Walking in a Widget Wonderland...

291fifth · September 9, 2005 11:10PM

What is your definition of a numismatic "widget"?

fivecents · September 9, 2005 11:19PM

Common date MS64 Morgans.
edit to add: I define a widget as any coin that is be easily purchased at the drop of a hat.

RYK · September 9, 2005 11:21PM

What is a widget?

A widget is an easily replaceable coin. A 1924 Saint in MS-63/4 is a widget. So is an 1884-CC Morgan in MS-64. An original surface 1803 large cent in fine with no distractions is not a widget. It has nothing to do with price/value.

kranky · September 9, 2005 11:22PM

To me it's any coin that, if you wanted to accumulate 100 of them, all it would take is a few phone calls at the most.

keets · September 10, 2005 1:23AM

widget is a numismatic slur perpetuated by certain dealers/collectors to denigrate other dealers/collectors and help enhance their own standing in the numismatic community, much the same as the term wannabe. it's ironic that many of those same dealers/collectors wil buy/sell widgets and deal with wannabes, but that just reinforces the nature of the terms and the hypocricy of their use.

with all that said, a widget is probably best defined as a common and easily obtained item across the grade spectrum.

kranky · September 10, 2005 3:22AM

keets, I never felt the term "widget" was a slur. I guess some who use it might mean it that way, but I always took it as just a term to describe easily findable items which there are buyers for and which are subject to market manipulation (because you need large quantities to pull it off).

Barry · September 10, 2005 4:00AM

The definition of widget from dictionary.com:

widg·et n.

1. A small mechanical device or control; a gadget.
2. An unnamed or hypothetical manufactured article.

Coins are not widgets. I don't know if it is a generally accepted term in numismatics. Is it? Have you heard it used outside this forum? Was the term coined by Laura? (pun intended) If so, Laura does not get my vote as chairperson of the American version of the Alliance Française.

291fifth · September 10, 2005 4:03AM

I have never felt that "widget" is a slur either. I actually like its usage and think it serves as a wake-up-call to collectors who have become unselective buyers during a market run-up.

stman · September 10, 2005 5:14AM

BTW, to answer the question of the thread....

<< What is your definition of a numismatic "widget"? >>

My definition of a Numismatic "Widget" is the ones that use this term.

anablep · September 10, 2005 5:17AM

I agree with keets & stman.

I've never heard the term beyond this forum and not before about 1 year ago or so.

BTW: I don't care what a widget is. I collect coins.

Purple73 · September 10, 2005 5:20AM

I collect widgets

PURPLE!

nwcs · September 10, 2005 5:21AM

Bulk silver.

PhillyJoe · September 10, 2005 5:27AM

A widget would be any coin in an Accugrade holder whose best use would be to level furniture or appliances.

Joe

Russ · September 10, 2005 5:30AM

Post 1972 moderns in PR69DCAM are widgets or, as I refer to them, "commodity coins". Beautiful and fun to collect because they are so close to perfection, but commodities nonetheless.

Russ, NCNE

streeter · September 10, 2005 6:06AM

291fifth
<>

There is a lot of wisdom in that thought. Too bad many newer collectors or returning collectors will not understand it until they need to dump some of their ebay purchases down the line.

Myqqy · September 10, 2005 6:15AM

I do have to admit that the term "widget"™ does have an elitist ring to it- that being said, when I purchase morgans that fit into my budget, I try to find examples that stand out from more generic looking white coins..... I guess I'm trying to think outside the "widget box"™.....

Myqqy · September 10, 2005 6:40AM

Hey, I'll play today, you wannabe hit the wannabe subject-again?????

Russ · September 10, 2005 6:40AM

<< Hey, I'll play today, you wannabe hit the wannabe subject-again????? >>

Please do. It's been a bit boring lately.

Russ, NCNE

Purple73 · September 10, 2005 7:00AM

I collect widgets

PURPLE!

stman · September 10, 2005 7:23AM

<< BTW, where have all my little wannabe buds gone???? I heard one was trying to legitimaize himself by joining a dealer group (but that doesn't buy respect), while the others seem to have gone back to their day jobs..... >>

Don't know where they went, who they are, or if they indeed left. Did YOU run them all off?
Of course while you've been pounding your chest on this subject I don't re-call you ever telling us who they are.

Russ · September 10, 2005 7:30AM

<< Don't know where they went, who they are, or if they indeed left. >>

Do they even exist?

Russ, NCNE

stman · September 10, 2005 7:36AM

<< 

<< Don't know where they went, who they are, or if they indeed left. >>

Do they even exist?

Russ, NCNE >>

I have to believe they do. Why? Because the greatest of them all says so. And of course is doing all
this for the well being of the collector. Kinda like the "coin posse" we know they are there and doing everything
in the back-round. We just don't know what they are doing. Russ.... do you think this has potential?

Russ · September 10, 2005 7:39AM

<< Russ.... do you think this has potential? >>

Well, we're working it.

Russ, NCNE

RYK · September 10, 2005 7:42AM

In order to realize Excellent Potential™, you guys have to find someone to take the other side of the argument.

777 · September 10, 2005 8:23AM

Widget=any coin not worth the holder its in

WTCG · September 10, 2005 5:17PM

Widget = Any series and dates of coins that are common and interchangeable, and easily obtained. Examples include: common date Morgans MS60-MS68, later date Walkers MS60-MS67.

BASEagle · September 10, 2005 10:37PM

widget = coin I can afford.

keets · September 10, 2005 11:31PM

Do they even exist?

they are rumored to exist but no proof is ever given, as though we are supposed to take the fact on faith because of who's telling us it's so. in actuality, the supposed wannabe dealers and widget coins are more alive in the minds of some than others. they are terms to denigrate.

it continues to be the mantra to avoid wannabe dealers. why? to bring your business to me, cause i'm respected.

it continues to be the mantra to avoid the widget coins. why? to bring your business to me, cause i sell non-widget coins.

it remains a ploy that many get sucked into, just like those dish-network commercials.

i offer a challenge to all the dealers who rail on about wannabe dealers and widget coins----forget the tactic of telling me how bad both of those are. just focus on how good you are and how good the coins you sell are. lose the brag, lose the swagger, lose the meanness, lose the attitude that says you're a success only when you have your heel on the competitions throat, waiting for a hoarsely croaked Uncle.

FatMan · September 11, 2005 5:46AM

I think Keets is right on target with this widget thing.

Keets.....

Purple73 · September 11, 2005 6:04AM

Keets

I collect widgets

PURPLE!

stman · September 11, 2005 6:09AM

<< it continues to be the mantra to avoid wannabe dealers. why? to bring your business to me, cause i'm respected. >>

<< it continues to be the mantra to avoid the widget coins. why? to bring your business to me, cause i sell non-widget coins. >>

Nope, gotta disagree this time Keets. The main person that will spew this slop says they don't come here for business.
Although a quick forum search of the BST will reveal that after EVERY show they attend... you can almost count on that Saturday or Sunday
the "Looking for business" add will be on the BST. Not that there's anything wrong with that of course. Some folks just aren't happy
unless they're being Disingenuous at best.... In my opinion that is.

Walking in a Widget Wonderland...

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