Have anyone here ever shown their collection to non-collecting folks?
ElmerFusterpuck
Posts: 4,795 ✭✭✭✭✭
The reason I ask is that I did do an impromptu show-and-tell at my workplace the other day; I was in the process of moving coins to my SDB. It's a pretty secure place, so no worries there. My co-workers already knew I was a collector, but had no real idea on what it was. Most people think a coin collector is a person that pops pennies into a folder and not much more. It's an image that has stuck for quite awhile and probably needs to be updated. So I did my part and showed them what today's collector does.
What I had with me were two PCGS boxes full of type coins and toned dollars, along with a handful of loose slabs. The center of attention was my 1889-S $20 PCGS MS-63 from the Saddle Ridge hoard. They were stunned and commented on how beautiful that coin was. All of them have heard about that discovery and the story behind it, so the press did a good job of getting that out to the public. One of them asked what the oldest one in the stash was. I happened to have a PCGS XF-40 1798 large cent; the reactions were all really good. They didn't know a cent was once that large and someone else thought it was neat that George Washington was around when that coin was placed in circulation. The rainbow toned dollars also got plenty of attention and I explained on how they probably got that way.
I also explained the concept of professional grading, now they know what PCGS and NGC stand for and mean. They also came away with a different impression of coin collecting in general. I know we keep talking about getting more 'young blood' in the hobby, but there could be opportunities with people around our general age group too. You could ignite a spark in someone and maybe get them to start a collection. Another coworker in another area also told me he just got the spark again a few weeks ago when reading an article on silver dollars. In other words, there could be potential collectors all around you, or at least people that are interested in it.
If it's safe to do so, maybe we should have a national "take your coins to work" day!
Has anyone else done something like this with their collection?
What I had with me were two PCGS boxes full of type coins and toned dollars, along with a handful of loose slabs. The center of attention was my 1889-S $20 PCGS MS-63 from the Saddle Ridge hoard. They were stunned and commented on how beautiful that coin was. All of them have heard about that discovery and the story behind it, so the press did a good job of getting that out to the public. One of them asked what the oldest one in the stash was. I happened to have a PCGS XF-40 1798 large cent; the reactions were all really good. They didn't know a cent was once that large and someone else thought it was neat that George Washington was around when that coin was placed in circulation. The rainbow toned dollars also got plenty of attention and I explained on how they probably got that way.
I also explained the concept of professional grading, now they know what PCGS and NGC stand for and mean. They also came away with a different impression of coin collecting in general. I know we keep talking about getting more 'young blood' in the hobby, but there could be opportunities with people around our general age group too. You could ignite a spark in someone and maybe get them to start a collection. Another coworker in another area also told me he just got the spark again a few weeks ago when reading an article on silver dollars. In other words, there could be potential collectors all around you, or at least people that are interested in it.
If it's safe to do so, maybe we should have a national "take your coins to work" day!
Has anyone else done something like this with their collection?
10-4,
Erik
My registry sets
0
Comments
My political button collection actually generated more interest. I used to bring in a piece of it on Election Day.
1) What is your oldest coin?
2) What is your most expensive coin?
Never do they ask, "what is your rarest / scarcest coin.
What is hilarious is seeing the disconnect in the non-collector's mind comparing the price for scarce coins vs common coins, especially when the scarce coin is worn and the common coin is something like a gorgeously toned Unc. Morgan silver dollar.
I once had a G6 1860-S quarter and a beautifully toned common MS64 Morgan sitting in my office from a recent PCGS submission. I was showing someone the coins and mentioned that the quarter was about 20 times more expensive than the dollar. The look of horror on their face was priceless.
Tyler
Sunnywood's Rainbow-Toned Morgans (Retired)
Sunnywood's Barber Quarters (Retired)
Most of them find my error coins interesting.
Some think that my messed up coins could be replicated in a garage with a few tools. I explain to them that it is impossible.
The few that inquiry about the price I paid are usually surprised at what I pay for a piece of junk
Latin American Collection
A friend had a currency collection (in a display on his living room wall) stolen from his home by a girl who he had over and it was a loss of about $2000. A dealer I know told me his x wife years ago ran off (to leave him) with his inventory when he was out of town.
