I don't know how much this has to do with it, but my experience is that ten years ago, I was able to go to a show like Long Beach and always find more coins that I wanted than I had funds to spend on them. There was a certain excitement re "what neat coin(s) am I going to find this time, and which one(s) will I actually be able to buy?"
I didn't submit much, but I'd get an upgrade and / or cross an NGC coin to a PCGS holder a good percentage of the time.
It hasn't been like this since 2007 or 2008. Now, when I go to a show, I find it much more interesting to catch up with people I know but haven't seen in awhile rather than looking at coins which are available for sale, because re the latter, I find very little that interests me.
Maybe a number of others have had similar experiences, and instead of sticking around this forum, they've taken a hiatus from the hobby, or in some cases, gotten out of the hobby and gone on to something else.
"Vou invadir o Nordeste, "Seu cabra da peste, "Sou Mangueira......."
I really don't know the correct response that would explain all...subtle nuances occur without us even noticing, til one day we step back and say, gee, I remember it used to be different here. There were times some of the comments posted in threads reduced me to tears from laughing so hard, all the while still learning about coins, that sort of human interaction hasn't happened in quite some time.
I am , compared to most here a newbie . I came on during the 25th anniversary maddness Oct 2011 . I wanted to submit my own coins mostly coins passed down from my father and grandfather . I have lurked in the shadows ever since and I have checked this forum almost daily. I want you longtime posters to know I really appreciate your insights and knowledge you bring. To those who always seek to flip for cash , I say good for you, there is no need for you to be so defensive about it, to you its a business. The real collecter of coins understands the historical value and beauty not just going rate today. Mostly I think this is a good outlet for people with many years of collecting to share thoughts ..There will always be something here for everyone. You have to careful though..you may learn something.
No but this forum looks like it. No software updates in in 10 years. Sheesh. I don't think FuseTalk even exists anymore. I am a member of a record collector board that has evolved both the way it looks and the functionality by requests of it's users. I imagine this is because the demographic. Younger people are into music heavily and are technologically savvy. Old farts that collect coins...well if it wasn't for large image sizes they would probably still be happy with using a modem and green screen running FIDO BBS.
My experience is that people here go through stages.
You arrive as a newbie, you post your dumb and naive questions and tell your tales of getting bilked, you get the kind, gentle guidance from the old hands and pick up a mentor or two.
You slide into the middle phase of relative and specific knowledge, find yourself helping out those without your specialty, encourage those with your same enthusiasm, fashion your friendships, get to know folks for their characteristic patterns of posting.
Then you move into the phase of having heard it before, leaving the repetitions increasingly to others. You solidify your friendships, identify ever more strongly with the community here, seek out names you only knew by their nicknames here, meeting them at shows.
You start expanding on those relationships. You PM more. You respond to personal triumphs and plights. You found yourself over at the Open Forum, visiting about idiosyncratic topics you initiated at the shows. Family. Other interests. You still go back to the Coin Forum because you still love coins; you post now where interests leads. You post something sagacious once in a great while and still impulsively mentor someone, guide a newbie and offer some esoteria rarely known.
Increasingly, though, you foster and expand upon the wider relationships in the Open Forum and offline.
I just think this is the normal progression. And frankly, I thought it was part of the genius of the place and its marketing: you kept the old-timers here, with all the richness and sense of community that hobbies invariably engender.
I understand that PCGS got tired of policing the human vagaries of the Open Forum, and how people at the corporate office could impatiently ask why they were paying for and having to monitor/parent such childishness.
Yet the essential humanness of the entire process: enticement, engagement, identity and then feeling at home...that was masterful when you reflect back.
Since then, my perspective is that the latter phases of human relatedness had to move away elsewhere, to the detriment of the old-timer "drop-in" wisdom, and have left the Coin Forum emotionally truncated, IMHO.
The result, I believe, is that people drift off, the comprehensive wealth of human experience here has been diminished, and the topics as a consequence have become necessarily hackneyed and repetitive.
Like to hear it? Here it goes all my opinion...... too many coin snobs these days, folks have lost a sense of humor, maybe they need to not tie their tie so tight.
New folks get intimidated when they post their not so great images folks knock their images...... which IMO they ain't bad. Too many people have become image connoisseurs through the years. I know photography has progressed but years ago we could grade a scan pretty close. Now people snub their noses even if a person uses a camera and gets a decent image. Also new folks might get intimidated when they just post an image and get response like "It's OK but I wouldn't pay a premium for it." Well, who the L asked you what you would pay?
