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How long did it take before you realized you were clueless?

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  • seanqseanq Posts: 8,733 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I bought a bunch of early date Lincoln clips from a dealer I thought was knowledgeable, and then went out and bought some other coins based on his attribution of the error. I was probably four or five years into building my set when I traded a duplicate to someone with a LOT more experience than me and he told me the coin was damaged. I'll never forget how painful it felt to add all of those tough dates back onto my want list.


    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


  • << <i>

    << <i>"Sometimes there are benefits to getting kicked in the butt now and them. It's way to learn. So long as the "tuition" is not too high, there is nothing wrong with it."



    image >>




    Ditto!
    Oh and remember don't drink and type (or hunt & peck)image >>


    Use names when you accuse someone of drinking or any other offense that you believe is being conducted here!
  • CommemDudeCommemDude Posts: 2,341 ✭✭✭✭✭
    In 1987 when I submitted my modest collection of type coins to PCGS for grading, and 70% came back wiped, whizzed, AU58 instead of MS63, or recolored.
    I realized that many of the dealers at the Westchester Coin show where I bought most of my coins had an interest in keeping collectors in the dark because no one ever offered to teach me even the basics of how to examine a coin with a glass.
    PCGS and NGC has helped educate and protect a lot of collectors since then, but ebay has become the "local show" where novice collectors still get ripped off looking for bargain raw coins.
    Dr Mikey
    Commems and Early Type
  • A good portion of my collection is modern stuff, so it goes without saying, I am still clueless and proud of it. image
  • ebaybuyerebaybuyer Posts: 2,984 ✭✭✭
    if one is clueless in regards to being clueless, does that make that person an expert ?
    regardless of how many posts I have, I don't consider myself an "expert" at anything
  • ElcontadorElcontador Posts: 7,684 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I don't think I ever did consider myself "clueless." I started collecting when I was in the fifth grade and my knowledge sort of just grew. A couple of coin dealers who worked at Gimbels Department store mentored me when I was in my teens, and offered me a job there when I was 16. I certainly knew that I did make some mistakes along the line, and I still make some today; but I try very hard to learn from them.

    Sometimes there are benefits to getting kicked in the butt now and them. It's way to learn. So long as the "tuition" is not too high, there is nothing wrong with it. >>



    This. I have never spent money on coins which I could not afford to lose. When in my teens, when I started collecting, I did make some mistakes, but I learned from them. In my 20s, when the GSA CC Morgan sale took place, I opted for the generic Unc coins, rather than the Unc. graded coins by date and costing current fair market value, because I didn't trust their grading, and a generic Unc. coins' grade wouldn't be questioned as not being an Unc.

    I didn't collect for awhile. When I came back, I was mentored, bought a number of books, and looked at a lot of coins before I bought anything. I still make mistakes from time to time, but since my return to collecting, I have never gotten stuck buying an expensive or bad coin.
    "Vou invadir o Nordeste,
    "Seu cabra da peste,
    "Sou Mangueira......."
  • renomedphysrenomedphys Posts: 3,820 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Some cleaned raw coins still look OK to me, while others spot the problem right away.

    And I still don't get the whole color progression thing.

    Thank God for PCGS.
  • ChangeInHistoryChangeInHistory Posts: 3,089 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I most probably still am making mistakes along the way too, but this place has helped me a lot. Knowledge gained, things seen and understood, some that I might have never seen or heard about otherwise ...

    IMO, these forums are kind of like the big leagues. I'm just a thrid-string bench warmer mostly, that might not even start in the minors, but glad to be on the team just the same.

    Well put. I think this is where I'm at as well.
  • As much as I enjoyed reading everyones replies to the "Friday thread" I had to remove it, along with that particular poster. That was a perfect example of how not to act on a this forum. I hope he atleast learned something.
    PCGS Customer Service
  • NickcapNickcap Posts: 977
    I realized I am clueless when earlier this year, I spent a few thousand bucks on some not so rare Morgans. When PCGS was finished with them I had 35 of 40 Genuine cleaned Morgans and 1 fake Morgan. The Houston area dealer who sold me that junk would only refund the fake coin. Needless to say, he lost my business.


    Now, I am very careful with what I buy and who I buy from.
    Morgan Everyman Set
    Member, Society of Silver Dollar Collectors.
    Looking for PCGS AU58+ 1901-P, 1896-O, & 1894-O
  • Back a few years ago at the beginning of collecting I bought slabbed PCGS coins at PCGS Price Guide then when I needed cash took them to my local dealer to try and sell them at PCGS Price Guide. I was in for a very cruel reality check. After that I realized I was clueless and actually began researching and reading more.


  • << <i>As much as I enjoyed reading everyones replies to the "Friday thread" I had to remove it, along with that particular poster. That was a perfect example of how not to act on a this forum. I hope he atleast learned something. >>



    TY,we all appreciate your service to this forum.
  • Timbuk3Timbuk3 Posts: 11,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Still feel clueless !!!
    Timbuk3
  • derrybderryb Posts: 37,643 ✭✭✭✭✭
    when cohodk began replying to my PM forum posts. image

    No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left

  • bidaskbidask Posts: 14,028 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Clueless, ....I dunno..

    Do I still learn things...absolutlely!image
    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.




  • If i am clueless about being clueless.
    And nobody is around to point out my cluelessness.... am I really clueless?
    And if I'm clueless enough to not even know I'm clueless, does that make the definition of cluelessness?

    I'm still clueless.

    But I'm happy!
    I'm Just Sayin"


    http://www.coinshop.com


  • << <i>when cohodk began replying to my PM forum posts. image >>



    Is that unusual? I just put your BST listing on my favorites list!
  • I figure I will find out how clueless I really am when I get the results back from my first submission when I join the collectors club.


  • << <i>I figure I will find out how clueless I really am when I get the results back from my first submission when I join the collectors club. >>



    Most of the 8 Washington quarters I sent in with my 1st submission came back cleaned!

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