Numismatic Adolescence

Boosibri

We have all been new to the hobby at one time or another, and each of us has likely done or said a few boneheaded things which in retrospect really showed how ignorant we were.

One that comes to mind for me was several years back when I first got into the hobby and was collecting new US mint issues more than rare coins. I was starting to make the transition to early commems and wanted a nice Oregon 50c. I recall sending notes to a few dealers inquiring about a coin in stock and then following up asking if the original government packaging came with the coin. Needless to say I generally got one word responses. Perhaps Cat'n Hemingway has a post about it somewhere from the Dealer to Dealer network.

While that was a long time ago and I certainly showed my ignorance, I now take away that new collectors will ask questions which seem absurd to most, but some over time will mature into educated and passionate numismatists.

Anyone else have an embarrassing or humbling story to share which might serve to ground us all back in where we started?

Tallpaul000

Started off investing in gold/siver eagles for a year then dove into numismatics. Didnt know about "surface preservation" at the time and spent $300 on a cleaned carson city morgan dollar, think it was a 78, off of ebay. Seller of course said it was a great piece. Once I got educated, I traded it for a well patinated ash tray made out of guatamalan pesos (I think).

Catbert

I remember walking into my small local B&M for the first time, and having little hobby experience, especially so with expensive classic coins. He was behind his counter and there were several collectors milling about. The owner looked up at me and said how can I help ya? I answered, do you have any nice flowing hair dollars that I could review? He and the others in the room gave a small smile and the owner said "Nope, those don't come around here too often, but when one does, I'll be sure to call you". I didn't have any idea of what one would cost (even if I did, I couldn't have afforded it) or how to determine whether it was real or in a condition worthy of the sales price. I just thought they were cool, I wanted a big old coin, and figured surely they'd be available sitting in his shop! And, I didn't come to realize until later, that he was mostly a bullion buyer and didn't have many classic coins for sale. Probably a good thing for me.

TommyType

Looking at a PCGS VG Bust Dollar:

"I rather like the obverse. But with these scratches on the reverse, I'm not sure I understand why PCGS didn't bag it!"

Dealer: "Um....I think those are adjustment marks."

"Oh...yeah....I remember reading about those." *blush*

I bought it.

DaveWcoins

When I was in Junior High School they had a coin club. I walked in to a meeting they were having and I was impressed by how knowegeable all the kids there were. I thought coins were cool, but I knew nothing.

I learned that day that "uncirculated" meant "untouched by human hands".

I also learned that an "S" under the date of a coin meant "Special".

19Lyds

<< <i>Anyone else have an embarrassing or humbling story to share which might serve to ground us all back in where we started? >>

No but I do understand where you are coming from.

lordmarcovan

(Don't cringe when you hear mine, OK?)

I received this 1827 Bust half for my 11th birthday on December 28, 1976, just a month after I began collecting.




I took it to school to show it to my friends. During one particularly boring class, I took it out and decided to "shine it up" a little with my pencil eraser. (Not too much- just a little bit around the eagle. My wise grandmother had already warned me not to clean my coins, but I couldn't resist playing with it a little. Kids will be kids, right?)

I still have it today- one of only two holdovers from my childhood collection. Over the subsequent three and a half decades, it has retoned a bit, but it still no-graded on the two occasions when I submitted it to a TPG, just for giggles. (The cleaning was mentioned both times- "rim bumps" another.)

ricko

Nice coin with personal history LordM..... Cheers, RickO

AnkurJ

My first few shows I walked around with a Redbook in hand.....

Boosibri

<< <i>My first few shows I walked around with a Redbook in hand..... >>



This reminds me of a recent thread of a forum member angered that he couldn't get Redbook pricing for his pucks