All the "OT BUT" I guess they have decided it's OK to start a OT thread if they put the "But" in there. I don't care if your foot hurts, it's your Birthday you had to take your chicken to the Vet.... Etc. All this just a start, please don't get me going!
Oh, and this forum has become less collector friendly through the years. (stman ducking)
Please... Save The Stories, Just Answer My Questions, And Tell Me How Much!!!!!
<< <i>Shylock's bailing from the forum (he was not banned) left a great hole which has never been filled. He knew as much about IHCs as Rick Snow, and was always generous with his knowledge here. I also know why he left. I tried talk him into coming back, but to no avail. >>
<< <i>Like to hear it? Here it goes all my opinion...... too many coin snobs these days, folks have lost a sense of humor, maybe they need to not tie their tie so tight.
New folks get intimidated when they post their not so great images folks knock their images...... which IMO they ain't bad. Too many people have become image connoisseurs through the years. I know photography has progressed but years ago we could grade a scan pretty close. Now people snub their noses even if a person uses a camera and gets a decent image. Also new folks might get intimidated when they just post an image and get response like "It's OK but I wouldn't pay a premium for it." Well, who the L asked you what you would pay?
All the "OT BUT" I guess they have decided it's OK to start a OT thread if they put the "But" in there. I don't care if your foot hurts, it's your Birthday you had to take your chicken to the Vet.... Etc. All this just a start, please don't get me going!
Oh, and this forum has become less collector friendly through the years. (stman ducking) >>
Can't disagree with anything stman says here. Many times I've seen really nice coins get nitpicked unreasonably (jealousy at work?) and just as often seen some real dogs go without much said at all (afraid to hurt feelings, I suppose.) Gotta run for my commute, but will try and expound further at a later time.
I guess I was not here during the "Glory Days" but I have not noticed any decline in the Forum in the time I have been visiting. I come here almost daily and one thing that I noticed that just keeps getting BETTER are Charmy's show reports! I just don't agree with the "decline" theory. Also, a warning to those that come here that I want to repeat from an earlier responder: "You have to careful though..you may learn something. "
There are several factors that can account for a decline in posting.
Closing the Open Forum -- If people only posted there, then closing it wouldn't have affected the Coin Forum one bit. People posted in both places. Remove part of what people enjoy, they'll be here less.
Bammings -- Any crackdown, bammings or otherwise, sucks the enthusiasm out of people. (A Linux forum started putting restrictions on posts a few years ago, including not using the word "noob" in posts. It was silly, and the forum fizzled out rapidly.) Bammings remove spirited people. I could name a couple of people who are good people and were never troublemakers, but apparently they crossed a line that had been recently placed where there was no line before.
Forum becoming more dealer-centric -- It used to be a collector forum, but collectors have to tread carefully these days.
Disillusionment. -- That applies to me personally. A few years ago, a very high-priced coin (from my perspective) appeared in a top-tier holder looking a whole lot different than it had a few months before. Clearly the same coin. If that could get past pros who look at coins all day, there is no way I could ever be sure I'd spot problems. I don't have their level of experience and felt I was in over my head when so many coins are messed with.
I'm not clear about why anyone refraining from bashing Moderns would contribute to a decline in the forum. If there's any way to discourage new membership, it would be to start making new members feel as if their participation is somehow inferior.
Q: Are You Printing Money? Bernanke: Not Literally
There are many days i either don't check in here or check in and after scanning the thread titles, move on. And that's okay. I think many passionate collectors go through varying phases of enthusiasm or interest in the hobby. It's a natural progression for some to become less involved here at some point and interpret that as a decline in the forum. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
By the way, this hobby is full of self- fulfilling prophecies, IMO. For over six years, i have heard the gnashing of teeth over "the lack of fresh material." Six years ago, i didn't know what to think of that maxim, but today i walk a coin show bourse and end up telling friends that i didn't see a single coin i wanted. But that probably has more to do with the continued narrowing of my focus than what is available at a coin show.
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
<< <i>The past always seems like "the good old days" to some, and the present always seems like the bad new days. This can be true in life, politics, and certainly the forum.
The trick is realizing that these are actually the good new days and enjoying them for what they are. Very few can do it, and are usually scorned by the "hip and cynical" as dreamers, pollyannas, or having heads in the sand, when it's actually none of those, just objective realism, optimism, looking on the bright side, and making the best of current circumstances.
For example, lately there have been complaints about the decline in the quality of the forum... and then, lo and behold, a bunch of really good and thought-provoking threads, including this one >>
What Baley said.
