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Random thought for the day

WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,722 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
It has occurred to me that in some ways technology has ruined the hobby.



I have seen collectors drive themselves insane stressing/obsessing over tiny scratches, toning/spots, contact marks, when they have blown their coin images up to manhole cover size with their computer imaging programs.



If a coin looks great in hand and is straight graded by a TPGS shouldn't we be happy?



Shouldn't we get back to that---just the way the old-timers did in the 1970s and 1980s?



None of my coins will ever be upgraded to MS 70....no such animal exists for what I collect.



So isn't there a point that we should just be more than satisfied with a beautiful rare coin that has microscopic imperfections?

Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

Comments

  • lkeigwinlkeigwin Posts: 16,893 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: Walkerfan

    So isn't there a point that we should just be more than satisfied with a beautiful rare coin that has microscopic imperfections?




    We aren't?

    Lance.
    Coin Photography Services / Everyman Registry set / BHNC #213
  • gripgrip Posts: 9,962 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'm sure I'm the minority, but couldn't agree more
  • DIMEMANDIMEMAN Posts: 22,403 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: grip
    I'm sure I'm the minority, but couldn't agree more


    image
  • epcjimi1epcjimi1 Posts: 3,489 ✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: Walkerfan
    It has occurred to me that in some ways technology has ruined the hobby.



    100 years ago, the industrial revolution was occurring, technology replaced human labor. Now, comes the industrial rev 2, technology replaces human intelligence / decision making.

    E.g., self driving cars.

    That coins aren't graded by computer / visual systems is only because of cost. That'll change.

    MHO
  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,929 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Was just thinking the same thing. Finished a graded set of CC Morgans a couple of months ago and now was thinking about doing a GEM raw year set of Morgans. Went through my old empty blue books but did not find the right one but probably can on ebay with a little patience.



    Of course my set will include every mint and at least one error (might be tough in GEM).



    Will not be breaking any out of slabs, true purchased raw coins.



    bobimage
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • braddickbraddick Posts: 24,773 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You think this hobby is ruined?

    peacockcoins

  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,722 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: braddick

    You think this hobby is ruined?




    No, I said in 'some ways'.



    Maybe negatively impacted would be a better word(s)

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,563 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The hobby is good. Collectibles are fun. The business can be a grind. The bidding process in a B&M is cut throat , and competition is good. In essence, as a business , it's like most trades. I was a mechanic and people hated me. I was a salesman, and people hated me. I was a soldier and people hated me. I thought what I was doing was good, but there are billions and billions of people who are obviously mistreated in the world today. Still, despite IEDs and terrorists , politicians and preachers; or high gas prices and eColi and other problems, it's pretty laid back, all in all.

    ``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5

  • GazesGazes Posts: 2,315 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have to remind myself that of course there is a scratch or a tick etc or ever coin would be a 70
  • PaleElfPaleElf Posts: 990 ✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: TwoSides2aCoin

    I was a soldier and people hated me.




    Should have been a Marine then.

  • mustangmanbobmustangmanbob Posts: 1,890 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Under enough magnification:

    Every coin has defects

    Every coin is a variety

    Choose your level.
  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 24,673 ✭✭✭✭✭
    An old time dealer in my area used to say "With enough magnification you can make any coin look bad."
    All glory is fleeting.
  • AblinkyAblinky Posts: 628 ✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: 291fifth

    An old time dealer in my area used to say "With enough magnification you can make any coin look bad."




    To take that one step further I heard once that when PCGS opened and was taking application for test graders one of them showed up with a microscope to do so.

    Andrew Blinkiewicz-Heritage

  • LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have a set that has more 70's than anything else but my most interesting sets are Everyman AU's.
    My Current project....https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/160794
  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,401 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think large photos are wonderful for the hobby.

    Imperfections give coins character.

    The times I've obsessed about imperfections have actually been when I see them in hand, not in photos.... image
    Private Mint News | 2010 Lincoln Reverse Finalists
  • sellitstoresellitstore Posts: 3,053 ✭✭✭✭✭
    TwoSides puts things in perspective nicely.

    If minor defects on our coins are something that we worry about, we are fortunate indeed.

    In the scheme of what matters, it's pretty low on the list.
    Collector and dealer in obsolete currency. Always buying all obsolete bank notes and scrip.
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Good point Walkerfan.... I do not worry about such things myself... I collect what I like..and certainly, many of my coins have imperfections.... I have a chop marked Trade Dollar that I really like.... Perfection is for people with OCD and they will never be satisfied... Cheers, RickO
  • Musky1011Musky1011 Posts: 3,904 ✭✭✭✭
    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.. If you love the coin, chances are someone else will too
    Pilgrim Clock and Gift Shop.. Expert clock repair since 1844

    Menomonee Falls Wisconsin USA

    http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistr...dset.aspx?s=68269&ac=1">Musky 1861 Mint Set
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,563 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: PaleElf
    Originally posted by: TwoSides2aCoin
    I was a soldier and people hated me.


    Should have been a Marine then.


    image Semper Fi from a dogface soldier.

    ``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,763 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have learned that photos can make a coin look very different depending on how the pictures were taken. My photos tend to overemphasize marks. As a near sighted collector I've learned that my "naked eye" views are usually the best. I use a glass to look for tooling, fake mint marks and signs of counterfeiting. Otherwise it's naked eye or my old 3X glass for me.

    One can obsess over big scratches and spots and often pass on buying such pieces. One needs to put smaller marks into perspective. If I can't see it without magnification, it probably is too minor to worry about.
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • ldhairldhair Posts: 7,343 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I agree as well. Most of my favorite coins are graded 58-63. I'll buy the pretty coin over anything else.
    Larry

  • davewesendavewesen Posts: 6,644 ✭✭✭✭✭
    what's wrong with a little OCD?
  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 23,815 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Your thoughts sound even more reasonable with the back drop of what purpose coins serve in terms of commerce. There are issues with expectations of some that are simply not based in reality.

    Edited to add-

    Some look back at coins and the production and handling from days gone by through the same eyes of Monday Morning Quarterbacks or Self Proclaimed philosophers with the benefit of 21st century hindsight.

    And this cavalier view is not helpful.

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • JBNJBN Posts: 1,899 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Looking at a coin online in the dinner-plate size allows for examination of where the noise is & whether it is in a place that would be a eye-drawing distraction (and sink the coin for me). It allows for close evaluation of the strike quality, and (if applicable) gives a better idea of the quality of the toning. You can also get a notion of the luster. I don't use it to count the examples of noise, or to otherwise drive myself away from a coin. When coin pix are forwarded to me or I discover them myself, the close look helps me decide. I wish I could do more shows and do more in hand evaluations - but I can't. I put a lot of trust in good dealers and, to a much much lesser degree, my examination of lots bought without in hand inspection. The big pictures are a useful tool and I use them as such.
  • ashelandasheland Posts: 23,714 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Imperfections give coins character.

    That!

    My YouTube Channel

  • 3keepSECRETif2rDEAD3keepSECRETif2rDEAD Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: davewesen
    what's wrong with a little OCD?



    ...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all... image

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