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Message:: [QUOTE="V. Kurt Bellman, post: 3220972, member: 71723"]Yes, the OP needs to be encouraged, not belittled, but there IS room for a little criticism of the way new collectors "burst onto the scene" generally, by no means ONLY this OP. I call it (imprecisely) the "expectation to hit it big". New collectors seem to get all lathered up believing they have instantly found rarities. There is no introspection about probabilities at work in their minds. What their questions SHOULD be are things like, "I know this can't be what I would wish it is, so what am I missing?" Just saying. The enthusiasm reveals a lack of thought and reflection. I believe EVERY new collector needs to make it a MISSION to fully understand what a proof coin is, for starters. Go look at some proofs somewhere. Educate yourself, fast. I had an unfair advantage - the FIRST 5 coins I had in my collection were proofs - a 1963 set carefully housed in a Capital Plastics holder. I still have it 55 years later, and aside from some gorgeous SUBTLE toning, it looks as good as ever.[/QUOTE]