In addition, I have some real good news: in 4 days the elections will be over, and we won't have to see any more of these mind-numbing commercials any more, nor hear the phone ringing with someone doing another unnecessary survey!
So, let's enjoy the knowledge and spirit of the Forums now, and maybe ten years from now, someone can write about the "good old days" ten years prior!
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
<< <i>I tire of the flipper threads and of the loss of the collectors ie nondealers or that they are in such fewer numbers afterall what is the name of this place? >>
I have tried to find the dealer's universe but alas I have yet to find it
guess ya'll stuck with me till I get myself banned .
As a newbie to the boards but not someone new to collecting I will say that I learn about something almost every day here on topics that I most likely would never have ventured towards on my own. Case in point was the Canadian Blacksmith Tokens. I dug out my Taylor sale to scan a table someone had asked for and I wound up reading that entire section. That was cool.
Also as collectors mature, many specialize and focus. Newcomers are not at that level, nor are they expected to be. But without a balance in new to old levels, there will be a imbalance. Too many threads on moderns for the specialists or too many 'old fogey dirty' coins for the moderns collectors.
Yes the GTG and E-bay threads get old but at least those topics are in the subject line and can be skipped over easily.
Another thing that came to mind was when this board was started and even up to six or so years ago, the information available on the web was miniscule compared to what it is today. It could just be that people are getting the information that they need elsewhere.
Maybe it could be that it's the US Coin Forum and you could get easily bammed, as per the rules, for quite a lot that actually belongs in here and people are just afraid to post.
It would be nice to see some threads on more advanced topics. I tried one - about a week or two ago about how medals came to be called medals and I think it got one response.
<< <i>There are several factors that can account for a decline in posting.
...Disillusionment. -- That applies to me personally. A few years ago, a very high-priced coin (from my perspective) appeared in a top-tier holder looking a whole lot different than it had a few months before. Clearly the same coin. If that could get past pros who look at coins all day, there is no way I could ever be sure I'd spot problems. I don't have their level of experience and felt I was in over my head when so many coins are messed with. >>
"Please help us keep these boards professional and informative…. And fun." - DW --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BONGO HURTLES ALONG THE RAIN SODDEN HIGHWAY OF LIFE ON UNDERINFLATED BALD RETREAD TIRES
All I know is this forum is a great place for coin collectors to visit compared to places before the internet. I log on daily sometimes for 10 minutes and sometimes for 2 hours or more. With no coin shops within 40 miles or coin buddies I will take this forum any day.
I can remember when i'll post and it would be three pages over in minutes that was in 05/ 06 that was fun. I know i stop posting as much like i did befor. I do not have much to talk about any more cherry one here and there, With the mint off track and started pumping out all the new junk with not much to talk about. But that is just me.
<< <i> You can use the Morgans to reinforce the New Jersey sea-walls >>
I love my Morgans, but that's funny!
And yes, this is still the best all-around coin forum. There are other great coin forums worth reading and posting to, but what makes this one the best is:
-the presence of numismatic luminaries, experts in specialized fields, ordinary collectors with incredible collections and experience, dealers with wisdom and good stories, so many with a good sense of humor, people looking out for each other, to name a few -an outstanding archive of threads (many from the halcyon days) -if you need an answer you can't find anywhere else on the web, you can usually get a useful response from a knowledgeable member in less than a day or two -this old FuseTalk 3.0 forum graphical interface is easier on the eyes than some other forum websites!
Collectively, the forum might run low on ideas sometimes. But that's natural in the ebb and flow of creativity, right?
The thing is, this forum is a robust platform for people with activism and creativity to express that and attract interest, and for people like me to get energized by reading threads even outside their collecting interests.
Next Thread Title? "The Vitality of the Forum and Strategies for Extending It", maybe?
I was nowhere near this place back in it's "glory days"...but since I've been here, I've seen many posts that where helpful, insightful, and down right hilarious. A few excelent members are gone, but many excelent ones are still here, and I credit this forum with arming me with just enough valuable information to continue collecting.
It's a thin line...throwing the kind of money into coins that many of us here obviously do. We hope that our collecting decisions are more shrewd than idiotic. Information is key....
Call it what you will, this is a very valuable forum.
For me personally it's been the economy. I have a home improvement company and the last few years I've been all about working hard to make sure I can feed my family. It's no fun to come here when I don't have the free money to spend on coins. Things are getting better and I can start to enjoy this hobby again, so I'm back.
I love this site, by far the best of any coin forum on the web. I can get intimidated by the vast knowledge of members here but the knowledge base is an amazing tool for someone like me. Also, I love buying coins from members here. Always very smooth transactions, fair prices, great coins and good people.
