Very Personal CT Question

Interesting.

Critic then.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

No, coin inspection has not made me more cynical people who lie or deceive do!

No, coin inspection has not made me more cynical people who lie or deceive do! That plus advertising does.
You know the buy one get one free if paying seperate shipping though!
The idiots on eBay who don't know a doublED die from the side of a barn!
The idiots on eBay who don't even know how it's spelled or said correctly!
The ads on TV where they have 18 pages of "small print" with promotions that only a person inside the studio at the time of production could read!
The ads that tell you one thing but mean another!
Lawyers and Govt. officials, (I worked for the Govt. for 28 years)!
People who serve on commitees, they are certainly destined for hell!
All others instead of telling us the plain truth slither and slide around a whole bunch of nonsence before they get to the pay out!
People who are self-rightous esp. the ones that say "i never stole a thing" or had a sinful thought - run don't walk away from these people!
Never trust anyone who would not steal just a little because the ones that say never will steal any of it will steal all of it then help you look for it!
People who want and need cut and dried answers to most everything - they will never be satisfied with anything because they cannot accept mystery! Mystery is what this life is all about!
Oh ya one more person - the ones that are certain they are going to heaven and the rest of us are dommed to hell - Oh, boy have I got news for you!!!!!

 

Wow brother. Amen!

 

Like RickieB is saying its not a perfect world we live iin :whistle:

 

Bingo! Answered. Lock the thread.

 

What the *bleep*

Who are you to say lock the thread?

That is awfully presumptuous.

 

collector, fine... but if you are investing in coins it behooves you to be infinitely more critical and knowledgeable of what you buy.

BNB, I think that I can shed some light on something here in this group. A lot of these posters that have given opinions (and apologies to some, I am only using a few as examples, I know that there are more) are either: former dealers (Doug) current dealers (Penny Lady, rlms cents) work for a dealer (me, clembo) or former TPG graders (Mark Feld).

One profile at times looks like another and so it's kind of hard sometimes to tell the players without a scorecard, but there some very knowledgeable people here and it sometimes is best to swallow one's pride and listen to what they say, try to understand what they are saying and then apply it to the situation and re-draw your own conclusions.

Typically even in the worst of circumstances (and even with some of the most stubborn minds... um, that's me) you can discuss and question and argue as long as you listen and try to understand. Typically it is the less learned collector that makes the mistakes. It is the more learned collector who also made those same mistakes but did something to avoid re-visiting them.

 

Thanks for that Mr. Noodle. No disrespect but is that your last name? Never heard of a Noodle before.

But anyway, thanks for the input, I still remain neutral on the issue though.

I just find it a bit discounting that on internet forums, people like to go personal with the poster instead of follow the question.

It's like the reason Dems and Repubs fight, the Dems claim Repubs go personal and don't focus on issues and the Repubs go and accuse Dems of the same thing.. It's annoying.

 

just wanna leave a bread crumb here....to see where it goes.....

 

Interesting question with interesting responses. As I have grown over the years I look more closely at a potential purchase closer than I once did. For starters my vision sucks so I always have magnification.
I simply want the best coin in my collection for the money basically but should I spot an error in the process I will consider a coin for that.

It's a bit different at work (I work in a coin shop). When we get coins in and they're not common it is in our best interest to evaluate a coin for a number of reasons.
What is it's grade? Are there problems? Should we slab it? How much should we charge?
I can think of more but I hope y'all get the gist.
We certainly don't go through every common coin that comes in. Nowhere near enough time but I DO look for some of the better known errors.
As of late I've been looking at 42-D dimes closer thanks to a thread by LostDutchman. I want to find a 42/1 D and figure eventually I will. I've made it a "goal".

NOW, when I reflect upon it, there is one area where I have become much more cynical/critical. It involves both the U.S. Mint as well as those that so desperately seek out certain errors.
In a nutshell it is the various "errors" being found on some of the newer stuff. How many "errors" have been recognized on the new Lincoln Cent? How MINUTE are they?

Seriously, I look at a copy of Coin World a week or so ago and there's a reference to a new Lincoln "error". Seems there's an extra pane on a window in the reverse. Wow! Was I excited!
I showed it to coworkers and some regular customers and they were excited as well. How could we not be after all?
I mean YOU ONLY NEED A HUBBLE TELESCOPE TO SEE THE ERROR!

I don't care if only 5 of those exist. To me it's a great waste of time.


Now that I'm done with that short rant it hasn't changed me a bit as an every day guy. If something is stupid it's stupid that's all. I've always been that way and compared to the people I work with I am BY FAR the most patient person there. It shows when waiting on customers.

 

I'm glad you find the question interesting because I feel it is a very interesting one.

I'm glad that you observe whether or not this has changed you as a person. It most certainly has changed me, I have become so much more skeptical in general. Don't know if that's always a good thing..

