On My 15,000th Post... a thank you to everyone on these fine boards
airplanenut
Posts: 22,394 ✭✭✭✭✭
I've done it... 15,000 posts since October of 2001. I don't know if that means I've had too much time on my hands or not, but I thought this post should be more special than a simple reply or picture post.
I stumbled upon these boards a freshman in high school when I was 14--a kid known by no one numismatic except for my local dealer. I joined immediately, and have been posting ever since--I'm now 18 and a freshman in college. Without a doubt, these boards are the reason I am the collector I am today. Around 8th grade, I was just getting back into coins, after dabbling lightly through middle school as I didn't have the money to buy the coins I wanted. When I came to these boards, I was exposed to many coins I could only dream of holding, much less owning. I came hoping to learn, and that is just what I did. I've taken as much knowledge as I could, and I hope I've given at least some of it back over the years, for what good is knowing something if it can't be shared?
Soon after joining, TomB first sent me a PM telling me about a show he set up at that was local to me. The first time I went I couldn't drive, nor could I stay long. That was my first coin show, and I went to Parsippany sporadically until my Sunday mornings freed up and I got a driver's license. From then on, I was a regular. New coins, new people. The show environment was great for me. This led to the larger GSNA show, and ultimately the Baltimore ANA in 2003. I've since gone to the SF ANA this past summer, the Baltimore show in March and August, and will be at FUN in January. Before I came to the boards, I never knew these shows existed. Now I'm as regular as my schedule and budget permits.
More importantly, though, are the people I've met on these boards. I have met many members in person, and have become friends with many more, both those whom I've met and those with whom I've only exchanged emails. These friends have led to the acquisitions and sales of many great pieces--many of which highlights of my collection past or present--as well a huge increase in knowledge about coins, whether about coins in general or the business of coin dealing. I have been given the opportunity to do some part time, as well as full time work, all through the people I've met on these boards. I've also become active with the ANA, attending the Summer Seminar for the past three years, and giving two talks this summer, all because of the encouragement to apply for a scholarship given to me on these boards.
Most important, however, is the profound impact these boards have had on my life. As many may know, the person who made me an "airplanenut" was my grandfather, who passed away in February of 2000, when I was in seventh grade. In 10th grade, upon completing a research project on pancreatic cancer, which took his life, I wanted to find a way to donate to a pancreatic cancer research charity--the researchers based where he was being treated. With the support and encouragement of the board members, I held an auction featuring 86 lots, each of which generously donated. When sold, they raised $1700. All of this was done with my parents not knowing what I was doing until it was nearly over. This first auction led to three more, which combined have raised over $17,000. For this, I could not be more proud. There is no doubt that these auctions helped me with my success in college admissions this past spring, although that was not my intent--I simply wanted to do what I could for deserving causes when given the opportunity. So that leaves me where I am right now. I'm at the school that was my first choice for many years, and I'm studying aeronautical engineering and biomedical engineering--I'll either build a plane or cure a disease. Both of those tasks will require hard work, but these auctions have shown me what comes from hard work--the joy and pride in doing a good job.
So for all of this, I must thank the outstanding members of this message board. You've helped me learn, and you've helped me teach. You've helped me become the collector I am. And most importantly, you've helped to teach me the rewards of hard work, and the truth in the idea that there is no better reward for helping others than the satisfaction you yourself receive. My senior quote was "Most people miss opportunity because it's dressed in overalls and looks like work," said by Thomas Alva Edison. Thank you to everyone for helping me see the opportunities available to me in all aspects of my life--for encouraging me to put on those overalls and do the work.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Katz
I stumbled upon these boards a freshman in high school when I was 14--a kid known by no one numismatic except for my local dealer. I joined immediately, and have been posting ever since--I'm now 18 and a freshman in college. Without a doubt, these boards are the reason I am the collector I am today. Around 8th grade, I was just getting back into coins, after dabbling lightly through middle school as I didn't have the money to buy the coins I wanted. When I came to these boards, I was exposed to many coins I could only dream of holding, much less owning. I came hoping to learn, and that is just what I did. I've taken as much knowledge as I could, and I hope I've given at least some of it back over the years, for what good is knowing something if it can't be shared?
Soon after joining, TomB first sent me a PM telling me about a show he set up at that was local to me. The first time I went I couldn't drive, nor could I stay long. That was my first coin show, and I went to Parsippany sporadically until my Sunday mornings freed up and I got a driver's license. From then on, I was a regular. New coins, new people. The show environment was great for me. This led to the larger GSNA show, and ultimately the Baltimore ANA in 2003. I've since gone to the SF ANA this past summer, the Baltimore show in March and August, and will be at FUN in January. Before I came to the boards, I never knew these shows existed. Now I'm as regular as my schedule and budget permits.
