I just finished putting up our Christmas Tree with the wife and kids tonight. It has gotten me in the mood to share a few things with all of you. I haven't been around lately as much as usual, been working 60+ hours a week. Couple of people quit, and I've been trying to take advantage of it while I can. First, I hope everyone here has a wonderful Christmas, and at least a thing or two to cause the new year to be anticipated fondly. There have been numerous threads and posts over the last month or so concerning reading books on coins, learning from the internet in general, newbies questions, and learning here on Coin Talk. I have learned a lot about this hobby right here, made some good friends doing it, and enjoy my time here. There is something that I gained here I don't think I could have gotten anywhere else besides here or perhaps some other forum similar to this one. Reading people's threads has taught me a lot of specific things. That is whether I asked the question or someone else did and I just read along. For this I am very thankful, and I hope along the way I have made a few contributions myself. The most important thing I have gained from Coin Talk as far as coins are concerned is a broader knowledge of what is out there. It's hard to buy a book on a coin or research it on the internet if one doesn't know it exists in the first place. I don't think there is an American coin or token that has not been discussed here. This is with pictures, cost, how to grade, mintages, and on and on. I have said before I really don't have the time or the desire to join a coin club. Coin Talk is my coin club, and I'm quite happy with that decision. We certainly don't always agree and most of us will usually defend our position until the end. But, when all is said and done the varying opinions and posted facts only help us all.
Well said, great post. If the thread of the week was still around, I would nominate that post. Cointalk is definitely my coin club as well. Happy Holidays!
Cointalk is probably the only place I can go to over and over again without seeing the hostility of other forums. For some strange reason I feel very confident at this forum, and I like the overall feeling of Cointalk. Cointalk kicks butt! And I wouldn't know any of the stuff I know now if it wasn't for the people here!
Larry, you Da Man. Still, old fellow, I think it quite appropriate that you join a local coin club. The guys and gals here are helpful, knowledgable and informative, but nothing beats the experiance of one on one interaction with a group of real (not virtual) people. I joined a local coin club (in my neck o' the woods) last spring and I will tell you that nothing beats the expriance of learning first hand from some of these "old guys"(present company not excepted). At the last meeting there was a fellow who brought along some Spanish Escudos (dubloons). I actually had the experiance of holding a coin that was minted over 200 years ago. Beautiful pieces. Virtual experiance pales in the light of actually holding one of these coins....
I agree with Green. I am the Prez of the local club here and actually just got home from one of our meetings. We had two presenters this evening, one was on bills from Michigan. Bank Bills.. Very interesting and they are gorgeaus. I am off to buy the book later this evening online. The other was on Germany notes from 1922 to 1924 and what happened during that time period in Germany. Was a great meeting and I have met some of the nicest people with like minds.. JOIN a local club, your missing out my friend.
You know I haven't been here very long, but I have really enjoyed this forum...the people are nice the info is spectacular...none of my friends or family collect coins so until I joined I really had nobody to share my hobby with...this is my new coin club...thanks to everyone and Merry Christmas.
Ken, I have no doubt you are correct espcially being tha man part. With me working at night on various days I just don't think it would work well for me. If for no other reason I think I would always feel I'm not a good member due to the infrequency I would be able to attend. Also going along with that would be the feeling of being obligated, I have enough obligations already.
Being in a part of the state where few coin shops and no coin clubs exist, I must certainly say that finding this forum was a bit of a blessing, especially given how civil it is. Happy holidays, everyone! I look forward to learning from the best of you.
This is actually another reason. I'm sure that what the presenters did was great, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. But, for me I would have very little to no interest in this at all. Please don't take this wrong, it's just the truth about my personal interests.
I hear you Larry....coin clubs are very understanding though. At least mine is. These guys don't make me feel obligated at all. Everybody just shows up once a month and shares....I'm truely amazed at the amount of knowledege that's collectively involved. You gotta join a local club and attend when you can. Don't think of it as an obligation, think of it more as an enrichment. That being, of what you can contribute (when you can) and what you can experiance first hand.
I lurked on several coin collecting forums and this seemed the most informative & friendly. It's also the first forum I ever joined for collecting. I havent been a member very long but ive enjoyed my stay so far and have learned alot on various things that interest me.
Glad to hear that old fellow. Family obligations and professional contraints always inhibit us. But remember old fellow that this hobby is your outlet...your release...your escape. You must excercise this option, if for no other reason than to keep youself ontrack and for lack of a better word, sane. There is so much out there in the real world that will do us in if we're not carefull. This forum and a local club has medicinal qualities indeed......:smile
I agree. I just joined a coin club not long ago and had the same concerns as the op in not being able to attend regularly. They assured me not everyone attends every meeting, and considering I was over 100 miles away from the actual meeting place they understood completely. Guy~
I too, like Coleguy, live far away from my Coinclub (350 miles) but I do pay the membership fees just to support the hobby. I've never made it to the meetings, so cointalk certainly is my spot for learning more. One day I hope to be able to give back to the community. I do alot of reading and not very much posting.
There are virtual (on-line) coin clubs like WINS - World Internet Numismatic Society - where anyone in the world can be a member. Many members of this forum are for example. And while it is not quite the same as meeting with people face to face, for those who have no coin club in their area it is a viable alternative.
Coin TALK is what has really brought interest to my antique booths, as the customers were asking about coins, wich has really helped the profit. Besides I have been collecting certain coins for myself, the knowledge on this site amazes me. Wishing all of you happy holidays AND HOPE SANTA BRINGS YOU THAT SPECIAL COIN
