Thoughts on posts/questions by new members
RogerB
Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
Most of those posting here and on other hobby message boards began by pulling interesting coins from circulation. Some were around in the days of 90% silver others had bicentennial designs to pick from and Anthony dollars.
The trend I've seen in the past couple of years is of new posters doing much the same: searching change for coins that look odd or unusual, or especially bright and new. For them, this is a beginning, as it was for us old folks.
My thought is that however exasperating it might seem to us, we were once filled with the same confusion and uncertainty as these new collectors. It might help us all to take a moment to remember our early collector reactions and speculative hopes whenever a new collector posts a 1990 cent he/she thinks is a doubled die. The scale of innocent amazement is quite long - all but the most wealthy or most jaded remain on it. It will help to remember our own journey, as we aid others on theirs.
End of "editorial" comment. 
Comments
First, I thought that you, Roger Burdette, did not collect coins at all, and that you were simply a professional researcher who got diverted towards the numismatic arena somehow, someway.
Second, this site is mostly plagued by a single troll who has established dozens of accounts and perhaps even hacked a few older accounts. This person gets his jollies when we get riled up. More effort should be made to identity and remove this person.
Third, there is little or no 'innocent amazement' going on here either. All of these new posters hope to earn a great deal of easy money through their discoveries. They see the things that experienced numismatic people WILL pay for, do not understand, and they think we are a bunch of easy marks, ready and willing to be taken.
RE: "I thought that you, Roger Burdette, did not collect coins at all..."
That's correct for the present. But like most I started in the hobby by collecting coins from circulation, trying to fill blue Whitman folders/albums, and the like - much the same as most others.
One motivation for the switch to research was: I couldn't afford what I liked, and didn't like what I could afford. Another 'driver' was the large amount of confusing and misleading speculation that passed for "numismatic fact;" there had to be something better.
The 2nd and 3rd comments are best left to others to interpret.
If you know who the troll is(for certain) tell us and we all can avoid them. Also, if you know someone with many accounts, again, name them so that we all can avoid them. That is the only way. Without proof why not just skip any post that you are suspicious of. JMO
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Well, it is nice to hear that you did start like most of us. I don't think that I had heard of those early beginnings before now.
Being a collector of modest means, it's easy to understand RogerB's comment , " I couldn't afford what I liked, and didn't like what I could afford."
I'll start by agreeing with Roger. I started searching change back when the 1995 doubled die was discovered, I did eventually find one in change. Coinworld was my main source of info back then.
However...
I think there is a large amount of misinformation spread around on Youtube and other venues about coins in general. These sources like to get traffic by claiming you'll find an impossibly rare coin in your pocket change. The problem is that it's so easy to do and no repercussions. Anyone can make a video and get 10k+ views with a title "RARE $10K COIN FOUND IN CHANGE?!?" with a colorful thumbnail that includes a big red arrow pointing at a random spot on a random coin. People will click it, hell I would click it just to see what sort of nonsense they are putting into peoples minds.
People who don't know better then start to scrutinize their change, but maybe not for the right reasons and not looking for the right things. There is no problem with that and probably overall does good for the hobby, but when certain ones come around and get belligerent, essentially tell everyone here they don't know squat, they should rightly be given some time out.
My opinion is help the ones who actually want it, there's not enough time for those who want a quick buck from some sensationalized fantasy.
Collector, occasional seller
Bill,
I probably went through all the ups and downs of any ordinary collector. One difference is that I began taking photos of coins, and, medals and "art bars" for ads and books back in the 1960s. That gave me closer contact with dealers, auction companies, show sponsors and others. There were also some excellent people in the Prince George's County Coin Club - careful, observant people. I also got to know Frank and Laurese Katen and learned an incredible amount even about coins I could never hope to own, and the background stories.
I keenly remember asking all the "stupid" questions, and "discovering" the ordinary because it was new to my experience. That is a part of the "innocent amazement" I mentioned.
I'm not sure that he is a troll so much as someone who is incredibly naive and uninformed about the hobby. Many people here started out like that.
Roger, again, it is nice to know a bit more about your personal story in coins. I do stumble at the question "How did you ever stop?" because, for fifty-one years, I have never been able to even consider it. Almost sixty now. If I had to get all my coin inventory/ stuff in one spot, I think it would take ten pretty solid days to do it all. 50% of the volume would constitute less than 10% of the value. It is a disease.
I agree that we should be helpful and welcoming, and for the most part, I think that this forum is that. There comes a point, however, when it becomes apparent that the person is not sincere, as was the case with the clay and mesh prototype buffalo nickel post. It is a common theme; something is presented with a question, then after the correct answers are given, the original poster goes on the offensive, spouting off nonsensical "facts" as if he is an expert trying to educate the the clueless people who offered opinions. I have always taken the approach of assuming sincerity in the post and request for help and offer my opinion. Eventually, when it becomes clear that I am being trolled, I just disengage and that is probably the best approach. The trolls who engage in this behavior get their kicks from our reactions. Deprive them of that and they will eventually move on to other forums.
Please....everyone, read BillDugans analysis here. He is spot on CORRECT! STOP FEEDING THE TROLL!
I can't recall the exact threads but over the years these newbies... 1 out of a couple hundred... do stroll in with an amazing post. Worth the aggravation from the trolls.
We are generally helpful and tolerant of new posters, as we should be, up to a point. Trolls will reveal themselves when they double down on their misconceptions and cite pseudoscience or simply bluster in the face of solid counter-facts. They thrive on making people angry, and love it if they can get forum regulars arguing with each other. Once it is apparent that we are being trolled, we need to stay cool, keep replies bland (or ignore the thread); and alert the moderators. I'm very glad that the mods quickly banned the originator of the claymeshbuff thread. I'm sure there will be others.