One needs to practice good security both from theft and possible slander in the work place when considering discussing their coin collection / investment. Do not leave any numismatic materials in your office when you leave your work as snoops may see this. If you have to carry numismatic materials to work, keep in a breief case which locks. The key is "need to know" but discussing your collection can be ok with friends or dates where you have control of the situation / practice good security.
Again, keep your numismatics out of the workplace. A new manager may be there to eliminate people (clean house) and this may be viewed as a desire to change professions or slack off.....consequently you will be on his layoff list. Worse he may call you in his office one day out of the blue, trash you out, accuse you of personal business on company time, and threaten you with termination. This happened to a friend in the coin club about 25 years ago by the manager over his boss (he did think the accusation of PB on company time was spurious, trumped up). The gentleman was fired about 3 months later during a performance review with his boss (a slanted negative performance appraisal) and told "we do not think you fit our culture. Joe from HR went to bat for you and here are some things which we feel may help you" He was given 3 months outplacement with pay (plus about 2 months severance after that) and it was conditional he see a company psychologist on a regular basis. He did find a job at 92% of his original pay in July of that year (the firing was in January). He did make money off the severance but it took him a couple of years to get back to his original income level. He told me he was completely blind sided by it confessing he had kept numismatic related publications in his desk and they may have searched it one weekend when no one was there. He also had discussed his coin collecting with co workers including a manager who was also a collector. Getting back to his being blind sided a female co working told him about a week after the threat incidend "he (the meanie manager) likes to go in and fire people." A check of this confirmed it as this manager had fired half the people at a prior assignment. Many in the department considered the manager short tempered and it was eventually found out the guy was a terminally ill paranoid schitzo. My point is you sometimes never realize where people in a your work place are really coming from.
The best was with my dad in 2009. I dropped by to see him after a coin show and showed him the 3 coins I bought. He ask "how much did you pay for that Mercury Dime" ? I thought a second or two and said $160. He about passé out because I had paid $160 for a dime.
Little did he know I had paid $1,100 for that 1916-D PCGS VG08. Never had the guts to tell him the truth...he might have shot me.
<< <i>They always think it's cool unless they get wind of the prices ... then they are shocked and horrified, and think I should be committed. I remember when a friend asked me what a certain coin was worth. I replied truthfully, "I paid $3000 for that one." She was appalled. I thanked the Lord she didn't ask about the one next to it ... >>
Great ex-Barber quarter and toned Morgan Set Sunnywood. WOW! I love that saying, "it really blows your hair back". Well, my hair is fully blown back and all frizzy now.
Tyler
<< <i>Showed it to my parents. They wondered which one of them dropped me on my head. >>
PCGS Registries
Box of 20
SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
But I found that certain "ground rules" had to be established in order for them to get past the "price", and actually look at the COINS.
1) I'm not going to tell you what I paid. I'm just not. It's not the focus of this little show-and-tell. This tended to put people more at ease. The ones who thought I was just showing off my wealth (Ha!) became less...I don't know...hostile? And everyone was less, I don't know....judgmental(?) about me and the hobby
2) Over time, I established that I really wasn't throwing money away! There is a market for these "things", and I can really get my cash back, (or most of it), tomorrow if I need to. It's not like a model airplane that is consumed upon use, and worthless to anyone else. Fewer people thought I was insane after this was made clear.
It became interesting to me that different people started to show different interests, just like the actual collecting community. One guy was only interested in the "shiny coins". The Walkers or Morgans that were still mostly white, and with mint luster. Another guy only got interested in the OLD coins. "Who had this?! Where has it been?" He was a budding historian. Another became interested in the minting process, and varieties.
I would bring something in, and say, "This one is for Brian....it's from 1804." Or, "This one is for Rich....It's an MS-65 Morgan." Or give the coin and a loupe to Dale, and ask him to tell me why this 1995 cent is interesting to collectors.
Eventually, everyone got bored, and less interested. One coin started to look like the last one I brought in, (to them), and I tailed off bringing in new purchases. Guess I didn't create any new collectors!
I still get questions once in awhile, and will even bring in coins on occasion if asked. I loaned a handful to one guy for his sons to use at a Boy Scout meeting. I'm the "go-to guy" for numismatics in the office.
my friends ask , how old is it and how much is it worth?
I have not shown or discussed my coins or the hobby
with non collecting friends in decades. This is why I
enjoy this Forum for the most part. Lets keep on
sharing the Knowledge!!
