I had a thought about members...
Insider2
Posts: 14,452 ✭✭✭✭✭
IMO, while fun, and in most cases meaningful, it is a shame that many of the really important, experienced and knowledgeable members cannot be singled out as soon as they join before we figure out by their posts how lucky we are to have them posting. Every one here started with one * (I think) and one post. Look at where many of them are now. Yeah, yeah, no one but me cares about the ratings - so what.
Stupid example: Let's a say David Hall, JD, or JA (even WW, ICH, PF, or HC 
LOL I got you!) were to join today; perhaps they could just get one gold star and keep it forever. That way we would sort of know who we were interacting with. So "Johnny-just-joined" an internationally known and published, successful dealer/collector for decades with only 2 posts and 4 points would be known right off for his expertise. There are also many 3, 4, and 5 * members who I should give a gold star to immediately. The mods could even give members like @ricko one gray star rather than 5 black ones to signify his value to the forum. 
Comments
Maybe a coin Rorschach test could be instituted.
Many a day I've been on here and wished that David Hall or the graders would come on here and post. Unfortunately they don't.
Later, Paul.
Isn't his handle "Homerun Hall?"
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Someone posted that Rick Montgomery was posting here when he worked for PCGS.
Look, I understand the frustration it can be for a person like David Hall to deal with the public and comment about his business practices or grading. Similarly, we have all read what Fred "the error guy" goes thru dealing with people. Nevertheless, if I were an important TPGS officer/grader, it would be great fun to join a form as "Dave the cable guy" and help folks out. I was surprised to read that JA will take the time to explain his actions. That's a good business practice as an informed collector can be a great customer. I've heard of four TPGS (two are out of business. LOL Guess the notes didn't help.) that regularly sent coins back with notes on the coins.
Anyway, I'll bet there are powers to be lurking around here in addition to the Mods.
I have all sorts of posts but I don't really know anything. One cannot be too careful around here.
We don't know that (insert super-influential numismatist's name here) doesn't post on here. Maybe they do but don't want people to know who they are.
Collector, occasional seller
David Hall used to post here all the time, then DW took over and it was a blood bath.
You are very correct @DCW as I meant that I would love to see him post more than telling us new products or new rules as he had done in the past. Very seldom if ever did he just post to "Get in on the conversation"
I believe if you are going to be commander and chief it would be nice to get his take on some subjects. Wouldn't it be awesome to have him or some graders guess the grade on some coins, or explain why this coin is this way or that way.
Later, Paul.
Interesting concept ...
Coin Club Benefit auctions ..... View the Lots
If I was a big cheese I think I would go incognito.
Successful BST deals with mustangt and jesbroken. Now EVERYTHING is for sale.
I'm sure we have had some famous people come and go here. It's good they can do that.
I think we need a "litmus test" !
I've got major street cred on pre-1838 proof silver and gold, but you'd be a fool to take my word on high-end color for circulation small cents.
Rhetorically, how would this be signified under "grading"?
Three months of consistent lurking and anyone who wants to listen and learn in depth in a specific area will figure out who's who and what's what.
Don't be naïve. What possible upside can any TPG have in allowing a grader to offer individual public grading opinions when all published grades are determined by consensus?
People come and go.... a few hang around.... there are many knowledgeable posters here... Some general experts, some have incredible skills and knowledge of a certain coin series...For true collectors, there is a wealth of knowledge on this forum. Cheers, RickO
I think everyone that read this thread and did not hit disagree/flag is a valuable member here
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
@ChrisH821 said: "We don't know that (insert super-influential numismatist's name here) doesn't post on here. Maybe they do but don't want people to know who they are."
But we do know as many use their actual names. What I'd like to see is an unknown new member who we don't know - "@Mr.Redbook" for example who joins with one post, no badges, 2 points, etc. be given a permanent gold star and no black ones because of who he is, what he has done for numismatics, and his depth of knowledge that he is going to share. As I said, just a start.
You just never know "who" may be lurking and posting on this forum.
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
@oih82w8
You just never know who you may be conversing with here
I believe that the quasi anonymity is a good thing, we just need to use caution and due diligence with personal info and transactions :
Just my opinion
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
Yep, you just don't but some of you may be dropping hints...LOL.