That should never even be a debate. Today, I feel compelled to address the absurdity spreading like wildfire through the sports card community. Let’s talk about “coining”—a trend that has somehow found its way into the hobby. Coining, for those blissfully unaware, involves writing your name and the date next to a card you’re posting for sale, supposedly to prove authenticity. Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong. In an age where it takes mere seconds to fabricate a convincing fake with Photoshop or similar tools, the concept of coining as a safeguard is laughable. Yet, here we are.
Let me be clear—this isn’t an attack on anyone who lacks advanced tech skills. But please, spare us the self-appointed authority act. Stop treating coining as the end-all-be-all. When someone asks a harmless question about a card, demanding they “coin” it like you’re the hobby police is absurd. You’re not gatekeeping authenticity; you’re just making the community unbearable.
Case in point: I recently saw a new collector post two cards, simply asking for clarification about the difference between them. Instead of helpful answers, the poor guy was met with a mob yelling, “COIN THE CARD!” “OMG, WHERE’S THE COIN?” “WHY ARE ADMINS ALLOWING POSTS WITHOUT COINS?” Seriously? He wasn’t selling or trading; he just wanted to learn. That’s the kind of toxic behavior that turns a thriving hobby into a cesspool of egos and ignorance.
Here’s a thought: if you can’t function in this hobby without seeing someone’s name and date on a post, grab a piece of paper, write your name and today’s date on it, hold it up to your own screen, and call it a day. If you genuinely believe that scrawling a random name and date—because, let’s be honest, you have no clue who the person behind the post is—will somehow save you from getting scammed, you’re part of the problem.
This hobby doesn’t need coining zealots; it needs people willing to share knowledge, foster community, and appreciate the craft. Let’s save this incredible pastime before it’s completely drowned by nonsense.
If coining is part of the process to help minimize the risk of scams, fine—include it, but take it with a grain of salt. It’s just one piece of the puzzle and should never replace common sense. Always make informed decisions, remember the golden rule: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Take the time to research the sellers (or buyers), verify their credibility through reviews or feedback, and rely on a mix of safeguards rather than putting all your trust in a trend like coining.