What is the most important thing you've learned being a member here?
InternetJunky
Posts: 2,329 ✭
Also....
Were you a fresh brand new collector when you joined or already a dealer for 25 years?
Did the message boards steer you towards your current goals for your collection?
Who here took you under their wing and showed you the ropes?
The most important thing I've learned that when buying coins if it seems to good to be true it probably is. HSN is the devil, or any T.V. channel that sells coins. Also, do not buy at any price guide values. It is called a guide for a reason. And, don't ever expect to get the same amount invested in a coin back when it comes time to resale unless you knew you got a great deal the first time. As for myself I was a brand new collector when I joined. Joe (TwoSides2aCoin) was the first to welcome me by private message and let me pick his brain with newb questions. Ron (koynekwest) was the one who got me hooked on the Buffalo nickel series and also let me pick his brain whenever I had questions and also sold me a copy of his Abraded Die Varieties for Buffalo nickels book. My main area of focus is 2 feather Buffalo nickels (whenever I get some darn spending money!)
Were you a fresh brand new collector when you joined or already a dealer for 25 years?
Did the message boards steer you towards your current goals for your collection?
Who here took you under their wing and showed you the ropes?
The most important thing I've learned that when buying coins if it seems to good to be true it probably is. HSN is the devil, or any T.V. channel that sells coins. Also, do not buy at any price guide values. It is called a guide for a reason. And, don't ever expect to get the same amount invested in a coin back when it comes time to resale unless you knew you got a great deal the first time. As for myself I was a brand new collector when I joined. Joe (TwoSides2aCoin) was the first to welcome me by private message and let me pick his brain with newb questions. Ron (koynekwest) was the one who got me hooked on the Buffalo nickel series and also let me pick his brain whenever I had questions and also sold me a copy of his Abraded Die Varieties for Buffalo nickels book. My main area of focus is 2 feather Buffalo nickels (whenever I get some darn spending money!)
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Comments
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
If ever I get arond to collecting classic coins, I have a head start on which commemoratives I'd go for first.
EAC 6024
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
The most important thing I have learned is to buy nice, attractive and interesting coins, do not worry so much about the grades and enjoy the coins for what they are.
And yes some of them were certified in the wrong slabs and found to be doctored coins.
And that the answers are out there, ask the question about the hobby and someone on the boards will probably have the correct answer.
As for steering me I've always liked the other trail so I tend to still go my way, No Dansco, Still like some moderns, and still working on a set.
Never had a true mentor but really admired the collectors of the great coins sharing their collections with us. Cardinal, Sunnywood, Tradedollarnut, and the list goes on.
Many members on this forum that now it cannot fit in my signature. Please ask for entire list.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
...that you actually don't have to own any coins to enjoy numismatics.
...that provenance can make an otherwise relatively common coin much more interesting.
...that the importance of working closely with a good dealer cannot be overstated.
...that holding a high grade colonial era coin makes me feel like an 8 year old at Christmas.
Some valuable things I have learned include: understanding the differences between the grading companies. Before I became active on this forum, I often made the mistake of buying coins in what most consider less than top-tier slabs thinking I was getting a bargain. (This is sort of the opposite of a response posted ahead of me.) I now have much greater respect for the PCGS brand, especially on high grade, high priced coins.
The most valuable information has been on some of the hot new issues from the U.S. Mint. Flipping just a few new issues is what took me from red to green on my collecting (a loss to a gain). Also valuable has been observing the denizens of the Precious Metals forum. In particular, when new folks post about metals, it can give valuable insights as to the public mood, depending on what kind of questions they are asking, and the tone of their questions. As an active options trader (see signature blog link), this has often been valuable information, though nothing is 100%.
On the more cynical side, the forum reinforces the theme that coin collectors (and dealers) can be a mean, nasty, ornery bunch, often with bizarre world views, with a high percentage that seems to get easily offended and will hold grudges for a long time. Maybe it is worse on the Internet, maybe not, as there are folks like that at local shows and local clubs as well. Sure, there are nice folks too, but overall, I'd say coin folks lean more towards the anti-social, grump side, much more than the nice folk, friendly side.
As with many Internet forums, I learned that most of the stories that get posted, especially the complaining ones, tend to be one sided and are often only half true. The complaint threads often reveal more negatives about the complainer, than the other party.
<< <i>...that collecting is a lot more enjoyable when you have others to share it with. >>
<< <i>There is a high level of expertise on this forum. Much more so than some other forums. There are authors, writers, even publishers. There are big time dealers, small time dealers, expert collectors, all often freely sharing their knowledge, their point of view. There are novices, there are those in the middle. Sometimes the novices write as if they are experts, but that happens a lot on the Internet.
Some valuable things I have learned include: understanding the differences between the grading companies. Before I became active on this forum, I often made the mistake of buying coins in what most consider less than top-tier slabs thinking I was getting a bargain. (This is sort of the opposite of a response posted ahead of me.) I now have much greater respect for the PCGS brand, especially on high grade, high priced coins.
