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 Replies: 17 / Views: 3,131 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
818 Posts |
I've thought about this for awhile, and I'm sure everyone else has at least once. How many of you are always thinking "so and so is always finding better stuff than me!"? I thought that today after getting skunked on coinstar, but to be honest, I think everyone should feel lucky for the numismatistic items they already have. So I'm gonna post several sentences below and you should think to yourself of the best thing you've found, whether CRHing or in circulation or coinstar, in that category. I'll put my examples in parenthesis. I've found pennies. (I found a 1936 LWC in a box that was left on the curb to be thrown out) I've found clad. (I get nickels and dimes and sometimes quarters off the floor of my school nearly every day; people my age don't care one bit about money) I've found silver. (I found 3 silver dimes in 1 day a few weeks ago, see my post under coinstar finds. I also got a 1964 half dollar out of the teller tray.) I've found paper money. (I found a 50 dollar bill in my school parking lot a few years ago.) I've found collectible paper money. (All were either from circulation or a bank teller, but I have a 1969 $1 bill and a small portrait $5.) I hope everyone else benefited from this, as it is a great way to think about things and the money collections you have found. |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
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How many of you are always thinking "so and so is always finding better stuff than me!"? Not I, because I'm the only arbiter of what's "better" for me and I can out-research you to find the stuff.  But that's only because the smart numismatist - like yourself - never stops looking even if he thinks he's in a place where there are no coins or no valuable coins. You're correct about that, if you're not looking. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1192 Posts |
Hm I found only clad at coinstars. However I did find $7 in clad under a machine last week and bought an partial ag 1917 silver walker half with it from a junk half box.. So it's kinda like I found silver ;).
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Rest in Peace
United States
4078 Posts |
Coincollector110 & Bertensgrad, I'm assuming both of you are a new collector and/or a young collector. Either way  . Looks like you both are starting a great quest. to look at and find coins. Quote:
Not I, because I'm the only arbiter of what's "better" for me and I can out-research you to find the stuff. Watch out for this guy, SsuperDdave he will nail you if you are wrong.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
None of this applies to me. I don't discuss coins, guns, knives or anything of value with anyone. And I've learned a long time ago, EVERYONE IS ALWAYS FINDING OR BUYING STUFF BETTER THAN ME.
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Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
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I think everyone should feel lucky for the numismatistic items they already have. It is especially helpful when I compare what I have now to what I wanted then.  |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
The only way instant gratification is possible in numismatics is if you're independently wealthy. The rest of us have to think in timespans of years and decades. And not even the rich can buy a coin that's not for sale at the moment.
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Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
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The rest of us have to think in timespans of years and decades. I agree. Case in point, my Dansco 7070. I started in in 1993 and I still have five holes left. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1192 Posts |
The only set I was able to put together in less of a year was a junk set of silver roosevelts. That took me a 9 months to find all the coins that way. I thought it was going to be a lot longer but dealers starting helping me by offering higher grade ones for the same price. I can't really touch most keys and semi keys so that's always a five year to ten year stretch.
I cherrypick most of my collection out of silver junk boxes and odd places. I may not have too many uncirculated coins but atleast my collections are definitely unique and I barely have anything invested over spot.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
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How many of you are always thinking "so and so is always finding better stuff than me!"? Actually this is depending on what they tell you. Things like this always remind me of a person I used to work with. He constantly bragged about how much money he made on the horse races. Then one day someone said Hey, I was there and you lost, lost, lost at almost every race. His answer was I only tell people about the ones I win you know. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1192 Posts |
I guess I don't care much about what others find jealousy but I don't put much time searching. Mostly I just look when I'm bored like while shopping with someone. Now I do get sad when I can't find much in a nickel box but I just count it as I only search a few boxes a month.
Edited by Bertensgrad
04/20/2015 5:37 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4809 Posts |
My Two Cents: Success (repeatable that is) in doing anything relates in part to a person's abilities and knowledge. Coin collecting included. Dependent on your approach to collecting, different abilities or theory might apply. Apply the wrong set of skills and theory, you might need to rely on luck. That's a recipe for disappointment. So how do you develop sustainable and repeatable success? Get smarter about your hobby and hone your coin collecting skills. Different approaches to coin collecting (e.g. buying coins vs. CRH) will require different theories and skills. Apply the right ones and optimize your outcomes (especially where your personal finances limit the options). Apply the wrong ones and you will have more disappointment (and expense). Set unrealistic expectations; even more disappointment. In short, if you consider your circumstances carefully and focus on optimizing your coin collecting process to your selected approach to the hobby, the results should take care of themselves (proportionately so). I also don't see the point in comparing your results to another member's. The situations will almost certainly be different (comparing apples with plastic cups). Instead, take the advice of our fellow enthusiasts above and appreciate your own successes. And delight in the successes of others while you refine your coin collecting theory and skills to improve your outcomes. Good luck fellow coin enthusiasts!! Try to enjoy the journey! . |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3692 Posts |
Murphy's Law can work for you if you do the right thing all the time. Keep searching! (and don't use this advice to gamble in the sense that you can't win if you don't play, lol gambling destroys) CC110, you're right, I've found amazing deals but only because my mind was trained on looking for them, like a N$10 peso 1993 for 50 cents CAD, or a 1925 and 1926 1 cent Canadian for 3 pesos MXN each. Everyone else didn't find them because they didn't dig and they didn't know to look for it, not even the dealers.
People are always finding amazing things, but I'm lucky I don't think like most people and I don't envy what they have; I make up my own style. Take from that what you want.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4809 Posts |
I think that's right. Several folks here leverage their knowledge routinely to 'make their luck'. End up with many nice coins. Cherrypicking or making bulk buys on the hunch there is something good in the mix separate them as accomplished hunter/gatherers. Savvy collectors will take note and learn the same skills and techniques.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7390 Posts |
Don't take this the wrong way but I seem to be one of those "lucky people". Things seem to either fall in my lap or seem to be etherealy presented to me at the right time. I have often pondered why me, what makes me special? So I have seen it from the prospective of the reverse. On the other hand, like a gambler, when lady luck has left you who knows how long her vacation will last or what gifts she brings back with her.
Edited by Cascade
04/21/2015 09:14 am
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Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
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I also don't see the point in comparing your results to another member's. The situations will almost certainly be different (comparing apples with plastic cups). Instead, take the advice of our fellow enthusiasts above and appreciate your own successes. And delight in the successes of others while you refine your coin collecting theory and skills to improve your outcomes. Good luck fellow coin enthusiasts!! Try to enjoy the journey! Well said. |
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Replies: 17 / Views: 3,131 |
Posted 04/19/2015 4:02 pm
