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Posted 05/04/2005 1:07 pm
quote:
Originally posted by cladking
Old time collectors have hardly welcomed the newbies with open arms. We tend to be both rude and condescending to them when they come to shops or shows. They see letters to the editors and message boards full of insults and warning directed at them. The coins they seek are often called junk or worse.
The real wonder is that so many collect anyway.
The mint has been making a real effort to improve the product and most people just don't even seem to notice. The gains have been across a broad spectrum from quality to designs. Certainly there is far more to do, and certainly Congress is mucking things up but this is the American way.
Welcome Cladking. Nice to see you make the jump. You are absolutely correct. Both dealers and collectors have serious issues with new people entering into the hobby. Each feels as if the door should have been closed after they arrived. I see this firsthand at ALL the major shows, and have been told the stories thousands of times.
Even my efforts to get dealers to contribute to forums is met with resistence. It is like everyone wants to keep the "secret" to themselves.
While I agree that the Mint has made great improvements with quality for the most part, they are stuck with the designs handed to them. I do not blame the mint for the lackluster designs, that is congress and the states. The mint is bound by what is given to them.
Anyways, great to have you here. I hope that you will contribute often. Your knowledge in the modern coins is much needed (and appreciated).
