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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,585 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7629 Posts |
I didn't get in on the other thread to speak for myself before it was locked, so I shall give my answer here, in a new thread, so it can be examined by all.
There is no such thing as a "top expert." - We all have our areas of study and our areas where we excel, but those of us considered "experts" by many work together to find and publish information to those who want to see it. James Wiles and I have spent an entire week together talking about varieties and how to better the collecting base as a whole. Ken Potter and John Wexler do their fair share of publishing and have been doing so for decades - before collecting varieties was even the "in" thing. J.T. Stanton, Bill Fivaz, and myself have worked together on projects. I have worked on other projects with Dave Camire, Rich Schemmer, and Fred Weinberg. I've known Mike Diamond for years, and he is always giving of his information and shares alike with any of the other error experts.
Basically all these people are the "top experts" because all of them have given of themselves to further this hobby, and publish well planned, accurate information for all of the collecting whole to read and use. We just have different methodologies and different sources. None of us are any better than the other as people per-se, so why "rank" us?
Just be appreciative we exist and we have done our fair share to expose the world of collecting to those interested in it. None of us want to be ranked, and none of us are slitting each others' throats in competition - so don't paint us with that brush. We would appreciate it.
Thank you very much.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
7096 Posts |
It's called "the tall poppy syndrome". Its weird, some people just have to try and "knock" those individuals ( like yourself) that have excelled in a particular area of expertise. I have another word for it .....Jealousy. You and all the other people that you have mentioned would have spent years and years studying numismatics and providing Invaluable information to all. All should be mutually highly respected and not RANKED. Crikey, what is this numismatics or tennis  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7629 Posts |
There are many others who are not mentioned above and should be in their own right as collector/hobbyists who brought the die variety and error collecting "bug" to the forefront. Mike Ellis, Lee Gong, Gary Wagnon, Paul Funiaole, Alan Herbert, Lonesome John, and Frank Baumann just to name very few. This hobby is rich with history and information - no need to create competition where it isn't happening.
Oddly enough the first mentor I ever had in die variety collecting, John Wexler, is the only person in the group mentioned in my previous post whom I have never had the opportunity to talk to in person.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3640 Posts |
Very well stated.
The list of names is almost endless also.
Overton,Snow,Van Allen,Mallis etc.,etc.,etc.
All of these named in this post have dedicated most of their
lives to numismatics and deserve a great deal of credit.
Millions have profited through their study and knowledge.
Not just monetarily but educationally etc. I know I have and
thanks a million you guys.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4897 Posts |
 Swiatec, Breen, Newcomb...ad naseum. We should all be glad these people like to share their knowledge. Edited by amida17
07/06/2012 8:00 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2624 Posts |
Quote:
coppercoins:Oddly enough the first mentor I ever had in die variety collecting, John Wexler, I mentioned this before but it fits here;Mr.Wexler's "The RPM Book" was the first reference book I purchased back in the '80's. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1796 Posts |
Every time two experts come together they each learn something new that the other thought was elementary.
This is how it is in every field. :-)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5832 Posts |
For me, I am an idealist, if I can learned from either a novice or expert the better I be. No need to grade individuals.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
808 Posts |
Amen! And many thanks to all above!!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3592 Posts |
Thanks for putting it into words for me Chuck. I'm the one that started the mess with a simple statement. And keep in mind "Top Expert " was not put in the term "The Top Expert"...we all have our favorites and you will continue to be mine....like it or not  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
608 Posts |
I as a novice is very appreciative of all the members here who comment on my posts. This is how I learn. I don't place titles on any. For, at one time everyone was a novice. Knowledge is never ending.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2651 Posts |
I can not tell you who the "Top Expert" is....I can tell you who he isn't.... ME! lol....but I'm learning every day so watch out!
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Valued Member
United States
161 Posts |
Confucius say - The one with the best opinion is the one that benefits us.
This may change from day to day.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7629 Posts |
I personally don't like the idea of offering "opinions" in a professional setting where "fact" is what people are seeking. The term "opinion" involves emotion, it involves the thought that there's really more than one right answer, and the answer you choose depends on what you like.
What we do here is offer solid facts (if we have them) based on an investigative experience into the evidence left behind by the minting process. There is no room for opinion - it's ALL based on solid fact. There is no chance that a coin could be one thing or "maybe" something else. It is what it is, and enough investigation will tell you 100% what the correct answer is.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2738 Posts |
Actually, when it comes to errors (and even some varieties), occasional ambiguity is unavoidable. In the most recent Coin World I point to some dubious die varieties (misplaced mintmarks, repunched dates, etc.) that experts can't agree on. There are plenty of errors that can be explained by more than one scenario. I agree that many calls are no-brainers, but some rest only on a preponderance of evidence and a weighing of relative probability. Error coin writer and researcher.
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,585 |
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Posted 07/06/2012 6:52 pm
