Wanna talk about "Mr. Faux pas"? Look no further than this poster.......LOL You're my type o' guy Ratpack......
What is the definition of a collector? I'm a collector of silver coins and I post 95% of the time in the roll searchers thread and love to read what all are finding or not finding. Should I not be allowed to post because what I'm really after are silver coins and I don't search cent or pennies whatever people like to call them. I have learned a ton and now have some silver coins in my stash and I love the thrill of finding silver and the hunt. I'm not planning on selling my coins but don't consider myself a "collector" because I really don't know enough. I do know more now than two months ago, so maybe I am a collector and don't even know it. I think it is too cool that we can still pull silver coins out of rolls! HOTN
The nice thing about this internet thingy is if you don't like what the thread is about you just don't read it. There is a wealth of knowledge in some of the posts of new or non collectors asking what something is or what somethings worth. Some may seem like easy/silly questions, but some may be too scared to ask and can benefit from others.
Gosh, I'd just like to say if I wanted to look everything up on Google, well, I wouldn't bother coming here or trying to support the site. I am guilty of asking some of the dumbest questions, I'm pretty sure, but may I say that by asking AND READING a lot of questions others have asked, I have learned a TON of cool facts here, and am developing my own "knowledge", and interests in coins/paper/metals that I would never EVER have known about. I am thankful that at the times of my STUPIDEST questions, there has always been someone kind enough to take the time to give me an answer. And I hope someday to be one of those kind people that has just one answer for someone looking for help. Don't tie my hands, please! Moderators do a great job of pulling things together here. Why take their jobs away? Just my two CENTS (not pennies, but CENTS!!) Lucy
Let me tell you, I have learned a LOT by making stupid comments and being set straight! lol Seriously though, I have given comments similar to what you say... Thought I knew the answer, only to find out that there was a difference I never knew about. Yeah, I may have sounded ignorant, but I wouldn't have learned the details if I hadn't commented. Also, if someone does this, and you set them straight, you not only teach them something new, but you also expose the original poster, and a great many spectators to info they may not have had previously... Especially considering that it was a detail so obscure the old timer didn't know it. Make sense? I agree there can be some silly comments/posts now and again, but this is how we all learn.
Exactly! This is why I can't stand post nazis (not moderators) that run around and answer questions with comments like: "Do a search"... rather than just ignoring or answering. If you don't like someone asking about a subject, don't open the thread! And if you do open the thread, don't make smart remarks like "Do a search".
Agreed Sandy, and you are one of the first (and most helpful!) members rushing to our aid! I somewhat understand the premise for this suggestion after reading some recent threads; however, if you take a look at some threads from several years ago, the same issues were present then. I've had my threads (good and bad), and others were always quick to help me and I have tried to return the favor. Maybe we just need a reminder to read the sticky notes so folks do some research before asking a question. We are all here for the same reason, and not all new members are new collectors...
That last sentence says it all (I'm speaking of QUESTIONS, specifically). If we are lucky enough to make the mistake of asking a dumb, stupid, silly question here, it's one heck of alot better than NOT asking it and spending lots o' $$ on something dumb, stupid, or silly (in other words, wasting our money on something counterfeit, not as rare as the listing leads you to believe [deceiving listings on on ebay? NO!!!... ], etc. It's the knowledge we gain by asking these questions that make us more informed, more knowledgable (therefore, smarter) collectors. Now, making dumb, stupid, or silly COMMENTS, that's a different story...
And now I'm rethinking a thread I was about to start regarding Jefferson nickels... But I will probably start it anyway-lame or not, :devil: based on a serious lack of in-depth internet coverage other than a few listings under CONECA, a smattering of key dates, and referrals to books that I don't have yet!
As a relatively new member and old coin collector, if there were a rule about how often I could post or start a thread, I wouldn't have joined. No one should have to prove their interest or desire to learn about something -- something we all, newbies and oldies, enjoy!
Now if you could figure out a way to keep people from posting PMD "errors", I might consider such thing. However, outside of that I totally fail to see the purpose.