One Year And One Thousand Posts

It's taken me a year to post 1000 comments, and I'd like to take a few minutes to talk about some of the things I've learned while I've been using this forum.

First, the moderators of this forum really need to be commended for a first rate job of keeping this forum clean and on subject. Even if a post might differ from their opinions they don't lock a topic for that reason. In fact, about the only times I've seen a topic get locked is if it veers too far off the subject, usually into religion or politics. Additionally, the family friendly atmosphere that is completely without cussing or flame throwing is due, at least in part, to the moderators stopping those posts and warning the poster. It is a tribute to those who do that work that I can recommend my grandson and granddaughters to this site without hesitation.

Second, by the same token, the membership of these forums really is far superior to many forums I've participated with. Not only are the topics relevant, but the membership sticks to the topic presented. It is almost impossible to ask ANY question concerning numismatics or exonumics which won't be responded to with exact and precise answers - sometimes with entire "lessons" on a subject. Likewise, new posters who are only asking about something they found are treated with the same respect and are answered with considerable patience. I also have to say that there is hardly a day that I review the posts where I don't get a good old fashioned laugh, and not over something snide or inconsiderate, but from something that would probably only be considered humorous to us coin nuts.

Photographs, no matter how well presented, are often the reason we have somewhat strong debates over grading, condition, and authenticity. Suffice it to say that I've learned not to be too strong with my own opinion based on photos, as they are occasionally misleading. At the same time, I've learned a great deal about grading on individual types by the succinct comments left by other members. No matter how many coins I have or have seen, no matter the guides that I own and have read, there is nothing like an on-the-spot explanation as to why one collector sees a particular coin in a particular light. In at least a few cases (Indian and Lincoln cents, particularly) I've changed how I look at those types and what I look to see. I've acquired a much better education in grading and authenticating for my investment of a little time.

When it comes to grading, which is something we are presented with every day, many of the folks who are giving an opinion will also indicate their own level of knowledge before doing so. In other words, those who may not have much experience with grading Morgan dollars will preclude their statement of condition with that fact. There are a number of members who have honest expertise in a very lengthy list of coin types and it doesn't take long to recognize their proficiency. There are a few, in fact, that I consider every bit as good as the TPG's, and I watch their opinions closely. There are a very few members who seem to think that they need to express the lowest possible grade for every coin presented. Perhaps they think that by always being the lowest (by many grades) they are somehow "better" or "more informed" than those who offer a higher grade opinion. By watching the opinions presented herein it didn't take me long to align myself with a goodly number of members who I consider truly gifted in grading. It also means that I'm not too downtrodden if someone throws a snow-ball at my own snow-fort-of-grading (sorry, I'm from Minnesota). Not everyone who claims to grade admits their expertise or lack thereof, but we are also blessed with a much greater number who are here to learn, as I am.

Error types and the minting process is a subject that we see almost every day. We see new members who post for the first time to see if the little tiny itsy bitsy thingy they see about a coin they've found will make them rich. Yet not once have I ever seen any of those folks lambasted for posting a question which is "obvious" to most of us. In fact, I've learned a heck of a lot myself from listening to what is said about those supposed errors, if they are real, how they came about, or why it isn't possible for them to be mint errors. Although I haven't been tempted into buying any error coins myself, I do believe that how I view coins is different because of the education I've received on this forum.

I've learned from many of the members who present their goals and how they are trying to achieve them. It doesn't matter how simple or complex those goals may be, nor the amount of money that might need be invested, the ways in which many collectors have presented both their in-process and completed goals has been fun and rewarding. It's helped me to insure I have made my own list of goals and it is ever so much more enjoyable to work toward completion of those goals. By the same token, I've listened to those who have a very finite interest, perhaps completing only one set at a time, and have decided that is not what I want to do. Simply because by limiting oneself to a very finite single goal there is a greater temptation to spend more on the "key" coins just to fill the hole, or worse - in my opinion - which is to let your standards for the grade of the set lapse to a lower levels for those same keys. I want to keep my interests in enough different projects that I'm not forced to make that choice of either paying more than I need to or dropping my minimum standard on conditions.

That might simply be chalked up as patience. I've seen some of the sets that have taken decades to complete, and they are without exception special historical representations of the art of numismatics. I don't feel so bad when it sometimes takes me many weeks, or even months, to find the exact coin I really want in a price that is moderate, rather than average.

Yes, I've seen the 'fist fights' over ditching the penny (and/or nickel), and as I've expressed myself in these forums. I've been involved with debates over if a coin was authentic or a fake. There has been more than one subject discussed concerning just how good an "investment" silver or gold or coins might be. Plus there are always other deliberations that have shown participants opinions on a myriad of subjects.

In all, these forums have completely alleviated my own concern for the value of forming a numismatic and/or exonumic collection. When I was a kid after my paper route I stopped at the local coin shop at least a few days a week. One of the things that were discussed way back then was that coin collecting was heading for the end because there were no new collectors or younger collectors. We still hear that today but from these forums I've learned that there is a pretty fair number of younger collectors right here with us. Likewise, the prices on the coins I like continue to increase as I need to change my own "buy" prices in order to get what I want in the grade and eye appeal I want. As far as silver and/or gold prices it really doesn't affect me, as I don't collect much of anything that is even slightly influenced by those variances. If I'm worried enough to stock up on something, it isn't going to be silver.

I simply want to end by thanking all of you who do participate in these forums as they have proven to be of great value and enjoyment to me. Thank you.