If a collector shows a coin ,but does not specifically ask for opinions on the coin then the rule should be, if you can not say anything nice, say nothing at all. The one exception to this ,is if the coin is an obvious doctored or phony coin.
If a collector shows a coin and asks for opinions on the coin. I would give it, but attempt to be as tactful as possible If I did not like coin. The truth can be helpful if it isn't hurtful.
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
There is an ice cream parlor in town where they make their own ice cream. The owner passed away years ago. Local legend has it that he would tell people, " You don't like Tony's ice cream you can kiss Tony's a**."
Ron
Collect for the love of the hobby, the beauty of the coins, and enjoy the ride.
When opinions are solicited (by asking or posting an image), it is then permissible to offer an evaluation based on one's experience, preferences and knowledge. It should be given in a civil, forthright, respectful manner. On the other side of that coin (nice metaphor), there are those who do not require validation of their possessions, and are secure within their own skills and capabilities. Cheers, RickO
Sometimes brutal honesty will win you online friends. MJ
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
The answer to the original question is simple. Some people are just tactless, insecure pricks and feel most comfortable dishing out unsolicited destructive criticism.
Perhaps this is why many of you miss my points, posts, pics, threads, websites, ideas, opinions, greetings etc.
But in all realities, most posts are cloak and daggers. Who here tells anyone exactly how they collect? Aren't we all in competition with each-other in what and how we collect coins, stamps whatever. Why would anyone inform another how they really collect coins? To increase or dampen the bidding? Depending on what end of the spectrum one is collecting from, those who are closer to their beckoning tend to lead on more than others IMO.
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
<< <i>But in all realities, most posts are cloak and daggers. Who here tells anyone exactly how they collect? Aren't we all in competition with each-other in what and how we collect coins, stamps whatever. Why would anyone inform another how they really collect coins? To increase or dampen the bidding? Depending on what end of the spectrum one is collecting from, those who are closer to their beckoning tend to lead on more than others IMO.
Leo >>
off-topic: Well, it doesn't relate to the super-scarce or super-competitive coins, but in my early days here I had several members who freely shared their secrets with me. I guess they figured there was enough to go around, and got satisfaction from seeing their successes replicated. And took a chance that I wasn't going to get greedy! But I know what you mean, most play their cards close to the chest. I'm just saying, don't sell us all short. Communicating by private message can get friendly, very wise people to open up a bit. Probably even for the super-scarce, highly-competitive stuff.
On-topic: I guess I missed a recent spate of tact-less posts in other threads. Teaching with pictures, putting up or shutting up, getting educated by the more experienced around us -- let's have more of it! Let the wise dogs hash out the main points and the fine points! But this doesn't have to be about having pictures to have legitimacy. Pretty quickly, we learn not to, like CCU/John CRO said,
<< <i>[...] take very seriously the comments made by posters who have never given the board any reason to believe that they actually know what they are talking about. >>
<< <i>I know one thing, I'd sure like to buy coins from some of these critics and tough graders that consistently guess a full grade down or more! Actually once in a while I do run into fellows like this at shows and I'm glad to take these coins off their hands >>
I laughed when i read the above, after I have posted some pics by Mark Goodman and played guess the grade some of the respones were quite dramatic to say the least, where posted grades would vary from au50 to ms64, which I thought was pretty odd, but maybe not so odd, maybe by stuff does stink. It would be nice if those guessers would explain their guesses instead of just replying. afterall I am here to learn:
au53!
>>
When people play guess the grade you can use the grade they guessed to grade them on how they grade--------------BigE
<< <i>When people play guess the grade you can use the grade they guessed to grade them on how they grade--------------BigE >>
Not really. Many times the pics are so poor that we literally must guess the grade.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
I do not feel the need to bash others coins nor have mine bashed. I generally refrain from making comments about people that post a coin they just bought. You have to consider many different items before you can bash. Is a nappy looking 1893 s f15 morgan a pos if the poster paid 1000 dollars for it verse the same coin being 4000 dollars?
