What’s a widget?
jdownes
Posts: 16 ✭
I see the term widget thrown around in various threads. I gather that it’s slang for common, cheap and easily replaceable. Am I missing anything? At what point do you consider a coin to no longer be a widget?
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Common date coin in any grade.
I believe the term may have been popularized by Laura S. of Legend when she talked down about everything that she would not dare deal in or sell, mostly common date or average for the grade or below average for the grade material.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
One man's widget is another man's treasure!
Legend has quietly sold thousands of widgets. At one point, Legend bought a truckload of slabbed mint state widgets, and quickly sold all of the coins.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
I don't think it needs to be cheap, necessarily. I think it's all about common.
GSA dollars in 63, for example, are widgets to me even though they sell for $200. U.S. American Gold Eagles are widgets even though they sell for $1800.
I would even go so far as to say that VG S-VDB cents are widgets. You can find dozens available 24/7
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.
Here is just one example. Dateless buffalo's. Profitless to most until you add just one drop of " nic- a- date", then the magic happens! The famous 1916/16 RPD appears.
$$$$$$$$
From $ O to $200-300
Some even ask for more.
"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.An elitist term to used to disparage coins of a value/rarity below the 'deep pocket' level......Cheers, RickO
I can't afford anything but "widgets".
In my opinion, as it is used in numismatics, it need not be a generally inexpensive coin.
Simply any issue (date, condition, whatever) that can be relatively easily had in volume if one had a truckload of disposable money might qualify for the term widget. This might encompass dateless Buffalo nickels through generic date gem double eagles and beyond. If one can find a large quantity of an issue in a specific condition range with relatively little effort then the term typically applies.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Widget = not special. You can buy them pretty much anytime you want and often in large quantities.
David
Well said. A fair number of numismatists consider even coins such as (1907) High Reliefs in grades through MS65 to be widgets.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Anything where you could say, "I can get that whenever I want, so why bother," is a widget. A coin that is a widget "on paper" may turn out not to be if it is in some way special. This usually involves colorful, attractive toning, but could also be something like an uncharacteristically strong strike, or attractive eye-appeal for a coin not known to be attractive (thinking 1903 Morgan or Monroe commemorative).
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The term has its origins elsewhere in terms of describing simple and common products as part of a larger economy. There are those that chose to create a mindset that made its way into numismatics whereby labeling common coins readily available as widgets. This happened and and it needs to end. In the most simple terms, no person who refers to themself as a numismatist should cheapen or demean coinage that creates an impression that it is not worthy.
Some coins are common but they can be described as common or readily available not to discourage some from collecting what they either admire from either a design or a historical perspective. The term widget should not be used in the same sentence with history, art and design and what truly matters as to why and what creates the interest to collect coins.
We need insist that those that choose numismatics as a career or as a hobby or interest take a moment to choose words wisely in describing coins, medals and what is incorporated within the scope of numismatics.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Interesting.
"Widget" is only negative if you let it be.
As others have said, pretty much everything I own is a Widget! The difference is, they are widgets that I like, and I picked them myself.
When you look at the entire market, Widgets are probably more important to the coin market than 1804 dollars are.
Yes. I even bought a bust half from them when they used to sell them on eBay way back. Had PVC on it and sent it to PCGS for the guarantee.
What’s a widget?
I believe the terms "Widget" and "Dreck" as applied in Numismatics first came into common usage about 15-18 years ago when they were used in a derogatory fashion by a former high-profile dealer who was a member here. originally that dealer slighted everything deemed unworthy of their company, if it didn't look nice it was "Dreck" and if it was common it was a "Widget" to their mind. unfortunately, and as others have pointed out, almost the entire Hobby market-place is made up of "Widgets" despite what the originator thinks.
In general
widg·et
/ˈwijit/
noun: widget; plural noun: widgets
A small gadget or mechanical device, especially one whose name is unknown or unspecified.
In numismatics:
A widget is a coin the value of which is in direct correlation to the the size of your wallet. The smaller your wallet, the smaller the widget.
Tom has provided the perfect definition. The jump to numismatics took place when a poster/dealer began applying the term to more common numismatic items that would not fit into 7 or 8 figure Registry Sets. Think "dreck".
Drunner
Smoe a that was called dreck. As in I'll be along dreckly Matthew!
So she is no longer a high profile dealer? I believe she is still a member here but chooses no to participate.
Widget in my mind is a neutral term to describe any coin which can easily be replaced by going to basically any coin shop. Like a BU 81-S Dollar, generic silver proof sets, etc.
Collector, occasional seller
Widget is not a neutral term if other words can be used instead without creating a negative inference
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Outhaul... great post... I am still laughing... Thanks
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
It's a neutral term that some people choose to use and others choose to hear in a negative fashion. You could say the same about many other words such as "common", "ordinary". "indistinct", "generic", etc.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
She is still a high profile dealer (to her and a few others) but she lost her posting ability some time ago and to my knowledge it was never reinstated.
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