Why do we even bother...

renomedphys

Last Fall a friend of my Wife's was over and they got started talking about coins. Don't ask why. The question of value and such always comes up, and I was asked to produce a "big-dog" coin so that they could see what it was all about. So I go over to my safe and look over what I've got on hand that has some "WOW" factor. I pull out this especially nice 55DDO in PCGS 64RD, probably the nicest one I've ever seen. Cost me like $13K. I bring it out, and the response kinda surprised me. The friend says, "You've got to be f-ing kidding me". I say, "Pretty neat, huh?" She says, "Wow! A coin from 1855! You have to be kidding me."



So being the dim-witted numismatist, I correct her, and show her the dramatic doubling, and try to explain what's so special about this somewhat dim but still red cent, and she says, "yeah, but it's only like 50 years old. Big deal."

Sigh! Next time I'm just going to grab a Maple-Leaf and call it good.

drwstr123

Ya can lead a horse to water but....

mdwoods

Hehe, that's a funny story.

Tdec1000

I showed a neighbor a 1943 P DDO Nickel in an NGC 66 FS Holder. The coin was unattributed and I purchased it at a show for $30. Sold it for $650.00 They couldn't believe that I paid $30 for a nickel in a plastic holder.

hahaha

WTCG

That's exactly the reason why I keep a few ancient coins on hand for show-'n-tell with the non-collecting public. Some ancient coins can be had for only a few dollars and have far more appeal to the general public than a gem key date.

IrishMikey

Definitely go with the ancient coin idea, unless you have a nice Spanish colonial shipwreck coin to
show to a non-collector. I have a chewed-up 8 Reales from a 1700's wreck that never fails to
impress, and they can hold it in their hand!

JJM

people usually say to me " i wouldnt have thought you were into coin collecting", and " if I had that kind of extra cash, id buy a really nice car",.......whatever..........

LanLord

well this certainly proves that anyone that would pay a dime for nickel is a fool!

RedTiger

For the most part, I avoid discussing valuation. There is no need to start public rumors about what I may or may not own. Fellow collectors at the local club will usually know which coins are valuable. Non-collectors don't need to know. If the "how much" question comes up, I'll answer "a few dollars." As for impressing non-collectors, old, shiny and gold tends to impress more than most. Stories are cool, too.

crypto79

That 43ddo was a nice find. I get a good response from chop marked Trade dollars from non-coin people. If you can connect them to history it is easier to digest. That why the supply & demand that makes the 55DDO special is lost on them. No history just pocket change.

ricko

Ah yes.... the old 'you gotta be crazy' syndrome. Have met it several times. It is incurable. Cheers, RickO

BillJones

Most non-collectors don't get it when you show them a coin with a modern design that is valuable. A 1955 doubled die cent, even with full mint red, does not mean much to a non-collector. Many of them don’t have eyesight to see the doubling.

You can grab their attention with a piece of very old gold (an early $5 or $10 might do it; a $2.50 is too small) that is nothing like they have ever seen, or even a common $20 gold coin. At least the density of the piece screams value.

DCW

What is most amazing about your story is that your wife's friend accepted that Lincoln could be on US coinage in "1855.". Five years before even becoming president. Amazing

Numis

Great story renomedphys. Well written and downright humorous!

MrEureka

Ah yes.... the old 'you gotta be crazy' syndrome.

Actually, they have a point.

NitroCruiser

<< <i>For the most part, I avoid discussing valuation. There is no need to start public rumors about what I may or may not own. Fellow collectors at the local club will usually know which coins are valuable. Non-collectors don't need to know. If the "how much" question comes up, I'll answer "a few dollars." As for impressing non-collectors, old, shiny and gold tends to impress more than most. Stories are cool, too. >>





RT I would go even one step further and not bring it up at all. Even the best intentioned friend or acquaintance (family member?) might be inclined to mention "the crazy hobby" their friend has in company that could use that info to do harm. I only talk coins with my pop (who collects as well), and here of course.

coinkat

Wow from 1855...

Amazing... issued even before Lincoln became President...

wilskyy

Its a relatively common for that to happen

mrpotatoheadd

<< <i>So I go over to my safe and look over what I've got on hand that has some "WOW" factor. I pull out this especially nice 55DDO in PCGS 64RD... >>

I think you'd have gotten a better reaction if you'd have shown them a handful of raw lower grade 19th century coins, including some of the "oddball" denominations like 2c, 3c, 20c, etc. and maybe some gold, too. And when I say "raw", I mean it- no flips or 2x2s or anything- just the coins. Let them hold the coins in their hands and look at them- you can't hurt G/VG/F coins without a lot of effort anyway.

