Ok, it's time for me to run a contest. Here goes: All you have to do is write a short synopsis of the most important lesson that you have learned from CT, how you learned it, and why it's an important lesson. i will decide all winners based on whatever I decide. There will be a winner in 2 categories: 1 YN winner (under 18) and 1 over 18 winner. The contest is open to anyone who was a member of CT before this year (so you have to have been a member since 2009, no new (January) users, please. Both winners will receive a 2009-P dime. Not a Mint Set (satin finish) dime, a real circulation strike dime! Contest ends this Saturday night at Midnight Central Time (get it, CT?) Good luck to everyone and I look forward to reading the responses!
Ive learned not to buy/ believe everything that you are told or see. Ive learned it because ive read alot of peoples posts about how they might have gotten ripped off and how dumb ebay is. Also those chinese fakes(they make a fake everything lol). This was an important lesson so when i start buying the expensive stuff, i hopefully wont buy some fake, way overpriced, or way overgraded piece of history. Im in #2
Ok. I read the rules. #1) I win. #2) I fit in category 2 #3 The is no #3 so I still win. All you have to do is write a short synopsis of the most important lesson that you have learned from CT, Nobody touch nothing~ how you learned it, Repetition~ and why it's an important lesson. I'm still learning it. i will decide all winners based on whatever I decide.
1. Before spending money (no matter the dollar amount) do your homework and before buying a coin. a. Use the internet and read read and read some more. b. How to post (upload) Photos 2. After you thought of you done some research do some more. 3. The hand is faster than the eye, meaning that some things arent always what they are i.e: fakes 4. Learn from the mistakes of others before making a HUGE mistake yourself. 5. Everyone has the right to an opinion so be respectful of it and learn: a. What I may like you may not and that's ok. b. Take the opinion at face value (depending on who's it coming from) 6. It's not recommended to use Ebay due to a lot of Chinese counterfits, use more reputable sites like Heritege. 7. Just because a coin is slab doesnt always mean that it's worth more 8. If you are buying slabbed coin buy from a good grading company (NGC, PGCS, and ANACS.) 9. Do not clean coins. It's better left alone. 10.The only stupid question is the question not asked. 11. Keep your coins in a safe and dont tell people what you have or post pictures of them due to this being an internet and we wouldnt want your stuff stolen. 12. If you must touch a coin, touch them on the sides not on the reverse or obverse (due to oils/grease etc.. on your hand) 13. Key Dates/condition are important (quality over quantity). 14. I am a noob. 15. Brain is fried. Sure there is more but I am stumped right now.
1. DO NOT CLEAN YOUR COINS!!! 2. Even if a coin is a key date, it may not be worth much in fair or good condition. 3. Keep your coins organized. 4. Check back at CT before buying an expensive coin to make sure it is a good deal. 5. Just have fun!!! It's a short list, but I feel those are the most important things that I have learned.
buy the best coins that you can afford. respect other peoples choices on coins. never clean coins. take advise from people that have more experince than you.
I've learned that every coin has a story behind it and just because it doesn't have a book value it can be worth more then anything else to the collector.
Where to start......(and if I should win, donate the dime to 2nd place, ).....there is so much. You have to realize, I was a complete novice when I joined CT having been out of the hobby for 30+ years (since I was a boy) and rejoined after inheriting my Dad's collection. I learned about roll searching and error coins here. I don't know why, but it never occurred to me to buy rolls and search through them (before I only searched the change I received). Because of this sight, I have found a blank planchet, a WAM, some very cool struck through and other errors, silver and buffalo nickels, silver dimes, over 460 silver half dollars, and hours and hours of entertainment. Because of this sight, I was encourage to put 2009P dimes on ebay since I was the only one who had found them. I never would have done that had I not been here. Well, since I was the first, I made a sick amount of money which has allowed me to buy coins that I want and complete some Danscos, etc. So, I learned of the magic of selling coins to remain in the black in my hobby. I learned not to clean coins at all. I never knew that when you make it shiney, you also remove the numismatic value of the coin. I learned that there is much more to this hobby than just filling holes in an album. I learned patience, grading, condition, knowledge, reading the book before buying the coin, and similar lessons. I learned there was a difference, a big difference between a coin collector and a numismatist. I still consider myself a collector, but am moving toward being the more knowledgable numismatist by trying to learn all I can. This is vital to this hobby as there are many pitfalls for the uninformed. I learned how rewarding it is to teach YN's. After reading some stories here, I volunteered and taught the Coin Collecting Merit Badge for a local boy scout troup and created 12 new YNs and had a blast doing it. I've learned how fun this hobby is by reading some greats posts by Clinker and others who share fun facts about all kinds of different areas of numismatics. I learned how coins and paper money is not just a means for purchasing goods and services, it is both art and history. I learned that learning about the coin/banknote moves this hobby from just being fun to being both rewarding and informative. I've learned that I'm not crazy with my obsession.....that others have the same sickness and that I'm not alone. What a great lesson this has been! I guess I'll stop here. I could go on, but suffice it to say that I love the fact that I found this site.