I think as the economy improves, more folks like myself will be back..
I personally thought it was a huge mistake when precious metals was broken off to it's own forum. IMO, there is enough crossover between coins and metals that the move to this was a poor decision. The drop off in this forum was immediate after that occurred and the resulting PM forum gets little activity. A lose-lose situation. This is the Flagship forum here and that decision weakened it's position.
Further, the original format encouraged members to consider other areas that may not be of immediate interest but could be in the future.
For those that applauded the split, I know where you're coming from if metals aren't your thing, but it isn't a big deal to simply not read the posts that do not interest you.
John
John Maben
Pegasus Coin and Jewelry (Brick and Mortar)
ANA LM, PNG, APMD, FUN, Etc
800-381-2646
Forbidden to bash moderns? Just get on most Spouse threads and you will find out that is not true. I say just be cool and not worry about the forum. It is what it is.
Gold and silver are valuable but wisdom is priceless.
One other thing. It seems to be a human characteristic to almost always look back into the past and think that things were better than they actually were. For some reason we seem to latch onto good feelings and remember them and forget the bad feelings that may have been in the past so the past always has an advantage over the present when it comes to feelings.
Gold and silver are valuable but wisdom is priceless.
<< <i>I wish there coul dbe amnesty for some of the older members who were banished over 12 months ago. If they were allowed back things could potentially return back to days of yesteryear albeit with added warnings ie maybe a 3 strikes policy added and implemented. >>
i wasent around for that but that sounds like a better deal then what we have today.
<< <i>One other thing. It seems to be a human characteristic to almost always look back into the past and think that things were better than they actually were. For some reason we seem to latch onto good feelings and remember them and forget the bad feelings that may have been in the past so the past always has an advantage over the present when it comes to feelings. >>
Truer words were never spoken. That also applies to coin designs.
"Bongo drive 1984 Lincoln that looks like old coin dug from ground."
<< <i>I personally thought it was a huge mistake when precious metals was broken off to it's own forum. IMO, there is enough crossover between coins and metals that the move to this was a poor decision. The drop off in this forum was immediate after that occurred and the resulting PM forum gets little activity. A lose-lose situation. This is the Flagship forum here and that decision weakened it's position.
Further, the original format encouraged members to consider other areas that may not be of immediate interest but could be in the future.
For those that applauded the split, I know where you're coming from if metals aren't your thing, but it isn't a big deal to simply not read the posts that do not interest you.
John >>
of a le
Very succinct thoughts, as is typical, John. The reactionary segregation of "those damn PM'ers" and "modern types" invited the busing of "their kind" to a less visited part of town.
I tend to visit both. But heck, I am ok with the PM ghetto folk. I am one.
forums change tht is just part of real life, the CU has changed many times and sometimes not for the best, but the forum marches on, so sit back and enjoy the forum as it is, why worry over small things when there are major issues facing the coin hobby we can look at
<< <i>My least favorite threads are the "Gloom and Doom" threads like this thread. I have been here sense 2001 and still enjoy it very much. People come and go.....that is the way with everything.
JMHO >>
I agree. I don't think the Forum has declined at all. If you mean it now has less chaos and less bad behavior, then I agree. But I see that as an improvement.
<< <i>I personally thought it was a huge mistake when precious metals was broken off to it's own forum. IMO, there is enough crossover between coins and metals that the move to this was a poor decision. The drop off in this forum was immediate after that occurred and the resulting PM forum gets little activity. A lose-lose situation. This is the Flagship forum here and that decision weakened it's position.
Further, the original format encouraged members to consider other areas that may not be of immediate interest but could be in the future.
For those that applauded the split, I know where you're coming from if metals aren't your thing, but it isn't a big deal to simply not read the posts that do not interest you.
John >>
of a le
Very succinct thoughts, as is typical, John. The reactionary segregation of "those damn PM'ers" and "modern types" invited the busing of "their kind" to a less visited part of town.
I tend to visit both. But heck, I am ok with the PM ghetto folk. I am one.
Miles >>
I'm fond of our PM Shanty Town as well.
As for the US Coin Forum, no doubt it's been slower. Lot's of things over the past five years can make the same claim.
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......
I too miss the input of many of the PCGS-banished, and the self-banished former members. There may well have been a good reason for the PCGS-banishing, but I wish PCGS would come up with some method to allow reinstating these former members. Certainly it is the former members that would need to again apply for CU membership, not up to PCGS to invite them back individually. PCGS could simply offer to review an individuals reinstatement. Some infractions were major, while many were just a bit over the line.
