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 Replies: 23 / Views: 2,174 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1267 Posts |
In a couple of sentences can you post some bit of advice which might be of assistance to collectors in this day and age?
Maybe it's how to tell if a coin picture has been photo-shopped in an internet auction or perhaps (granted your opinion) on what to look for, good or bad - in a slabbed coin. In a nutshell, it could be anything.
Take Care
Ben
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Rest in Peace
United States
5375 Posts |
Mostly just make sure there's a 7 day return policy if it's raw, and examine under a good magnifying glass with the open minded possibility of a return if its not what was said.
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Moderator
 United States
6563 Posts |
"Buy the Coin...Not the Slab" A Ford Focus doesn't become a Lamborghini just because it's in a Millionaires garage.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
"Buy the book first" so you know what you're buying and what the catalog value is for a coin. If the cost is too good to be true, then be suspicious.
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Moderator
 United States
187702 Posts |
Read, read, and read some more; books, magazines, and of course CCF!
Learn as much as you can before you make a purchase; do not be afraid to ask questions.
If you make a mistake, try to learn from it and share your experience; let your lesson help others avoid the same problems.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Don't blow all of your money on coins and then go as cheap as possible on your supplies. A high quality magnifier(7x is a great all purpose magnification) is essential, not one of those things that old people use to read the Sunday paper  Get archival safe 2x2s and flips and purchase good quality albums and try to spend 5-10% of your budget on books until you build up a good numismatic library. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
 with the reading/research. $50 put towards good books can pay off several times on just one coin. A few "don'ts"? Resist the urge to buff your AU50's to MS65. It just don't work. Oh, and those gold-plated State Quarter sets aren't really a "once in a lifetime investment opportunity"--unless you count the lifetime of a mosquito. At coin shows, skip most stuff under the glass case where the dealer sits, but look closely at the "unimportant" coins off to the side. Edited by KurtS
08/08/2008 01:02 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1984 Posts |
Here's an off the top of my head Top 10:
1. Become praticed at the art of losing internet auctions.
2. Look at a price guide from 25 years ago to remind yourself that this is a hobby and not a retirement plan.
3. Get a DVR so you can record your favorite shows and watch them while you are arranging your albums.
4. Join CCF, and don't trust a word that halfabustisbetter guy says.
5. Don't let your passion for your hobby detract from your passion for your family or significant other.
6. Get up and stretch every few minutes to keep blood clots from forming in your legs and causing a pulmonary embolism.
7. Pay with cash when you shop as often as you can--and examine your change.
8. Learn to recognize the glassy-eyed stare of a person who is not as interested in hearing about coins and collecting as you are in talking about them.
9. Sell a coin every once in a while.
10. Learn from those who came before and teach those who come after.
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Rest in Peace
United States
2668 Posts |
Feedback matters.
Be careful of coins with a low price and high shipping, you lose if you want to send it back.
Buy what you like.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1713 Posts |
Don't clean your coins.
I'll second jbuck and repeat: read all you can. Don't buy uninformed.
Beware of basement slabbers.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1415 Posts |
Don't let the significant other know how much time or money you spend at your hobby!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
Quote:
Don't let the significant other know how much time or money you spend at your hobby  Ahhhhhh.....there's sooooo much wisdom on this page !.... Of course I agree with everything.....read, listen, be frugal and choosy. Specifically, I'd like someone to post some quick easy "detailed" advice on spotting "Cleaned Coins".....counterfeits is another matter, but if one wants to avoid "cleaned coins" ......good tips posted right here in this thread would be great !...... There was an antique shop guy doing this and telling me about his experimentations and how they look so much nicer (well he's just going to increase his profits on unaware people is what he's doing) And it just bothered me that he's sitting there at home every night "cleaning" up hundreds/thousands of coins. I told him that some people (me) would avoid buying "cleaned coins" like the Plague....and he said yeah, but a lot of people like em' becauese they look better too.......(!) So, when the girlfriend and I visit that old historical town to ride the horse and buggy and go in all the shops and enjoy the town festivals.......I MAY NOT BE GOING IN THIS PARTICULAR ANTIQUE SHOP ANYMORE ! Quote:
In a couple of sentences can you post some bit of advice which might be of assistance to collectors in this day and age? Sorry Bonedigger !.. It's hard to get me down to one or two sentences when I've got sompin' to say !...  ......but hey....it's a little "story" "learning experience" for me !... Edited by eaglefoot
08/08/2008 08:45 am
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Pillar of the Community
Poland
3201 Posts |
NO: 1. If you doubt if the coin is original or good enough for your collection, don't buy it. 2. Read the auction description carefully. Take a good look at the photo, ask for better resolution if possible. 3. Don't buy a coin having only a blurry photo or with no photo. No photo + a statement "UNC" in the description may mean you'll get anything between VF and AU, but never a real UNC. 4. Know your dealer's level of knowledge regarding the coins you collect YES: 1. Look at as many coins as possible (even if you don't collect this particular type), ask questions. The knowledge you gain this way becomes really useful. 2. Look carefully. Even at change. However rarely, interesting coins may be found. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
Do ... a self-assessment of your reasons for being in the hobby (OCD, personal fullfilment, profit, etc.) and set goals for yourself based on this self-assessment. Don't ... Not know why you're doing this! It will bring financial ruin and no satisfaction. The offerings of others here will apply differently based on your self-assessment. My self-assessment revealed that I have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) for accumulating things, a need for fullfilment, and I want to turn a buck now and then ... i.e., I'm a lost cause.  |
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Quote:
At coin shows, skip most stuff under the glass case where the dealer sits, but look closely at the "unimportant" coins off to the side.
Absolutely! I find that I can park myself in front of the collection of albums or bulk coins off to the side. No one bothers me; I can take my time and find something special!  Quote:
Here's an off the top of my head Top 10: Great advice, HABIB! I agree with everything! Except maybe the second part of #4. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1267 Posts |
Great ideas everyone... Quote:
Sorry Bonedigger !.. It's hard to get me down to one or two sentences when I've got sompin' to say !.........but hey....it's a little "story" "learning experience" for me !... That's Okay Buddy, let it out, LOL... |
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Replies: 23 / Views: 2,174 |
Posted 08/07/2008 9:41 pm
