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 Replies: 18 / Views: 3,704 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
I wanted to use this space to share a few thoughts on coin collecting, and the various businesses that have emerged from this hobby. This article is a work-in-progress, so please bear that in mind as you read my ramblings. Also consider the following as simply an honest appraisal of what I've seen in the past year—and not directed at anybody in particular. Please share any thoughts you like. I've found that collectors are the best aspect of the hobby. As the community here attests, most are friendly and willing to share helpful information in their areas of expertise. The passion and knowledge base of seasoned collectors fuels the interest of new collectors such as me. For me, collecting isn't about buying stuff, but rather learning about a coin's unique history so that I can make informed decisions—and possibly make some good discoveries. If my aim was simply to purchase and accumulate, I suppose I could watch HSN all day with credit card in hand—versus be involved here.  Dealers run the gamut from those who consider selling cleaned/damaged/over-graded coins a "business" to those who genuinely conduct themselves professionally and are an asset to the hobby. Those of the latter group are a great source for coins because they often pass good purchasing decisions on to the collector. I've found such professionals typically base their business on trust and transparency of information, and are another good resource to learn about the hobby and avoid costly mistakes--such as buying forgeries or falling for collector scams. There is one more umbrella group of businesses that appear to prey more on the collector/investor craze than engage the hobby with any semblance of integrity. Their business model usually involves taking a cheap (or almost worthless) numismatic item, package it in such a way to appeal to vanity, then hype as "scarce, underrated, investment-grade, heirloom", ad nauseum. I'm sure you've seen the pitches on cable TV. Quite frankly, I'm surprised at how rampant this practice has become--and how many people have bought into this frenzy.  Feel free to add anything to this train of thought Edited by KurtS
05/04/2008 11:49 pm
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Moderator
 United States
187578 Posts |
Looks like this is off to a good start!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2443 Posts |
Looks like it's starting to be a good article. I agree with your points. I would also maybe mention about how the internet is helping the hobby and yet at the same time hindering it.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5318 Posts |
Thanks! Yes, there are many points to cover, and at the same time be concise. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5601 Posts |
Lets talk about people in general, for instance here on this site, I am a new member to this site, not to collecting just this site.I have read some very interesting, informative, and very knowledgeable subjects on just about anything to do with coins and all that covers the subject.I have also seen names appear time and again placing their opinion in the 'hat' if you will. Some of these people are in my opinion very bright, yet are apparently some very nice and sharing people.I am also seeing a number of posts that some of the members have and I must say they do share alot.I also have seen some of the collections here and my god they are just amazing and overwhelming to see. I do not know any one in person here and I do not think anyone knows me, yet the feeling of most people and their willingness to help in most situations and circumstances is a delightful, refreshing vista in this day and age. I come from a simple back ground, work hard and educate yourself and most other things will fall into place.Well that is how I was raised and I will tell you I did that and things were going along fine till I became injured and can not work. I have some time to fill the workless void, dont get me wrong I am now "MR MOM"i do what I can and always did. Enough about that, this site helps me to unwind and yet be an active part in a form of communication and expertise I would not otherwise of done had things been different( I would be working as much as I could for the family and the income if I was able to ) so not to ramble on and on I feel that this is a venue to help myself and others in a hobby which has become more than just "a hobby" some times I learn more here in a day than I would ever thought possible and I see that there is much, much more to learn. I sent my first coins in to anacs a few weeks ago and today received the email today telling me the coins were graded and the grades and they will be at the front door on the 30th.
I will also say I was very anxious as to what they will be graded or will they even be graded at all, well I was not happy with the posted grades and I will hopefully hold them tomorrow and see for myself, looking at the coins why these were graded the way they were.I said before I was very anxious, well now I am not a happy camper all because this situation.I posted a topic to the effect of "i received my coin from anacs today guess the grade, for 1-coin.So I can not say in full here with out giving some hints away as to why I am not happy with the grade but I will disclose this soon .Well I have to ramble on to see charlie, I love that show,BE WELL, MORGANS DAD...
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Pillar of the Community
United States
819 Posts |
Quote:
For me, collecting isn't about buying stuff, but rather learning about a coin's unique history so that I can make informed decisions and possibly make some good discoveries. Ah, you've discovered the difference between Numismatics and Collecting! One can be a Numismatist without ever purchasing or hoarding a single coin. ;) It's how the the State Quarter Hoarder becomes interested in learning more about other coins. I fancy most of us are Numismatists and collectors at the same time, here on the forums. It's hard to learn about something you like especially if you never hold the revered item in hand. :) |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5601 Posts |
ELLeKITTY, I have just seen some of your coins at the Kitty's Gallery, you have some very nice and old coinage.I noticed that one of your coins has a resemblence to one I have, an old copper coin, dated 1642, something like the last coin on the 1st page of your gallery.I wonder if I can get a picture posted, could you help me to identify the piece.It has not been taken care of and not in the best of condition, however I have had it for a few weeks, I just was amazed that a coin that old would be in a friends lot for sale so I picked it up. Thanking you in advance, MORGANS DAD...
