CoinTalk = The PCGS Board of Old???

To just an interested participant it seems that this forum is turning into the "Rough & Tumble, Slam and Be Slammed, Opinion Be Damned place that PCGS used to have the dishonor of being. It's getting hard to voice an honest opinion about anything numismatic or otherwise without being sternly corrected by both members and mods...

Ben

 

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I think a good way to behave on message boards is never say something you wouldn't say standing in front of that person.

kind of like a 'golden rule' :smile

 

It seems like it goes thru swings. On some posts I admit I pay more attention to some of the regular posters than others - I really do not pay attention when it comes to opinions on tpg'ers. What I did not like was my post on the coins I sent into PCGS spiraled into a graded versus raw debate. Slab vs non-slab is each collectors opinion. For me - I don't care, as long as I like the coin. The same with cleaned versus un-cleaned. As far as I am concerned, post your opinion - just do it in a positive way. I think the keyword is "opinion" - everyone just needs to remember that "opinions" are just that, opinions. Nothing more and nothing less.

The thing I like best about the board - is the pictures of all the various coins and the discusions around grades. I like seeing why people think the coin is that grade. I usually, but not always, try to say at least one statement on why I think the grade is that. Like that gold coin, all that luster is what made me pick the grade I did.

Now that I have posted an "opinion" - off to post some coins I just got. Have fun with the hobby and don't make it a chore.

 

Not trying to start an argument Ben, but you are describing the US Coins forum at the PCGS site, not the World & Ancient, which is, and has always been, a place of genteel, rational, discussion without personal insults, much as this forum has always been.

 

I see your point Ben. I see posts that can get a bit on the edge, but i think for the most part, most comments are left unbashed. As was pointed out above (i think) it is usually the hotly contested comments that usually get more racey comments. AT vs NT, SGS being a good slabber, and other personal prefferances that often get posted. Its when these comments conflict with others who feel very passionate about their own point of view, that comments on the border, or across, that can be posted.

I for one, am VERY bad at seeing a bad comment that should be left unsaid (even if that person is standing in front of me) and it often gets me in trouble.

I try to explain thing the way i would like them to be explained. Nice, friendly and politely. Doesnt always work, but there is effort

 

There used to be an General Discussion Forum on PCGS...

 

I think Mark_H is right.
This forum goes through cycles.

 

What are some recent examples of moderators "sternly correcting" posters regarding their (on topic) opinions ? Thanks.

 

I have found that people here, like many people on many forums on the internet, have very strong opinions, they are right without any doubt, if you dont agree you are wrong and probably 'need to learn more' or some other such belittling remark. Other people have other ways of reacting to a person who does not fall in line with opinions they hold, often they belittle you, insinuating you are something you arent, or just turn abusive.

I think the problem here is that there are a lot of people who, in their mind, are experts or most things. The internet is like driving in traffic. People are in their cars, shielded from other people...so they act like jack-a##'s because they dont have to face the person, on the internet its the same way. On the internet they can be what they would like to be and let all the bile come out, and even if they are not much to brag about in real life and few people would call them an expert on anything, they can be what they want on the internet, they can place themselves above the lowly masses. Most will say they are how they are on the internet in real life as well but I just dont run into quite as many jerks IRL (save maybe in traffic) so I dont believe it.

Couple that with the already obsessive odd nature of a collector and you get some of the most bull-headed, opinionated people, all are experts and never wrong Maybe they are often bitter so they take out some of that on you as well.

Ben, I just had a long laugh with my wife about the fact that there is a thread here where some collectors are trying to say that the only acceptable word for a penny is 1 cent!! and these people are serious!! Its something that bothers them. A bit ago a moderator made the statement that only people who make a living selling coins can be a dealer!! these people know so much they are redefining words!! With certain subjects and topics they are dictatorial, one way or you are an idiot!! Some are that way with everything.

anyway...all in good fun...I learned my lesson not to take most here that seriously.

