A Pep Talk About Errors And Varieties...

"And yes...I am a professional teacher (computer science). I have taught in two colleges, and teach numismatics at the ANA Summer Seminar every year."

Oh! I thought you just slept at a Holiday Inn last night. ;D

I think you are great--your experience and knowledge base are one of the big reasons this community thrives. I think you've come to realize over the course of time that your expert position does actually bring with it some responsibility in shepherding the innocent or accidental hobbyist into becoming the discriminating collector of the future.

Your message may be lost on some, but the fact that you continue to provide it in whatever form is extraordinarily valuable to those who choose to listen.

Thanks for all your insights.

If I might be so blunt--I'd know a lot less about Lincoln errors and varieties without your contributions here.
Your gift of knowledge to our forums has been invaluable.

Regarding beginners and damaged coins, it would be very useful to have a post which showcases the common array of damaged coins that are mistaken for real varieties/errors. I imagine a lot of collectors see something and simply get excited because there is no definitive reference for the damaged stuff. It's an understandable response when error books and Web sites focus on real errors/varieties, and collectors look for anything which resembles those coins. Hence the ongoing discussion of MD coins. To that end, I do recall some very nice comparison photos of doubled dies vs. MD.

As defense of our forums here and beginners everywhere, I've noticed a general openness of collectors to learn, with less certitude of opinion here based on wrong information. A little information can be a dangerous thing if you base your whole mindset upon it--in any discipline. Because of this, I'm rather skeptical of my own opinions so I'll continue to weed out wrong concepts I may have about errors and varieties. Several forums I know simply do not have the benefit of your expertise--which makes your contributions here all the more noteworthy, despite the ongoing noobish questions.

Happy Holidays to you Chuck and everyone here!

It's a rare person who freely admits when he/she is wrong... or keep silent because they are not entirely sure or can't find the source to quote or that they remember.

Even rarer is someone who simply states a fact without judging. There's a big distinction there that few see (or read).

Chuck, simply, you're an asset here.. a big one. I'm already blaming you for my very-full list of bookmarks on my browser.. Merry Christmas, and we look forward to reading more of your expertise in '09




hmm.. is it just us grunts who know that tell-it-how-it-is-and-don't-take-prisoners attitude?! Maybe we should ask Forum Mom & Dad to make a coin boot-camp section

Hi Chuck,

Happy Holidays! Have a GREAT 2009!

Everyone needs to go out to their favorite X-Mart....buy one of those $3.98 picture frames....then print Chuck's first post.....then frame it...finally...hang it up in a prominent location....

There is actually a philosophy in that post that allows us all to get a better idea as to just who Chuck is.

Chuck, we all learn from you!

Have Fun, My Friend!

Bill

I don't think I could begin to quantify the amount of knowledge that I have learned from this forum. And a good amount of it from coppercoins. I appreciate the time you must spend answering all that you do, and the frustration you must feel sometimes answering the same questions over and over. But then that is what teachers do. I am just glad that you choose to share.
Thank you!

*bump* for those who haven't seen this.

Coppercoins, thanks for posting this topic, and thank you for all the knowledge you share with us here.

What a great forum I am already learning a lot. Thanks coppercoins for telling it the way it is. You've ID'd a couple of my posts. I'd rather have the caustic truth than a sugar coated lie. Just kidding. You're actually very diplomatic. Keep up the good posts.