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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;medoraman, post: 2026564, member: 26302&quot;]Fair enough. I truly get that some simply cannot get to shows, and no good local dealers exist. I grew up in Iowa, and before I left there were no great coin shops left, and the shows were not great, so I know what you mean. In the old days people in that position used mail order dealers, and the internet has replaced them. So, I do agree with you Paul that some people cannot do the show thing. However, everyone can still read good books, converse on the internet with respected numismatists, etc. Education is still needed, though, and if you do not have access to good shows and dealers, then you need to use other avenues even harder. You did that sir, using good books and good websites to study and learn. Heck, I would also say it could be done without good books. Books are a shortcut from learning on your own. If someone took all of the time and effort that authors of good books did, of course they could learn as much as what a good book will teach, it will just take much longer. That is what I mean a good book is a massive shortcut to knowledge in this hobby.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>So, yes, a knowledgable numismatist can be created without the aid of some of the great resources. If you simply cannot afford a good book, or simply do not have a good show or dealer nearby, it will just force you to work harder to become knowledgable.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The reason you wish to become knowledgable is multi-fold. First, you get more pleasure from your coins the more you know about them. Paul, I imagine knowing the stories why wartime nickels were part silver, why the 50d is so common in MS, (I am sure you can fill in 50 more stories here about Jefferson nickels), makes your Jefferson nickel collection that much more interesting to you than to others who lack your knowledge of the series. Secondly, by truly being knowledgable you are better able to recognize important rarities and acquire them versus other collectors or dealers. Third, its simply a good time. Is there anything better in life that learning about coins, (things that are G rated)? The internet is a good tool, but truly any idiot can, and do, say whatever misguided advice they wish. A good dealer, or a good book, are sources of trustworthy advice, something that simply cannot be said about the internet. So, its a great tool, but I would never recommend ONLY the internet as the source of education to any collector.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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