There are two other changes that I feel would improve this forum, get the "Preview" and "Search" function working again. I know I post less often when I am unable to use the "Preview" function. Using the Testing Forum instead is a hassle.
I am one who does not appreciate OT threads posted in the Coin Forum. I thank PCGS for providing this forum for us to enjoy.
I collect Capped Bust series by variety in PCGS AU/MS grades.
<< <i>I personally thought it was a huge mistake when precious metals was broken off to it's own forum. IMO, there is enough crossover between coins and metals that the move to this was a poor decision. The drop off in this forum was immediate after that occurred and the resulting PM forum gets little activity. A lose-lose situation. This is the Flagship forum here and that decision weakened it's position.
Further, the original format encouraged members to consider other areas that may not be of immediate interest but could be in the future.
For those that applauded the split, I know where you're coming from if metals aren't your thing, but it isn't a big deal to simply not read the posts that do not interest you.
John >>
of a le
Very succinct thoughts, as is typical, John. The reactionary segregation of "those damn PM'ers" and "modern types" invited the busing of "their kind" to a less visited part of town.
I tend to visit both. But heck, I am ok with the PM ghetto folk. I am one.
Miles >>
The world coin folk were also segregated.
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.
<< <i>I too miss the input of many of the PCGS-banished, and the self-banished former members. There may well have been a good reason for the PCGS-banishing, but I wish PCGS would come up with some method to allow reinstating these former members. Certainly it is the former members that would need to again apply for CU membership, not up to PCGS to invite them back individually. PCGS could simply offer to review an individuals reinstatement. Some infractions were major, while many were just a bit over the line.
There are two other changes that I feel would improve this forum, get the "Preview" and "Search" function working again. I know I post less often when I am unable to use the "Preview" function. Using the Testing Forum instead is a hassle.
I am one who does not appreciate OT threads posted in the Coin Forum. I thank PCGS for providing this forum for us to enjoy. >>
I guess you could say some of the forum members "stifled themselves".
Gold and silver are valuable but wisdom is priceless.
Comments
I didn't submit much, but I'd get an upgrade and / or cross an NGC coin to a PCGS holder a good percentage of the time.
It hasn't been like this since 2007 or 2008. Now, when I go to a show, I find it much more interesting to catch up with people I know but haven't seen in awhile rather than looking at coins which are available for sale, because re the latter, I find very little that interests me.
Maybe a number of others have had similar experiences, and instead of sticking around this forum, they've taken a hiatus from the hobby, or in some cases, gotten out of the hobby and gone on to something else.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
But yet we go on...
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
I have been here sense 2001 and still enjoy it very much.
People come and go.....that is the way with everything.
JMHO
<< <i>It's not ten years ago. >>
No but this forum looks like it. No software updates in in 10 years. Sheesh. I don't think FuseTalk even exists anymore. I am a member of a record collector board that has evolved both the way it looks and the functionality by requests of it's users. I imagine this is because the demographic. Younger people are into music heavily and are technologically savvy. Old farts that collect coins...well if it wasn't for large image sizes they would probably still be happy with using a modem and green screen running FIDO BBS.
You arrive as a newbie, you post your dumb and naive questions and tell your tales of getting bilked, you get the kind, gentle guidance from the old hands and pick up a mentor or two.
You slide into the middle phase of relative and specific knowledge, find yourself helping out those without your specialty, encourage those with your same enthusiasm, fashion your friendships, get to know folks for their characteristic patterns of posting.
Then you move into the phase of having heard it before, leaving the repetitions increasingly to others. You solidify your friendships, identify ever more strongly with the community here, seek out names you only knew by their nicknames here, meeting them at shows.
You start expanding on those relationships. You PM more. You respond to personal triumphs and plights. You found yourself over at the Open Forum, visiting about idiosyncratic topics you initiated at the shows. Family. Other interests. You still go back to the Coin Forum because you still love coins; you post now where interests leads. You post something sagacious once in a great while and still impulsively mentor someone, guide a newbie and offer some esoteria rarely known.
Increasingly, though, you foster and expand upon the wider relationships in the Open Forum and offline.
I just think this is the normal progression. And frankly, I thought it was part of the genius of the place and its marketing: you kept the old-timers here, with all the richness and sense of community that hobbies invariably engender.
I understand that PCGS got tired of policing the human vagaries of the Open Forum, and how people at the corporate office could impatiently ask why they were paying for and having to monitor/parent such childishness.
Yet the essential humanness of the entire process: enticement, engagement, identity and then feeling at home...that was masterful when you reflect back.
