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 Replies: 23 / Views: 2,180 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1713 Posts |
Don't clean your coins.
I'll second jbuck and repeat: read all you can. Don't buy uninformed.
Beware of basement slabbers.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1415 Posts |
Don't let the significant other know how much time or money you spend at your hobby!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
Quote:
Don't let the significant other know how much time or money you spend at your hobby  Ahhhhhh.....there's sooooo much wisdom on this page !....  Of course I agree with everything.....read, listen, be frugal and choosy. Specifically, I'd like someone to post some quick easy "detailed" advice on spotting "Cleaned Coins".....counterfeits is another matter, but if one wants to avoid "cleaned coins" ......good tips posted right here in this thread would be great !...... There was an antique shop guy doing this and telling me about his experimentations and how they look so much nicer (well he's just going to increase his profits on unaware people is what he's doing) And it just bothered me that he's sitting there at home every night "cleaning" up hundreds/thousands of coins. I told him that some people (me) would avoid buying "cleaned coins" like the Plague....and he said yeah, but a lot of people like em' becauese they look better too.......(!) So, when the girlfriend and I visit that old historical town to ride the horse and buggy and go in all the shops and enjoy the town festivals.......I MAY NOT BE GOING IN THIS PARTICULAR ANTIQUE SHOP ANYMORE ! Quote:
In a couple of sentences can you post some bit of advice which might be of assistance to collectors in this day and age? Sorry Bonedigger !.. It's hard to get me down to one or two sentences when I've got sompin' to say !...  ......but hey....it's a little "story" "learning experience" for me !... Edited by eaglefoot
08/08/2008 08:45 am
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Pillar of the Community
Poland
3201 Posts |
NO: 1. If you doubt if the coin is original or good enough for your collection, don't buy it. 2. Read the auction description carefully. Take a good look at the photo, ask for better resolution if possible. 3. Don't buy a coin having only a blurry photo or with no photo. No photo + a statement "UNC" in the description may mean you'll get anything between VF and AU, but never a real UNC. 4. Know your dealer's level of knowledge regarding the coins you collect YES: 1. Look at as many coins as possible (even if you don't collect this particular type), ask questions. The knowledge you gain this way becomes really useful. 2. Look carefully. Even at change. However rarely, interesting coins may be found. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
Do ... a self-assessment of your reasons for being in the hobby (OCD, personal fullfilment, profit, etc.) and set goals for yourself based on this self-assessment. Don't ... Not know why you're doing this! It will bring financial ruin and no satisfaction. The offerings of others here will apply differently based on your self-assessment. My self-assessment revealed that I have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) for accumulating things, a need for fullfilment, and I want to turn a buck now and then ... i.e., I'm a lost cause.  |
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Moderator
 United States
188770 Posts |
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At coin shows, skip most stuff under the glass case where the dealer sits, but look closely at the "unimportant" coins off to the side.
Absolutely! I find that I can park myself in front of the collection of albums or bulk coins off to the side. No one bothers me; I can take my time and find something special!  Quote:
Here's an off the top of my head Top 10: Great advice, HABIB! I agree with everything! Except maybe the second part of #4. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1267 Posts |
Great ideas everyone... Quote:
Sorry Bonedigger !.. It's hard to get me down to one or two sentences when I've got sompin' to say !.........but hey....it's a little "story" "learning experience" for me !... That's Okay Buddy, let it out, LOL... |
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Valued Member
United States
429 Posts |
DO: Pick a certain coin/note and learn everything you can about it. By doing this it will be tougher to be taken advantage of and easier to identify certain aspects others may not see as easily. DON'T: Think you are the professional, others will always have more information than you and can help out in a lot of situations. DO: Set a budget and keep to it. Do what others have suggested by buying supplies and books as well. DON'T: Buy the cheapest supplies for higher coins and expensive supplies for cheap coins. Along with the coins you buy there is a happy medium for the supplies you buy and not every coin needs a holder. DO: Look at a variety of different coins/notes and buy some now and then to slowly add to your collection and knowledge. DON'T: Buy the first thing you see and for the price it is listed at, most likely it is overpriced and set out for someone to make an impulse buy without thinking. DO: Look at the Internet and online stores for coins and supplies, there are a ton of places to buy from and you can easily add to your collection. DON'T: Buy without doing research again. This site is a great asset and has many helpful links of where to go and who not to buy from. DO: Use ebay to buy cheaper coins, fillers, a new piece or a great bargain. By watching the bidding and timing you can pick up some great deals and can get something better than you were hoping on. DON'T: Buy a slabbed coin that is NOT one of the major companies, most of the slabbed stuff out there is by people in their basement using names, packaging and colors to look like PCGS and others. If these people were so good at grading they would work for one of these companies and not trying to pass off eye appeal for MS70, which reminds me, NO ONE has every coin for sale at MS70, this should be the first flag. Also check feedback, what they have bought, items they are selling and especially the shipping and insurance because if they do not insure then it also shows they know nothing about coins and don't care if you ever get it. Someone that takes the hobby seriously will do everything in their power to wrap, package and insure a piece to make sure you receive it. DO: Have fun. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
533 Posts |
NEVER buy something from HSN, Shop-at-Home, QVC, or any of their ilk.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
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NEVER buy something from HSN, Shop-at-Home, QVC, or any of their ilk.  That should've been mentioned FIRST !!.... |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
IN addition to what was said by MorganNoob, be skeptical about companies that advertise coins in coin magazines. Sometimes they REALLY overcharge but make it seem that they are giving everyone one heck of a deal.
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Valued Member
United States
226 Posts |
This is why I love CCF Appears to be thousands of years of coin collecting experience  and I learn something every time I log in. Thanks Bonedigger for a great thread. |
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Rest in Peace
Australia
661 Posts |
Whilst reading this and listening to Willie Nelson at the same time, I have come to the conclusion that this is probably the finest thread that I have ever read on CCF.
The depth of thought and reason are compelling and sincere.
regards,
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Don't continue to collect coins. Your taking to many out of circulation making the Mint work more and we are paying for it in our taxes Do take what coins you have accumulated so far and send to me. This will make things easier for you with less to worry about. However, basically if you insist on maintaining this hobby, then print out all the post on this subject so far, continue collecting more of the same, produce a booklet on the subject, make lots of money, buy more coins. Now wasn't that easy? The main thing in reality is to just do what you think is the right thing to do when it comes to coins. Naturally a decent amount of education on this or any hobby would be advantageous. One thing is to save on buying a lot of books, magazines, pamphlets on coins just ask here. You'll get an answer and it's free. Use the extra money saved on buying more coins. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
It's better to overpay for a nice coin than to get a bargain on a junk piece, long haul.
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Replies: 23 / Views: 2,180 |
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First Page
Posted 08/08/2008 08:22 am