More importantly, though, are the people I've met on these boards. I have met many members in person, and have become friends with many more, both those whom I've met and those with whom I've only exchanged emails. These friends have led to the acquisitions and sales of many great pieces--many of which highlights of my collection past or present--as well a huge increase in knowledge about coins, whether about coins in general or the business of coin dealing. I have been given the opportunity to do some part time, as well as full time work, all through the people I've met on these boards. I've also become active with the ANA, attending the Summer Seminar for the past three years, and giving two talks this summer, all because of the encouragement to apply for a scholarship given to me on these boards.
Most important, however, is the profound impact these boards have had on my life. As many may know, the person who made me an "airplanenut" was my grandfather, who passed away in February of 2000, when I was in seventh grade. In 10th grade, upon completing a research project on pancreatic cancer, which took his life, I wanted to find a way to donate to a pancreatic cancer research charity--the researchers based where he was being treated. With the support and encouragement of the board members, I held an auction featuring 86 lots, each of which generously donated. When sold, they raised $1700. All of this was done with my parents not knowing what I was doing until it was nearly over. This first auction led to three more, which combined have raised over $17,000. For this, I could not be more proud. There is no doubt that these auctions helped me with my success in college admissions this past spring, although that was not my intent--I simply wanted to do what I could for deserving causes when given the opportunity. So that leaves me where I am right now. I'm at the school that was my first choice for many years, and I'm studying aeronautical engineering and biomedical engineering--I'll either build a plane or cure a disease. Both of those tasks will require hard work, but these auctions have shown me what comes from hard work--the joy and pride in doing a good job.
So for all of this, I must thank the outstanding members of this message board. You've helped me learn, and you've helped me teach. You've helped me become the collector I am. And most importantly, you've helped to teach me the rewards of hard work, and the truth in the idea that there is no better reward for helping others than the satisfaction you yourself receive. My senior quote was "Most people miss opportunity because it's dressed in overalls and looks like work," said by Thomas Alva Edison. Thank you to everyone for helping me see the opportunities available to me in all aspects of my life--for encouraging me to put on those overalls and do the work.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Katz
JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
0
Comments
U.S. Nickels Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes
U.S. Dimes Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes
I joined a few months before my 14th birthday,and these boards are one of the best things that happend to me.You all are some of the best.
Good luck Jeremy with the rest of your adventure with coins!
-Hayden
Jeremy - well said / written.
Gene
Life member #369 of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association
Member of Canadian Association of Token Collectors
Collector of:
Canadian coins and pre-confederation tokens
Darkside proof/mint sets dated 1960
My Ebay
<< <i>(I still remember that buffalo nickel.
This wouldn't happen to be that MONSTER NGC MS67* that you had at the ANA would it be??? I remember I
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
Wonderful post - hurry and finish college so we can complete the "Adoption"
Shouldn't you be studying for finals??
“It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.” Mark Twain
Newmismatist
You are a fine young person, and i'm sure your Parents are very proud of you.
You have brought great things to this hobby and i for one am very thankful for your contributions.
You will go very far in this world, and i am privilaged to have been given the opportunity to have been here to witness your evolution into the fine young Man you've become.
A little mushy, i know, but you deserve the praise Dude !
Keep up the great work. You get a 5 Star Rating from me.
Dave
Herb
Connor Numismatics Website
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
WS
I've really enjoyed reading your posts, and want to congratulate you.
Now, go out and GET A LIFE!
Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1
Keep your options open. You're too smart to become a coin dealer
Now that you are in college, you need to match that number in beers
Cheers
collections: Maryland related coins & exonumia, 7070 Type set, and Video Arcade Tokens.
The Low Budget Y2K Registry Set
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Thanks for your contributions to this forum!
09/07/2006
Cool post Jeremy. I am kidding about the girls.... but I am serious about the COINS
From reading your post, I think your own family probably instilled much more than these boards... you sound well rounded, but...there are good , honest, hard working people here, too. Thanks for sharing !
Joe
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
By the way, didn't your folks ever tell you to watch out for internet strangers?
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
The Ludlow Brilliant Collection (1938-64)
Congrats on your 15K and good luck in school...
You will go far!!!
I promise to read your post later tonight. It has been a pleasure to have met you several times and enjoyed your presence.
">"http://www.cashcrate.com/5663377"