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1040 Posts |
Before joining here I was only a collector, I rarely researched or studied a coin, now I like to learn about what I have and my whole collecting direction has changed.
Perhaps one area to look at for your article is the role that forums and coin clubs can play in the realm of collecting. If you are like me, you don't want too many people to know that you collect coins, as what you have at home may be only worth a few dollars until the twentieth person has heard the story and it is now thousands of dollars. Forums and clubs provide a place to do that human thing of talking about and discussing the hobby you love so much, without the fear of an unwelcome guest in the middle of the night.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
819 Posts |
Morgan's Dad-
I'm really unsure as to which coin in my gallery you're referring to? Could you link to it from the gallery here, and then I'll happily tell you all that I know and offer several photographic varieties? (not all mine, of course. Google is a wonderful thing.)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Hi, I chanced upon my article after being away a few months, and noticed all this great feedback--thanks! I would agree with the others that forums have taken to my hobby to a different level, and I have more opportunity to learn from other collectors as well as share my collection through photographs, which is another hobby of mine. I'm glad I posted this draft article to get a discussion going, and I'll revisit this subject after the upcoming coin show. Edited by KurtS
11/09/2008 10:10 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5601 Posts |
Kurt, thanks for this post , if I may I would like to point out a different aspect of this site and I will not mention names, I was very impressed with just sitting back and reading and learning about a "hobby" that I have been very passionate about for 40+ years.I saw what turns out to be a group of overall very nice, kind , and very knowledgeable people and I see that there are many things I need to learn and look forward to the time to absorb the very interesting bits and pieces of this subject.I also see that some people are very happy to give their opinion and are obvious in their sincere approach to do so, while others are also just as obvious in their approach and delivery of a post and "have a way about them ", or an air of , well lets just say, this is not high school and I would like to think we are all here to give and receive information to assist one and other in the pursuit of a common goal, to proceed together and help each other. I wanted to say more, however I will leave it alone, I also feel that some people "who know who they are",should look in the mirror and see they are not the best thing since sliced bread,ENOUGH SAID!
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Valued Member
United States
253 Posts |
I would like to add my two-bits worth. third party grading has helped and hindered the hobby helped buy setting standards (to varying degrees)but hinders by taking the coin out of your hand, less rely on knowledge of a coin/series but value the plastic. And as for the net and this forum. I live in a small town in Alaska. and though I may not post much I find this a place where I can commune with my fellow collectors. more often than not I find my opinions spoken by a family member here. no need to double just to rack posts.and the vast knowledge here is staggering. just the ramblings of an old tug boater.
coggie
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Valued Member
United States
245 Posts |
If you are a collector who is actively buying and selling, then you are considered a "dealer".
So what's your definition of a "dealer"
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
I'm sure you've seen the pitches on cable TV. Quite frankly, I'm surprised at how rampant this practice has become--and how many people have bought into this frenzy.
Gee I guesss this doesn't pertain to us that have an antenna for TV reception. I would assume this also means there are no such things happening on non cable TV's. If this was supposed to be an article and have others enter their recommendations or additives, you should have made numerous separate sections or items. It started well with collectors and dealers. As already noted there also should be sections or paragraphs about ebay, on line auctions, flea market coin sales, coin stores, coin shows and yes those TV adds for colored coins. They also appear in some newspapers. Actually KurtS you could accumulate all this and make a book of it all. probably call it COINS. Or Dealers and Collectors. No kidding. Why not? At coin shows I've seen someone with an entire table of coin books, so why not one more? It was mentioned here about the basically good nature of most collectors. In other posts it is usually mentioned how most coin collectors appear to be on the elderly side. You may notice how this sort of goes hand in hand. As we all get older, we do get a little irritable but also much more tolerant and patient. We also do not like to argue since we think we know it all. AND naturally we older people tend to drag out articles, stories, messages, etc as I'm doing here. Then complain about others that do that. Sure wish I'd have written down all the things about coins that I thought was interesting in the last 60+ years of collecting coins. |
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Moderator
United States
187578 Posts |
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If this was supposed to be an article and have others enter their recommendations or additives, you should have made numerous separate sections or items. It started well with collectors and dealers. Kurt originally posted it in the "Important CC Family Topics" forum, but it got moved here as the discussion evolved. Therefore, I do not think it was supposed to be anything other that what it is!  Quote:
Sure wish I'd have written down all the things about coins that I thought was interesting in the last 60+ years of collecting coins. So do I! I am sure it would be a very interesting read! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Quote:
If you are a collector who is actively buying and selling, then you are considered a "dealer". I suppose this thread began as a commentary on experiences I've had with dealers. Personally, I look at the hobby within the context of a collector, and whenever I sell coins, it's simply as interest in the hobby, versus making a living from it. I suppose everyone defines "dealer" differently. Sooner or later I'm going to collect my thoughts and your comments into an article on the collector-dealer relationship. So far it's been an interesting read--thanks! |
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Replies: 18 / Views: 3,704 |
Posted 05/07/2008 11:20 pm
