Because this is the time of year when dealers retire to a secret location to hammer out the details of how they're going to screw collectors in new and intriguing ways the upcoming year. And collectors cower in fear in anticipation of these awaiting indignities. "But... some dealers are still posting!", one might observe. 'Tis but a ruse, to lull the unsuspecting into an unwarranted sense of overconfidence. Be afraid- be very afraid.
Or it could be something else entirely- you decide.
This forum has been around for a very long time. Thousands upon thousands of posts have been made about every conceivable topic, many of which get rehashed over and over again.
In the decades that have passed hundreds of numismatic books have been written about every type of coin, die varieties have been examined at length, and the mystery has been removed from just about every conceivable U. S. coin that's out there.
It seems to me that a sort of plateau has been reached. Have we arrived at the point where there just isn't any more to really talk about when it comes to U. S. coins, other than displaying new additions to ones' collection?
You think this is sleepy, check out the stamps forum!
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
Some of the what I consider very lame polls are making me ask myself why I am wasting my precoius time here! I mean really. Some seem very pointless. JMHO.
Successful trades/buys/sells with gdavis70, adriana, wondercoin, Weiss, nibanny, IrishMike, commoncents05, pf70collector, kyleknap, barefootjuan, coindeuce, WhiteTornado, Nefprollc, ajw, JamesM, PCcoins, slinc, coindudeonebay,beernuts, and many more
I only read the first page of replies and no one there answered the question with market related issues. These may have been mentioned on pages 2 or 3, but here are a few:
Since a year ago, October 2012 * bullion is down considerably, more than a few coin/bullion dealers have made the bulk of their profits on the bullion side and might be down by half * no recent instant win flipper issues from the U.S. mint. Flipper issues breathe money into other coins as collectors flip some coins and often plow those profits into classics. * trophy coins are up, but those are for the 0.5%. Even this top 10% dominated forum can't afford or even think about most of the trophy coins * many other issues are flat to down, certainly for cash offers many are down * no blockbuster auctions. Yes there are some nice coins, some nice collections being sold, but nothing with the excitement of Eliasberg, or even a Pittman
Someone else mentioned the deeks, the constant buzz of the critics. Those that post good information or questions are often ridiculed or attacked by know-nothings or pretend experts. I have been guilty of this at times so I may be part of the problem.
There are also many political/economic reasons. One big one is the secular shift away from computers, and it means very few new people coming to the forum. This forum is not a place where a new person with a tablet or smart phone is likely to spend much time. Used to be there were new people with new computers, but the only people buying computers any more are kids or already have an old computer. Bottom line, is no new blood for the forum. The old timers are sometimes engaged in petty blood feuds, or banned, or bored.
<< <i> Or the freaky/scary icon..... I was not kidding in the other thread - that thing was in my nightmare - cat sized with crab eyes on 2 foot stalks and it could think more than I care to recall...
One big one is the secular shift away from computers, and it means very few new people coming to the forum. This forum is not a place where a new person with a tablet or smart phone is likely to spend much time. Used to be there were new people with new computers
That's a very good point. I use the forum less on the ipad or iphone as it is harder to read, clunkier to type, tougher to post images, etc. The shift away from the desktop and laptop probably hurts message boards, in general, and especially those with older architecture that does not adapt well to the smartphone or tablet environment.
<< <i>One big one is the secular shift away from computers, and it means very few new people coming to the forum. This forum is not a place where a new person with a tablet or smart phone is likely to spend much time. Used to be there were new people with new computers
That's a very good point. I use the forum less on the ipad or iphone as it is harder to read, clunkier to type, tougher to post images, etc. The shift away from the desktop and laptop probably hurts message boards, in general, and especially those with older architecture that does not adapt well to the smartphone or tablet environment. >>
I'm just the opposite, I like using the i-pad for reading the forum. I do get on the computer most of the time to post photos. It's more a seasonal hobby for me though. I spend a lot less time on coin related activities when the weather is good and more time with outdoor activities.
Now that the weather is turning, I'll be getting back into my indoor hobbies again.
Happy, humble, honored and proud recipient of the “You Suck” award 10/22/2014
<< <i>One big one is the secular shift away from computers, and it means very few new people coming to the forum. This forum is not a place where a new person with a tablet or smart phone is likely to spend much time. Used to be there were new people with new computers
That's a very good point. I use the forum less on the ipad or iphone as it is harder to read, clunkier to type, tougher to post images, etc. The shift away from the desktop and laptop probably hurts message boards, in general, and especially those with older architecture that does not adapt well to the smartphone or tablet environment. >>
I'm just the opposite, I like using the i-pad for reading the forum. I do get on the computer most of the time to post photos. It's more a seasonal hobby for me though. I spend a lot less time on coin related activities when the weather is good and more time with outdoor activities.
