I've been almost entirely inactive since June due to some pressing and time consuming domestic issues. In the year and a half prior to this I'd been only semi active due mainly to the toxic atmosphere of the forum and to a lesser degree because of the increasing difficulty in finding enough swap partners with genuine quality items.
Things are slowly returning to a more normal pace once more which leaves time for life's finer things such as single malt whiskey, Ybor cigars and coin collecting. I'm very much aware that back in June I left several people in the midst of trades / swaps but no worries on that score. Any outstanding obligations will be met in full however in the case of stalled swaps it's probably best to start with a fresh slate. I've had plenty of time to consider where I will focus my collection - pretty much pre 1911 UK, Germany 1933-1945 and Lazereto tokens. I will be abandoning substantially complete collections from Switzerland, USA and the various incarnations of Rhodesia, preferably as collections but piecemeal if that's not possible.
I'll have to update my profile before changing my status to active once more and while I've not been actively coin shopping for a long time I've still managed to pick up over 100 very desirable coins which need to be added. It all takes time of course (not to mention energy which is currently a scarcity) so please be patient, it's going to take a while to get back into the swing of things.
On a personal note it's good to see that many of you with whom I've formed a genuine friendship over the years are still around and that a degree of civility has returned to the forum. I look forward to rekindling old friendships and finding new ones.
For those members who are new to Numista, perhaps a brief introduction is called for. Phil Nightingale, at your service. eccentric former Brit, now enjoying life in America's Deep South due mostly to refusing to fly since 9/11. 50+ years as a coin collector with a long established reputation for honesty and a really good eye for turning up top tier coins. Pet hates - the Sheldon Scale, Third Party Grading pirates, rude children, other drivers, scammers, "melt value" and American's who won't understand The Joys of Cricket.
Missed y'all.
Non illegitimis carborundum est. Excellent advice for all coins.
Make Numismatics Great Again!
Happy you're still with us Phil, and keep on treating us on some sharp pieces with the sense of humour from the country you were born.
Must be quite something for a Brit between the Good Ole Boys down South. Myself I have moved temporarily to Sydney, Australia. California weather (and bushfires), with a touch of British culture. Got completely used to driving on the left now in my Korean people mover, as the Aussies call a big family car here.
Thank you gentlemen. Spending a lot of time in doctor's waiting rooms and the offices of our legal piranhas leaves you with a lot of time to just think. Of course much of it was productively spent thinking up new legislative ideas to present to our local politicos. It's been very quiet since I last visited with a proposal to carve the Presidential arses on the Canadian side of Mount Rushmore. I really need to find time to spend on these important things, plus they serve great coffee.
Sad to report that the idea of abandoning the Sheldon Scale in favour of an expanded Euro style descriptive scale (basically splitting the VF grade in two unequal parts) isn't going anywhere. Stay strong non American brothers and sisters and resist this Sheldon bastard nonsense.
After living in Tampa Bay for 13 years I'm thinking it's long overdue for me to attend a FUN conference over in Orlando. Can't stand the place really as it's full of flabby pink tourists wearing Mouse ears, kinda like Walmart with extra sweat. It's going to take something really great on the schedule to overcome my distaste for crowds. Anyone planning to go?
I've been looking through my varied albums recently, trying to decide what still holds any interest. In some cases the fate has already been cast, others are still to be decided. It's very likely I'll dispose of my UK collection 1937 - 1967 but George V is causing me problems. I've already filled the key dates so now it's just a matter of waiting for the common stuff in EF - UNC. It's neither challenging or very interesting however his portrait is arguably the best ever engraved. What to do? Maybe just sell it and buy a wreath crown eh?
Even being relatively detached from the subject I've noticed a sharp increase in the number of high quality fakes circulating as genuine. It's long been a problem but now it's not about the numbers, it's about the quality. US cents seem to be this years production theme so if you're offered a Full Red key date be very wary. I for sure wouldn't ever consider the old adage of "buy from a reputable source" to be still valid. There are, generally speaking, two types of coin dealers, older and long established types and punk kids trying to get rich quick. The former made their bones long before Wish.com and don't really grasp the problem and the latter just don't care. Trust you own senses Luke.
Stay safe out there, time for my afternoon nap.
Non illegitimis carborundum est. Excellent advice for all coins.
Make Numismatics Great Again!
I'm a very infrequent visitor here myself these days but glad to see you back in the mix, Phil!
My collecting has slowed down dramatically in the past couple of years. One of the reasons is that postage fees have become simply outrageous here in Canada that makes swapping here on Numista very challenging.
Quote: "pnightingale"After living in Tampa Bay for 13 years I'm thinking it's long overdue for me to attend a FUN conference over in Orlando. Can't stand the place really as it's full of flabby pink tourists wearing Mouse ears, kinda like Walmart with extra sweat. It's going to take something really great on the schedule to overcome my distaste for crowds. Anyone planning to go?
Phil, I dont know who has left or stay, but I for one have been absent for a while, and just quickly checking the website before I go back to work on some boxes I need to pack, I saw this post.
I will be there mate, I look forward to meet you there preferably on friday or saturday, as I am planning to skip sunday at all for a nice bbq day. PM me if you around mickey town during those days...
If your planning on going to the FUN show I’ll try to make a point to go and meet up with you there. Let me know what your plans are and we can go from there.
Quote: "pnightingale"I've been almost entirely inactive since June due to some pressing and time consuming domestic issues. In the year and a half prior to this I'd been only semi active due mainly to the toxic atmosphere of the forum and to a lesser degree because of the increasing difficulty in finding enough swap partners with genuine quality items.
Things are slowly returning to a more normal pace once more which leaves time for life's finer things such as single malt whiskey, Ybor cigars and coin collecting. I'm very much aware that back in June I left several people in the midst of trades / swaps but no worries on that score. Any outstanding obligations will be met in full however in the case of stalled swaps it's probably best to start with a fresh slate. I've had plenty of time to consider where I will focus my collection - pretty much pre 1911 UK, Germany 1933-1945 and Lazereto tokens. I will be abandoning substantially complete collections from Switzerland, USA and the various incarnations of Rhodesia, preferably as collections but piecemeal if that's not possible.
I'll have to update my profile before changing my status to active once more and while I've not been actively coin shopping for a long time I've still managed to pick up over 100 very desirable coins which need to be added. It all takes time of course (not to mention energy which is currently a scarcity) so please be patient, it's going to take a while to get back into the swing of things.
On a personal note it's good to see that many of you with whom I've formed a genuine friendship over the years are still around and that a degree of civility has returned to the forum. I look forward to rekindling old friendships and finding new ones.
For those members who are new to Numista, perhaps a brief introduction is called for. Phil Nightingale, at your service. eccentric former Brit, now enjoying life in America's Deep South due mostly to refusing to fly since 9/11. 50+ years as a coin collector with a long established reputation for honesty and a really good eye for turning up top tier coins. Pet hates - the Sheldon Scale, Third Party Grading pirates, rude children, other drivers, scammers, "melt value" and American's who won't understand The Joys of Cricket.
Missed y'all.
You’re never a former Brit, traitor to the cause maybe but you’ll always be.. “One of us”