FS:1938-S US PCGS MS66 nickel
https://photos.app.goo.gl/oiJzk63mxvdY77EeA
Many of us are financially better off than lots of folks who really struggle with life's basic necessities. Showing them frivolous toys like rare coins risks invoking feelings of resentment. Agree with the comments to focus on the history and the coin itself instead of the $$ involved.
It's hard enough to show to fellow collectors who know the issues related to security and safety. Showing valuable coins to people (that probably don't appreciate them anyway) only makes for a big security leak.
For example, they will tell their friends something like "I saw a $1000 penny at so and so's house." I don't really want to have a target on my back.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
<< <i>Showed it to my parents. They wondered which one of them dropped me on my head. >>
LOL, that's the same reaction my dad always has -- he just can't get it straight in his mind, spending $$$ or even $ on a hobby -- he's always been a very frugal type. But in spite of this, he never discouraged my collecting, he just wanted to encourage me not to be a spendthrift, which I think is an admirable parenting quality.
So it's hard to say, exactly where my collecting bug came from -- maybe it skips generations. I do think you generally have to be born with it.
<< <i>No - I usually keep my numismatics separate from non collectors for various security reasons. Discussing or showing coins at work could be interpreted as personal business on company time. I believe in the concept "need to know." However, I will discuss that I am a dealer in coins and currency (both online and shows) with dates in addition to my position as a Site Financial Manager when asked what I do professionaly. A girl I did meet at a club (dancer) 3 miles from my office did check out my website prior to meeting me otc. She had moved to Houston (work related) from Cali and told me she can rent a house for what an apartment there would cost.
A friend had a currency collection (in a display on his living room wall) stolen from his home by a girl who he had over and it was a loss of about $2000. A dealer I know told me his x wife years ago ran off (to leave him) with his inventory when he was out of town.
One needs to practice good security both from theft and possible slander in the work place when considering discussing their coin collection / investment. Do not leave any numismatic materials in your office when you leave your work as snoops may see this. If you have to carry numismatic materials to work, keep in a breief case which locks. The key is "need to know" but discussing your collection can be ok with friends or dates where you have control of the situation / practice good security.
Again, keep your numismatics out of the workplace. A new manager may be there to eliminate people (clean house) and this may be viewed as a desire to change professions or slack off.....consequently you will be on his layoff list. Worse he may call you in his office one day out of the blue, trash you out, accuse you of personal business on company time, and threaten you with termination. This happened to a friend in the coin club about 25 years ago by the manager over his boss (he did think the accusation of PB on company time was spurious, trumped up). The gentleman was fired about 3 months later during a performance review with his boss (a slanted negative performance appraisal) and told "we do not think you fit our culture. Joe from HR went to bat for you and here are some things which we feel may help you" He was given 3 months outplacement with pay (plus about 2 months severance after that) and it was conditional he see a company psychologist on a regular basis. He did find a job at 92% of his original pay in July of that year (the firing was in January). He did make money off the severance but it took him a couple of years to get back to his original income level. He told me he was completely blind sided by it confessing he had kept numismatic related publications in his desk and they may have searched it one weekend when no one was there. He also had discussed his coin collecting with co workers including a manager who was also a collector. Getting back to his being blind sided a female co working told him about a week after the threat incidend "he (the meanie manager) likes to go in and fire people." A check of this confirmed it as this manager had fired half the people at a prior assignment. Many in the department considered the manager short tempered and it was eventually found out the guy was a terminally ill paranoid schitzo. My point is you sometimes never realize where people in a your work place are really coming from. >>
What a horrible story -- I am certainly glad my workplace doesn't function that way. I've had a not-so-great manager in the past, but he wasn't truly a psycho a la your friend's example. In time, his own lack of skill did him in, and he was shown the door. For myself, I generally agree with keeping aspects of your personal life separate from the workplace, for personal security regarding coins, if nothing else.
Again as to your friend -- if it wasn't numismatic material, sounds like "one too many pencils on your desk" would have been seen as an equally valid reason for his termination. Glad to know he's back in the swing of things, and frankly, he'll know to steer WELL clear of the terminally ill paranoid schizo. Not to wish ill on anyone, but... well if it was terminal, perhaps he won't ever have to worry about running into him again.
<< <i>Good story, I bet that was fun. I've taken a few pieces to work and got similar results.