Since then, my perspective is that the latter phases of human relatedness had to move away elsewhere, to the detriment of the old-timer "drop-in" wisdom, and have left the Coin Forum emotionally truncated, IMHO.
The result, I believe, is that people drift off, the comprehensive wealth of human experience here has been diminished, and the topics as a consequence have become necessarily hackneyed and repetitive.
My observations and opinion only, of course.
Here's a warning parable for coin collectors...
New folks get intimidated when they post their not so great images folks knock their images...... which IMO they ain't bad. Too many people have become image connoisseurs through the years. I know photography has progressed but years ago we could grade a scan pretty close. Now people snub their noses even if a person uses a camera and gets a decent image. Also new folks might get intimidated when they just post an image and get response like "It's OK but I wouldn't pay a premium for it." Well, who the L asked you what you would pay?
All the "OT BUT" I guess they have decided it's OK to start a OT thread if they put the "But" in there. I don't care if your foot hurts, it's your Birthday you had to take your chicken to the Vet.... Etc. All this just a start, please don't get me going!
Oh, and this forum has become less collector friendly through the years. (stman ducking)
<< <i>Shylock's bailing from the forum (he was not banned) left a great hole which has never been filled. He knew as much about IHCs as Rick Snow, and was always generous with his knowledge here. I also know why he left. I tried talk him into coming back, but to no avail. >>
Do tell -- what was his reason for leaving?
<< <i>Like to hear it? Here it goes all my opinion...... too many coin snobs these days, folks have lost a sense of humor, maybe they need to not tie their tie so tight.
New folks get intimidated when they post their not so great images folks knock their images...... which IMO they ain't bad. Too many people have become image connoisseurs through the years. I know photography has progressed but years ago we could grade a scan pretty close. Now people snub their noses even if a person uses a camera and gets a decent image. Also new folks might get intimidated when they just post an image and get response like "It's OK but I wouldn't pay a premium for it." Well, who the L asked you what you would pay?
All the "OT BUT" I guess they have decided it's OK to start a OT thread if they put the "But" in there. I don't care if your foot hurts, it's your Birthday you had to take your chicken to the Vet.... Etc. All this just a start, please don't get me going!
Oh, and this forum has become less collector friendly through the years. (stman ducking) >>
Can't disagree with anything stman says here. Many times I've seen really nice coins get nitpicked unreasonably (jealousy at work?) and just as often seen some real dogs go without much said at all (afraid to hurt feelings, I suppose.) Gotta run for my commute, but will try and expound further at a later time.
Closing the Open Forum -- If people only posted there, then closing it wouldn't have affected the Coin Forum one bit. People posted in both places. Remove part of what people enjoy, they'll be here less.
Bammings -- Any crackdown, bammings or otherwise, sucks the enthusiasm out of people. (A Linux forum started putting restrictions on posts a few years ago, including not using the word "noob" in posts. It was silly, and the forum fizzled out rapidly.) Bammings remove spirited people. I could name a couple of people who are good people and were never troublemakers, but apparently they crossed a line that had been recently placed where there was no line before.
Forum becoming more dealer-centric -- It used to be a collector forum, but collectors have to tread carefully these days.
Disillusionment. -- That applies to me personally. A few years ago, a very high-priced coin (from my perspective) appeared in a top-tier holder looking a whole lot different than it had a few months before. Clearly the same coin. If that could get past pros who look at coins all day, there is no way I could ever be sure I'd spot problems. I don't have their level of experience and felt I was in over my head when so many coins are messed with.
I knew it would happen.
By the way, this hobby is full of self- fulfilling prophecies, IMO. For over six years, i have heard the gnashing of teeth over "the lack of fresh material." Six years ago, i didn't know what to think of that maxim, but today i walk a coin show bourse and end up telling friends that i didn't see a single coin i wanted. But that probably has more to do with the continued narrowing of my focus than what is available at a coin show.
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
<< <i>The past always seems like "the good old days" to some, and the present always seems like the bad new days. This can be true in life, politics, and certainly the forum.
The trick is realizing that these are actually the good new days and enjoying them for what they are. Very few can do it, and are usually scorned by the "hip and cynical" as dreamers, pollyannas, or having heads in the sand, when it's actually none of those, just objective realism, optimism, looking on the bright side, and making the best of current circumstances.
For example, lately there have been complaints about the decline in the quality of the forum... and then, lo and behold, a bunch of really good and thought-provoking threads, including this one >>
What Baley said.
