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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;GDJMSP, post: 74437, member: 112&quot;]Howdy banny - Welcome to the Forum !!</p><p><br /></p><p>Your story is unfortunately one we hear all too often - so you are not alone in that. There are countless people out there who have owned collections for many years, sometimes generations even, and eventually one of them decides to have the coins authenticated only to find out that this one is counterfeit, that one cleaned and that one over there has been altered. And then, just like you, they feel bad - discouraged, and want no part of the hobby anymore.</p><p><br /></p><p>It&#039;s normal to feel that way, but there is another choice - knowledge. True you have suffered a rude awakening, but the pursuit of knowledge will ensure that it never happens again. For in this hobby, knowledge is the single most valuable thing you can ever possess. For it will not only prevent you from making financial mistakes, it will allow you to enjoy the hobby more fully than you ever have before.</p><p><br /></p><p>You also need to understand that the coins coming back in body bags in no way reflects upon you. Collectors have been cleaning coins for hundreds of years - so the cleaned coins were cleaned long before you ever owned them. Counterfeits have been in existence since the first coin was ever struck and coin doctors have been artificially toning coins for decades. There are no new tricks or scams in the coin hobby - just old ones that are still being used. And knowledge allows a collector to recognize them when they pop up.</p><p><br /></p><p>So instead of just selling your collection and giving up - set out to learn. Keep your collection and use them as study pieces. Participate right here on this forum - it&#039;s a good place to start. Ask questions, post pictures and voice your opinions. From the first moment you&#039;ll be learning just like the rest of us - you are already.&nbsp; <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie2" alt=";)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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