I’d like to get to you know you a little better…..numismatically.

I was just pondering my numismatic life, and am kind of embarrassed to admit that I really don’t know much about anything, numismatically! I’ve always been more of a hoarder, dabbling in a little bit of everything: “Jack of all trades, Master of none”, if you will. I've come to the determination that I need to read A LOT more, and study A LOT more!!!

That got me to thinking, “Who at CoinTalk are considered the ‘experts’ in various coin types, or numismatic topics?” How did they get to be an expert in that area? What made them choose that area to specialize in? "Hey," I thought to myself, "this could make a good thread! Let's learn something about the others I talk to about coins!"

I’ll kick it off. As mentioned, I don’t feel I’m an expert at anything, numismatically. I know a little about a lot of US coins. I feel I’m decent at grading many US coins from the late-1800s thru 1964 – from PO-1 thru MS-65 (I only have two coins graded MS-66, but they’re already slabbed). I don’t collect paper currency, non-US coins, Ancients, medals, tokens, exonumia, etc., but am not against delving into some of those areas some day. If I were forced to claim “expertise” in any area, I could not, but I can emphatically say I’m least incompetent about Morgan Dollars, my favorite US coin type. But, I know there are numerous people on this forum who have much, MUCH more knowledge about Morgan Dollars than I could ever imagine having.

So, if you’re willing, would you share if you have specific expertise in any area of numismatics? What are your specialties? What led you to that area of expertise? Have you written articles/books? Do you teach? Do you create video content?

Don’t be shy! C’mon, toot your own horn a little! And, don’t just say, “US gold coins” – tell us a little about yourself. Let’s get to know each other a little better…..numismatically.

And, please, Please, PLEASE – let’s make this a POSITIVE thread! No downplaying others, or belittling. Just positive vibes, please!!!

TIA,
Eric

 

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Really nice post!
I like just about anything coin related and collect whatever is old and has some good history behind it. I also collect some of the relics I find Metal detecting coin related or relics like buttons, buckles and oddballs.
This is a little off topic, but I want to point out that I'm also a joker with dry humor. Just a way of coping with life. I hope I haven't hurt anyone's feelings in the 5 1/2 years that I've been a member.... .
I also starting have an interest in War coins. Civil war, WW2 and just about any war. Ialso collect old buttons I find detecting. Here's a button I found from the 1800's...The company now is The Waterbury Button Co.

 

I've been primarily a collector of ancient coins up until a year ago or so, when I expanded my interests to modern world and US coins. I would not dream of placing myself in the category of "expert", but I do have a decent knowledge of ancient coins, and all of it came from being immersed in the hobby over the last 5 years - buying fun coins, discovering new and interesting types, reading up on the history, and being an active participant on online forums.

I'm meticulous and methodical by nature and I enjoy researching coins and digging into their (sometimes) obscure history. I think I can say I'm also decently competent at attribution, and have a good eye for pattern recognition which helps spot things like die matches. I also enjoy photographing my coins.

But again, in none of these areas could I remotely be considered an expert.

 

You may possibly be a hoarder, like I've been all of my life!

 

By "discovering new and interesting types", do you mean you have discovered types, or varieties, that have now been published as such (e.g. die parings that haven't been published as of yet)???

 

I've been dealing for 2 years and am still learning a bunch of ropes. For coin grading, give me an Indian or Lincoln cent and I feel comfortable grading it. Buffalo nickels take 3rd place, and now that I've been acquiring better dates in mid-to-higher grades, it's become a tool I use quite often. I can do Liberty nickels through XF, most Seated stuff through F-VF, and most Barber through F-15. Usually where I lack grading skills is in modern coins, as I find myself very rarely grading those.

Even if I become the world's most knowledgeable coin dealer when I'm old, I won't consider myself an expert because once you do that, some people will think you know everything about coins, when in reality there are so many coins to learn about that it'd be nearly impossible to deal in them all.


I would grade this particular Buffalo nickel F-12, and while I got it for $3.50, it may take a minute before my opinion of the grade matches with another person's. The pictures don't do this coin justice.

 

I am just an ordinary collector, I started with roll hunting, I really didn't have the money to go spend money on coins. This led me to die varieties and errors. Which led me to books and online resources. When I understood that condition =value, I turned to learning what MS looks like which led me to grading. That step right there (condition) really helped me learn what is damage VS var/error. I read on a topic nearly every day, even if it is just CT.
I don't reserve my collecting habits to just Varieties and Errors. I collect moderns, contemporary, ancient, world, exonumia. I like crisp paper.

 

I mostly meant discovering types that were new to me - although I have also discovered types that are apparently unique and unpublished.

 

I collect mainly ancients and medieval coins. Sometimes early modern. Basically if it's struck and it's cool.

I only have two modern coins, one Morgan and another, similar one I received as a Secret Saturnalia present; a British trade dollar, which turned out to be a very nice gift. I suppose if I make the very rare venture into moderns, it would be something like that.

 

Where does one go to report "unique and unpublished" types/varieties? Can anyone tell us? I'm assuming it's different for Ancients vs US vs non-US, etc.

 

I collect Moroccan coinage, especially of the French influence period.

I collect Capped Bust Half Dollars, especially with rainbow toning.

I am particularly well known as a specialist in prooflike coins.

You can find my book in my signature below.