Caste System

ConstellatioCollector · October 29, 2005 3:12PM

Is there a Caste system in the Numismatis world? Colonial, Early Dollars, Early........... 1909 VDB ....? All responses are purely valid.

michael · October 29, 2005 3:22PM

yes and currently all the crap is on the top

you can fool some people some of the time even some of the people all of the time but you cant fool all of the people all of the time

and yes if you tell a BIG lie ga-ga grade plastic and tags and you say it loud and long enough many will believe it and the sayers are the ones not putting these coins in their retirement plans and/or their kids college funds

but there is always be hell to pay....................... soon

TommyType · October 29, 2005 4:24PM

"Caste System" implies a hierarchy in which one cannot move between classes. Born a serf, always a serf.

In that sense, no...there is no caste system. I can become a colonial collector and enthusiast if I want to. I can pursue civil war tokens, or I can seek the best Susan B. Anthony's. My choice.

But, there does seem to be diversity of respect afforded to the different collecting worlds. Colonial collectors and States Quarters collectors aren't afforded the same assumption of scholarly knowledge. Bust Dime collectors get more respect than Roosevelt Dime collectors.

It's unfair because I've seen some amazing knowledge displayed here from collectors of "Modern Crap and Widgets", while I've seen some rank novices buying "Serious Coins and Classic Rarities".

Myqqy · October 29, 2005 6:25PM

but there is always be hell to pay....................... soon

Isn't that a wee bit dramatic?

PerryHall · October 29, 2005 6:48PM

I agree with TommyType. Caste system doesn't apply to coin collecting. Don't forget that this is only a hobby and coins are inanimate objects.

Gemini · October 29, 2005 7:50PM

<< coins are inanimate objects. >>

I play with my coins and they talk to me...

....

keets · October 29, 2005 8:54PM

yes and currently all the crap is on the top

you can fool some people some of the time even some of the people all of the time but you cant fool all of the people all of the time

and yes if you tell a BIG lie ga-ga grade plastic and tags and you say it loud and long enough many will believe it and the sayers are the ones not putting these coins in their retirement plans and/or their kids college funds

but there is always be hell to pay....................... soon

.................nonsensical gibberish...................

UncleJoe · October 29, 2005 9:09PM

the sayers are the ones not putting these coins in their retirement plans and/or their kids college funds

Who IS doing this?

Joe.

originalisbest · October 29, 2005 10:45PM

I think TommyType makes his point rather well, and I agree with his take.

DHeath · October 29, 2005 11:07PM

Caste system?

I think it depends largely on whether you care what anyone else thinks about what you collect. Collecting is not a team sport, but if you're insecure enough about your interest to need validation from others, you'll likely end up collecting what they tell you is interesting anyway.

cho10 · October 29, 2005 11:32PM

<< Caste system? I think it depends largely on whether you care what anyone else thinks about what you collect. Collecting is not a team sport, but if you're insecure enough about your interest to need validation from others, you'll likely end up collecting what they tell you is interesting anyway. >>

My main investment coin wise is in Morgan Dollars because that is the series I have studied most and hence (to some degree) understand best. I admire the people that can lecture on planchet sources, die state, filing adjustment marks and so forth relating to early American coins because they possess information that has required time and dedication. Time is a commodity that I have very little of for now. One day we'll see if I will want to start collecting other coins and other series. I have been collecting Morgans seriously since the 1980's but I actually started "drooling" after Morgans in the early 1960's when I was in high school I first heard about the Treasury GSA hoards being dispersed that were financially simply outside the grasp of a 14/15 year old.
Why do people collect stuff? Generally because they enjoy collecting.
What counts is that you collect what you like and whatever makes you smile. Collecting is indeed an individual pass time. You can possibly be lucky enough to have a spouse that appreciates and encourages your hobby (as is my case). But it is you that collects, decides and bids and pays. The know it alls that will tell you what you "should" collect (with some exceptions) are risking nothing while you are risking every time you pull out your wallet, check book or credit card.
I am mentioning exceptions because I have encountered some dealers (not many) that have brought some opportunities to my attention. A fair number of the most important coins I possess today were all suggested by such dealers. Of course they are in the "game" to make a living but if they can do that and also give good advice then you will have found an excellent ally.

sinin1 · October 30, 2005 2:13AM

it seems to apply to dealer offerings more than to collectors

Stuart · October 30, 2005 3:32AM

There are certainly many different ways for each individual to enjoy the numismatic hobby. Coins are coins, and are appreciated differently by each individual. We all have personal preferences, which can sometimes lead to personal biases.

