Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! I'm thankful I found out about Coin Talk and finally started posting actively a while back.
I'm thankful I live in an area where major-league desirable coins are available raw in fairly massive quantities, and are sold by live auction in places where there is zero Internet bandwidth available. One coming up Friday morning. If the boonies had boonies, that'd still be urban compared to this site. My 7070 album will lose at least one empty spot, with a coin that will be XF at a bare minimum, likely BU. My budget will be blown by 1 or 2 coins successfully bid.
I am thankful for dealers who facilitate this hobby, and thankful for friends who share the same love of crazy little bits of old metal.
I'm thankful that my Mom's parents introduced me to the hobby when I was very young and very obsessive. Early knowledge is sturdy knowledge. I'm grateful for the individuals and organizations that bring us the Internet, and those that put useful numismatic information on it. Present company especially!
Harrisburg, PA. Siri tells me the auction is 37.4 miles away. 574 auction lots, most single coins, and about 20 are slabbed. Last year's equivalent sale included a PF50ish impaired proof 1856 Flying Eagle cent - RAW! Large portions of the coin market are driven by people with lots of money, but questionable personal knowledge skills (investor collectors). My area is dominated by numismatic scholars of modest means.
I am thankful for the knowledge being handed out here and for the people who make this forum and collecting so very special.
I'm thankful for the knowledgeable information provided by most of the active, regular responders on CoinTalk. The GTG threads that improve and challenge grading skills on a regular basis. The generosity of the members with giveaway contests. Even the out in left field replies that are meant in jest are usually funny and taken in context. I also am thankful for the CoinTalk Moderators that get involved when needed, but rarely jump into minor issues until a line in the sand has been crossed. I hope everyone's Thanksgiving is enjoyable no matter how it is celebrated by each individual.
The high dollar crowd has always been around. They live in a different world, and collect by and large different coins than the rest of us. I measure coin collecting by enjoyment, not economic return. In that way, I think those of us who concentrate on coins because of what they are, and not how beautiful or expensive they are, get at least as much enjoyment out of the hobby as those with deep pockets. There is room for all groups and budgets to make an enjoyable hobby in coin collecting IMHO.
I am Thankful that I have Coin friends to help me grow as a collector. I am very Grateful for the books written and the Web apps available to organize all my coins on.
I am thankful to have all y’all great people to talk about a hobby that we all love and enjoy.Also thankful for my wonderful wife and son. Thanks, icollectoldmoney
Such as...? I ask because I'm currently working on an idea. It will use a server to keep track of your collection IF YOU WANT TO (fully encrypted, of course) and use your own phone if you have the space and want the ultimate level in assured privacy.
I'm thankful for people who know more than I do who are willing to take the time to share their knowledge with others. Both virtually and in person.
I'm thankful for CT and a couple of other sites that I frequent for the knowledge I've gained. I seriously doubt I would enjoy this hobby as much as I do without the ability to share the occasional newps with others who appreciate this hobby. Thanks all!