What have I learned? The most important thing I have learned here has to do with the various qualifiers that TPGs add to their slabs. I've only been collecting for a few months, and my books always praised the technical prowess and financial security of buying slabbed coins, but for all I could tell, they simply applied a grade and moved on. I also knew that some coins were better struck than others, but did not realize that there were potential indicators for how good particular coins were, such as the Full Steps/Torch/Bands/Head/etc. designations. CT changed that though, and quite luckily for me, seeing as I collect in a couple series where this is important (Roosevelts and Mercuries). How did I learn this? Luckily, there are a number of knowledgeable posters here who are happy to share information at the drop of a hat. It started with a thread by Lehigh (I believe) that explained in great detail the methods used to determine the number of full steps on Monticello for Jefferson nickels. It was a fascinating and very well put together post, and it got me thinking that perhaps there were things like this for the coins I liked (I had already been ensnared by the siren song of the ten cent piece at this point), so I did some searching. I found a blog post that Schatzy had linked to describing the trials and tribulations of identifying Full Torch Roosies, and why this designation (given only by NGC) was to be preferred over PCGS's FB designation. At this point I knew about FB designations for Mercury dimes as well, so more searching led me to a discussion of TPG criteria for what does and does not meet Full Split Band expectations, and the conclusion was that, among the top two, neither was necessarily more preferential than the other, though NGC's criteria have the appearance of being more thorough. Why is this lesson important? I'm new to coin collecting, and I know that I want to put together a collection of the most beautiful coins I can find. Learning about how to find the tell-tale signs of a superb strike and great condition, in my mind, is pertinent information for finding those beautiful coins. If a bit of info can help a person build a better collection, then I sure as heck think that is important!
I've learned that some people on here are really great people, the kind you want to learn from and stuff like that, people who are friends, more then just associates on a message board...and some people on here....I wouldn't want to associate with in real life, although the number is few and far between on the latter! I've learned a lot about world Gold on here, like the Dutch issues which have been in production forever (lol) but the name escapes me, probably because I've been awake 18 hours and am half asleep. I've learned more about ancients here then anywhere else, due to the expert ancient collectors who share their knowledge. How to read them, how to Identify them, and even more. I've learned a lot about world currency on here...coming in I knew a pretty decent amount on US currency, although it did and still does pale in comparison to most here....I knew almost nothing about world currency before, and now I actually have more world then US in my collection, and much of that can be contributed to my postings and readings on CT! Well...there is more I know I have learned here but can't recall off the top of my head...I probably should have waited and done this when I was wide awake...but you did say keep it short...
Ok where’s my magnifying glass? What I have learned and continue to learn is to not only watch every coinage and paper money that crosses my path but to treat it as if it were the one special find every body is looking for. I also learned and am learning to pass along what I have learned to other people who are into collecting and not necessarily money collections. My kids the other day perked up when I told them what I had found in putting a collection together for them. What feeds my desire to know more about collecting is the commonality of those who collect; we are a nerdy bunch and we enjoy every minute of it.
I've read a couple of the responses, and most are really good. But I'm wondering, did you want just one lesson (which the word "the" would usually imply) or more than one (which is how most people seem to be answering)
ONLY POST YOUR OWN PICTURES!! BECAUSE IF YOU POST ONES OFF GOOGLE, WELL YOU WILL GET BASHED LIKE NOBODIES BUSINESS. Ohh, and also if you have questions just ask, instead of just posting what you think it is.
the most important lesson implies singular and I would say that it is how I would like the entries. However, the fact is that I cannot restrain people and must accept the entries that they submit. I have reserved the right to pick any winners I want though, so go figure it out and do what you want. It's a fun contest.
Coin talk has taught me a number of things, especially as I am new to the hobby, since I joined a few months ago. Firstly caring for my coins. I learned that PVC does not mix well with coins, and that coins should be NEVER cleaned. Storing coins was also something I was exposed to here, flips seem to be most encouraged and liked (which is what I got too ). Secondly I have learned a great deal about toning, doctoring and the like. I honestly never would have guessed in a million years that H2S causes silver to turn funky colors. CT has given me tips to look out for not only doctored coins, but also fake gradings, and other fake coins in general that can be found on Ebay and the internet. I would also like to thank CT for helping me identify several coins in my world/ancient collection that I did not have the faintest idea about before coming here.
I hope you're going by Eastern Time! Assuming you are: The most important thing I've learned here is just how darn little I knew about coins. I learned that some years for some coins have weak strikes, I learned about cleaning (mostly not to), toning, differences in TPG's, differences in Full Steps (nickels) and Full lines (Franklins), differences in coin albums, differences in types of collections (sets, types, slabbed, raw, etc.), I learned "read the book first" and "buy the coin not the slab", I learned all kinds of varieties, that proofs show up in circulation with regularity, and on and on and on. I used to think I knew a small amount about coins. Now I've learned enough to know that I know a minuscule amount about coins. But at least now I know where I can go to find out more!