My dad got me into coins before I was old enough to GET change, but 50+ years later I still give pocket change a quick look... Old habits die hard.
Alts/ trolls are mildly annoying, but more sad. I let very little irritate me nowdays, and anyway, I find it best to not feed the emotionally crippled little critters
Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1
When I first found this hobby and this forum last year I came on like probably most newbies would with a lot of stupid questions (still do). And as well I disagreed the same way, then somehow it turned political and I was quickly called a troll and then consequently was being trolled. I didn't even know what a troll was and it was very disheartening. Fortunately, I don't give up very easily and now I am very thankful for the information and comradery that exists here among most of the users. As for the rest, the ones who think they are "Coin Gods" and are too busy or too important to even drop a like button, well
An aside question: How can one tell a Troll from someone just trying to cross the bridge in the dark?
Maybe an executive committee to "screen" new postings (say no NEW posts by a new person) without being cleared by the committee until a basic track record is set. The post can be made but is not visible until cleared by the committee to prevent 418 parking lot mystery coins.
Do any of the mods have vision to the IP of the poster?
I'm slowly learning that the "trolls" refuse to acknowledge when you point them in the direction of any reference material that they can read to learn more about the topic they are trying to discuss. And they begin to text messages that appear incoherent and confusing. That said, I agree there is a ton of information out there that is confusing and in my opinion misleading. In particular the ones who need a microscope to see tiny imperfections and document it as a double or error.
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
...the world needs ditch diggers to...and if they all dug their own graves it wouldn’t be very productive. Some are trolls, some are not...but all are here
Fun fact
Some trolls are Darkside collectors
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
Yo, Swampboy. What's a Darkside collector???
There is an easy solution to this which is to collect photos of coins you like on a site like Pinterest.
Most coins are share much more via their photos than in person.
If your serious Darkside=Foreign Coin(s)
My take on this, Troll:
Older guy possibly retired with way to much spare time.
'Gets off' as I like to say, at getting yer dwaws in a knot.
Most here will spot this in an instant.
For me, if the OP refuses to take advice from seasoned posters, my interest stops.
If the OP is serious he/she will stick around...
POST NUBILA PHOEBUS / AFTER CLOUDS, SUN
Love for Music / Collector of Dreck
Thanks. Don't collect them. Heard sumpin else referred to that on another website.
Is it holding a VW that had phony emissions tests...?
Emission tests are being eliminated this year but not before Mrs. Swampboy's Honda car takes one more test
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
**Trolls see the QA forum.
**
YES. Much of the trolling is going on over there.
A young or new collector is an inspiration and it is easy to share their eagerness and excitement.
A troll has nefarious intentions and it usually shows. They are not here to learn.
I treat new members fairly when they post....If I then see them taking a contrary stand and not willing to accept the expert opinions/advice given... well, then I just ignore them. Many do stick around and become contributing members... and that is a good thing. Cheers, RickO
Many thoughts about this thread, but to simplify into a few points:
-this forum is a great source of information for those with some level of coin knowledge and some disposable income to spend on the hobby
-this is not likely the best source of information for those just starting out, but we should aspire to be better. There are other locations where introductory type info is more readily discussed
-I would venture to guess that there are many like me, who use this forum to learn, appreciate the history, and to gain confidence to spend more in this hobby
————-for all concerned with the future of the hobby, forums like this, can either stoke or Kill, the desire to progress from a casual collector to a more serious collector...enjoyment from the hobby comes in many forms, and discussions here are one of them, the less enjoyable people make them, the less likely the collectors buyin 3 figure coins, will by 4 figure coins, and the less likely that people buying $1000+ coins will progress to 5 figure coins.....it’s not like you can just talk to your average co-worker about why or if you should spend day $5000 on a coin....
-I believe this board allows the progression to evolve
-don’t feed the trolls, but from my perspective, the number of true trolls is low...that said, there probably are a few ( that bait the veterans into arguements all the time) i view that as different than the true trolls
-have fun, stay positive
To keep it coin related, the veterans have convinced me to progress to buying old gold in ogh
Maybe new posters should be required to answer three question posed by us before they get their questions answered.......
Or be thrown off a cliff?
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
I like to treat all people the same way. Everyone deserves a little bit of teasing and a little bit of compassion . In the end we get less than 100 summers and winters. How much FUN can a coin geek have ? Try having it without hurting others.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
Couple things: it should be easy for the forum mods to figure out someone who has multiple accounts. Most modern forum software tracks IP and unless the person uses a VPN it’s just a matter of matching up IP. Usually multiple accounts are against forum rules and this results in an IP ban and takes care of things.
As a fairly new collector (since 2014) even I can tell a good majority of new posters aren’t interested in the hobby. They’re looking for a score. To be told grandpa’s worn pocket change is worth thousands. I believe in treating all people kindly at first blush. But when they prove themselves to be rude, I don’t have the same attitude. I think many here try too hard to be kind thinking that will foster an interest in coins. It won’t. Those interested in coins lurk for months or even years before dipping a toe in. Not always true but I would guess there’s a lot of lurkers out there who are gainin knowledge and just don’t want to speak in ignorance.
"Fresh meat" is probably not a nice way to greet newbs.
My Saint Set
I used to be "Fresh meat " now i'm just jerky
EASY! Trolls live UNDER the bridge, they don't cross over them.
When I lived in VA, the car club had a "good shop" to go to for the tests. LOL.
I can't figure out how to copy & re-post your pic, but that's a nice coin, SimpleCollector!
I knew it would happen.
@jmski52
If you click the 'quote' button in his[ @SimpleCollector ]] comment.it will copy his comment and pics to your comment where you can edit it.
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