In addition, I have some real good news: in 4 days the elections will be over, and we won't have to see any more of these mind-numbing commercials any more, nor hear the phone ringing with someone doing another unnecessary survey!
So, let's enjoy the knowledge and spirit of the Forums now, and maybe ten years from now, someone can write about the "good old days" ten years prior!
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
<< <i>I tire of the flipper threads and of the loss of the collectors ie nondealers or that they are in such fewer numbers afterall what is the name of this place? >>
I have tried to find the dealer's universe but alas I have yet to find it
guess ya'll stuck with me till I get myself banned
.
<< <i>I have tried to find the dealer's universe but alas I have yet to find it
You are here. Or the self promotion forum.
Also as collectors mature, many specialize and focus. Newcomers are not at that level, nor are they expected to be. But without a balance in new to old levels, there will be a imbalance. Too many threads on moderns for the specialists or too many 'old fogey dirty' coins for the moderns collectors.
Yes the GTG and E-bay threads get old but at least those topics are in the subject line and can be skipped over easily.
Another thing that came to mind was when this board was started and even up to six or so years ago, the information available on the web was miniscule compared to what it is today. It could just be that people are getting the information that they need elsewhere.
Maybe it could be that it's the US Coin Forum and you could get easily bammed, as per the rules, for quite a lot that actually belongs in here and people are just afraid to post.
It would be nice to see some threads on more advanced topics. I tried one - about a week or two ago about how medals came to be called medals and I think it got one response.
Just some thoughts.
<< <i>There are several factors that can account for a decline in posting.
...Disillusionment. -- That applies to me personally. A few years ago, a very high-priced coin (from my perspective) appeared in a top-tier holder looking a whole lot different than it had a few months before. Clearly the same coin. If that could get past pros who look at coins all day, there is no way I could ever be sure I'd spot problems. I don't have their level of experience and felt I was in over my head when so many coins are messed with. >>
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BONGO HURTLES ALONG THE RAIN SODDEN HIGHWAY OF LIFE ON UNDERINFLATED BALD RETREAD TIRES
Hoard the keys.
well i'll pick 3 things a lot of people seem to blame things on these days
1. the economy
2. the bankers
3. the government
so they're probably responsible for the forum decline too
.
<< <i> You can use the Morgans to reinforce the New Jersey sea-walls
I love my Morgans, but that's funny!
And yes, this is still the best all-around coin forum. There are other great coin forums worth reading and posting to, but what makes this one the best is:
-the presence of numismatic luminaries, experts in specialized fields, ordinary collectors with incredible collections and experience, dealers with wisdom and good stories, so many with a good sense of humor, people looking out for each other, to name a few
-an outstanding archive of threads (many from the halcyon days)
-if you need an answer you can't find anywhere else on the web, you can usually get a useful response from a knowledgeable member in less than a day or two
-this old FuseTalk 3.0 forum graphical interface is easier on the eyes than some other forum websites!
Collectively, the forum might run low on ideas sometimes. But that's natural in the ebb and flow of creativity, right?
The thing is, this forum is a robust platform for people with activism and creativity to express that and attract interest, and for people like me to get energized by reading threads even outside their collecting interests.
Next Thread Title? "The Vitality of the Forum and Strategies for Extending It", maybe?
Eric
A few excelent members are gone, but many excelent ones are still here, and I credit this forum with arming me with just enough valuable information to
continue collecting.
It's a thin line...throwing the kind of money into coins that many of us here obviously do. We hope that our collecting decisions are more shrewd than idiotic.
Information is key....
Call it what you will, this is a very valuable forum.
I love this site, by far the best of any coin forum on the web. I can get intimidated by the vast knowledge of members here but the knowledge base is an amazing tool for someone like me. Also, I love buying coins from members here. Always very smooth transactions, fair prices, great coins and good people.
I think as the economy improves, more folks like myself will be back..
Just my 2 cents.
Further, the original format encouraged members to consider other areas that may not be of immediate interest but could be in the future.
For those that applauded the split, I know where you're coming from if metals aren't your thing, but it isn't a big deal to simply not read the posts that do not interest you.
John
John Maben
Pegasus Coin and Jewelry (Brick and Mortar)
ANA LM, PNG, APMD, FUN, Etc
800-381-2646
<< <i>I wish there coul dbe amnesty for some of the older members who were banished over 12 months ago. If they were allowed back things could potentially return back to days of yesteryear albeit with added warnings ie maybe a 3 strikes policy added and implemented. >>
i wasent around for that but that sounds like a better deal then what we have today.