The most valuable information has been on some of the hot new issues from the U.S. Mint. Flipping just a few new issues is what took me from red to green on my collecting (a loss to a gain). Also valuable has been observing the denizens of the Precious Metals forum. In particular, when new folks post about metals, it can give valuable insights as to the public mood, depending on what kind of questions they are asking, and the tone of their questions. As an active options trader (see signature blog link), this has often been valuable information, though nothing is 100%.
On the more cynical side, the forum reinforces the theme that coin collectors (and dealers) can be a mean, nasty, ornery bunch, often with bizarre world views, with a high percentage that seems to get easily offended and will hold grudges for a long time. Maybe it is worse on the Internet, maybe not, as there are folks like that at local shows and local clubs as well. Sure, there are nice folks too, but overall, I'd say coin folks lean more towards the anti-social, grump side, much more than the nice folk, friendly side.
As with many Internet forums, I learned that most of the stories that get posted, especially the complaining ones, tend to be one sided and are often only half true. The complaint threads often reveal more negatives about the complainer, than the other party. >>
So you end your "what the most important thing you've learned" with a grumpy complaint? what does this reveal
Also, I've met a handful off folks through this forum (both on-line and in person) who make my membership here extremely worthwhile.
to 6 more, Lord willing and the creek don't rise.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
The most up-to-date, pertinent info on the hottest moderns - the gains from these flips have powered the growth of my real collection, allowing me to purchase some coins I could only dream about owning in the past (e.g. a Gobrecht Dollar, Pine Tree type set)
That's two most important things - I just couldn't rate one over the other...
I've been collecting since I was 8 or 9 years old with a long hiatus from about the mid-20s to the mid-40s.
mbogoman
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/classic-issues-colonials-through-1964/zambezi-collection-trade-dollars/7345Asesabi Lutho
<< <i>I was collecting long before this forum. However, I did learn many things from different members here - and made new acquaintances, both on the forum and in real life. Many of those no longer post, or only rarely now. Cheers, RickO >>
Hey RickO !! You may not know, but you have your own "Where's RickO" thread. Just type in "RickO" Have'nt heard you much on the PM forum also.
I've also learned there are some very ill mannered people in this industry.
The history and significance of older slabs.
The danger of Chinese counterfeits and particularly counterfeit slabs.
The fact that many collectors have a horrible aptitude for business/investment and lose money on their collections.
<< <i>I still don't know what I'm doing >>
You're way ahead of me and most of the rest of us then.
<< <i><< ...that collecting is a lot more enjoyable when you have others to share it with. >> >>
I also agree with this statement!
Other things I've learned, had reinforced, or still learning about:
1. The importance of eye appeal and original surfaces - and to be willing to pay up for the coins that have them.
2. Which coins in the various Barber (and some other) series are much tougher to find and worth much more than 'the sheet' would lead you to believe.
3. There are a LOT more fake, altered, counterfeit, doctored, etc. coins in the market place than I ever imagined.
4. The vast majority of members here are very honest - hundreds of transactions buying and selling, with 97 different members, and I always received the merchandise ordered or payment for items I sold.
<< <i>ive learned that i do not have all the answers to coin collecting and am still learning. no i was not a newby when i got here either ( for what its worth
That's another good one: no matter how much you think you know, there are always plenty of people who can teach you more.
<< <i>Also....
Were you a fresh brand new collector when you joined or already a dealer for 25 years?
Did the message boards steer you towards your current goals for your collection?
Who here took you under their wing and showed you the ropes? >>
Been a collector for at least 25 years now; the message boards did not influence what I collect; I had started my present collections beforehand, though I did get a couple of Wiener medals from seeing them here. And I don't think anyone showed me the ropes here, but then again I was reading the forums for at least a year before I registered.
Ed. S.
(EJS)
The name is LEE!
<< <i>I've learned that I'm a grumpy old impatient fart! >>
I thought I was the only one that fit that description
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
<< <i>
<< <i>I've learned that I'm a grumpy old impatient fart! >>
I thought I was the only one that fit that description
Sorry, but I know that many here consider me the grumpster!
Oh, I've learned that problem free toned copper/silver coinage is a welcome sight!
Spots on gold???? Boo Boo!
Edited to add: "The learning never stops!"
... that bestclser1/lloyd's observation that "Great coins are not cheap and cheap coins are not great" is very true.
... that a lot of members here are very knowledgeable in their favorite numismatic series and have increased my own understanding and enjoyment of coin collecting substantially.
... that having a "good eye" for quality is nice, but unless you are among the few that have very deep pockets, you will have to drool and cheer from the sidelines a lot of the time.
- Jim
Edit to add: I agree with everyone who says this place has the knowledge. I can't recall any time that someone had a question or picture or whatever that couldn't be explained by someone here