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Remember back when you were new at this hobby?

bigmarty58bigmarty58 Posts: 2,002 ✭✭✭✭✭
I just want to share a story with many of you who remember back when you were new at this hobby. My story begins with several modern 50C commemoratives given to me from my step dad's will. I knew that he was a part-time collector but really never thought much about coins. After looking at these coins I began to really admire the beauty that each coin offered. I also liked the idea that I was honoring my step dad's attempt to collect a set of modern halves. Plus to make it even better, my thirteen year old daughter was also interested. Together we started to look at the coins and I guess better late than never we were off and running. I did my best to educate us through many resources including the Redbook, ANA Grading Standards, Coin World and various coin collecting books. Then one day I decided to look at your forum. I just observed the forum for a few months and really got a great understanding of how much I did not know about numismatics. The underlying message I was reading was that I really needed to learn first before buying. The information all of you have provided my daughter and I have helped us to learn so much. At first I was relunctant to buy any coins. But after visiting some of the recommended sights from this forum we got our feet wet. My daughter and I are taking it slow, I tell her we need to crawl before we walk(her favorite coin is the double eagle Saint-Gaudens, she has expensive taste). By far we have learned the most from all of you, I just want to say thank you and we appreciate all the great threads that you provide on this forum-Bob and Nikki.
Enthusiastic collector of British pre-decimal and Canadian decimal circulation coins.

Comments

  • DorkGirlDorkGirl Posts: 9,994 ✭✭✭
    That was nice, thanks for sharing. image
    Becky
  • Saint Gaudens double eagles, eh? image Expensive tastes indeed, but you get a lot of coin for the money. Plus, you can't really get screwed too bad if you by one just over melt.
  • STONESTONE Posts: 15,275
    Good story. I definitely remember when I started collecting and getting interested.

    Today is an exceptional time to start coin collecting because of all the resources out there.
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great story... welcome to the boards... hope you and your daughter have fun with the hobby. Cheers, RickO


  • << <i>(her favorite coin is the double eagle Saint-Gaudens, she has expensive taste). >>



    If she's into art, have her do some drawings or paintings of a Saint or a commem that you both like, or try to design a new coin based on the older ones you like. That would be something cool to look back at down the road to remember the time you shared together.
    Plus, its cheap!

    Nice story
  • OneCentOneCent Posts: 3,561
    image

    Great post...someone post a St. Gaudens!!!

    image
    imageimage
    Collector of Early 20th Century U.S. Coinage.
    ANA Member R-3147111
  • Very nice, its so refreshing to read a post like yours. As you have learned from this board we too can learn from your post. image

    Thank you

    Alan
  • Welcome to the message boards......I wish my 14 year old son would take to coins like your daughter has.....oh well. I enjoyed reading your post! image
  • When I was new at this hobby ... I would shine, shine, shine those coins up until they were real pretty.
  • razzlerazzle Posts: 990 ✭✭✭
    Bob and Nikki,

    I'll add a welcome, too. As a fellow newbie, I began shifting from confirmed hoarder to minor collector a few years ago. I, too, found this forum extremely helpful, still do. It's amazing, and humbling, to discover one's own state of ignorance, yet:

    "He who knows not that he knows not, knows not.

    He who knows that he knows not, knows."

    Or, at least, that's what I keep telling myself... Now, to go check my 2003 mint sets for a MS70 cent...
    Markets (governments) can remain irrational longer than an investor can remain solvent.
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,507 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I was scared to deal with coin dealers when I was new to the hobby. In many instances, I still am image
  • NumisOxideNumisOxide Posts: 10,997 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I started back in 2003, that's when I really got into it. This board is a really great asset to the Numismatic community.
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    When I was new at this hobby ... I would shine, shine, shine those coins up until they were real pretty.

