Has numismatic nomenclature gone nuts??

nankraut · February 20, 2007 9:05PM

Maybe I'm in the minority here....but I am really put off by coins being described as "eye candy, monster, screamer", ad nauseum. I think it's crude and inappropriate. Do you really think describing a beautiful, rare coin in this way makes it easier to sell? I don't think so. People outside of this wonderful hobby must scratch their heads when they read these types of descriptions.

As an analogy---my lovely bride of 50yr and I recently went out dining at a nice (not snobbish or expensive) restaurant. The waiter greeted us with "and how are you guys this evening?" I guess we hadn't realized that we were "guys".
What do you think??

fivecents · February 20, 2007 9:09PM

<< What do you think?? >>

I think you should stop sweating the small stuff...life is too short.

BAJJERFAN · February 20, 2007 9:14PM

<< "and how are you guys this evening?" >>

Probably just a figure of speech or force of habit; not everyone thinks well on their feet esp on short notice. If that was their full time concern I could understand your disdain. As for eye candy I suppose eye appeal might be better, but many coins have that. Smoehow exceptional eye appeal or truly exceptional eye appeal can get to be a little dry after awhile.

RegistryCoin · February 20, 2007 9:25PM

<< coins being described as "eye candy, monster, screamer", ad nauseum. I think it's crude and inappropriate. >>

I'm not sure about inappropriate, but crude may be correct for me. Words like these, to me, describe the user more than anything, who is probably doing something inappropriate, either by over-stating an obvious, or hiding something perhaps less obvious. In a world where "bad" means "good" and "I'm down for it" means what used to be "I'm up for it", it seems that more often than not, words like you've mentioned mean keep a watchful eye.

Preussen · February 20, 2007 9:32PM

<< Maybe I'm in the minority here....but I am really put off by coins being described as "eye candy, monster, screamer", ad nauseum. I think it's crude and inappropriate. Do you really think describing a beautiful, rare coin in this way makes it easier to sell? I don't think so. People outside of this wonderful hobby must scratch their heads when they read these types of descriptions.

As an analogy---my lovely bride of 50yr and I recently went out dining at a nice (not snobbish or expensive) restaurant. The waiter greeted us with "and how are you guys this evening?" I guess we hadn't realized that we were "guys".
What do you think??

>>

I tend to agree with you. The terms you mention make me a bit ill, but hearing or reading “top pop” absolutely makes me want to vomit

-Preussen

RegistryCoin · February 20, 2007 9:37PM

<< The terms you mention make me a bit ill, but hearing or reading “top pop” absolutely makes me want to vomit >>

I hear ya, or I know where yer comin' from. Dave's got it bass-ackwards. It absolutely positively should be "pop top".

jmski52 · February 20, 2007 9:46PM

In a world where "bad" means "good" and "I'm down for it" means what used to be "I'm up for it",

Just think of this in terms of: you are now living in the "Bizzarro World."

We all wish for the familiar, and it's been changing for some time.

I still think that numerical grading and slabbing leave alot to be desired, too.

PerryHall · February 20, 2007 10:05PM

<< Maybe I'm in the minority here....but I am really put off by coins being described as "eye candy, monster, screamer", ad nauseum. >>

How else are you going to describe a godzilla coin?

410a · February 20, 2007 10:31PM

The one thing I HATE is creamy when describing luster. While I am at it "life is too short"???????????????? Yeah, Right it is! So, don't subject people to a constant HUSTLE is a world of people who take something serious like Numismatics and 300 to 300,000 dollar coins.

ah, I feel so much better thank you.

kmcoin · February 20, 2007 10:42PM

<< Maybe I'm in the minority here....but I am really put off by coins being described as "eye candy, monster, screamer", ad nauseum. >>

I agree. Makes you wonder how the seller views the buyer.

"Hey you....old man (with the understanding of a 10 year old)...want a monster, screamer, eye candy...CRISP AND TASTY coin?"

garsmith · February 20, 2007 10:54PM

<<The waiter greeted us with "and how are you guys this evening?" I guess we hadn't realized that we were "guys".
What do you think??>>

Maybe next time one of you should wear a dress!

notwilight · February 20, 2007 11:09PM

I wouldn't call that nomenclature...more slang...and most of it isn't coin specific but terms brought from non-numismatic venues, often by younger, "hipper" people,and often eagerly adopted by those hyping a coin for sale...it doen't bother me but I don't use such terms and basicly ignore them. When a coin is called "monster" that tells me that the owner's description is worthless and I start with a blank slate forming my own opinion.

As for the other point, I often use the masculine when referring to mixed groups--I think I picked this up studying french in high school since that is the rule in that language.

WinPitcher · February 20, 2007 11:48PM

I don't know what 'nomenclature' means. So i guess my answer (to be safe) is No.

Steve

ricko · February 20, 2007 11:56PM

I tend to 'walk on by' when terminology such as that is employed... I liken it to 'midway hawkers' of times past... same genre, different wares and 'hooks'...

Cheers, RickO

LanLord · February 21, 2007 12:20AM

This what you mean?

shirohniichan · February 21, 2007 2:41AM

I agree with you, and I think the cause is laziness in learning the English language. There are many better adjectives available, but instead of searching for a precise one to describe what we wish to express we take the easy way out and use popular slang terms.

The reason why you and your wife were addressed as "you guys" is because we live in a hyper-casual America. My wife and I went out for dinner two weeks ago and found that few people bothered to dress nicely. In fact, the only other ones who were dressed above casual (e.g. shorts and T-shirts) were 5 or 6 people in their late 20s/ early 30s. People go to church and temple dressed as if they were going to the beach, and it is accepted as "normal".

AU58WALKERS · February 21, 2007 2:52AM

"WOW! VERY RARE, FRESH, UNDERGRADED, ORIGINAL THICK SKIN, EYE CANDY form an estate sale at a old farm. Belonged to GRANDFATHER!"

options26 · February 21, 2007 2:59AM

I agree, just describe the coin as it is in hand with nothing else. Tell me every little mark you see and what colors you see, and thats it. Thanks for letting me vent.

Oh yeah, provide a big picture also, none of those fuzzy pics from 10 feet back because I feel your trying to hide something.

ElKevvo · February 21, 2007 4:11AM

An attempt at marketing really I think...funny thing is I ignore coins that are described as such 'cause usually they come with a hyped up price also.

K

nankraut · February 21, 2007 8:21AM

Thank you, everyone, for your comments. I will try to be more "hip" from now on. (But my hip hurts sometimes)

sonoranmonsoon · February 21, 2007 11:12AM

All that stuff is simply background noise......simply look at the pics, and make sure there is a liberal return policy.

Writersblock · February 22, 2007 7:51AM

<< The waiter greeted us with "and how are you guys this evening?" I guess we hadn't realized that we were "guys".
What do you think?? >>

I'd have said to him "We're doing just fine Ma'am."

shirohniichan · February 22, 2007 8:37AM

<< Thank you, everyone, for your comments. I will try to be more "hip" from now on. (But my hip hurts sometimes)

>>

Don't try to be hip!

I don't mind being an anachronism, and I encourage you to continue to use decent English.

Has numismatic nomenclature gone nuts??

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