Finding a mentor...

Aspie_Rocco

How would you suggest ways to find a mentor for coins or whatever it's called. I want to learn as much as possible and enjoy talking coins. Even if it's not nickels!

I have aspirations of becoming a dealer, or learning enough not to be one (LoL)
How can I go about this?
Would it be weird or awkward to ask my local coin shop to make me some sort of intern?
I find most of life outside of coins mundane and "pedestrian" to quote @Longacre , and I have for a while. I feel almost like this is what I was meant for and it took 36 years to figure out. I love varieties, type coins, nickels, toners, and enjoy silver in all forms.
I have watched all the pcgs videos I can find about coins and grading.
How can I feed this desire without spending everything I have and don't have?

RockyMtnProspector

Have you been to ANA Summer Seminar? I went for the first time last summer and it was a blast. I took the Seated Liberty course and learned a great deal. Plus you get to hang out with some of the best in the business.

I plan on returning this year.

ricko

The ANA seminars are very good, coin clubs can (not always) be an excellent resource. Major coin shows and meeting prominent dealers and experts is a great experience. If your local coin shop will entertain your suggestion, that would be interesting, but educational only if the proprietor is also expert in some areas. You would surely see a lot of coins.... Also, definitely build a numismatic library.. having the books on various types of coins for immediate reference is very valuable. Cheers, RickO

Longacre

To quote my beloved QDB, you should work on building a numismatic library, and learning about coins by reading as much as possible, then try to understand the market. Developing a personal relationship with a select few dealers will definitely help, especially those in your area of collecting interest. You'd find that the dealers know much more about the business side than you would imagine.

DollarAfterDollar

Participate in your local coin club. Attending coin events, auctions or shows with others will develop those necessary relationships. A good mentor can teach you as well as save you from making mistakes.

1630Boston

All above seems like good advice

BAJJERFAN

@DollarAfterDollar said:
Participate in your local coin club. Attending coin events, auctions or shows with others will develop those necessary relationships. A good mentor can teach you as well as save you from making mistakes.

Plus you'll learn how to respond if/when they try to give YOU the business.

Coinstartled

Quoting Longacre is an excellent start.

Justacommeman

I reached out to mine 10 years ago via email off of his registry set. I had no idea he was famous and he opened my eyes and a lot of doors.

Mark

Aspie_Rocco

Well I made a Craigslist ad to create a local coin club since none seem to be in my immediate area. https://ventura.craigslist.org/grp/6066084392.html

https://ventura.craigslist.org/wan/6066964955.html

I'll try to float the idea of interning next time I visit the local coin shop.
All the coin show seems to be 1 hour or so away driving distance, I'll make it a priority to attend some upcoming events.
The ANA seminar seems awesome, If I can persuade the "boss" (wife) how beneficial it would be.

Does it seem weird or needy to ask someone to be a mentor?
Is this something that just occurs like friendship or social relationships?

TurboSnail

Well. you can always offer to pay for the table with a dealer at a small local coin show. Grab a seat behind the table, and learn from the pro. But you have to lay down two conditions up front with the dealer. You would keep your mouth shut when there is a customer. And you would never purchase anything.

It worked for me on a business trip in China with a jade dealer long ago. I learned more from both buyers and sellers in a few days compare to someone collecting them for years

illini420

If you can find a good place to hold the meeting​s, I'd help you start up a Ventura county club. I think if we held meetings further east, like in Thousand Oaks, we would get lots more attendance as there are no clubs in the San Fernando Valley right now. Those folks would drive to Thousand Oaks most likely, but probably not to Oxnard or Ventura.

Coin clubs are a great place to meet all sorts of collectors and dealers too.

Aspie_Rocco

@illini420 said:
If you can find a good place to hold the meeting​s, I'd help you start up a Ventura county club. I think if we held meetings further east, like in Thousand Oaks, we would get lots more attendance as there are no clubs in the San Fernando Valley right now. Those folks would drive to Thousand Oaks most likely, but probably not to Oxnard or Ventura.

Coin clubs are a great place to meet all sorts of collectors and dealers too.

Very cool! I'll look into places that might be willing to host. Where do coin clubs commonly meet? Restaurants, VFW halls?

RockyMtnProspector

I'm a regular attendee of two clubs near where I live, and both are now meeting at local community church meeting rooms. That might give you another avenue to explore.

CoinZip

Very cool! I'll look into places that might be willing to host. Where do coin clubs commonly meet? Restaurants, VFW halls?

Library's seem to host a lot of coin club meetings.

Aspie_Rocco

Well I have a loose agreement for the use of the private patio of a neat restaurant/tavern just off the 101 at Reyes Adobe Road and Agoura Road. Optimal times for the use of the patio are Sunday through Wednesday evenings.
Is a gathering place which serves alcohol an inappropriate venue?

I inquired with the Thousand Oaks library and there are fees and insurance requirements for use of their properties, unless I can figure out how to create a non profit... are coin clubs nonprofit?
I will contact local libraries also. Thanks for the tips everyone

RockyMtnProspector

Just an FYI. Some folks will be especially concerned about security, so a private venue (meeting room/hall at a library, church, or VFW) might be preferable, once you get the group going. We just had a discussion about how public we wanted to be with photos or social media, given that local dealers frequently set up at the monthly meeting.

We also encourage sharing our numismatic items, and that might be discouraged if the venue is a tavern.

Just wanted to pass these concerns on. As for alcohol, that would be a group decision. We typically do snacks/food and drink. We follow the meeting presentation with a small club auction, and dealers have tables on a mini-bourse throughout the evening. Regular members typically bring magazines and auction catalogs to share.

Best of luck!