The best was with my dad in 2009. I dropped by to see him after a coin show and showed him the 3 coins I bought. He ask "how much did you pay for that Mercury Dime" ? I thought a second or two and said $160. He about passé out because I had paid $160 for a dime.
Little did he know I had paid $1,100 for that 1916-D PCGS VG08. Never had the guts to tell him the truth...he might have shot me. >>
Same reaction my dad would've had. I've removed a zero now and again with him as well.
<< <i>I used to bring new purchases into the office, just for fun. They were fairly well received and appreciated.
But I found that certain "ground rules" had to be established in order for them to get past the "price", and actually look at the COINS.
1) I'm not going to tell you what I paid. I'm just not. It's not the focus of this little show-and-tell. This tended to put people more at ease. The ones who thought I was just showing off my wealth (Ha!) became less...I don't know...hostile? And everyone was less, I don't know....judgmental(?) about me and the hobby
2) Over time, I established that I really wasn't throwing money away! There is a market for these "things", and I can really get my cash back, (or most of it), tomorrow if I need to. It's not like a model airplane that is consumed upon use, and worthless to anyone else. Fewer people thought I was insane after this was made clear.
It became interesting to me that different people started to show different interests, just like the actual collecting community. One guy was only interested in the "shiny coins". The Walkers or Morgans that were still mostly white, and with mint luster. Another guy only got interested in the OLD coins. "Who had this?! Where has it been?" He was a budding historian. Another became interested in the minting process, and varieties.
I would bring something in, and say, "This one is for Brian....it's from 1804." Or, "This one is for Rich....It's an MS-65 Morgan." Or give the coin and a loupe to Dale, and ask him to tell me why this 1995 cent is interesting to collectors.
Eventually, everyone got bored, and less interested. One coin started to look like the last one I brought in, (to them), and I tailed off bringing in new purchases. Guess I didn't create any new collectors!
I still get questions once in awhile, and will even bring in coins on occasion if asked. I loaned a handful to one guy for his sons to use at a Boy Scout meeting. I'm the "go-to guy" for numismatics in the office.
Well I agree with everything you said except -- there's nothing wrong with a good model airplane!
Now had you said a new golf club, yes, for me that's popped into the worthless category.
<< <i>I show my kids. My wife is polite enough to feign interest from time to time. I do work with an ER doc who collects and follows the auctions. It's fun to have one savant to play show-n-tell with.
Many of us are financially better off than lots of folks who really struggle with life's basic necessities. Showing them frivolous toys like rare coins risks invoking feelings of resentment. Agree with the comments to focus on the history and the coin itself instead of the $$ involved. >>
Yes, this is always a danger. I myself am not particularly well-off compared to my coworkers, not that that should matter, but if I were to be bringing in "gold and silver" or a "two hundred year old coin?" "Wow" I might just leave that impression anyway.
I don't know exactly where people never pick up on, or lose this sensitivity to others' situations, but to put yourself in someone else's shoes would go a long way.
I've been around fear-based work areas in the past, and I don't put up with it. If you and the workforce do, it opens the door to conditions getting worse. We really don't bring too much personal stuff during work, but by gosh we are human and not just cogs in a machine meant to do nothing but work. Thanks goodness I'm in an area where at least we can show glimpses of life to our co-workers. I'm not talking hours of baby pictures or selling stuff for school either. By the way, this was during our lunch hour too.
I seem to fit in where TommyType is at, people come to me for coin questions and bring in stuff to show off and on. I've only done that one show and tell and don't have any more planned, though a few have asked if I can show them any neat new purchases in the future. I also get asked about those TV and newspaper coin ads too.
Overall, it was a fun day for me and everyone else. Maybe everybody learned a little something about coins and maybe each other in the group. Way more positive than negative IMHO.
10-4,
My Instagram picturesErik
My registry sets
<< <i>I did it with coins now and then when I worked in corporate America.
My political button collection actually generated more interest. I used to bring in a piece of it on Election Day. >>
Yes. It's funny what interests non-collectors. A nice gemmy 19th century US coin
might be passe but a common heavily worn Morgan dollar or Mexican 8R get lots
of attention. Beginning collectors and people who once collected are often impressed
by clad Gems believe it or not.