<< <i>One other thing. It seems to be a human characteristic to almost always look back into the past and think that things were better than they actually were. For some reason we seem to latch onto good feelings and remember them and forget the bad feelings that may have been in the past so the past always has an advantage over the present when it comes to feelings. >>
Truer words were never spoken. That also applies to coin designs.
<< <i>I personally thought it was a huge mistake when precious metals was broken off to it's own forum. IMO, there is enough crossover between coins and metals that the move to this was a poor decision. The drop off in this forum was immediate after that occurred and the resulting PM forum gets little activity. A lose-lose situation. This is the Flagship forum here and that decision weakened it's position.
Further, the original format encouraged members to consider other areas that may not be of immediate interest but could be in the future.
For those that applauded the split, I know where you're coming from if metals aren't your thing, but it isn't a big deal to simply not read the posts that do not interest you.
John >>
of a le
Very succinct thoughts, as is typical, John. The reactionary segregation of "those damn PM'ers" and "modern types" invited the busing of "their kind" to a less visited part of town.
I tend to visit both. But heck, I am ok with the PM ghetto folk. I am one.
Miles
Sometimes the dragon wins
The trash talking by newbies with ALTS doesn't help either. The winner of the Saint by a forum 'member' with ONE post speaks for itself.
<< <i>My least favorite threads are the "Gloom and Doom" threads like this thread.
I have been here sense 2001 and still enjoy it very much.
People come and go.....that is the way with everything.
JMHO
I agree. I don't think the Forum has declined at all. If you mean it now has less chaos and less bad behavior, then I agree. But I see that as an improvement.
<< <i>
<< <i>I personally thought it was a huge mistake when precious metals was broken off to it's own forum. IMO, there is enough crossover between coins and metals that the move to this was a poor decision. The drop off in this forum was immediate after that occurred and the resulting PM forum gets little activity. A lose-lose situation. This is the Flagship forum here and that decision weakened it's position.
Further, the original format encouraged members to consider other areas that may not be of immediate interest but could be in the future.
For those that applauded the split, I know where you're coming from if metals aren't your thing, but it isn't a big deal to simply not read the posts that do not interest you.
John >>
of a le
Very succinct thoughts, as is typical, John. The reactionary segregation of "those damn PM'ers" and "modern types" invited the busing of "their kind" to a less visited part of town.
I tend to visit both. But heck, I am ok with the PM ghetto folk. I am one.
Miles >>
I'm fond of our PM Shanty Town as well.
As for the US Coin Forum, no doubt it's been slower. Lot's of things over the past five years can make the same claim.
MJ
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......
I think a bunch of coin people tend to be "loners".
The "glory days " taught many of us why we were loners in the first place
There are two other changes that I feel would improve this forum, get the "Preview" and "Search" function working again. I know I post less often when I am unable to use the "Preview" function. Using the Testing Forum instead is a hassle.
I am one who does not appreciate OT threads posted in the Coin Forum. I thank PCGS for providing this forum for us to enjoy.
<< <i>
<< <i>I personally thought it was a huge mistake when precious metals was broken off to it's own forum. IMO, there is enough crossover between coins and metals that the move to this was a poor decision. The drop off in this forum was immediate after that occurred and the resulting PM forum gets little activity. A lose-lose situation. This is the Flagship forum here and that decision weakened it's position.
Further, the original format encouraged members to consider other areas that may not be of immediate interest but could be in the future.
For those that applauded the split, I know where you're coming from if metals aren't your thing, but it isn't a big deal to simply not read the posts that do not interest you.
John >>
of a le
Very succinct thoughts, as is typical, John. The reactionary segregation of "those damn PM'ers" and "modern types" invited the busing of "their kind" to a less visited part of town.
I tend to visit both. But heck, I am ok with the PM ghetto folk. I am one.
Miles >>
The world coin folk were also segregated.
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
<< <i>I too miss the input of many of the PCGS-banished, and the self-banished former members. There may well have been a good reason for the PCGS-banishing, but I wish PCGS would come up with some method to allow reinstating these former members. Certainly it is the former members that would need to again apply for CU membership, not up to PCGS to invite them back individually. PCGS could simply offer to review an individuals reinstatement. Some infractions were major, while many were just a bit over the line.
There are two other changes that I feel would improve this forum, get the "Preview" and "Search" function working again. I know I post less often when I am unable to use the "Preview" function. Using the Testing Forum instead is a hassle.
I am one who does not appreciate OT threads posted in the Coin Forum. I thank PCGS for providing this forum for us to enjoy. >>
I guess you could say some of the forum members "stifled themselves".
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen