How do you tell people about numismatics if you're afraid they might rob you if they find out you co

notlogical · March 28, 2008 10:08AM

I've been the only YN (well, my 6 year old sister is too but she doesn't really count) in the Omaha Coin Club for the last 3 years. I want to tell other kids and people about coins and the club but then I read what people write here about being afraid that people will find out they collect coins and then get robbed or something. How can the hobby grow if we don't or can't tell any body about it? Is there a safe way to do it?

morgansforever · March 28, 2008 10:12AM

I don't tell anyone anything, best policy.

rgCoinGuy · March 28, 2008 10:12AM

You don't have to talk about how much things are worth, or that you (especially as a YN, who wouldn't necessarily have high dollar coins) have high value coins, talk about how interesting it would be if when you are older you COULD (as an example). Basically, what I am saying, is numismatics isn't about what you own, but owning what you can and learning. Just my two cents.

Edited to add, obviously you also want to know who you are talking about your hobby too, but in a general sense, as long as you don't have to brag about what you own, as a YN, I don't see the harm in talking about it to your friends, people you wouldn't mind sharing other personal information with especially.

adamlaneus · March 28, 2008 10:14AM

Collect guns as well and talk about them too.

There have been "gold & guns" threads on this forum. They seem to go together.

LindeDad · March 28, 2008 10:15AM

Be sure and mention that dad has this box at the bank that you keep your nice stuff in.
And be sure your telling the truth.
That is a hint to all.

Longacre · March 28, 2008 10:16AM

<< (well, my 6 year old sister is too but she doesn't really count) >>

I know you didn't write this in a mean-spirited way, but I just found the statement hilarious.

notlogical · March 28, 2008 10:18AM

But from things I've read some people make it sound like it doesn't matter how much your coins are worth because crooks just hear "coins" and that could get you (and my family and stuff) in trouble?

notlogical · March 28, 2008 10:19AM

<< 

<< (well, my 6 year old sister is too but she doesn't really count) >>

I know you didn't write this in a mean-spirited way, but I just found the statement hilarious.

>>

She just sits there and colors and stuff.

curly · March 28, 2008 10:20AM

Since I've been collecting since 1964, everyone I know knows that I collect. I'm also a history buff and I tell them that coins are a way that I connect to the past. Value is not a subject that I bring up though. I think that telling people what you paid for a coin is somewhat akin to bragging and therefore unattractive.

Cam40 · March 28, 2008 10:21AM

thats a good idea if your going to discuss coins with just anyone.
emphasize the importance of keeping your valuables in a very safe place
such as a bank box,etc

rgCoinGuy · March 28, 2008 10:23AM

Don't listen to all the doomsday threads. You do have to protect yourself and be smart, and I don't know if you live on 8 mile in Detroit next to where Eminem grew up ( I assume not), but there are bad people out there, and there are a lot more good people out there. You just have to learn who you can talk to and who not to according to your circumstances. This would be a better conversation with your dad than a forum because it is more of a personal question.

moonshine · March 28, 2008 10:24AM

here is something to take with you throughout the rest of your years - you should always remember it:

Trust the Mirror.

cladking · March 28, 2008 10:25AM

...layers of security. And never talk about their specifics.

Make sure your family knows about the danger and don't keep a safe. Keep
your coins in a safety deposit box and make sure you mention it everytime you
mention valuable coins to someone you don't know well (or even if they're close).
Avoid talking about coins you own unless it's relevant. You can talk coins all day
and never get a thief's attention if he doesn't think you have any.

There are many common sense things you can do. Don't get coin related mail
where you live even if you have no coins in the house. Don't advertise that you're
a collector by being seen with coin papers or coin related material.

I find myself talking coins a lot. That's probably not surprising.

FilthyBroke · March 28, 2008 10:26AM

<< But from things I've read some people make it sound like it doesn't matter how much your coins are worth because crooks just hear "coins" and that could get you (and my family and stuff) in trouble? >>

Honestly, if it's not coins it would be something else with some people. I wouldn't worry too much about it, though. Have you discussed your concerns with your family?

rgCoinGuy · March 28, 2008 10:28AM

And for my third answer to the same question

How do you tell people about numismatics if you're afraid they might rob you if they find out you collect?

If you are afraid they might rob you, do not tell them.

RedTiger · March 28, 2008 10:30AM

I've become much more cautious in the past few years. I've read too many stories on the forum. I avoid telling folks how much coins cost. If they ask, I tell them a few dollars. I never talk about how much my total collection might be worth. This isn't fool proof and some will still hear the word "coins" and think "payday." Still, better than going around bragging about high value items to strangers and acquaintances.

