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 Replies: 22 / Views: 3,184 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
856 Posts |
I'm lucky in that I was drawn to one particular denomination (face value) from the start. Then I realised I could never afford all the coins I wanted and had to narrow it down further!
Ten years on my collection consists of..
.. 64 coins. Though I have bought, owned and sold many many, more as I have added to and upgraded my collection.
But I'm finally happy with the majority of the coins I now have!
Edited by Tom Goodheart
06/15/2014 3:07 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
I've done the exact opposite. Started with a laser focus on Morgans and 1921's in particular, and now everything round turns my attention.
Help me.
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
Started out collecting like everyone over 30 years ago now, I've narrowed my specialty to Colonial and old copper in general.
That's not to say I don't collect type coins, specifically the keys.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1959 Posts |
I have also began to broaden my interests instead of narrow them. I was strictly US. Mainly quarters and halves. Now I collect every type of non gold US coins and dabble in world and even ancient coins if they appeal to me. I even ran off into the ditch and bought a few Conder Tokens. My #1 focus is still US of all types. I think I have a "set" going in about every series even though I will likely not complete all of them. Edited by jpbone
06/15/2014 4:39 pm
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New Member
United States
40 Posts |
Hey Kellikae I know what you mean I have had the same issue. as WheatBack stated Quote:
I also buy less in quantity and buy more quality. One thing when I began is I felt like I had the urge to keep buying stuff to expand my collection, but as I matured and learned more about the hobby I learned quality over quantity is definitely the way to go. Others on this site have echoed this over and over and I believe it to be one of the best tips for a newbie. The second being to educate yourself. There is some much to learn about grades, varieties and value of coins. There are so many different types of coins out there it could take awhile to narrow your range down. Just remember to have fun along the way.    |
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Pillar of the Community
1325 Posts |
I decided to begin with I only wanted a set and that would be depending on which folder I got that would fill each hole and anything else interesting.
then I got into CRH boxes of halves and after 10 have a whole box of bicentennial and decided they had to go!
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Moderator
Australia
16857 Posts |
Hi Kelli and welcome.  The most important thing to remember about this hobby is that it is indeed just that - a hobby. It's supposed to be enjoyable. If you're having fun as you collect whatever comes your way, then feel free to keep on doing that. If on the other hand you find you're becoming frustrated with the way you're doing things and it's starting to seem more like hard work than fun, then I would certainly recommend changing things - and choosing a focus may be just the ticket. Finally, don't let anyone tell you "you're doing it all wrong". There are no wrong ways to collect coins. But collecting certain coins just because other people tell you that's what you should be collecting, when you yourself aren't all that interested in them, is a surefire way of turning your hobby into a boring job. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4409 Posts |
When I first started out I bought any coin that I liked--didn't keep track of what I had bought. I started multiple sets at once and jumped around from series to series.
I am still refining my habits. I try to avoid buying duplicates whenever possible. I try to buy the best grade I can afford too. I am currently trying to finish some classic coin sets I've started.
I've been collecting 15 years (gee I didn't realize it had been that long ago since I started).
Welcome to the Community and coin collecting. Have fun.
-MV
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1314 Posts |
I was happy to collect anything and everything, until I got a topic specific book. With the new found knowledge, I have devoted much time and money to build the best topic specific collection possible. While being sidetracked by many other interests.
Welcome aboard. If you put enjoyment before profit, you'll certainly be happier, and possibly show greater profit.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I did the opposite.
I had a reasonably nice collection that was narrow in scope.
Because I had lumbered myself with a mortgage (now paid off), I did not have much to invest in coins. I found that I was passing up too many low priced bargains in other areas of numismatics.
Answer?
I broadened the scope to encompass most of the areas that numismatics has to offer.
By buying very well over the decades, the value of my collection has always steadily increased a tiny bit more than the long term inflation rate, when checking against market prices.
That is ONE reason why I have been able to sustain a high level of interest in coin collecting throughout most of my life. The strategy has also led me to increase my interest in World History geography and economics spanning the last 2,500 years.
Despite the increase in value, profits have never been realized, because I am a collector, not a trader or an investor.
I have been happy to buy a coin for a dollar and rarely, up to hundreds of dollars for a coin.
Also helps to explain why I am able to post in most sub forums here in the CCF.
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Valued Member
 United States
113 Posts |
Thank you, everyone, for your replies! It makes me feel better to know that I'm not alone in loving lots of variety! I will have a problem with storage if I keep my current behavior up, though! Ha! I guess my love so far is for coins from countries and areas I love and eras I remember and cherish. I'm obsessed with Ikes because of the size and era and Kennedy halves because of size again and Peace dollars and lots of the UK currency especially the Isle of Man coins with cats. Love me some cats! Any thing minted in New Orleans seems interesting because my family is from there and we vacation two streets down from the old mint and have toured it. Now, it's 2am here in Indiana and I'm on a coin bender!! Gotta find more! |
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Pillar of the Community
Thailand
1509 Posts |
Hi Kellikae and welcome to the community.
This is the hobby of kings which peasants can equally enjoy.
As others have said what you do and how you do it is entirely up to you. The only rule is ENJOY IT.
Personally, I've never narrowed down and this is world coins! I'm only restricted by cost so no gold in my treasure. But after 25-30 years I've a fantastic treasure chest of coins. My target this year is to reach 17,000 (102 to go).
Hope you go on to enjoy it much as I have and remember that the community has (probably) the widest range of experts at your beck and call.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Kellikae: Now comes along the cue to study the life Of Dwight David Eisenhower.
An interesting President, and military commander during WW2.
This could lead to a study of recent European history or history of post WW2 American political history.
You never know, such knowledge may give a bit more of an idea of what made U.S.A. the great Nation it is, or help to explain why you may agree or disagree with current American political policies.
You may end up knowing a bit more how coins are produced and perhaps why the designs appear as they do on neo classical American coins, a series of which I consider are amongst the most beautiful in all of numismatics.
You could even end up delving into ancient numismatics, as I have done, and looking into the history of the Roman Empire. My then embryonic collection of Roman coins led to a niece of mine into studying to a attain a PhD in archaeology, specializing in Roman sociology and poetry.
I have a beginner's interest in European medieval and renaissance coinage, and in Indian numismatics of the same periods.
The possibilities are endless. Expand your horizons!
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
849 Posts |
I was the opposite. My dad collected coins and about age 12 I collected small cents (1920+) and nickels as that was in my price range for finding pocket change. As an adult my collection was getting near completion so I added 1937+ dimes and quarters. I never was a collector of everything.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1751 Posts |
 to CCF, you have been given pearls of wisdom & experience in the prior posts. There's nothing I can add, except my experience. I've been actively collecting for 2 yrs. I started collecting the Commemerative Olympic 2010 quarters in 2008, it was something fun to do. I didn't no anything about coin collecting at that point. Then 2012 I discovered silver Nclt coins, and I was hooked. I found this forum and have learned a great deal, that's lead me to make more informed choices. The biggest lesson I learned on the forum is: coins are not an investment, buy what you can afford and like. Do not expect a return on investment. If you do it for fun and don't think of future profits, it will stay enjoyable!! I collect mainly silver coins from my country Canada. I have 1-2 series of coins I collect duplicates because I love the image. I also just started collecting one theme I enjoy, they are coins with horse images, as I used to ride & work with horses. |
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Posted 06/15/2014 4:18 pm