It seems ancients usually impress non-collectors. Many people seem to believe they
are all rare. Otherwise they like old US coins that look old or newer ones in spectacular
condition. Of course experience and personal tastes come into play.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
<< <i>Yep, lasted about as long as a cat in a wheelbarrow. >>
- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
Yes, parent's think you're nuts for spending any money on coins. Sometimes I'd tell them what I spend just to see their reaction. Twenty dollars...OK, fine; $200..."Are you nuts!" I have never told them about any particularly large purchases, though. How can they understand paying $2000 for a half dollar?
Now that my collection is in a SDB, I'm more apt to reveal that I collect coins when the topic come up. Many people have a small accumulation of wheat pennies, silver dollars, proof sets, and what not that they picked up through the years or was handed down to them. Then I will offer to look at them and give them some idea of what they have. The only time I've been surprised was when one person had a nicely toned 1851 silver dollar in EF 45, but the coin had been erasured on parts of the obverse. Sad. In general, most really show little interest toward what they have compared to my interest in seeing them. I love looking at coins.
Another friend had some silver dollars, a nicely toned SAE, and a number of British coins from the late 19th and 20th century. Nothing special, but he was amazed at the collective value of his items because of their silver bullion value. His main collecting interest was first day covers, and plate blocks of stamps. He had a sizable collection of them that's essentially worthless now. Poor guy.
I was at a party of people from work at a workers's house when someone walked in the door and tried to steal a camera from a room while the party was going on. We chased the thief until he dropped the camera. Afterwards, the resident's girl friend was sharing with others that things could have been worse, that her boyfriend's coin collection could have been stolen. I immediately took her aside and told her never to discuss coins or other valuables with other people, that it was inviting trouble, particularly when he kept the collection in his house. She agreed it was not smart to do so. Anyway, the resident and I had a little coin show and tell a few days later. The cat was out of the bag after all, and we both shared an interest in coins. He had a nice collection of Barber and Mercury dimes that I liked (I gave up collecting dimes because of failing eyesight). It was of sufficient value that I recommended he rent a safe deposit box for the collection.
In summary, I rarely talk about coins with non-collectors or people at work. However, having coins in a SDB removes the risk of theft, and I recommend collectors keep their coins in a SDB if their collection is worth over, say $5K. I agree people can get a false idea of your personal wealth when values are discussed.
<< <i>When talking coins with the "general population" I've observed that many feel the older the coin the more valuable it is. A common misconception, as they could put together a nice "older" collection with moderate cost,if they were not to chase the highly graded (MS-60's) examples. Maybe they feel that it would cost 100's of thousands of $. Perhaps this is an area that could be further explained to potential collectors, once they show a liking for a certain type of series. Start out small and learn the series history. >>
I agree. Most people think the older, the more valuable. One could blow them away with a collection of low grade bust halves, or large cents. Yet many people today got into collecting by collecting moderns like state quarters, and now specialize in other modern series like SAE's, commemoratives, and presidential dollars. If they like older coins, show them how inexpensive it is to collect them as quality examples in lower grades. As an aside, I am always looking for 19th century coins in low grades that have "the look". I collect coins for their aesthetics, not necessarily their value.
When I was doing some large volume bag searching I would take some of my finds back to the banks to show tellers what I had found. It was a way to educate them a bit and show them what to look for when unusual stuff came to their station. Didn't create any new collectors but did generate lots of referrals when someone came in with "old coins" they didn't know what to do with.
Sadly, these days I'm very careful about who I discuss coins with and 99% of the goodies are in the SDB
There this old saying : " You've got to want to " (for those on the other side)
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
This has been a very enjoyable read, and I have similar stories to tell.
Best never discuss your personal hobbies outside of home. Just not worth it.
You never know how your personal business is broadcast to undesirable types.
I heard that the cousin of a friend mentioned to his friend that my friend had a
collection worth millions. He was beat to within an inch of his life for a collection
not worth enough to pay for the safe deposit boxes. The perception of a Million
Dollar collection is all it takes.
An old Sales Manager use to collect coins as a kid, all he knew was he needed an
09-SVDB to complete his set. I showed him a few Seated Proofs I had just received
and aside from his jaw dropping, the inevidable question arose... What are they worth.
Of course, I deducted 90% of their worth.
At work, the less said, the better.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coin collecting is not a hobby, it's an obsession !
New Barber Purchases