Some people are happy with high end 62's and others think they can find 65's hiding in 62 holders.
Now if someone post a coin from ebay or heritage and ask i may provide my response. But if realone post his new purchase and wants an honest opinion.... I will just tell him to look it up in the archives at Heritage That will keep him busy for weeks.
BTW i still hate the new system although even i am getting around faster.
Mark NGC registry V-Nickel proof #6!!!! working on proof shield nickels # 8 with a bullet!!!!
I think anyone who solicts opinions on a coin posted should welcome accurate feedback even if it's critical, they will learn much more this way. Of course, after being on these boards for a while you learn who has the knowledge and the expertise to give valuable insight abot a coin vs others who love to post, but really don't have the knowledge or experience.
That said , there are a couple of posters who really are just "Crotchety Curmudgeons" who never post a pic(not MrE ) but ALWAYS have some dour or gloomy quip about the hobby or any coin they comment on, and although they are always serious, they really shouldn't be taken too seriously, imho
For neophytes & experts both. I recently picked up a copy of NUMISMATIC PHOTOGRAPHY, 2ND ED., by Mark Goodman. It has the basics that will let you start shooting right away, and the advanced details for the pickier among you. Anyone with a 4 megapixel and above digital camera can take a good picture of their coin collection without spending ten years learning how. Highly recommended.
<< <i>When someone posts a pic of a coin and asks for our opinion, should we tell him the truth or just keep our mouths shut? >>
If I like the coin I say so - If I don't like the coin I say nothing. I think most if not all are looking for a positive statement about their coins and if they get any negative comments they are put in a position to explain why they would buy such "stuff".
"May the silver waves that bear you heavenward be filled with love’s whisperings"
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
Members of this Forum do share, how they grade, bid,evaluate coins and all kinds of information. They might not tell you what coins they are bidding on in an auction or how much they are willing to pay, but everything else they share.
<< <i>I believe that some forum members, especially the large crop of newbies with less than five years in the hobby, often benefit from having their new purchases examined with a critical eye. >>
You'd scarce expect one of my age To speak in public on the stage, And if I chance to fall below Demosthenes or Cicero, Don't view me with a critic's eye, But pass my imperfections by. Large streams from little fountains flow, Tall oaks from little acorns grow; And though now I am small and young, Of judgment weak and feeble tongue, Yet all great, learned men, like me Once learned to read their ABC.
<< <i> For neophytes & experts both. I recently picked up a copy of NUMISMATIC PHOTOGRAPHY, 2ND ED., by Mark Goodman. It has the basics that will let you start shooting right away, and the advanced details for the pickier among you. Anyone with a 4 megapixel and above digital camera can take a good picture of their coin collection without spending ten years learning how. Highly recommended. >>
Thanks for the post. I have been seeking a good book on micro Photography , I was clueless as to what book to buy. Mine is on its way from Amazon.
Comments
then the rule should be, if you can not say anything nice, say nothing at all. The
one exception to this ,is if the coin is an obvious doctored or phony coin.
If a collector shows a coin and asks for opinions on the coin. I would give it, but
attempt to be as tactful as possible If I did not like coin. The truth can be helpful
if it isn't hurtful.
Camelot
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Ron
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
But in all realities, most posts are cloak and daggers. Who here tells anyone exactly how they collect? Aren't we all in competition with each-other in what and how we collect coins, stamps whatever. Why would anyone inform another how they really collect coins? To increase or dampen the bidding? Depending on what end of the spectrum one is collecting from, those who are closer to their beckoning tend to lead on more than others IMO.
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
<< <i>But in all realities, most posts are cloak and daggers. Who here tells anyone exactly how they collect? Aren't we all in competition with each-other in what and how we collect coins, stamps whatever. Why would anyone inform another how they really collect coins? To increase or dampen the bidding? Depending on what end of the spectrum one is collecting from, those who are closer to their beckoning tend to lead on more than others IMO.
