What is the hardest skill to acquire in numismatics?

For some, grading is difficult. For others, variety attribution comes slowly. Many have a difficult time putting a value to a particular coin. Some people have a great deal of difficulty spotting countefeits.

So I ask...

What is the hardest skill to acquire in numismatics? What do you have trouble with?

 

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Photographing coins, as I was just trying to do with no success. I can't take a good photo of a coin to save my life:headbang: Just have to keep at it until I find something that works I guess.

 

Anything can be learned with enough practice, the right books, and a helping of patience.

I would add to your list of difficult skills: AT/NT. Most people just don't understand the science of it, which means they really have no idea what they are talking about.

Photography is difficult, yes.

For me, one of the hardest things is determining AU versus UNC. Coins that fall on the borderline are among the hardest to grade, in my opinion. I guess this is just one aspect of grading, but I think its difficult.

 

I would definitly say photography. I'm a semi-professional photographer, and I can't get photos to look good. I have resorted to scanning the coins in my collection!

 

To me, 2 things.

1. Being able to determine whether my pocket change is or will be collectible.

2. Grading pocket change.

 

From all the time I've spent hanging out in my friend's coin shop, I'd have to say people have a hard time telling whats valuable and what isn't. I'm always amazed at the crap people bring in thinking they have a treasure trove of coins, when in fact they have coins worth little more than face value, if that.
Guy~

 

I've spent the better part of 5 years learning how to photograph coins and I'm still picking up new things.

 

I'd have to say the toughest skill for me is counterfeit detection. I think I have a handle on it for the series I collect but shoot there are so many different techniques for all the different key dates from complete counterfeit to drilling small holes in the side to mount a new mint mark above on a legit coin etc.....

 

It used to be spotting a cleaning. But I've worked on that to the point where now I worry that I won't spot counterfeits if they are reasonably well done.

 

Spotting alterations is hard for me, I can spot most gold counterfeits, however some coins are harder than others. Gold dollars are hard because of their size, and 2 1/2 dollar indian US gold is very hard to detect, also because of its size and because of its design (sunken relief). When I took my counterfeit detection class, we were handed several 2 1/2 dollar indian heads. We were asked to look in the neck for toolmarks, ALOT of people had trouble spotting them on the neck. I couldn't spot it no matter how hard I looked..I don't know why.

Detecting alterations can be tricky, but my thing I'm the worst at and have the most trouble is grading. I have a real hard time learning how to grade, especially having no mentor now.

 

Simple question. Answer: How to stop this hobby, go out and get some fresh air.

 

I agree with telling the difference between high grade AU and MS. And something nobody here has mentioned is my grading versus the tpg graded coins. I like the tpg coins to meet my definition and I realize I could be wrong. And I also agree with detecting fakes - even on the coins I collect I am sure some good counterfeits might get by me.

To me photography is not part of the hobby - yes it really does help to sell and share on this site, but I think I am better servered learning other things. Of course - just my opinion on this one.

 

I disagree with all of you! (big surprise, huh?) The hardest thing in numismatics are squiggle coins.

 

For me, its fundraising first. Next would be telling AU from UNC.

 

I am completely at the mercy of the TPG's for authentication of most series of coins. I can't spot a counterfeit unless they are really bad.

 

Just common sense - think about it for a min....most people would think that you would want to clean your coins, yet common sense is NO. I could go on and on, but I really think the hardest skill is the skill is LEARNING.

Speedy

 

The hardest thing for me to learn was patience.

 

Mike,

I have a cure for that. Learn to play middle to high limit Texas Hold-em.

 

...learning that Jack Danials and eBay don't mix.

Seriously though...the newer counterfeits scare the hell outta me. I got a lot to learn about them.

 

The hardest skill for me is selling for more $ than what I bought for. Not easy in this recession! :headbang: I do buy low but when I sell, the buyer offers even less, lol. So, I don't sell unless I can make a profit, any profit, small is ok but I won't take a loss.