    I recall riding my banana seat bike to coin shops, and once in the door you could see the dealers shine,shine, shine their coins till they where real pretty. I once saw a dealer clean pennies with ketchup... If you never saw what the acidity in ketchup does to copper try it with a brown circ Lincoln. Rub the penny in your hands with a dab... brown to shiny right from the mint red in a minute! image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • MadMartyMadMarty Posts: 16,697 ✭✭✭


    << <i>When I was new at this hobby ... I would shine, shine, shine those coins up until they were real pretty. >>



    I remember when I was a kid (about 8 years old), my mom gave me a coffee can full of old silver coins (Barber Halves and Quarters). They were dirty, but I found out an eraser took care of that and shined them right up!!!image
    It is not exactly cheating, I prefer to consider it creative problem solving!!!

  • ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,668 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I remember when I was a kid (about 8 years old), my mom gave me a coffee can full of old silver coins (Barber Halves and Quarters). They were dirty, but I found out an eraser took care of that and shined them right up!!!image >>

    File that one under "The Crust Bites the Dust." image
  • JulioJulio Posts: 2,501
    I agree with every word. What really warms my heart is this is something you and your daughter will get a lifetime of memories and learn a thing or two.

    This forum is good for our hobby. You Sir, and your daughter are an assett to this wonderful thing we call a hobby. Take Care, jws
    image
  • robkoolrobkool Posts: 5,934 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A 1915 s Barber half was the first coin I recieved when I was only six...
    I still have it today... LOL !!!
  • image
    Welcome to the boards. It is very informative but sometimes you need a thick skin as these guys can at times be vicious, but usually it is all in good funimage. I lurk more than I post but I have learned tons and consider myself a better prepared collector from being here. Looking forward to more exchanges.

    Broadstruck, I am going to have to try that ketchup thing, but only on a low grade circulated common!
    And is that Broad-struck or Broads-truck? image
    Frank

    E PLVRIBVS VNVM
  • fcfc Posts: 12,793 ✭✭✭
    good post. cannot wait to hear more from you.
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Broadstruck, I am going to have to try that ketchup thing, but only on a low grade circulated common!

    Heinz 57 Ketchup works best... but wait till I talk to my stock broker before you all try the ketchup copper method. image

    And is that Broad-struck or Broads-truck?

    As to my user name I'm an error collector so it for Broadstrikes... other then that it all depends on how Striking the Broad is and what kind of Truck she's buying me? imageimage

    P.S. You might want to wear gloves as I recall your hand will turn black, as everything on the penny will be absorbed by your skin... and could take the weekend to wash off?
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • tahoe98tahoe98 Posts: 11,388 ✭✭✭


    good post and image
    "government is not reason, it is not eloquence-it is a force! like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." George Washington
  • ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,785 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>her favorite coin is the double eagle Saint-Gaudens, she has expensive taste. >>

    She also has very good taste as well.

    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
  • I tried the ketchup on a 1976d and it turned it pink. Reminded me of the cents we used to put on top of our car batteries back in the dark ages. They would get all green and furry with the battery acid and when you washed them off with baking soda they were pink. Sure ruined a lot of wheat backs that way. (and a few indian heads)
    God I feel old....LOL
    Molon Labe
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,507 ✭✭✭✭✭
    And the Dansco 7070,...
    don't forget that one. It's a lesson in our nations history and coinage.
  • blu62vetteblu62vette Posts: 11,942 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great Post and Welcome!!!

    Very nice story, now go out and abuse this board for knowledge. There is great information on both Saints and Commems and about everything else.

    On a sour note...... I have to say Go Yankees!!!!!
    http://www.bluccphotos.com" target="new">BluCC Photos Shows for onsite imaging: Nov Baltimore, FUN, Long Beach http://www.facebook.com/bluccphotos" target="new">BluCC on Facebook
  • 09sVDB09sVDB Posts: 2,420 ✭✭✭
    Great story. Many years ago I tried to get my (now 13 year old daughter interested) but to no avail.

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