Cam40

the more serious the collector, the least amount of company they have.
its just not a hobby for the average person. too esoteric in nature for joe sixpack

leothelyon

<< <i>Ya can lead a horse to water but.... >>



....but you can't bring a jackass to his senses.

Is that how it goes?


Leo

scottgardener

I don't mind telling trusted close people, such as my mother or my wife's parents, how much specific coins are worth. I'm hesitant to show off gold coins to friends who are struggling economically--I feel it would reinforce a notion of separation and have vs. have-not, so I instead focus on common ground interests. It may be worth showing off more affordable coins--the ancients are a good idea, since they are very impressive in terms of age and history but can be had for amazingly little.

leothelyon

It's unrealistic to expect someone who is clueless about collecting anything (which is the key) to go from 0 to 60 mph with it.


Leo

GrumpyEd

I used to visit a BM coin shop and the dealer had prices on the back of the flips.
Sort of frustrating you had to ask about each coin in the case.

One day I asked him why??? He said he got sick of people asking "why does that normal looking penny cost $800"

melvin289

A friend came to my house and saw a Monroe Commem in MS-65 on the coffee table. It had just came in the mail the day before. He asked about and I told him what I had paid. He said, "You paid $2500 for a half dollar." This guy is into hunting in a big way and I asked back, "How many guns do you own that cost over $2500?" He said, "Never mind."

Ron

GoldenEyeNumismatics

With inexperienced people, always just show them a common $50 roman denarius. It will blow most people away.

speety

Two summers ago we had out our whole seated dollar set and invited our neighbor and collecting buddy over. One his journey he happens to mention that we had a $XXX collection at our house to the one neighbor between us. Well, it's the last time we've told him when we've had the set out...

SkyMan

<< <i>With inexperienced people, always just show them a common $50 roman denarius. It will blow most people away. >>



Is the 50 DOLLAR Roman denarius made in China?

bestclser1

Gotta love us collectors.My wife hates all my coins,except tthe pretty ones.

bestclser1

<< <i>

<< <i>With inexperienced people, always just show them a common $50 roman denarius. It will blow most people away. >>



Is the 50 DOLLAR Roman denarius made in China? >>

Is that a penny as well?

19Lyds

<< <i>Why do we even bother... >>


We do it in the hopes that our "sparklies" catch the eye of a hidden obsessive compulsive disordered closet freak to which we can share our addictions.








Or we do it cause they asked.

NewRose

I hate trying to show anything to anybody who isn't involved in coins some way.
If they see a set of something they just say, "But this looked the same as the other one"
Then I roll my eyes, and say look at the dates, and the reply is always the same, "That is the only place they are different"

Sigh...

Another comment is always this, YOU SPENT HOW MUCH!?!

mrpotatoheadd

[qIf they see a set of something they just say, "But this looked the same as the other one"
Then I roll my eyes, and say look at the dates, and the reply is always the same, "That is the only place they are different"

Sigh... >>

It would seem the obvious response to this is to show non-coin-collecting people coins that *are* different, don't you think?

NewRose

<< <i>[qIf they see a set of something they just say, "But this looked the same as the other one"
Then I roll my eyes, and say look at the dates, and the reply is always the same, "That is the only place they are different"

Sigh... >>

It would seem the obvious response to this is to show non-coin-collecting people coins that *are* different, don't you think? >>



If I'm showing them a set of a series though...
Not like I have a type set laying around

mrpotatoheadd

<< <i>If I'm showing them a set of a series though...
Not like I have a type set laying around >>

Ok- fair enough.

Personally, I don't think that a set of a series is the first thing I'd suggest to attract the interest of non-collectors, but that's just me.

leothelyon

Reminds me of my younger days when I'd stop by to see my parents and they had friends in town. I knew them from my parents card club evenings. But anyways, they were sharing photos of years gone by and they started showing me. Talk about fighting back your gigantic yawn attacks! I could care less what their grown up children were up to.


Leo

ttxp

<< <i>Ya can lead a horse to water but.... >>



How true.

You can lead a horse to water but a pencil needs to be lead. Or something like that?

PerryHall

If you want some real fun, show a heavily toned coin to a non-collector and try to explain that the tarnish makes your coin highly desirable.

halfhunter

Being a silver bug, I keep this piece around just to impress my ol'broke buds:



Usually does the job when they actually hold this 2.2 pound monster ! ! !

HH