For a young person, the bulls eye is probably not as big, though teenagers are often tempted by opportunity. This means hiding coins from public display when having large groups over. It is too tempting for some. This is probably not as big a problem in Nebraska as it would be in a big city. Though, I think it is better to be err on the side of caution, rather than foolishness.

crispy · March 28, 2008 10:39AM

<< Don't listen to all the doomsday threads. You do have to protect yourself and be smart, and I don't know if you live on 8 mile in Detroit next to where Eminem grew up ( I assume not), but there are bad people out there, and there are a lot more good people out there. You just have to learn who you can talk to and who not to according to your circumstances. This would be a better conversation with your dad than a forum because it is more of a personal question.

>>

This is wise advise from rgCoinGuy. Know who you can talk to about it.

CoinHusker · March 28, 2008 10:52AM

<< 

<< 

<< (well, my 6 year old sister is too but she doesn't really count) >>

I know you didn't write this in a mean-spirited way, but I just found the statement hilarious.

>>

She just sits there and colors and stuff.

>>

OK, I need to defend the "princess" here. She's picking up more than her accomplished brother lets on.

Last week for school she had to look at a coin under a magnifying glass for some reason and her first words were, "Look! It's starting to tone!" I kid you not.

derryb · March 28, 2008 10:55AM

<< How do you tell people about numismatics if you're afraid they might rob you if they find out you collect? >>

I'd hang out with a better crowd. Seriously, I'd always include a little statement that has to do with having to go to the safety deposit box at the bank everytime you find a coin you want to keep.

SkyMan · March 28, 2008 2:40PM

I assume you travel in cars. You know that is statistically the most dangerous thing you will do on a consistent basis in your life. Yet you do it probably every day... And how do you do it? You take basic precautions to minimize the risk, like wearing a safety belt and things of that nature.

IMO a lot of the people on these boards are INCREDIBLY paranoid. If you want to talk to new people about coin collecting take basic precautions, like not telling sketchy people that you collect, or walking down a dark alley with a bag of coins chinking by your side after you've gone to a club meeting. If you worry about all the bad things that might go wrong (and this holds true for life in general) you will miss many, if not most, of the good things that can happen, such as meeting new friends or feeling the accomplishment of turning someone else on to coins. Remember, most people aren't going to break and enter your house, or hold you up for your coins. Yes, sh1t does happen, but not nearly as often as the people who live in fear would have you believe.

gecko109 · March 28, 2008 2:51PM

<< I assume you travel in cars. You know that is statistically the most dangerous thing you will do on a consistent basis in your life. Yet you do it probably every day... And how do you do it? You take basic precautions to minimize the risk, like wearing a safety belt and things of that nature.

IMO a lot of the people on these boards are INCREDIBLY paranoid. If you want to talk to new people about coin collecting take basic precautions, like not telling sketchy people that you collect, or walking down a dark alley with a bag of coins chinking by your side after you've gone to a club meeting. If you worry about all the bad things that might go wrong (and this holds true for life in general) you will miss many, if not most, of the good things that can happen, such as meeting new friends or feeling the accomplishment of turning someone else on to coins. Remember, most people aren't going to break and enter your house, or hold you up for your coins. Yes, sh1t does happen, but not nearly as often as the people who live in fear would have you believe. >>

Best response so far!

notlogical · March 28, 2008 10:39PM

Thanks every body. What kind of hobby would it be if you had to hide it from everyone?

jmski52 · March 28, 2008 11:21PM

OK, I need to defend the "princess" here. She's picking up more than her accomplished brother lets on. Last week for school she had to look at a coin under a magnifying glass for some reason and her first words were, "Look! It's starting to tone!" I kid you not.

For the toner fan:

notlogical, we all make mistakes - and one mistake would be to talk about coins with someone that you have misgivings about. No need to be paranoid, but certainly you should always keep your antenna on "alert".

roadrunner · March 29, 2008 12:16AM

How do you tell people about numismatics if you're afraid they might rob you if they find out you collect?

You should have more concern about the seller "robbing" you. The odds of being ripped off by someone else is signficantly less. Most of the robbing occurs as you leave the seller's establishment, or on ebay, or whatever your method of buying is. I'd invoke a 90% axiom here, but I'd say it's more like 99% (to be more leery of the seller than an acquaintence).

roadrunner

planetsteve · March 29, 2008 12:20AM

I always thought that talking about the hobby of coin collecting would be more of a third-date confession than anything else.

tahoe98 · March 29, 2008 1:57AM

i think you should talk about a hobby that interests you and others. i think it's good to embelish things a bit also. for example talking about a pistol that you may or may not have

handy at your disposal and of the cleverly hidden surveillence cameras and alarms through out your property!

should be embellish

How do you tell people about numismatics if you're afraid they might rob you if they find out you co

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