Leo >>
off-topic: Well, it doesn't relate to the super-scarce or super-competitive coins, but in my early days here I had several members who freely shared their secrets with me. I guess they figured there was enough to go around, and got satisfaction from seeing their successes replicated. And took a chance that I wasn't going to get greedy! But I know what you mean, most play their cards close to the chest. I'm just saying, don't sell us all short. Communicating by private message can get friendly, very wise people to open up a bit. Probably even for the super-scarce, highly-competitive stuff.
On-topic: I guess I missed a recent spate of tact-less posts in other threads. Teaching with pictures, putting up or shutting up, getting educated by the more experienced around us -- let's have more of it! Let the wise dogs hash out the main points and the fine points! But this doesn't have to be about having pictures to have legitimacy. Pretty quickly, we learn not to, like CCU/John CRO said,
<< <i>[...] take very seriously the comments made by posters who have never given the board any reason to believe that they actually know what they are talking about. >>
Well said, ColonialCoinUnion!
<< <i>
<< <i>I know one thing, I'd sure like to buy coins from some of these critics and tough graders that consistently guess a full grade down or more! Actually once in a while I do run into fellows like this at shows and I'm glad to take these coins off their hands
I laughed when i read the above, after I have posted some pics by Mark Goodman and played guess the grade some of the respones were quite dramatic to say the least, where posted grades would vary from au50 to ms64, which I thought was pretty odd, but maybe not so odd, maybe by stuff does stink. It would be nice if those guessers would explain their guesses instead of just replying. afterall I am here to learn:
au53!
When people play guess the grade you can use the grade they guessed to grade them on how they grade--------------BigE
<< <i>I believe in telling the truth no matter how much it might hurt so we all can learn and hopefully make a lot less errors.
I agree. And hope it would save that person some hard earned money.
<< <i>When people play guess the grade you can use the grade they guessed to grade them on how they grade--------------BigE >>
Not really. Many times the pics are so poor that we literally must guess the grade.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Some people are happy with high end 62's and others think they can find 65's hiding in 62 holders.
Now if someone post a coin from ebay or heritage and ask i may provide my response. But if realone post his new purchase and wants an honest opinion.... I will just tell him to look it up in the archives at Heritage
BTW i still hate the new system although even i am getting around faster.
NGC registry V-Nickel proof #6!!!!
working on proof shield nickels # 8 with a bullet!!!!
RIP "BEAR"
That said , there are a couple of posters who really are just "Crotchety Curmudgeons" who never post a pic(not MrE
<< <i>When someone posts a pic of a coin and asks for our opinion, should we tell him the truth or just keep our mouths shut? >>
If I like the coin I say so - If I don't like the coin I say nothing. I think most if not all are looking for a positive statement about their coins and if they get any negative comments they are put in a position to explain why they would buy such "stuff".
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
of information. They might not tell you what coins they are bidding on in an auction
or how much they are willing to pay, but everything else they share.
Camelot
On the whole, how can anyone disagree?
However, if there exists a minor point of contention, surely disagreement can and should be voiced politely,
if not artfully?
And therein lies the rub, "artfully" is not easily done and when accomplished, often mis-interpreted, sometimes deliberately so...
These however, are the freely undertaken perils of free speech.
is that you end up being governed by inferiors. – Plato
<< <i>I believe that some forum members, especially the large crop of newbies with less than five years in the hobby, often benefit from having their new purchases examined with a critical eye. >>
You'd scarce expect one of my age
To speak in public on the stage,
And if I chance to fall below
Demosthenes or Cicero,
Don't view me with a critic's eye,
But pass my imperfections by.
Large streams from little fountains flow,
Tall oaks from little acorns grow;
And though now I am small and young,
Of judgment weak and feeble tongue,
Yet all great, learned men, like me
Once learned to read their ABC.
Not bad, huh?
I knew it would happen.
<< <i>
Thanks for the post. I have been seeking a good book on micro Photography , I was clueless as to what book to buy. Mine is on its way from Amazon.