My personal philosophy is to collect what I like, and to recognize that others are as compassionate (or more so) about what they collect as I am.

I do sometimes wonder when I see extremely high market premiums paid for coins that I do not feel are worth that amount -- but that's the buyer's business, and up to their personal purchasing judgement.

Coinosaurus · October 30, 2005 4:23AM

Of course any time you have two or more people doing something, there is going to be a hierarchy.

Most people are OK with this, but when someone unnecessarily and continually reminds folks that they are at the top of the heap, well, that's when things get messy......

Baley · October 30, 2005 4:35AM

Micheal, you always say that.. and you're right

Russ · October 30, 2005 4:44AM

<< and yes if you tell a BIG lie ga-ga grade plastic and tags and you say it loud and long enough many will believe it and the sayers are the ones not putting these coins in their retirement plans and/or their kids college funds >>

Russ, NCNE

DHeath · October 30, 2005 5:10AM

Baley · October 30, 2005 5:25AM

In my opinion and experience, most "classic" collectors don't look down on "modern" collectors simply because the modern coin is new or cheap, rather collectors of less-than-perfect but really old coins would rather have an early, rare coin (less than 10,000 remaining, in some cases fewer than 100 known in ANY grade) in lower grades, if they can even find them, than a common coin (more than 10 million left, sometimes 100's of millions) in very high grade, and such collectors do recognize modern rarities such as no mint mark proof anomolies and other interesting errors and die varieties. I do think sophisticated numismatists tend to prefer the history and craftsmanship associated with older coins versus newer ones. Best of all, of course, is an old, high grade example of a rare coin overall in a popular series or type. On the other hand, if by "caste" you're referring to budget and not taste, or popularity or desireability of the pieces, then, as in anything, there are always the haves and havenots and everyone in between ..

Fletcher · October 30, 2005 5:29AM

<< I've seen some rank novices buying "Serious Coins and Classic Rarities". >>

<------- Rank novice buying serious coins and classic rarities

DHeath · October 30, 2005 5:32AM

I do think sophisticated numismatists tend to prefer the history and craftsmanship associated with older coins versus newer ones.

Alot of folks on these forums do too.

cladking · October 31, 2005 10:05AM

It's ironic that caring about the fame and fortune your collection will gain you seems to be
something only the classic collectors usually care about. Those who don't care about such
things or wish to escape it tend to migrate to the darkside, moderns, or exonumia where
almost no heirarchy whatsoever exists. Indeed most classic collectors have usually held
modern collectors beneath contempt or at least entirely out of consideration in the caste
system.

But in the last few years the steady drumbeat insisting that moderns are crap has seemed
to elevate them higher and higher. There are now some newbies and even some collectors
who have been around a while who think moderns are much cooler than the crusty old clas-
sics.

So beat those drums. Not because I wish to ascend but because the cooler moderns get, and
more attention they get developes the market and puts me closer to my true status; wannabe.

shirohniichan · October 31, 2005 10:53AM

There are now some newbies and even some collectors who have been around a while who think moderns are much cooler than the crusty old classics.

Does this mean that some day I'll even get respect for collecting the Royal Canadian Mint crap I buy?

D · October 31, 2005 10:57AM

<< 

<< and yes if you tell a BIG lie ga-ga grade plastic and tags and you say it loud and long enough many will believe it and the sayers are the ones not putting these coins in their retirement plans and/or their kids college funds >>

Russ, NCNE >>

-Daniel

Caste System

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