Home› U.S. Coin Forum

A Cynic's Dictionary of Numismatics

MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,501 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
"A dirty mind is better than no mind at all.
A clean mind is the result of brainwashing."
-Walter Breen, The Cynic's Dictionary

Walter Breen may have been the first numismatist to create a "cynic's dictionary", but we can be the first to create a numismatic version.

I'll start:

Investment Quality - No collector would ever pay the price.

Third Party Grading - The best option when the first two parties don't know how to grade.


Andy Lustig

Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
«1

Comments

  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    undervalued-----low demand.
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
    "Lightly cleaned, generations ago"-- still an obvious cleaning, and we have no clue when the coin was cleaned
    Always took candy from strangers
    Didn't wanna get me no trade
    Never want to be like papa
    Working for the boss every night and day
    --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
  • longtimecollectorlongtimecollector Posts: 2,368 ✭
    Mint sealed = Really common widgets that we can sell at 50 over ask = Crapshoot image
    Cam-Slam 2-6-04
    3 "DAMMIT BOYS"
    4 "YOU SUCKS"
    Numerous POTD (But NONE officially recognized)
    Seated Halves are my specialty !
    Seated Half set by date/mm COMPLETE !
    Seated Half set by WB# - 289 down / 31 to go !!!!!
    (1) "Smoebody smack him" from CornCobWipe !
    IN MEMORY OF THE CUOF image
  • ElcontadorElcontador Posts: 7,720 ✭✭✭✭✭
    PQ - I think I can get more money for the coin from a collector than it's worth

    "A dirty mind is better than no mind at all." Coming from Walter Breen, I don't know whether that's more sick or funny.
    "Vou invadir o Nordeste,
    "Seu cabra da peste,
    "Sou Mangueira......."
  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 24,817 ✭✭✭✭✭
    "market acceptable" - I've got to find the greater fool who actually believes it is!
    All glory is fleeting.
  • drwstr123drwstr123 Posts: 7,049 ✭✭✭✭✭
    "Registry Quality"- this coin is for those of you who don't have a Registry.
  • CalGoldCalGold Posts: 2,608 ✭✭
    For the advanced collector.... Available at a staggering price.

    Well worth owning....Would have been a nice coin if not for the enumerated flaws.

    Close inspection under a glass reveals…. ... Coin has heavy bag marks or scratches.

    Richly toned... Dark as night

    CG


  • fcfc Posts: 12,796 ✭✭✭
    heh, i like that advanced collector one. i always thought that was humorous.

    "totally original" - 100% sure it is really a US minted coin. not counterfeit or a copy.

    (only god knows how the word original got warped to mean what it
    does in numis. go check the dictionary...)
  • fcfc Posts: 12,796 ✭✭✭
    "surviving population" - a guess pulled out of my butt, invariably too low and time shows it as wrong most of the time.

    "processed" - what happens to coins that other dealers sell.

    "fresh" - the first time the dealer selling it has offered it for sale.

    "sleeper" - a coin in a series most people detest.

    "mottled" - spotty.
  • LickThoseStampsLickThoseStamps Posts: 1,028 ✭
    MS69 - An MS70 coin that was submitted when the graders were having a bad day.image
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,501 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Layaway Plan Available: It's not like this coin was going anywhere anytime soon.
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • SwampboySwampboy Posts: 13,157 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Let me check and see how much I'm into it" - Let me size you up and guess how much I can get out of you.

    "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso

  • CoinosaurusCoinosaurus Posts: 9,645 ✭✭✭✭✭
    "Commercial Unc" - AU at best and more likely EF

    "light finger mark" - bold thumbprint

    "PQ" - average





    Newman Numismatic Portal, www.NewmanPortal.org
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Modern Rarity image: spot price without the plastic.

    ``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5

  • krankykranky Posts: 8,709 ✭✭✭
    "conditional rarity" = common as dirt, but not with this slab label
    "virtually unobtainable" = actually obtainable
    "average circulated" = by "average", we mean the most worn 5% of existing examples
    "rare opportunity" = haven't had one in stock for a week
    "strong interest" = people call to ask the price, then laugh and hang up
    "collector's item" = not a collector's item
    "investor lot" = we're buried in these

    New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.

  • MikeInFLMikeInFL Posts: 10,188 ✭✭✭✭
    Finest Known - Ovepriced and probably overgraded too.
    Collector of Large Cents, US Type, and modern pocket change.
  • GoldenEyeNumismaticsGoldenEyeNumismatics Posts: 13,187 ✭✭✭
    "My camera's in the shop for repairs" --- I'm trying to sell a piece of crap, but still want strong money for it.
  • IGWTIGWT Posts: 4,975 ✭
    Ethics: Rules that apply to the other person
  • NHSBaseballNHSBaseball Posts: 2,470 ✭
    "Soap and watered"- Ajax and club soda'd
    "College men from LSU- went in dumb, come out dumb too..."
    -Randy Newmanimage
  • CarlWohlforthCarlWohlforth Posts: 11,074 ✭
    "Cameo but not so labeled" or "some Cameo contrast" - Gee those devices really catch the light well, bring out more proofs for me to photograph before I move the lights!


    Hey this thread gets my vote for the best ever MrEureka thread! I'd love to condense it and put it on my website... Can I do that? Who owns this thread? Wait! I have to stop asking questions or I might become a wannabe Longacre. image
    Carl's Coins website w/ links to Carl's auctions
  • MisterBungleMisterBungle Posts: 2,308 ✭✭✭

    "LQQK" = A complete waste of time to look.

    "Upgrade Candidate" = A coin that is lucky to be graded as high as it is now.

    "Slight Rub" = F12

    "Undergraded" = Overgraded

    ~




    "America suffers today from too much pluribus and not enough unum.".....Arthur Schlesinger Jr.

  • MikeInFLMikeInFL Posts: 10,188 ✭✭✭✭
    OGH - So obviously overgraded nobody has taken the chance on it.
    Collector of Large Cents, US Type, and modern pocket change.
  • Aegis3Aegis3 Posts: 2,920 ✭✭✭
    PQ = for sale
    pedigree mark = gash
    pop top = thousands at least just as nice
    POR = price obscene & ridiculous
    proof, branch mint = not a proof
    specimen = fancy name for proof, branch mint & similar items
    monster coin = as attractive as Medusa
    slabbed = overgraded
    undergraded = overgraded
    correctly graded = overgraded
    sticker worthy = overgraded
    overgraded = really overgraded
    market acceptable = acceptable for me to sell, not buy
    slab = what investors are buried in (not my definition, John Wright's instead IIRC)

    --

    Ed. S.

    (EJS)
  • MikeInFLMikeInFL Posts: 10,188 ✭✭✭✭
    Pedigreed to the XXX collection - Even the best owned some crappy coins.
    Collector of Large Cents, US Type, and modern pocket change.
  • EdscoinEdscoin Posts: 2,028 ✭✭✭
    TOP POP Modern = The other 10,000 has not been slabed yet!
    ED
    .....................................................
  • bidaskbidask Posts: 14,050 ✭✭✭✭✭
    smashed new record price........2 bidders
    I manage money. I earn money. I save money .
    I give away money. I collect money.
    I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.




  • WalmannWalmann Posts: 2,806 ✭
    collector's edition-colorized or plated or in some cases overly massed produced coins that most true collectors ignore (generally any product labeled collector's edition is not very collectable)
  • EdscoinEdscoin Posts: 2,028 ✭✭✭


    << <i>smashed new record price........2 bidders >>


    Ever heard the old saying--- When two Fools meet ?
    ED
    .....................................................
  • bidaskbidask Posts: 14,050 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>smashed new record price........2 bidders >>


    Ever heard the old saying--- When two Fools meet ? >>

    yep, I wonder how many new record priced coins are out there as a result of 2 bidders?
    I manage money. I earn money. I save money .
    I give away money. I collect money.
    I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.




  • ConnecticoinConnecticoin Posts: 13,145 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Finest Known - Ovepriced and probably overgraded too. >>



    Finest Known = Maxxed Out in current holder
    *For Sale on Numismy* *For Sale on Ebay*
  • ConnecticoinConnecticoin Posts: 13,145 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Omaha Bank Hoard = Overgraded
    Wells Fargo Hoard = Overgraded
    Jules Reiver Pedigree = Problem coin in non-problem NGC holder
    Jules Verne Pedigree = "Shipwreck Effect"
    "Shipwreck Effect" = Silver Half Dollar scrubbed to death by NCS with a Brillo Pad
    Original Surfaces = Nicely dressed with Blue Ribbon or Deller's Darkener
    OGH = Overgraded Holder
    "Fatty" = Overgraded Holder
    "Rattler" = Overpriced Holder
    CAC = Coin Already Certified
    Rare = Common as Dirt
    Crusty = Ugly
    Wholly Original = Cleaned and re-toned
    MS62 = AU58 (Bust Halves)
    MS61 = AU55 (Bust Halves)
    MS60 = Cleaned/Bodybag (Bust Halves)
    Redfield Hoard Mint State 65 = MS62
    Redfield Hoard Mint State 60 = MS62
    *For Sale on Numismy* *For Sale on Ebay*
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,700 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Pedigreed to the XXX collection - Even the best owned some crappy coins. >>



    image

    ``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5

  • GoldenEyeNumismaticsGoldenEyeNumismatics Posts: 13,187 ✭✭✭


    << <i>
    Redfield Hoard Mint State 65 = MS62
    Redfield Hoard Mint State 60 = MS62 >>



