If I Cried Out

Great topic, I had and will again mention an idea, suppose some of the " VAM EXPERTS' start an on going lesson/education/learning section on this topic, I would also suggest starting from the "beginning" the how, why and so on to promote this obviously passionate growing sub-hobby of coin collecting, VAM-101!!!

We ALL know We have some exceptional people who could step up to the plate and run with this idea, in an on going learning process, from soup to nuts.

I am sure many people like myself, could and would attend.......

Not for much longer, it doesn't.

Frankly, the dealer/VAMmer conflict between established members of each group is likely a wash, and will remain so until both depart the scene. We can sow the seeds, but the rate of change will not be worthy of the term "abrupt." I further believe that numismatics will not undergo any evolution which will end up "mainstream," except by comparison to the numismatics of old. Our hobby requires a particular mindset, one which is not common among people and further diluted by similar hobbies such as philately.

With that said, the Internet will certainly allow the development of collectors who would not have formed the habit twenty years ago. Back then, if you chose to collect coins, you had a choice between outdated, arid tomes at the local library or irascible dealers whose vested interest was in taking you money anyways. Today, we have Google.

As a result, I believe in the potential for the next generation of numismatists to be physically larger and far more aware than the previous. Information is much freer than previous times. Locating that information is orders of magnitude easier. All that's required to tap this potential is a place where newer collectors are welcomed by knowledgeable, helpful people, and an expert at Search Engine Optimization (SEO) who can cause the searches to direct to that location.

Bobby131313 is, by a wide margin, the best I've ever seen at SEO. He plays Google like a harpsichord. On any given numismatic topic, CCF may not always be at the top but we_are_always near the top of a search.

My personal mission in life is to create that mentoring environment for Morgan dollars. That's what I'm doing to leave my mark on the world. My working life is unexciting and unimportant in the grand scheme of things; I lack the wherewithal to create a grand collection. But this? This, I can do. Every word I type at CCF is with that goal in mind.

Don't lose sight of what we consider our primary mission at CCF. We're here to develop and cater to newer collectors. That is the reason why we so strictly enforce the G-rated nature of the forums. Every one of us who carries an extra-membership title shares that common mission; we wouldn't be here if we didn't. I feel like I am a part of serendipity; the unexpected assemblage of the right group of like-minded people at the right time.

I will make your statement false, Ozland, if it is within my abililty. I know you would much prefer that.

DAVE, I 1st want to say this forum is a well of thoughts and opinions, I would not be placing these thoughts here today if the forum were NOT available and ready to accept MY thoughts and insight.

I did not want/mean to suggest a written format about VAM-101, we all know there is another forum, suppose to be there to assist people who have taken the addicting path of this hobby to another level.

I did mean for an idea like a question/and answer like forum/debate to enlighten those who would appreciate the challenge and partake in such a program. I know here is about the closest my idea is to being a reality, compared to "another " site? I also know knowledge sought by those who "want or have a need to feed their own intellect base", should and would appreciate an arena where no-one is a professor and everyone is a student.

I have been around for a few years, collecting since 1963 and have a library I could not carry any where but in my mind, should I need to have a better understanding of any thing Numismatic related. I would also have the "computer", to assist me in ANY project you or I could think of, which, I did not have at my finger tips back when I was 8.

I see your statement about aid for the newer collectors, I TOTALLY agree they are the future but on another reality note, another site has a certain membership/group that has doors that could only be opened by "the already accepted chosen experts",Besides, I would never want to be a member of ANY club/forum, that would have someone like me as a member, LOL. I am suggesting an arena here that puts the entire, PDS process, from the planchet to the die to the strike out there for all to attend and join in to assist others who, would attend the arena to find help in this Morgan/Peace dollar murky pond...........

I know this is actually, in theory going on here as we speak but thought it could be taken to another level by the students!

I really like OZ'S idea, very insightful....
"The hobby lacks a mentor program. One where you can share insights, helpful tidbits, special finds and those not-so-special finds with a fellow vammer where the mutual interest is to enrich the hobby, not enrich oneself. Someone that will help teach you what is needed to be successful"

Zee, I have two mentors. Both excellent vammers each in their own right who have taken me under their wing. I would not be at the level I am today without their assistance. I am fortunate both are hobbyists.

Vamming is such a rewarding hobby, but it can be overwhelming. There are lots of questions that need answering. Most of my questions were answered. Some questions can't readily be answered. These questions keep you on the look out for other coins to compare to as the answers are only answered when compared to another. Vamming is after all a comparative hobby.
Because of the steep learning curve, people just getting in to the hobby need help answering their questions. They need sincere help from sincere people with sincere answers.
Super Dave said it best when he said he can only address his role in helping teach and mentor. I agree. I can't change the world, no one can but I can change it one person at a time.

I don't subscribe to the teaching methodology: learn as you go, sink or swim, the cream rises to the surface. While this may work for some, for most they do not. I teach major structural collapse rescue. If I told you everything you need to be afraid of first, I promise you no sane person would ever go into a compromised building to rescue people that are trapped or injured. However, If I teach you the correct methodology necessary to do this quickly and SAFELY, people have been saved and rescued because of this.

I could only hope that next time I am in need of saving, you will be near and willing.

("if I cried out" of course)..

There is an instrument call a Delsar. It has listening probes. We can hear a person scratch while entombed in concrete or rubble. We have some technical search equipment that can probe into small crevices and see you and it has a microphone on the other end so someone can tap, make noise or speak to the rescuers.

The topic: if I cried out resonated with me. If people need help, I don't question why they need help. I respond to it.