Now that the weather is turning, I'll be getting back into my indoor hobbies again. >>
NWcoast, I'm guessing that you started on this forum with a computer. New folks will never find this place, because they spend most of their time on apps or social media sites with friends, or consuming media, not on a forum poking at a screen to peck out a message to complete strangers. I'd guess the number of people with even 500 posts that wrote those posts all on a tablet or phone is in the low single digits, if they exist at all. I'd guess zero at the 2000 post threshold. Compare that to five years ago, before tablets and smartphones became popular. Things change. Old timers can remember the Usenet groups rec.collecting.coins when Teletrade still mailed paper catalogs and bidding was all over the phone. The Usenet group was never all that popular, but for a short time it was one of the better coin places online going.
This year I have been reading various old style forums like this one on my tablet. However, I have yet to make a single post from the tablet. I'm sure it can be done, and others do it, but it feels like 33% efficiency on the tablet, so I just don't. If I did it all from the tablet, my post count would likely go down by 67% or so.
<< <i>One big one is the secular shift away from computers, and it means very few new people coming to the forum. This forum is not a place where a new person with a tablet or smart phone is likely to spend much time. Used to be there were new people with new computers
That's a very good point. I use the forum less on the ipad or iphone as it is harder to read, clunkier to type, tougher to post images, etc. The shift away from the desktop and laptop probably hurts message boards, in general, and especially those with older architecture that does not adapt well to the smartphone or tablet environment. >>
I'm just the opposite, I like using the i-pad for reading the forum. I do get on the computer most of the time to post photos. It's more a seasonal hobby for me though. I spend a lot less time on coin related activities when the weather is good and more time with outdoor activities.
Now that the weather is turning, I'll be getting back into my indoor hobbies again. >>
NWcoast, I'm guessing that you started on this forum with a computer. New folks will never find this place, because they spend most of their time on apps or social media sites with friends, or consuming media, not on a forum poking at a screen to peck out a message to complete strangers. I'd guess the number of people with even 500 posts that wrote those posts all on a tablet or phone is in the low single digits, if they exist at all. I'd guess zero at the 2000 post threshold. Compare that to five years ago, before tablets and smartphones became popular. Things change. Old timers can remember the Usenet groups rec.collecting.coins when Teletrade still mailed paper catalogs and bidding was all over the phone. The Usenet group was never all that popular, but for a short time it was one of the better coin places online going.
This year I have been reading various old style forums like this one on my tablet. However, I have yet to make a single post from the tablet. I'm sure it can be done, and others do it, but it feels like 33% efficiency on the tablet, so I just don't. If I did it all from the tablet, my post count would likely go down by 67% or so. >>
Yes RedTiger, you are correct. I did start on my desktop computer and now I peck away on a tablet most of the time. It's NOT efficient and I likely wouldn't bother if it weren't for the comfort. Most of the time I check out the forum is during a brief meal break, drinking coffee or before sleep and occasionally during bouts of insomnia... I was into computers early on and I now avoid sitting in front of the things unless I have to! I'm even getting to the point of avoiding and dreading email... You bring up some very good points!
Happy, humble, honored and proud recipient of the “You Suck” award 10/22/2014
I am going to explore the competition explanation a bit.
Ten years ago when I started posting actively, this was the only forum or networking site that I posted (other than an occasional drift over to Sleepy Hollow™). I had previously been very active in an AOL online mutual fund community, but this had disbanded.
Now, I am active on a physician online community, Facebook, Morninstar, LinkedIn, talk football smack (not much lately ) on Twitter, occasionally post comments to NYT articles, just to name a few. When I need a question answered about my car, refrigerator, Mac software update, timeshare, or running times, there are online communities that exist to answer my questions and draw my level of engagement elsewhere.
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
I have been at my Navy ship's reunion in Virginia Beach for the last five days, so am just catching up here. However, I have been on the forum over thirteen years (even the old forum) and can attest that it does go through cycles.. this will change again. The Open Forum was very lively and would assure people logging in to check that one out, then over here to coins. Activity will pick up in time..... Cheers, RickO
I think it is mostly bullion prices. That drives a lot of coin sales, especially pre 1933 gold whether slabbed or raw, and silver coins. By silver, I mean coins that are a bit better than just 90%, like Morgans and Peace Dollars and Franklins and Walkers in let's say F or better condition.
Even coins like PCGS MS62/63 Morgans have been dropping.
PCGS and NGC MS62 $5 Libs have dropped almost $100 even while gold has moved a bit higher.
As an example, when gold was $1750 and rising, a buyer might purchase a PCGS MS62 Saint for $1900 and think "the gold alone will be worth $2000 soon."
