If you were considered an expert on one series, what would it be? Not that I'm saying anyone IS an expert, but my question is "what series do you know the most of, out of all the series you collect?" I would say mine would be Canadian large cents, but as I said before, I am far from an expert. But if I had to choose one that's what it would be. How about you guys?
Seated quarters. I try to read as much as i can about them, i look at as many as i can and i strive to try and find some unknown varitey. i've also written several articles/tidbits about them that have been published. once i'm done with my military service (got about another 20 years god willing) i'd like to write a book about them
I'm hardly an expert in anything, but the series I know the most about in my collection is Morgans and Capped Bust Halves. Guy~
I wouldnt call myself an expert, Not yet anyway...LOL But through Reading alot of books and asking the right questions iam getting there On Military Payment Certificates!!
I doubt I'll EVER call myself an expert. I like too much stuff and need to "spread myself thin" at the shop. What I am called upon most often at the shop as an "expert" are Two Cent Pieces and Small Size U.S. Paper Money. I have to admit I get a bit irritated when the boss DOESN'T ask for my opinion on these items if they walk in the door for sale. An expert? Nope. Do I know more than he does? Yep. Today was a good example. A regular came in and bought a few thousand in gold. Saint's and $5 Indians. He paid cash as always. He does some of the local shows and a few of the hundreds he paid with were "old style". Seems someone had paid him with them. We were pretty busy and the money went into the drawer. Later he has our jewelry lady counting the money. I asked if the "old style" hundreds were in there. Yes they were so I took a look. FIRST one I see is a 1950B series Chicago Star note that grades Fine. The only "keeper" I saw but it retails at $200 in VF so I snagged it. If we sell it for $120 it's $20 more than using it as payment or putting it in the bank and that's exactly where it was headed. Not the first time I've done this with paper either. Hopefully, if someone pays with Two Cent Pieces he'll take notice.
I prefer the term "specialist" but it would of course be Lincoln Cents followed by doubled dies esp. in 1900 to date coins. In the Lincoln Memorial cents I am an expert. 5 of the wisest word I know are "when you know, you know"!
A decission I could neve make. I've been collecting coins for well over 60 years now. I have only temporary interests or likes in one type, then another, then another over the years. There have been times when I went nutty over Mercury Dimes then completely lost interest in them for a long time. I just couldn't imagine even wanting to be an expert in any or all coins. I just like to collect coins as a hobby. Absolutely no interest in being an expert of any kind. Maybe just to old now.
That's kinda where I'm at. I'm definitely not an expert. I do have experience in Indian $2.5s, Liberty $10s, and early Federal stuff, notably half cents, large cents, and draped bust halves.
Carl, I feel your age all to much esp. lately and you bring up a great point about interest ebbs and flows, sometimes really into it, sometimes not. This is a very real process that we all go through and new persons (those that think they will never lose interest) need to learn "they will also". I never worry anymore about calling myself an expert - you know when you know or maybe folks are afraid somehow to elevate themselfs to such a possition. On the other hand, An expert (in coins anyway) only has to believe him such regardless of what others may think. If he/she has read volumes, looked at hundreds of thousands of coins, buys and sells such and most importantly is called upon to render opinions and is respected in his community, he might as well say he's an expert. To often in life people do stretch the truth about themself's,(or what they know) to gain a given advantage or simply brag and boost their ego. The other side of that coin is someone saying they are not (an expert) when they really may be. "To say you are when your not, is just as bad as saying your not when you are, because both lead one away from a truth and both support false pride"!
I would probably choose Civil War Tokens, but I am pretty big into Ohio Trade tokens also. I feel that with 10,000+ and 30,000+ varieties, there is much more that I don't know than what I do know. I have assisted/contributed to 3 books regarding tokens, and recently became involved in discussions for a new Ohio Merchant Token book.
I collected Dutch paper money dated 1916-1955 for many years and while I was certainly no expert I knew things that others didn't. Working in television I have discovered that many people who call themselves experts are not. Most real experts are usually humble and realize that as much as they know they don't know it all.
I'm good with Flying Eagle cent varieties but still grab a book to check myself. To me, knowing where to look for correct information is part of being an expert. It's important to have a good library to call on.
Eisenhower Dollars would be my first choice due to the massive amount of hours spent with them. Far from expert though. There a some that study the series that I am in complete awe of due to the shear amount of information they can pull off the top of their head about Ike's (Rob,Brian,Herb and Lee) Just to mention a few off the top of my head. Stewart
