The Neophyte Numismatist

Wishing you all the best.  Keep your gloves up, keep fighting.  Physical battles are first won mentally... you've got this!

Celebrate the victories in life.  Today, I celebrate your submission.  Tomorrow, let's celebrate your remission!

Love this entry.  Thanks for sharing your journey, mistakes, pivots and resources.  The biggest mistake I see from newbies is the inability to recognize a mistake, learn and pivot.  The second is not trying to find the right resources to help the collector to level the field.  Your entry is a clinic on the correct way to evolve through learning.  Evolution through education may seem like a "no brainer", but there are some the continue to reject facts because they do not align with their desires.  They fail to accept that the coin is "tuition".  Your post has wide applicability for those that are willing to to follow a similar path.

On 1/29/2024 at 6:59 PM, sami ray said:

The art of good music for the general violin and using it with another instrument in order to complete the playing of the violin means that the message has been conveyed

 

That's deep, brotha.  But, these guys are telling you the truth.

“Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.” 
― Winston S. Churchill

Extra Extra... Buy your grading scale crosswalks here! 

First - Congrats to @Revenant!  I really enjoy reading your journals and your journey in coins, so I am glad your set it back on top.

In regard to change - All is well when two companies work in complementary business models, but the minute there is competition, all bets are off.  As a business person, I would absolutely do the same.  I would never incentivize my clients to go to a competitor, unless that was also in the best interest of my company.  

I love it.  You have created a scalable goal that gives you satisfaction along the way.  Congratulations and have fun finishing it out. Exciting!

I love the different takes on the hobby, and how goals are as individual as the people who set them.  I took my registry sets private, because I wanted to not get caught-up in the "upgrade for points" game.  I will put it back-up as my sets complete, and by then I will be done and not tempted to upgrade.

I love what you did @Captainrich!  You turned the registry on its head, and set your own requirements that pay off in satisfaction as a collector, rather than points.  Kudos in your ability to create a unique, interesting collection without the pressures that the registry can create.  Truly something to be proud of from many vantage points. 

Thanks @CoinJockey73 .  I wanted to have a place were people could post the absurd, and potentially more "passable" threats to the hobby.  I agree that these things should get a hot spotlight, because they prey upon the neophyte.  Fortunately for me... I am cheap, risk averse and a complete nerd.

Lots of lovely coins.  The Mass 1/2 Cent!

On 7/17/2022 at 3:11 PM, JoeF said:

ebay as a source of coins is a joke...why bother when there are other options available to acquire coins?

I disagree.  I think eBay is fine if you know what you are looking for. Lot's of great dealers on eBay.  Prices are more miss than hit, but I find eBay to be a great coin aggregator.

Sorry to hear about your loss.  The new addition to the family in December is a great way to close-out the year.  I wish for an uneventful delivery and a healthy happy baby.

Your coins and medals are superb.  Great eye appeal and photos just lovely.  Thanks for sharing, and I wish you all the luck!

Yep.  Exactly that kind of stuff that is so upsetting.  And, unfortunately... it's all too common.

On 4/1/2022 at 8:18 AM, CBC said:

These should be a pretty obvious “no” to any collector, even a novice. What really should be on a “Wall of Shame” are the ones that sell Chinese fakes that they claim they “inherited from Grandpa” or sell altered coins like 1894-S Morgans with the mintmark removed, then both the seller and ebay refuse to take down the auction when confronted.  

Post them - that's what this is for.  I found a "Help Grandma" but post the fakes and scammers.  I am a novice, and definitely recognize the fact that these are not-as-advertised. Hoping this could help someone from making a not-thought-out purchase.

On 3/9/2022 at 9:37 AM, Revenant said:

I think a type set in PR01 could be pretty awesome and cool in its own way, but coins that bad are only graded when the coin is super rare and valuable....

Modern issues... lke Dollars, SBA, Kennedy Half Dollars fetch extreme premiums in P01.  The asking prices boggle the mind.  All you need is a pocket and time.

@coinsbygary In your opinion, what is the downside to the red on the reverse of the coin?  The coin has a BN designation, so presumably you get the remnants of original red without the premium.  I fully understand not wanting to buy RD (or even RB) examples due to the premium and risk associated with browning. Likewise some of those early copper coins with RD designations have been brightened or recolored.  

But, when it's already BN... what's the harm in a little natural red peeking through?  When it fades - it grades!  Or, are you simply stating that a brown coin is completely stable, and should have few visual surprises... whereas a red coin can fade/tone in a non-uniform or otherwise unattractive way?

Excellent.  Thats a very tough set to have a high rank - very widely collected!

So... this is not at all what you are talking about, but checkout the Ryedale Penny Sorter on YouTube.  They are amazing!

The coin bounty hunter.  I smell finders fees in your future.  Geek on, sir.  Geek on.

Let me know when you are accepting "coin find" challenges.