Collection Or Accumulation?

My take on the difference between a collection and an accumulation is that of intent and purpose. A collector intends to acquire specific items to meet some purpose. In other words, a collector of the Liberty nickel series would be in search of coins of each date and mint mark in a particular grade or condition.

An accumulator does not have specific intent or purpose beyond the acquisition of items of interest or use. I'm a "gun accumulator" for example. My guns are not collectors items, they just have a combination of qualities and characteristics that meet my needs.

In the world of coins, I am mostly an accumulator. I have too short of an attention span to single-mindedly pursue a goal or purpose beyond the simple accumulation of coins that I find attractive, appealing or otherwise interesting.

I tend to hoard certain coin types...buffalo nickels and anything silver...that fall into my hands. Date, mintmark and condition have little to do with it. Any buff that has a legible date just doesn't leave my hoard.

Gosh it's fun!

I was asking my self the same question the other day. Why do I want all the excess when I really only need one example (the best one available) for my collection? I used to save all the 1973 "Mountie" quarters I got in change, but earlier this year I realized it was ridiculous. I kept two or three of the better ones and started spending the other 300 or so to put them back into circulation. I also did the same for the hundreds of spare 1999 and 2000 BU millennium quarters I had left over. Now it were only that easy to part with the older stuff.

I had a little problem when collecting paper money. It's getting harder and harder to find the old, pre 1995 notes, with the small faces in circulation. I saved every one I could find and valued every one. But stuff... they aren't worth anything if there not Unc. Even the 1934's don't sell for much over face if they aren't in good condition. So I got overmyself one day when tuition was due, and put about $500 in old 5's 10's and 20's back into circulation. And to be completely honest, I have many, many more that I just cant let go of...
Ty

I think I would probably come under the classification of "Collector".
About the only time I get any extras is when I find a coin that's in better condition than the one I have. I replace it, and give the old one to one of my sisters (got two). Trying to get them interested in collecting, but I think they're more interested in whether the coin has any value beyond face.
In this way, I've been able to complete some sets - Eisenhower dollars - Susan B. Anthony dollars - Sacagawea dollars - Walking Liberty half dollars - Franklin half dollars - Kennedy half dollars - Clad Washington quarters - Clad Roosevelt dimes - Jefferson nickels. In addition to those, I have several that are near completion - Morgans (12 missing) - Peace (1 missing) - Barber halves (6 missing) - Roosevelt Silver Dimes (3 missing) - American Silver Eagles (2 missing).
Soooooo....... I believe there's something to be said for collecting over accumulating. And I think it's a whole lot more fun filling that hole in an album than having a bunch of coins I don't really need taking up space.
Of course, the acculumator may have in his hoard a coin that, while not worth much today, may be worth a small fortune down the road. You never know.
I guess what it really boils down to is whatever about this hobby that brings you the most pleasure is the course you should pursue. Just my Two Cents worth.

Ralph

I don't think I'd fall under any to be honest. I usually buy a coin for it's aesthetic appeal and once I am bored with it, usually a few weeks, I sell it around. I do seldomly keep a coin or two around, such like 1936 Buffalo nickel, 2000 Mexican Silver Proof, 1923 Peace dollar which I got last month Everything else seems to come, stay a bit and move along, even if I make or lose money on the resale of such items.

Definitely both. I have a box full of wheat cents sorted by date and mint mark that aren't in an album of any sort, just bags. On the other hand, I collect Indian Head cents, Wheat Cents and I also have a US type coin set. The albums I would consider collections and the rest accumulations.

I am an bizarre asociator liking proof goldcoins with potential bought close to melt most of the time

One of my best associations is Mariejeanne from Haiti with a Machete in hand next in the album to a proof Napoleon III ready to cut his head of . If you understand the association
( The napoleon family seem to have used the guillotine frequently )

I think a collector must be defined as someone who purposely acquires specific coins (as to denomination, type or date), whereas an accumulator retains coins that happen to come into his/her possession.

By those definitions, I am a collector of U.S. coins and an accumulator of world coins.

Jan