Why does it seem that the older numismatists

It goes without saying that there are exceptions to every generalization but I can't help but to notice on this site and other sites that the people who have been in the field for a long time, several years or decades, carry themselves with almost an elitist fashion quick to dismiss any new members' posts. Look around on this site, a lot of the older heads act sassy, argumentative, and condescending, which is cringeworthy at their age. They won't explain their conclusions. They just sputter out words like "Fake" or "PMD" or "Artificial" as if they can be definitive of a coin's status based just on photos.

I've been into numismatics for about six years. I'm not seasoned but I am not a novice either and years ago on my old account, I posted photos on here of a Mercury Dime with rainbow toning and of a Steel Penny with a double clipped planchet and a bunch of older members were quick to reply with "fake" "fake."

I got them graded anyways and although they weren't worth as much as I'd hoped, they were all real, certified. I sold them awhile ago.

My question is: Is inaccuracy deliberate? Do the veterans feel as though the younger members have to pay some kind of dues. Like is this the older coin heads' only time in life where they can feel powerful and exert some passive dominance albeit from behind their computer?. Are these the equivalent of bullies in the coin world or does his field just attract people who are miserable and socially inept?

Not talking about the helpful peeps on here. There are some, the moderators are great especially but I don't think it's unfair to say that there are a lot of abrasive, crabby men on this site who could simply abstain from answering questions instead of acting horrid.

 

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Inaccuracy is not deliberate in many if not most (nearly 100 percent probably) but some people don't know as much as they think they do and spout off. I suppose I could be guilty of that, too, at times. But I would not do it to lead someone astray.

You have to remember that for anyone on here you are just getting a free opinion from them. Some people's opinions are more valuable than others and you are free to ignore any opinion you don't like. As far as PMD ... Most coins, from a decent pic, can have certain things favorably ID'd as PMD and it will be. Many newbies don't yet recognize the vast number of PMD occurrences so they post, thinking they have something.

 

I understand what you mean. I recently got a 2015 D Blue Ridge in change. The cashier busted it open from a roll and handed it to me. This thing has mirrors on it like you wouldn't believe. Straight out Proof Like, the ONLY draw back are some hits on the fields. I took some coins in to be graded thru my LCS and he told me it wasn't worth sending in. When I get around to it I'll post some pics and see what others think.

 

I haven't had that experience here at all. I'm only 24 myself but I've had nothing but good experiences on this site and even once when concerns were brought up about a coin of mine, they were legitimate concerns and the guy who brought them up ended up admitting he was wrong and we both learned something after I contacted an expert on those types.

 

I think coin collecting attracts a certain type of person. JMHO, but coin collectors are often perfectionists. Not in their view of themselves as much as in their view of the world around them. Coin collectors take joy in order, and having everyone and everything "in it's proper place." Therefore, I would bet the divorce rate is higher among coin guys due to an inability to realistically deal with individuals that refuse to fit into a mold. And I would bet that Narcissism often shows itself among "our type." These things would also suggest that coin collectors tend to be staunch conservatives, both in their belief systems and voting patterns. Just conjecture, I know... and I am speaking from a male perspective.

No offense intended by this post, just my thoughts and speculation based on what I see.

I will add that ancient coin collectors are often much different. Their coins are almost always corroded and or cleaned, and they don't care. They love the history and the story more than the need for perfection. Thus the personality type and temperament is much different. You will find that true on that forum of CT, without a doubt.

 

You may want to keep it in a 2x2 if you think it would grade ms65 or more. May not be really valuable now but you don't know it will end up being one that is one of few better or best business strikes. May have some minor value later to a particular collector. Just a thought.

 

I agree with you but there are a few reasons that it happens. I don't feel it is all about the age of the poster. After many years on the boards, a person will see thousands of problem coins and may type out the reasons they feel the way they do about a coin. It hard to type it out over and over again, so a quick answer is the easy way to move on and enjoy a different thread. Sure, anyone can be wrong.
When I post a coin, I want to here as many opinions as possible. Somewhere in the middle is probably the correct answer. Not everyone has the time to type out a long reply to every thread. Just so many hours in a day.

 

Okay, Cole, since you've chosen to blame the old timers for their matter-of-fact responses, I'd like you to put yourself in our shoes. Come to this site day in and day out, 52 weeks a year for year after year and answer the same questions over and over and over and over and over and over again. After a while, some of us start saying, "Google is your friend!" but then we get people whining that we're being mean and inconsiderate. After all that, then tell me how you feel. If you tell me that it doesn't get to you after a while, please don't be offended if I say that "I don't believe you!"

Chris

 

A couple thoughts:

I don't agree with anything you wrote.

Thick skin is helpful in internet forums and in life.

If you don't like answers to questions about a coin...don't ask.

 

Bottom line is that this forum is more of a place to talk about coins. Like a social club of sorts. Teaching newbies is not the main mission of this particular forum. There are other forums that lean towards newbies and teaching however this one leans more towards socially talking about coins rather than teaching. I agree though that some people can be rude and abrasive here like no other coin forum I know but hey, we don't make the rules and everyone's welcome which means you get all types. Some thick skin is a prerequisite here as it should be in ones life in general

 

The answer to this is simple for me and it is what I apply to my life in general.

Don't be so sensitive.

Everything is taken why to personally anymore. Sure older people can be grumpy and irritable but there is no reason that it needs to get to you.

Furthermore you have to remember, when you post on the internet you are inviting people to comment and give their opinions. If you don't like certain people most forums have an ignore function so you don't have to see their posts.

 

Ok, I'll give you that some fakes are hard to tell by pictures but PMD and AT information is readily available on the internet or in books. Reading and teaching yourself is a better way to gain experience than just having somebody tell you about it. That's the problem with some younger people now a days - they want everybody else to do the work as they sit back.

 

Poppycock!

 

This has been my experience here. I have found the forum friendly and educational and that was before I moved to ancients. The error section sadly is usually just weird or disappointing. People post the strangest things there.

 

Dang, you're fiendish!

 

PS. As much as people complain about the grumpy oldies and horrid people here, I have to say I am quite a sensitive person myself with extremely thin skin. Yet somehow I've managed to last here a number of years now and if it was as bad as people said (barring a few examples of people actually attacking the person and not the coin or the situation) I would not have been able to last here and thrive. 'Nuf said. FACT!

 

OK. You have made your observations. In another thread about whether some coins were fake, you used three semi-insulting paragraphs to again assert your opinion about many of the members here.

I hope that will not be standard operating procedure for you. You've stated your feelings. This is a place to discuss coins, not personalities.

Now, GIVE IT A REST!

 

And you sure as heck don't burn your bridges before you cross them as YOU stated in your last post -

QUOTE - "I imagine that the average coin collector over age 50 has a pony tail that they pull through the opening in the back of their baseball cap and just sit by their computer arguing all day with others of the same style." - QUOTE CLOSED

Can't start off like this then whine that some people are mean to you!!

 

What you've noticed is pretty much true for all aspects of life, not just numismatics, especially for those with limited education. The older they get, the more set they are in their ways. They've developed a defense mechanism to deal with the crazy world, that works for them. Any challenge to their beliefs, challenges their security. With a limited education, there's no capacity to assimilate new ways of looking at the world. Ever hear, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks"?