Are U.S. Collectors the most sophisticated?

Bunker · November 6, 2005 1:34AM

I am curious how other countries compare or if we are the norm in the world of coin collecting?

In the United States we have several grading services that recognize die cracks, RPM’s, DDO’s DDR’s, VAMS, rotated dies and the list goes on.

We have a 70 point grading scale (maybe 100 soon?)

We grade coins with PL, DMPL surfaces, we have CAM and Deep Cam surfaces.

We have coin clubs, weekly, monthly, regional and the big coin shows.

We even have this forum.

I am not knocking any of this by the way. It is what makes me love this hobby so much. I just wonder how we stack up.

fcloud · November 6, 2005 1:42AM

With the way some people act on these boards, I don't think so.

RayJay · November 6, 2005 1:44AM

For the answer go to the Open forum and read what coin collectors are interested in

Oryou can hang around here for the famous Speared Buffalo

Gemini · November 6, 2005 2:34AM

Desperate to attend any coin show I went to the International Coin Show in NYC last year. Talk about sophistication. I saw and met the most knowledgeable collectors that collected coins that I never knew existed. It was a real eye opener and I was highly impressed by their intelligence of coins and their deep devotion to their collecting specialties. These foreign collector guys are quite a breed beyond.

Coinosaurus · November 6, 2005 2:40AM

A German writer used a very interesting term in the Chicago Tribune a few weeks ago - "data porn". He was refering to the seemingly endless addiction that American sports fans have for statistics. I think the same thing may exist for US coin collectors. European collectors appear to be much more versed in the historical context of numismatics than we are - and they aren't obsessed with the numbers the way we are. Not sure if that is more "sophisticated" as much as it is just plain "different".

MrEureka · November 6, 2005 5:56AM

In general, US collectors are the best at seeing the trees and the worst at seeing the forest.

dizzyfoxx · November 6, 2005 6:01AM

I'm not nearly as think as you smart I am...

cladking · November 6, 2005 6:17AM

<< <i>In general, US collectors are the best at seeing the trees and the worst at seeing the forest. >>

We also tend to not understand that there is more than a single woods. While we may see
the intracasies of the way a tree works and spot at a glance the many types of trees and their
interactions, there is also a tendency to ignore some trees because they apparently obscure
the view of more important things or don't look quite like our preconcieved notion of what a
tree is supposed to look like.

MrEureka · November 6, 2005 6:26AM

We also tend to not understand that there is more than a single woods. While we may see
the intracasies of the way a tree works and spot at a glance the many types of trees and their
interactions, there is also a tendency to ignore some trees because they apparently obscure
the view of more important things or don't look quite like our preconcieved notion of what a
tree is supposed to look like.

Ah, medical marijuana is a wonderful thing!

291fifth · November 6, 2005 6:28AM

Grading services and sophistication should never be in the same sentence. (Except for the previous one.)

lordmarcovan · November 6, 2005 6:30AM

Ahh, yeah. Sophisticated.

roadrunner · November 6, 2005 6:55AM

Considering the mania of the past decade towards Registry sets and the MAJORITY of buyers acquiring plastic, one would have to think twice about calling that sophistication. You don't have to go any further than the 1963 PF70 cent at $39,000 for proof.

Sophisticated,? not exactly the word I would use.

But there is hope as many coins in high grade holders are often times going begging as many collectors are getting adept at distinguishing coffins from slabs.

roadrunner

TwoSides2aCoin · November 6, 2005 7:08AM

I think the fact that we have so many die varieties, errors, rarities, oddities and that coupled with COMMEMORATIVES..... creates a view that we are "sophisticated" or maybe having a "broader" knowledge of numismatics. I think by world populations and cultures, we have a greater number of collectors per capita than other countries do when it comes to numismatics, however... I also think the "quality control" in our minting facilities is not the greatest, but that can be a good thing, too

What I mean by that is : when business strike coins come out in Canada, for instance, the general public accepts the fact that the Royal Canadian Mint puts out nearly flawless , errorless coins. Hence, the general public isn't into looking for coins that might be collectible or a "higher" grade than any other. They all look perfect. On the contrary........ tell someone in AMERICA that there is an extra leaf on a state quarter and you will see people knocking people down to look for it. Or tell them that there were only 5500 certain Sacagawea dollars minted in 2000 for the Cheerios cereal boxes, and the only other coins like that in the world are a dozen in 24K gold which took a trip on the space shuttle and are held by ??? (the government ), and people go bonkers trying to find that particular coin or scampering to sell that coin, thus creating a melee of "new" interest .

Call it sophisticated, but I rather liken it to the Gold Rush of the late 1840's. Let's face it, if our mint facility minted perfect coins, there would be not such a great interest in collecting. But since they don't, we have to put them on a scale of 70 ( which is already a helluva lotta grade points, ...heaven forbid we go to the metric system on grading -100) PCGS Professional Centi- Grade Service

uh huh, it has a ring to it !

Well I could go on, but I think I made my point. I love it too, Bunker. It is the best sport besides golf.
Oh wait, numismatics is not a sport.... or is it ? It cannot be a hobby, there is too much passion involved !

Joe

roadrunner · November 6, 2005 7:13AM

Having the world's reserve currency and hence created tons of discretionary income over the past 40 years has certainly helped the cause of American Numismatics. Without the reserve currency, I seriously doubt we could have survived into the 1980's to divert our money into such things as die varieties while so much of the world lives in poverty.

roadrunner

cladking · November 6, 2005 7:31AM

<< <i>

Ah, medical marijuana is a wonderful thing!

>>

Indeed!

And it grows at the fringes of woods.

1jester · November 6, 2005 7:48AM

<< <i>In general, US collectors are the best at seeing the trees and the worst at seeing the forest. >>

Yeah, verily.

robertpr · November 6, 2005 8:11AM

<< <i>Ah, medical marijuana is a wonderful thing!

>>

medical?

Are U.S. Collectors the most sophisticated?

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