 

Being a fairly new collector/investor/numismatist and avid error coin hunter I would say I was drawn to the hobby because of my cynical/critical backround (I have been involved in quality assurance in some way shape or form for the past 26 years). I enjoy finding the smallest error in something and seem to have a knack for seeing what does not belong/isn't right.
I will say I agree 100% with bhp3rd's post and the types of people mentioned have made me more cynical since joining the hobby and the more I see these ads/people on TV and e-bay the more cynical I become. This has nothing to do with the hobby itself, I sincerely feel whether or not I collected coins the general garbage in society would have made me exactly as I am today if not more cynical as coins seem to soothe my savage beast and are a release from the real world full of snake oil salesmen. It does my heart good every time I find even the minorest (not sure this is a real word) of errors in a roll I am searching, or wondering why someone would stuff a nickel roll with dimes every other coin.( I guess he was tired of being nickeled and dimed to death ).
Enough rambling to answer the question No I am not more cynical/critical because of my hobby.

 

Thanks for your input.

 

Then ask yourself this question. Is it worth your while?
I actually have a pretty bad temper but it rarely surfaces anymore because it's not worth it.
I had a boss of mine ask me this question MANY years ago and instead of getting mad I thought about it.
I still believe stupid is stupid and will still rant about certain things but overall if it's not worth it I won't let it affect me. Why should I?

Yesterday we had a customer that wanted to sell some dental gold. He spoke VERY loudly. I waited on him because I ALWAYS wait on the "odd" customers. "Talking" to him I learned that he has lost his hearing. Older guy so he still spoke quite clearly but LOUD because he has no clue.
Seemed to be proficient at lip reading as we were able to communicate. We bought his gold and he shook my hand because I actually DID take the time to deal with him.

To me that was a lot more satisfying than just turning him away. I made his day and if you get down to it he made mine.

I run into all sorts but when the day is over it is just that. Over.

 

I'll second that emotion.

Bruce

 

Paradigm shifts happen all the time. We think one thing but the reality is that we are wrong and we change our perception based on that reality.

 

BNB,

The energizer bunny has got nothing on you. You are constantly thinking, moving, planning, gathering, testing etc. I love your enthusiasm. Just yesterday I was discussing the contribution you make to this forum with another CT member. I noted that you have a knack of sparking conversations and debates that keep this a very lively place. I love it.

Now to your question which I think is a good one. I believe there are many people that become cynical because of their environment. Certainly law enforcement officers are affected long term dealing with the criminal element day in and day out for years. Some of the most jaded people I know are veteran police officers.

Can this same effect happen to us because of the way we collect coins? I don't know. Personally, I collect coins in a much different way than most people. I only care about overall eye appeal. Every coin will have its flaws no matter how minor/extreme those flaws may be. When I look at a coin, I judge the eye appeal first and then identify the flaws. Then I weigh the effect those flaws have on the overall eye appeal of the coin. For example, does a weak strike ruin the eye appeal of the coin. Consider the following 1924 Peace Dollar.





The first thing that strikes you when you see this coin is amazing luster. Upon closer inspection you are presented with undeniable gem surfaces and about the worst strike imaginable. The question is to what extent does the flawed strike affect the overall appearance of the coin. In this case, the strike gives the coin character but does not kill the eye appeal of the coin IMO. I don't focus on the weak strike, only its affect on the coin as a whole. It keeps me from become cynical, I promise that.

 

Wow thanks a lot for that! I really needed it. It always helps to hear someone point out your strengths and flaws but be fair about it! You're absolutely right with your example. We just sometimes have to appreciate the coin at face value no pun intended, and leave the marks up to the TPGs..

 

BNB - "fair" about it, eh? :desk:

Many posters have taken the time to give you honest feedback that you've solicited. When that doesn't fit your preconceived view, then that becomes unfair in your mind. My perception is that you have a thin skin.

Regarding cynicism, I think as one collects over time, one becomes more discerning of what one wants. Think of a wine connoisseur. How did that person become what they are? I would suggest that they weren't born that way, but evolved over time to appreciate minute differences. Few of us probably care enough about wine distinctions, but for those who do, it is a passionate affair. Likewise with many coin collectors. As they become more experienced, they remember their mistakes and try to avoid them in the future. And thus when they see another doing something similar, they attempt to warn a collector, especially a new one with a lot of money.

 

I believe cynical people are the most well informed. Some are in between. For the rest, ignorance is bliss.

You're worried about becoming too cynical because of your experiences with coins?? Well, welcome to the real world!

The people/dealers who are looking to take advantage of you and rip you off are mixed in with the good ones!! And they don't wear a sign on their forehead or give you a warning in their ebay listing. The fakes are mixed with the authentic. The mis-graded are mixed with the properly graded.
If you aren't willing to be honest with yourself and root them out, good luck with business.

I know a guy that is highly intelligent. Remembers stuff from college that I couldn't dream of remembering. He is the most cynical person I know. He is very tight with money, but is also one of the wealthiest people I know. But would never act like it.
I used to find it annoying. I often wondered why is he this way? One day it dawned on me that his years of experience made him this way.

Almost everybody is trying to rob you, nickel and dime you and take advantage of you in any little way they can so THEY can get ahead. They don't care about you! Insurance companies, banks, salesmen, businesses, government and on and on. He has been formed into this.

Good or bad, he's had a tough life but is highly successful and enjoys life in his free time. He knows more about more subjects than anybody I know. If I ask him a question he has long, well thought out answers that are helpful and truthful. He doesn't sugar coat things. Has far less of a sense of humor than me. He is a realist. It works for him. For others, I suppose that would be too much to come to grips with. Even if that means simply grading a coin properly.