 

Capped, you seem to relish in pounding JustCarl with your quote on the books as signature line, he would probably take that statement back by now if he could, lol


EDIT: well said Drusus !!!

 

If one does not make a living selling coins, how can he accurately be described as a coin dealer?

 

If anyone sees a comment as rude or thinks the comment was flaming another member why don't you report it? I find it funny how someone will comment how a poster was sooo rude, and to the best of my knowledge that post was NEVER reported to the Mod's.
If you see a post that needs to be reported there is a red triangle in the left hand side of each post. Click on that and report it.
It can be hard to please you guys when ya'll don't let us know your thoughts.

Speedy

 

Used to be differing opinions (on many subjects, not just coins) weren't simply tolerated, they were embraced and encouraged. I'd say within the past year things have started to change for the worse.

And, Mark, a good numismatic discussion here can wander off and on topic with ease and nobody gets upset. This forum was designed to be different from others in the fact that improper language and rudness which was prevalent on other forums wasn't tolerated here.

Take Care
Ben

 

because the definition of a dealer is a person who deals in goods, its says nothing about it having to be a primary source of income...that was an exclusionary subjective provision placed on the word by one or two people who feel this needs to be the case.

If one deals in coins, whether they make a living doing it or not, one is still dealing in coins...

Like a person who deals drugs...the law does not exclude those who simply do it part time...they are still dealers.

And I dont report anyone for anything, I figure I can hold my own.

 

I had a feeling that was where your argument was going. However, I think it is fair to say that at most, people would consider one to be a part time dealer (a vest-pocket dealer or something to that effect), rather than a dealer, if the person doesn't make a living engaging in that activity.

I collect antique toys and occasionally buy one because I think or know that I can re-sell it for a quick profit. When I engage in that activity, that doesn't make me an antique toy dealer. It makes me a collector who tries to sell a toy for a profit on occasion.

Likewise, if you're moving and decide to sell some used furniture, that doesn't make you a furniture dealer, unless you want to use a definition which is so liberal that it doesn't really tell anyone much of anything.

 

Ben, I'll ask again, because I don't want you to get a free pass on what I believe was an unfair statement you made....

What are some recent examples of moderators "sternly correcting" posters regarding their (on topic) opinions ? Thanks.

 

I agree...I would say a person who has another primary source of income but sells coins on the side on a regular basis to be a dealer...not a person who sells one or two here and there or does a one time sell of furniture. I would think regular dealings would be required to be a dealer.

This does not apply to me anyway as I dont sell coins at all...but I would say a guy who always engages in auctions and coin sells, but works another job is also a dealer in coins, I would also say a guy who has a stall and an antique mall selling coins, but what he makes on coins is not what supports him as he makes more money in another way...he is still engaged in dealing coins and MAY even be a good person to deal with as it ISNT paying the bills...making it a primary source of income is a bit arbitrary IMO and diverges from the real meaning of a dealer or a person who deals in something.

In fact if I am not mistaken, Joe at Forum Ancient Coins, a well known, well respected dealer in ancients...just recently retired from the navy? Would you say this man who has dealt in coins for many many years and truly knows ancients isnt a dealer and an expert because he is a career navy man?

One can differentiate part time, full time, all my income, supplemental income...half and half...side line, pays the rent, here and there. etc...but in the end, a guy who deals in coins is a dealer.

And this is way off topic so enuff said from me...

 

I agree... I have never felt bad about anything on this forum.

When I first came on board at CT, someone started a thread about "overzealous moderators".

Most - including myself - disagreed, feeling that the moderators did a great job keeping the kettle on a very low simmer (at worst) and usually very genteel.

And yes... on the rare occasion I have hit the PCGS board I have seen some pretty raucous discussions.

 

Mark, I too collect "Tonka, Tootsie Toys, etc..." As far as your question "ahem demand" just look around. Oh well, NCS, Carausius are your clues

Take Care
Ben