Comments
<< <i>Why has this forum gotten so sleepy? >>
Because this is the time of year when dealers retire to a secret location to hammer out the details of how they're going to screw collectors in new and intriguing ways the upcoming year. And collectors cower in fear in anticipation of these awaiting indignities. "But... some dealers are still posting!", one might observe. 'Tis but a ruse, to lull the unsuspecting into an unwarranted sense of overconfidence. Be afraid- be very afraid.
Or it could be something else entirely- you decide.
Hoard the keys.
In the decades that have passed hundreds of numismatic books have been written about every type of coin, die varieties have been examined at length, and the mystery has been removed from just about every conceivable U. S. coin that's out there.
It seems to me that a sort of plateau has been reached. Have we arrived at the point where there just isn't any more to really talk about when it comes to U. S. coins, other than displaying new additions to ones' collection?
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
<< <i>simple
no interesting or new subject matter to chat about >>
Bingo! You probably, "Hit the nail,on the head." and plus,like mentioned earlier, some of our dear forum members went on to greener pastures!
"Jesus died for you and for me, Thank you,Jesus"!!!
--- If it should happen I die and leave this world and you want to remember me. Please only remember my opening Sig Line.I mean really. Some seem very pointless.
JMHO.
Now that that's over, Kayak Lobster season has just begun
<< <i>Some people just get plain tired of being criticized every time they post..they move on. >>
Boy, you certainly hit the nail on the head. I spotted this saying the other day and could be another
reason for the down turn in postings...
" Never push a loyal person to the point where
they no longer give a damn."
A friend has a great saying: " If it ain't fun, it ain't worth doing ".
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coin collecting is not a hobby, it's an obsession !
New Barber Purchases
<< <i>
<< <i>Some people just get plain tired of being criticized every time they post..they move on. >>
Boy, you certainly hit the nail on the head. I spotted this saying the other day and could be another
reason for the down turn in postings...
" Never push a loyal person to the point where
they no longer give a damn."
A friend has a great saying: " If it ain't fun, it ain't worth doing ". >>
naw, one just have to learn or acquire a thick skin...afterall this is just a hobby altho expensive monetarily and emotionally to some, but not all
to keep this on topic:
It's that time of year when harvest begins. When the wheat is separated from the chaff, so to speak.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
<< <i>Kayak Fishing has been the best ever this summer for me. Kinda busy doing that.
Now that that's over, Kayak Lobster season has just begun
Nice bugs here in So cal very very cool.
Hoard the keys.
Since a year ago, October 2012
* bullion is down considerably, more than a few coin/bullion dealers have made the bulk of their profits on the bullion side and might be down by half
* no recent instant win flipper issues from the U.S. mint. Flipper issues breathe money into other coins as collectors flip some coins and often plow those profits into classics.
* trophy coins are up, but those are for the 0.5%. Even this top 10% dominated forum can't afford or even think about most of the trophy coins
* many other issues are flat to down, certainly for cash offers many are down
* no blockbuster auctions. Yes there are some nice coins, some nice collections being sold, but nothing with the excitement of Eliasberg, or even a Pittman
Someone else mentioned the deeks, the constant buzz of the critics. Those that post good information or questions are often ridiculed or attacked by know-nothings or pretend experts. I have been guilty of this at times so I may be part of the problem.
There are also many political/economic reasons. One big one is the secular shift away from computers, and it means very few new people coming to the forum. This forum is not a place where a new person with a tablet or smart phone is likely to spend much time. Used to be there were new people with new computers, but the only people buying computers any more are kids or already have an old computer. Bottom line, is no new blood for the forum. The old timers are sometimes engaged in petty blood feuds, or banned, or bored.
<< <i>
Or the freaky/scary icon.....
Eric >>
Oh, that was just bushmaster...
That's a very good point. I use the forum less on the ipad or iphone as it is harder to read, clunkier to type, tougher to post images, etc. The shift away from the desktop and laptop probably hurts message boards, in general, and especially those with older architecture that does not adapt well to the smartphone or tablet environment.
<< <i>One big one is the secular shift away from computers, and it means very few new people coming to the forum. This forum is not a place where a new person with a tablet or smart phone is likely to spend much time. Used to be there were new people with new computers
That's a very good point. I use the forum less on the ipad or iphone as it is harder to read, clunkier to type, tougher to post images, etc. The shift away from the desktop and laptop probably hurts message boards, in general, and especially those with older architecture that does not adapt well to the smartphone or tablet environment. >>
I'm just the opposite, I like using the i-pad for reading the forum. I do get on the computer most of the time to post photos. It's more a seasonal hobby for me though. I spend a lot less time on coin related activities when the weather is good and more time with outdoor activities.
Now that the weather is turning, I'll be getting back into my indoor hobbies again.
