Another coin descriptions 'ism' that I really really really find offensive

[MikeKing]

How many times do you see:

 

"This is a coin for the serious collector."

 

 

When it is being used because the coin (while it may be exceptional) is > $20,000.00, or something like that.

 

(which implies without question that serious=deep pockets, not collector serious, studying your coins, scraping up the $100 or so to find that evenly worn, naturally patinated, well centered, relatively clean, representative of what you are looking for. No, the one that can write the book on the subject, he/she is not the serious collector, but the one who has pockets deep enough to pay 20K for a conditional rarity of a specimen, likely, they know little about anyway.

 

No, it has nothing to do with that at serious at all.

 

 

The fools road to eye appeal....

 

 

** disclaimer: this does not apply to wealthy or affluent collectors who are truly serious collectors, and they know what I mean. I hope.

[TomB]

I understand what you are writing and it reminds me very much of those folks who write that a coin is "registry quality" or something of that nature.

[WinstonWare]

Yes agreed. I don’t care for either advertisement method.

[rrantique]

How many times do you see:

 

"This is a coin for the serious collector."

 

 

When it is being used because the coin (while it may be exceptional) is > $20,000.00, or something like that.

 

(which implies without question that serious=deep pockets, not collector serious, studying your coins, scraping up the $100 or so to find that evenly worn, naturally patinated, well centered, relatively clean, representative of what you are looking for. No, the one that can write the book on the subject, he/she is not the serious collector, but the one who has pockets deep enough to pay 20K for a conditional rarity of a specimen, likely, they know little about anyway.

 

No, it has nothing to do with that at serious at all.

 

 

The fools road to eye appeal....

 

 

** disclaimer: this does not apply to wealthy or affluent collectors who are truly serious collectors, and they know what I mean. I hope.

 

 

The Serious Collector

 

You may start out going through your pocket change to see if you have any old pennies, but coin collecting can get into your blood. Before you know it you' ll become a serious coin collector. Then you' ll start buying coin-collecting equipment, and visiting coin shops, and going to coin shows. Before you know it, coin collecting will go from hobby to obsession, and you will have become a serious coin collector.

 

Note to one's self must have DEEP POCKETS.

[bsshog40]

I think it pertains to the statement that it is being used in. I don't like the "serious collector" if it pertains to the selling of a specific coin. I don't mind the word "serious collector" if it describes a person that is a dedicated numismatist. When a person motivates him/her self to gain knowledge of coins/currency, then that person becomes a "Serious Collector".

[123cents]

I'm with you Mike. They should just say this is for the "deep pockets" collector.

[Count_Erfit]

Well rats! I was just going to open a store for the serious steely collector.

[michael]

I understand what you are writing and it reminds me very much of those folks who write that a coin is "registry quality" or something of that nature.

 

 

all equates to selling and money

[Doogy]

I understand what you are writing and it reminds me very much of those folks who write that a coin is "registry quality" or something of that nature.

 

(!) Tom, i was thinking about that yesterday. Now that PCGS is doing a low-ball registry set, i guess ALL coins can now be considered 'Registry Quality'!

[WoodenJefferson]

I understand what you are writing and it reminds me very much of those folks who write that a coin is "registry quality" or something of that nature.

 

(!) Tom, i was thinking about that yesterday. Now that PCGS is doing a low-ball registry set, i guess ALL coins can now be considered 'Registry Quality'!

[RUSS BEGA]

and yet traggic at the same time

[James_OldeTowne]

I think it's sometimes appropriate to distinguish "serious numismatists" though.

[IGWT]

This coin: (a) is sure to please the serious collector, (b) will capture even the most discerning eye, © is one that will satisfy the true connoisseur. I can become a serious collector with the discerning eye of a true connoisseur . . . if I just purchase that coin. Yes, it's marketing. Or, a bit more precisely, it's the psychology of marketing.

[WinstonWare]

I think it's sometimes appropriate to distinguish "serious numismatists" though.

 

By what definition of “serious collector?” I consider myself fairly serious – I spend a fair amount of my free time reading numismatic books, spending time here learning from others, but that doesn’t make me expert or affluent – just serious about the hobby.

[Count_Erfit]

This coin: (a) is sure to please the serious collector, (b) will capture even the most discerning eye, © is one that will satisfy the true connoisseur.

 

I want those THREE COINS!!! SEND THEM IMMEDIATELY !!! Just invoice em and I'll send a check. Front money if needed. Don't let them go to anyone else!

 

[Oldtrader3]

My all time favorite auction description is: "this coin is meant for this series specialist". Whatever that means? Somehow implying that the rest of us are just too unsophisticated and out-of-it to appreciate this coin and pay the hefty price?

[okbustchaser]

My all time favorite auction description is: "this coin is meant for this series specialist". Whatever that means? Somehow implying that the rest of us are just too unsophisticated and out-of-it to appreciate this coin and pay the hefty price?

 

Actually, I don't have any problem with that (as long as properly applied). For example, I have paid often 10 to 20 times the price for an R-5 or R-6 capped bust half die marriage. To the non-specialist this coin would be worth the same as an R-1 die marriage of the same date and grade.

[MikeKing]

My all time favorite auction description is: "this coin is meant for this series specialist". Whatever that means? Somehow implying that the rest of us are just too unsophisticated and out-of-it to appreciate this coin and pay the hefty price?

 

Actually, I don't have any problem with that (as long as properly applied). For example, I have paid often 10 to 20 times the price for an R-5 or R-6 capped bust half die marriage. To the non-specialist this coin would be worth the same as an R-1 die marriage of the same date and grade.

 

I agree with what you say 100%

 

I've been just reviewing auction results for a particular coin I'm studying, and I find most bothersome the similar words of 'a coin for the specialist' and 'an opportunity for advanced collectors' for high grade >$20,000.00 examples, when these terms are never used for the lower grade specimens <$10,000.00. Which is a shame, considering price of a coin has nothing to do with numismatic acumen or a choice collection.

 

It's a disservice to many a good numismatist.

[Count_Erfit]

It is high time for Evil Roy Slade to start sellin coins.

 

"Here's good coins; gimme money!"