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Posted 02/23/2011 10:46 am
Kingz If you like them - that is really all that counts. You are not a coin dealer.
There are two different mind sets today. Making money and the Love of the coins themselves. I fall primarily into the latter category given that I collect counterfeit and altered coins most people consider to be worthless. But that is a different story.
I have been collecting since the mid 1950s so I have seen the transition from "Numismatist" to "Speculative Investor" happen. I remember when Uncirculated had only two grades UNC and BU. There was no Sheldon scale and no STUPIDLY high prices for rarities created by the rating scale. I never cared for Unc coins anyway - I always liked a nice VF or EF it had circulated and the toning made the details stand out - EYE APPEAL was important not technical grade. Coins that look like they were made yesterday could have been made yesterday but a beautiful original patina seen on a 200 year old silver coin that has circulated lightly is impossible to duplicate.
Yesterday, I went to Burger King and paid with Dollar coins ( Eisenhower dollars). The little girl at the counter didn't know they were money and had to check with the manager before she accepted them. I think they will disappear now. GOOD. Maybe they will go home and get a new collector interested. So were they worthless?
People need to collect coins for the joy of collecting and LEARNING about history not always just to make a buck.
Before anyone has a hissy fit - I have also spent years working for and as a dealer so I do understand the market place. Dealers do have a place, but in my heart (not my head) I do echo the sentiment of palaniappan who wants to save history. These coins will never be made again and should be preserved by people that love them.
There are two different mind sets today. Making money and the Love of the coins themselves. I fall primarily into the latter category given that I collect counterfeit and altered coins most people consider to be worthless. But that is a different story.
I have been collecting since the mid 1950s so I have seen the transition from "Numismatist" to "Speculative Investor" happen. I remember when Uncirculated had only two grades UNC and BU. There was no Sheldon scale and no STUPIDLY high prices for rarities created by the rating scale. I never cared for Unc coins anyway - I always liked a nice VF or EF it had circulated and the toning made the details stand out - EYE APPEAL was important not technical grade. Coins that look like they were made yesterday could have been made yesterday but a beautiful original patina seen on a 200 year old silver coin that has circulated lightly is impossible to duplicate.
Yesterday, I went to Burger King and paid with Dollar coins ( Eisenhower dollars). The little girl at the counter didn't know they were money and had to check with the manager before she accepted them. I think they will disappear now. GOOD. Maybe they will go home and get a new collector interested. So were they worthless?
People need to collect coins for the joy of collecting and LEARNING about history not always just to make a buck.
Before anyone has a hissy fit - I have also spent years working for and as a dealer so I do understand the market place. Dealers do have a place, but in my heart (not my head) I do echo the sentiment of palaniappan who wants to save history. These coins will never be made again and should be preserved by people that love them.
Back when they made attractive coins both US and Foreign.