    ROFL!!
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,501 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Russet Toning - Probably baked in a potato.
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • MikeInFLMikeInFL Posts: 10,188 ✭✭✭✭
    NGC Grade = PCGS grade - 1

    image
    Collector of Large Cents, US Type, and modern pocket change.
  • MikeInFLMikeInFL Posts: 10,188 ✭✭✭✭
    Even chocolate color - Recolored copper.

    Man, I didn't know I was this cynical.... Good topic, Andy, I think... image
    Collector of Large Cents, US Type, and modern pocket change.
  • MikeInFLMikeInFL Posts: 10,188 ✭✭✭✭
    Hard Smooth Surfaces - Brushed a thousand times.
    Collector of Large Cents, US Type, and modern pocket change.
  • coinpicturescoinpictures Posts: 5,345 ✭✭✭
    "CAC stickered" = I fell for the idiocy, and am hoping to make an extra 30%.
    Numismotography

    1/2 Cents

    U.S. Revenue Stamps

    image
  • thezookrewthezookrew Posts: 650 ✭
    From an Estate Sale - These have been picked over by me AND 5 of my closest friends
    Unsearched lot - I haven't PERSONALLY searched through them, but my dealer buddies have!!


    pERRY
    TheZooKrew
    Morgan, modern sets, circulated Kennedys, and Wisconsin error leaf quarter Collector
    First (and only - so far) Official "You Suck" Award from Russ 2/9/07
  • ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,668 ✭✭✭
    FA-02 = keep it in your pocket for a year and slab it
    "Rarer than an 1893-S Morgan at a fraction of the price" = No one cares about collecting this type by date and mint
    "Only one certified in this condition" = someone had to burn some grading coupons on VF Zincolns before they expired
    "Grandpa's attic" = senile old guy hoarding junk in the toolshed outside
    "Prestige set" = same coins at twice the price for the packaging
    L@@K = "I want to be excluded from saved eBay searches"
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
    "A coin for the contrarians"-- this market is so dead, you'd be a fool to buy it.
    Always took candy from strangers
    Didn't wanna get me no trade
    Never want to be like papa
    Working for the boss every night and day
    --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
  • fcfc Posts: 12,796 ✭✭✭
    "dealer relationship" - i spend money on coins and that is why i have
    a relationship that i warp into something more then it is. once the money is gone the relationship ceases to exist in most cases.
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,501 ✭✭✭✭✭
    "Sorry You Missed This Bargain!" - "If I had any hope at all that the piece that was here might have sold at my ridiculous price, I would have brought another one to fill this hole in my showcase."
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • IGWTIGWT Posts: 4,975 ✭
    Try our want list service!: Confirm that we don't think you're worth dealing with.
  • 57loaded57loaded Posts: 4,967 ✭✭✭
    "problem free" = it hopefully will pass muster with my 3 day return policy
  • DentuckDentuck Posts: 3,828 ✭✭✭
    Sealed bag of dateless and partial date Buffalos = "I saw a 19 in there somewhere"

  • adamlaneusadamlaneus Posts: 6,969 ✭✭✭
    "Use MSN Live Search"

    translation

    "This coin is overpriced by exactly 30%."


  • CoinJunkieCoinJunkie Posts: 8,772 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Look at the pictures and judge for yourself - Coin was photographed to hide obvious flaws
    No returns: Grade is guaranteed by the TPG - Lock downgrade
    No problems that I can see - Did I mention I'm legally blind?
    Finest one I've seen - Only one I've seen
    This coin is from my personal collection - .....of mistake purchases
    My Roosevelt Dime Registry Set
  • COALPORTERCOALPORTER Posts: 2,900 ✭✭
    Rare Die Marriage = marketing of crusty crap priced at moon money.
  • ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,668 ✭✭✭
    "I am not a coin collector" -- "I know I'm overgrading and overhyping this coin, but I'm hiding behind feigned ignorance to sell you a lemon. Oh yeah, and all sales are final."

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Format
SpoilerCodeQuote
Heading 2Heading 1
Emoji
:):D:(;):/:o:s:p:'(:|B):#:*<3o:)>:)
Url
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file
Home • U.S. Coin ForumComment As ...