1883 Liberty Head Nickel — Type 1, No “CENTS” on reverse (Credit: National Numismatic Collection, National Museum of American History)
The article talks about the dealer’s held belief that successful coin collecting is about the hunt for the perfect coin. It is finding the right coin for your collection then making it better. Unfortunately, the more this industry holds on to these notions, they are scaring off potential collectors.
What the article and dealers do not want to tell you that it is perfectly acceptable to pick a set, topic, or series and find examples that are good or consistent with the rest of the collection. They tell you that you have to buy the coin in the latest piece of plastic with the highest number and graffitied with stickers. But what they do not tell you is that you can find better-looking coins at lower grades and many times without stickers or entomb in plastic.
One of the best looking collection I saw was a Liberty Head “V” Nickel set with all of the coins in extra fine (XF) condition. It is a more difficult collection to assemble than one might think. These coins were the workhorse of the economy. Their copper-nickel alloy was softer than the silver coins and wore quickly. It is challenging to find 19th-century coins in XF condition.
The set will not bring its assembler a lot of profit since the Liberty Head nickel is not in high demand. Instead, it is an accomplishment by a dedicated collector whose goal was to have fun.
Maybe that is the key to promoting the hobby. Let’s have some fun and stop worrying about what is the right or wrong way to collect!
And now the news…
June 18, 2019A gold coin that dates back to ancient Rome and was discovered in a field by a man with a metal detector has sold at auction for nearly $700,000. 
→ Read more at jckonline.com
June 20, 2019Why not get the kids off the computer and into something of lasting value? → Read more at desertsun.com
June 20, 2019The archaeological excavations in Parion, a well-protected ancient city in Çanakkale, aim to shed light on the defense system of the city → Read more at hurriyetdailynews.com
June 20, 2019Mickey Mantle and Hank Aaron were among the impressive collection. → Read more at silive.com
June 21, 2019LANSING, Mich. — While attending the International Paper Money Show in Kansas City, Missouri late last week, the staff of Liberty Coin Service purchased an exceedingly rare 1736 mortgage document for land in Mooreland, Pennsylvania Province that was printed by Benjamin Franklin. → Read more at fox47news.com
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I mostly agree with you here, but as in most things, this “do your own thing” mantra can be overdone. Yes, collect what you like, of course, but I believe we older collectors owe the newer collectors the benefit of our advice. With this millennial generation, as we’ve seen, following good advice is hardly their long suit, but we owe them the effort. The passion/mania I see in younger collectors for extremely minor errors and/or varieties has two possible outcomes. 1) They will eventually TURN the hobby into their vision, or 2) They will become disillusioned about the whole hobby because what they’ve accumulated doesn’t interest any other demographic. The jury is still out, but there’s no general agreement that finding some tiny element “doubled” is a worthwhile endeavor.
Let’s not forget to tell them what we know – quality counts, and likely always will. Quality can be measured in both obvious and not-so-obvious ways.
Scott
I finally have time to reply. To be brief, I met a dealer several years ago who thought numismatics was “the honby of Kings” and that it was nothing for the ordinary Americans.
That type of thinking is a great way to destroy the hobby. There are not enough wealthy people with an interest in numismatics to keep major shows and probably the ANA going. A good idea might be to ask people attending the World’s Fair of Money what their annual. Incomes are and show it to these jerky dealers, but that probably would be a waste of time.
If dealers want to run their business by catering to the wealthy, they can. That might be an okay way for a dealer to run a business, but it’s a terrible way to run thee hobby. That’s my point.
Sincerely
Bob
EXCELLENT POINT, Bob. There are enough uber-wealthy collectors for the Laura Sperbers of the hobby to serve, but our august (and August) ANA Board of Governors seems to have forgotten that “coins shows are for regular people” also. I believe I saw MY portrait above the words “of modest means” somewhere, and I do get a sweet deal from the ANA as a National Volunteer, but how many collectors, especially the exhibiting variety, can afford to add 6 nights of hotel at $200+ a pop to their budget? I’m afraid the decision makers in this hobby are catering to those present at the expense of those who could be, would be, and should be there, if it weren’t so darned expensive.
Kurt
Thank you for your comments. Laura Sperber got nasty with me when she was a Governor. She spoke as if the whole ANA was going to do what she wanted. I complained to the President of the ANS. He assured me the ANA is not runned that way.
I could go on and on on this subject. I won’t except to say that one night in Rosemont for the WFM will cost me a little over $500 and the cost would be well over $600 if I hadn’t used airline reward miles to help pay.. Remember, that’s for one night. Imagine the cost to bring a family!
Sincerely
Bob