Happy, humble, honored and proud recipient of the “You Suck” award 10/22/2014
<< <i>
<< <i>One big one is the secular shift away from computers, and it means very few new people coming to the forum. This forum is not a place where a new person with a tablet or smart phone is likely to spend much time. Used to be there were new people with new computers
That's a very good point. I use the forum less on the ipad or iphone as it is harder to read, clunkier to type, tougher to post images, etc. The shift away from the desktop and laptop probably hurts message boards, in general, and especially those with older architecture that does not adapt well to the smartphone or tablet environment. >>
I'm just the opposite, I like using the i-pad for reading the forum. I do get on the computer most of the time to post photos. It's more a seasonal hobby for me though. I spend a lot less time on coin related activities when the weather is good and more time with outdoor activities.
Now that the weather is turning, I'll be getting back into my indoor hobbies again. >>
NWcoast,
I'm guessing that you started on this forum with a computer. New folks will never find this place, because they spend most of their time on apps or social media sites with friends, or consuming media, not on a forum poking at a screen to peck out a message to complete strangers. I'd guess the number of people with even 500 posts that wrote those posts all on a tablet or phone is in the low single digits, if they exist at all. I'd guess zero at the 2000 post threshold. Compare that to five years ago, before tablets and smartphones became popular. Things change. Old timers can remember the Usenet groups rec.collecting.coins when Teletrade still mailed paper catalogs and bidding was all over the phone. The Usenet group was never all that popular, but for a short time it was one of the better coin places online going.
This year I have been reading various old style forums like this one on my tablet. However, I have yet to make a single post from the tablet. I'm sure it can be done, and others do it, but it feels like 33% efficiency on the tablet, so I just don't. If I did it all from the tablet, my post count would likely go down by 67% or so.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>One big one is the secular shift away from computers, and it means very few new people coming to the forum. This forum is not a place where a new person with a tablet or smart phone is likely to spend much time. Used to be there were new people with new computers
That's a very good point. I use the forum less on the ipad or iphone as it is harder to read, clunkier to type, tougher to post images, etc. The shift away from the desktop and laptop probably hurts message boards, in general, and especially those with older architecture that does not adapt well to the smartphone or tablet environment. >>
I'm just the opposite, I like using the i-pad for reading the forum. I do get on the computer most of the time to post photos. It's more a seasonal hobby for me though. I spend a lot less time on coin related activities when the weather is good and more time with outdoor activities.
Now that the weather is turning, I'll be getting back into my indoor hobbies again. >>
NWcoast,
I'm guessing that you started on this forum with a computer. New folks will never find this place, because they spend most of their time on apps or social media sites with friends, or consuming media, not on a forum poking at a screen to peck out a message to complete strangers. I'd guess the number of people with even 500 posts that wrote those posts all on a tablet or phone is in the low single digits, if they exist at all. I'd guess zero at the 2000 post threshold. Compare that to five years ago, before tablets and smartphones became popular. Things change. Old timers can remember the Usenet groups rec.collecting.coins when Teletrade still mailed paper catalogs and bidding was all over the phone. The Usenet group was never all that popular, but for a short time it was one of the better coin places online going.
This year I have been reading various old style forums like this one on my tablet. However, I have yet to make a single post from the tablet. I'm sure it can be done, and others do it, but it feels like 33% efficiency on the tablet, so I just don't. If I did it all from the tablet, my post count would likely go down by 67% or so. >>
Yes RedTiger, you are correct. I did start on my desktop computer and now I peck away on a tablet most of the time. It's NOT efficient and I likely wouldn't bother if it weren't for the comfort. Most of the time I check out the forum is during a brief meal break, drinking coffee or before sleep and occasionally during bouts of insomnia...
I was into computers early on and I now avoid sitting in front of the things unless I have to! I'm even getting to the point of avoiding and dreading email...
You bring up some very good points!
Happy, humble, honored and proud recipient of the “You Suck” award 10/22/2014
Ten years ago when I started posting actively, this was the only forum or networking site that I posted (other than an occasional drift over to Sleepy Hollow™). I had previously been very active in an AOL online mutual fund community, but this had disbanded.
Now, I am active on a physician online community, Facebook, Morninstar, LinkedIn, talk football smack (not much lately
MJ
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
<< <i>I have a new younger girlfriend. I rest my case.
MJ >>
You are, after all, the worlds most interesting man! Why would you not have a new younger girlfriend?
slabbed or raw, and silver coins. By silver, I mean coins that are a bit better than just 90%, like Morgans and Peace Dollars and
Franklins and Walkers in let's say F or better condition.
Even coins like PCGS MS62/63 Morgans have been dropping.
PCGS and NGC MS62 $5 Libs have dropped almost $100 even while gold has moved a bit higher.
As an example, when gold was $1750 and rising, a buyer might purchase a PCGS MS62 Saint for
$1900 and think "the gold alone will be worth $2000 soon."