set in order for use: made the bed.
    To gather and light the materials for (a fire).

    To engage in: make war.
    To carry out; perform: make a phone call; make an incision.
    To achieve, produce, or attain: made peace between the two sides; not making sense; didn't make the quota.

    To institute or establish; enact: make laws.
    To draw up and execute in a suitable form: make a will.
    To arrange or agree to: make a date.

    To arrive at; reach: made Seattle in two hours.
    To reach in time: just made the plane.

    To attain the rank or position of: made lieutenant.
    To acquire a place in or on: made the baseball team; made the newspapers.

    To gain or earn, as by working: make money.
    To behave so as to acquire: make friends.
    To score or achieve, as in a sport: made a field goal.

    To assure the success of: Favorable reviews can make a play.
    To favor the development of: Practice makes a winning team.
    To be suited for: Oak makes strong furniture.
    To develop into: will make a fine doctor.

    To draw a conclusion as to the significance or nature of: don't know what to make of the decision.
    To calculate as being; estimate: I make the height 20 feet.
    To consider as being: wasn't the problem some people made it.

    To constitute: Ten members make a quorum.
    To add up to: Two and two make four.
    To amount to: makes no difference.
    To cover (a distance): made 200 miles before sunset
    To constitute the essence or nature of: Clothes make the man.
    To cause to be especially enjoyable or rewarding: You made my day.
    To appear to begin (an action): She made to leave.
    Slang. To persuade to have sexual intercourse. image
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • JcarneyJcarney Posts: 3,154 ✭


    << <i>Which definition of the word "make" is closest to the numismatic slang?

    To cause to exist or happen; bring about; >>



    Works for me.
    “When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.” — Benjamin Franklin


    My icon IS my coin. It is a gem 1949 FBL Franklin.
  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,663 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I agree that it's a stupid expression with misleading and disturbing connotations... "think I'll make some more!"

    I also agree that it's convenient shorthand to express a concept.
    I'd welcome an alternative but am not hopeful that this lame expression will go away.

    I also don't like "toner" and "newp" but they're here to stay, too.

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • UncleJoeUncleJoe Posts: 2,542 ✭✭✭
    A rose is a rose is a ....

    Wow! It's an expression and nothing more. By a show of hands, how many believe that when someone writes: "I made a/this coin" believes that the person actually minted the coin? Of course not!

    Remember when bad meant, well BAD.
    Remember when gay meant, well, GAY etc. etc.

    Chill. image

    Joe.
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭
    I'd like to reply with a lengthy dissertation, but I'm too busy imaging some coins I made.

    Russ, NCNE
    eBay consignment sales | | Collectibles from Resco CCC
  • JcarneyJcarney Posts: 3,154 ✭


    << <i>I'd like to reply with a lengthy dissertation, but I'm too busy imaging some coins I made. >>



    Oh, OK, you make them. I knew you couldn't be finding coins like that. image
    “When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.” — Benjamin Franklin


    My icon IS my coin. It is a gem 1949 FBL Franklin.
  • topstuftopstuf Posts: 14,803 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Let's switch to calling it "slithering."

    I slithered a rip into a peesee.

    image
  • dan383dan383 Posts: 812


    << <i>I mean no disrespect to people who search rolls or proof sets, or estate sales, or buy raw coins at Stack's. It is a word choice that I do not like, but admittedly I do not have a suitable replacement.

    pet peeve
    n. Informal
    Something about which one frequently complains; a particular personal vexation.

    Which definition of the word "make" is closest to the numismatic slang?

    make ( P ) Pronunciation Key (mk)
    v. made, (md) mak·ing, makes
    v. tr.

    Slang. To persuade to have sexual intercourse. image >>





    Just where are we going with this ?????


    Dan
    Fishing is not a matter of life and death.......It's much more important than that........
  • IrishMikeIrishMike Posts: 7,737 ✭✭✭
    Naw its not a pet peeve of mine, now the dealer/s who can hardly post to any thread without reminding us of all the coins they made is another matter.
  • BarryBarry Posts: 10,100 ✭✭✭
    The negative connotation I perceive in "making a coin" is that it has been generously graded and reached its final resting place in a holder from which it will never be removed for fear of downgrading.
  • robertprrobertpr Posts: 6,862 ✭✭✭
    it almost implies that there is some skill in "making" a coin when we know that it is 75% luck and 25% who you are

    Robert, I think you're fundamentally off the mark with this statement.
  • messydeskmessydesk Posts: 20,047 ✭✭✭✭✭
    "Making" a coin, with regard to TPGs, anyway, probably originally meant something like what happened to the 1866 Seated Quarter from another thread -- screwing with it until you "made" it into something it wasn't. It, therefore, did require a certian amount of manufacturing or fabrication, and had a well-earned negative connotation. The term stuck, much as did "ripping" music tracks from CDs, even though it doesn't always refer to ripping off or stealing.

