November 1909, Howland Wood gave the following advice-“Numismatic Maxims for Beginners.”
1630Boston
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These thoughts are still relevant today - in my opinion 
In The Numismatist, November 1909, Howland Wood gave the following advice under the title of “Numismatic Maxims for Beginners.”
Don’t set your heart on acquiring any shilling coin right off. If you force the market you generally have to pay more than it is worth.
If you are a young man you can afford to wait; it is only the old men who cannot.
Don’t plunge in too quickly at the start and think you must buy every coin offered.
Don’t try to collect everything; you’ll never catch up with your contract. Also you will not enjoy what you have.
You’ve got to learn by experience; a few jolts and knocks will impress you more than all of the advice an older collector can give you.
Don’t take any man’s word that a coin is unique. There are far fewer unique coins than there are said to be.
Collect, if possible, shilling coins in the best condition; you then buy but once, and when you want to sell, you have something worth selling. A poor coin is an aggravation and an eyesore, and you as a rule can get very little for it when you want to sell.
A library goes hand in hand with the collection of coins.
It is better to collect a few series and know your subject than to attempt to collect everything and think you know it all but really know nothing.
Every collector should have a Pine Tree shilling, as that is the first question your guests ask if you have.
Never cry down another collector’s coin; give them, at least, the benefit of the doubt.
Never talk scandal or say mean things about other collectors; if you have nothing good to say, say nothing.
The last maxim is the most important one to remember, and it is the one most often transgressed.
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
Comments
Nice!
Howland Wood was born in New Bedford Massachusetts in 1877 and graduated from Brown University in 1900. Wood became a member of the American Numismatic Society in 1909. By 1913 he had been appointed Curator, remaining in this position until his death in 1938. At that time, the Society only maintained a single curator, with two assistants. Despite the limited size of the staff, during Wood's tenure the Society's collections increased significantly, from 50,000 to almost 200,000 specimens. In addition to his curatorial duties, Wood also served as editor of the American Journal of Numismatics from 1910 to 1920
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
A lot of good points for sure. Although I’d never be tied down to a series. I would find it boring to only do a series or two. The last rule, I think, is the most important one.
Very good advice....and since he was but 32 at the time, likely learned through both experience and advice of others. Important to note, it is advice and not 'rules'....This is a hobby, and as such, to be enjoyed in whatever manner is pleasing to the individual. Have fun.... Cheers, RickO
I like this one, but I've yet to be asked if I have one!
I think this has changed with Sheldon, Breen, Ford and others.
David Alexander's Coin Week article on Sheldon
Very good points!
Interesting!
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
Many nuggets of wisdom.
It's nice to have one, just in case.
Or four
...just in case
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
Nice! You can never have too many.
Never talk scandal or say mean things about other collectors; if you have nothing good to say, say nothing.
Some mean collector gyps my grandma out of her roll of shiny, brand new 1909-S V.D.B.'s i'm going to say something mean. Sorry.
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be.---Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of the United States of America, 1801-1809. Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence.
Great post, thanks for sharing!
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448