Is it real threads.

Are most people OK with the threads asking if a coin is real? I have only done this a couple of times because I don't want to abuse the kindness of the knowledgeable people and because I am truly trying to learn for myself. I have found that a couple of my coins that I was sure we're real may not be. I will be much more cautious in the future but I can't change the past.

 

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I personally think the mods should pin a thread to this forum for questions of authenticity. That way new members can browse it and see what coins turned out to be fake and why, and learn from the experience. It's a lot easier than looking up hundreds of scattered "Is it real" threads.

 

I don't mind it at all @alde. I like weighing my thoughts against the experts on here to see if I see it the same way they all do. It's good practice for considering my own purchases.

 

I believe it's fine to ask for help. No one comes to this hobby as an expert (at least I know of none). Sometimes, however, when you may be considering buying a coin, it might be best to ask in private conversation. There may be others interested in that particular coin or someone who might try to buy something from under you. But, this forum is an educational site as far as I'm concerned.

 

I think many people here enjoy the challenge of evaluating the coins that people post as long as they don't post too many per week, they are reasonably polite, and include somewhat decent photos and information.

I think it helps the collecting community for the experienced people to share their knowledge and give good advice to new people. Otherwise they just get ripped off until they decide this is not for them.

 

It does not bother me, but I'm new here myself.

 

Personally, I'm OK with "is it real" threads in this case where you already own the coin but I believe certain guidelines should be followed:

• One coin per post(unless multiple coins are needed for context). Otherwise it gets confusing.
• Tell us why you think it's fake
• Post the best photos/scans you can get and crop out the background
• Don't post coins that are currently up at auction/for sale. If you do, don't be angry if a fellow forum member snatches them out from under you

 

I will try not to abuse the privilege. I have a couple of Octavian/Augustus denarius that I'm curious about but I will wait until I have my copy stand for my camera and can take better pictures. I don't really suspect them but a more experienced opinion would sure be great.

 

Yeah, then we'd have a dozen or more pages of pins before the rest of the threads. No thanks!

Chris

 

I agree with everyone except Sallent.

Chris

 

Huh??? The suggestion is for precisely ONE sticky thread specifically in the ancients section. How do you get from there to "a dozen or more pages?"

 

How would you pin all of the various thread titles into one? It would seem to me that it would be like having a dictionary without an alphabetical order.

Chris

 

Often we come off as unfriendly or withholding information because we are not certain of the answer. Often we can say with certainty that a coin is fake given even a horrid image but the opposite just is not true. Convincing someone who has no idea how many coins they are expecting us to know with absolute certainty. I'd rather we would talk about something else and we might if people would stop buying high risk coins from sellers in high risk places with business names we have heard before (and not in a good way). Did you buy a coin you know or buy from a seller you trust? If you did, I hope you will ask. If not, expect poor results.

 

Also, if CT allowed one for Ancients, then they would have to allow one for US Coins and one for Foreign Coins. Or, are you suggesting that you are better than the average bear?

Chris

 

Ummm, I just checked and the US section already has stickied threads.... or you are referring to just having one master sticky?

 

Sallent was suggesting that there should be a sticky just for coins of questionable authenticity. How could you possibly organize it?

Chris

 

Unless I'm mistaken, there are currently three stickies in the US forum.

 

I believe the stated position of the mods is that we can have all the stickies we want, but we can't really force anyone to use them. Thus, they are better for general information rather than specific questions.

That said, I don't have a problem with the number of "real or fake" posts in the ancients section. It's nowhere near as bad as the PMD error forum in that regard.

 

I'm new here but I have no problem with anyone asking "is it real." It also seems to me from the responses I've seen that most members are more than willing to chime in with their direct (sometimes very direct), honest opinion. It's the old hands helping the newbies, as it should be IMHO.

 

Do you guys have petrified brains? Those stickies are for procedures, not sub-forums.

Chris