    For me, it's not as much of a pet peeve as a stupid sounding expression. I keep thinking of Joe Pesci's Tommy DeVito who couldn't wait to "Get made" in Goodfellas.
    John
    Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
  • seanqseanq Posts: 8,694 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>
    Which definition of the word "make" is closest to the numismatic slang?

    To achieve, produce, or attain: made peace between the two sides; not making sense; didn't make the quota.

    To attain the rank or position of: made lieutenant.

    To score or achieve, as in a sport: made a field goal. >>




    I could see any of those three applying. I think "scored" has potential because the idea of achieving a numerical grade is roughly parallel to scoring in a sport or on a test ("I scored a MS66FT Roosie!" versus "I scored an 1180 on my SAT."). However, there is a positive connotation that is not relevant for the majority of the coins we (okay... I image ) send to get graded - I won't be coming inhere talking of scoring any AU58s any time soon.

    I think in the long run we're probably stuck with "made." I'll try to be more seneitive to the whims of the forum in a couple of months when I get the grades back on those newp toners I'm submitting. image


    Sean Reynolds
    Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.

    "Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
  • FairlanemanFairlaneman Posts: 10,424 ✭✭✭✭✭
    "Making a Coin" is a heck of alot better than the term "Fresh Collection". Did the collection just get picked out of the flower bed ? Were the coins just minted ? Did the collection get put together yesterday ?

    Maybe, along with new members here, new slabs and long stored away collections should just be called "New Meat".

    Really does it matter what a person calls something ?......image

    Ken
  • 100proof1957100proof1957 Posts: 6,231 ✭
    My pets peeve me smoetimes !
    image
  • CoinHuskerCoinHusker Posts: 5,033 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I don't like pet peeves. >>




    I had a dog named "Peeve" once.
    Collecting coins, medals and currency featuring "The Sower"
  • BlindedByEgoBlindedByEgo Posts: 10,754 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Isn't there an old phrase "making the grade"?

    Seems apt.

    Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1

  • gripgrip Posts: 9,962 ✭✭✭✭✭
    And we have grownups using this ..so called word smoetimesimage?.I'll take made it
    anytimeimage

    Whew..just made it.
    Al
  • jdsinvajdsinva Posts: 1,508 ✭
    A figure of speech part of the numismatic vernacular. . .
    Jeff

    image

    Semper ubi sub ubi
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,797 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There are some excellent responses that are to the point. Don't have time to address now, but BlindedbyEgo might be closest to the mark. Interestingly, I had my epiphany re: "making" after reading the description of this coin.
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • UncleJoeUncleJoe Posts: 2,542 ✭✭✭
    If you put this beautiful coin next to any P Mint MS66, you would be able to tell the difference!

    Probably why it is 65 and not 66. image

    Joe. image
  • coinlieutenantcoinlieutenant Posts: 9,315 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I dont think it is 75% luck and 25% who you know. I have no problem with someone ( or meimage) making a coin. As long as I agree with the grade, then it is what it is.
    I do think it is SOME luck, but a bunch of skill too.
    J

    siliconvalleycoins.com

  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,797 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I dont think it is 75% luck and 25% who you know.

    Of course it isn't. I was being facetious....or trying to be. image
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • coinlieutenantcoinlieutenant Posts: 9,315 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Oh. image
    image

    siliconvalleycoins.com

  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,701 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I've never liked this phrase either but largely because it implies that one can
    get the desired result without having anything specific to start with. It would
    be almost as though you can "make" a gem 1804 dollar out of pocket change.
    When a coin is graded, it is merely being graded, not coming into existence as
    something it wasn't before.

    It is akin to my biggest pet peeve which is the ubiquitous and inane "buy the
    coin, not the holder". While the advice is sound that one should be aware of
    the coin almost to the exclusion of everything else, it's not as though one can
    buy just the holder, or for that matter, a slabbed coin without the holder. Per-
    haps I've just heard the phrase too often.
    Tempus fugit.
  • mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    Hey, your barber dime pet peeve has my PP in it too. That coin just hasn't gotten into the plastic it "deserves".

    Edit for crappy spelling/grammar.
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
  • JRoccoJRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I disagree with the statement that it's 25% who you are... unless you mean the skill that some people have that helps them get better grades.

    Once coins are in the Grading Room, no one has a clue who sent them in. >>



    Yeah ... right...!!!!
    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 23,356 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think there is a better way to say this such as I submit coins... I don't make them.

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • ModernDollarNutModernDollarNut Posts: 886
    A few months ago:
    I made a maid make the grade
    that made me some good money;
    the grader quipped,
    she made the grade,
    or so I judge,
    or maybe I should be made over??

    Rob, maker of a few 1981-S SBAs in MS66 - care to try your "luck"???

    Modern dollars are like children - before you know it they'll be all grown up.....

    Questions about Ikes? Go to The IKE GROUP WEB SITE

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