I Need Help With My Dad..

Was afraid of this.

Family has been in and out all day with tomorrow being the crazy family day. Christmas day will be my downtime.

I just posted here re: lighting:

https://goccf.com/t/193231#1790783

I may start collecting on my own after being here only a short while. However, my interests/tastes are different from that of my dad. Some ancient Roma coins have been catching my eye.

Your Dad may have some mental health issues that need addressing.

Then educate him. New collectors don't have to be kids. Work with him. Learn collecting together. We'll help.

Most of those sets are composed of "whizzed" coins in my experience.
Cleaned, altered, and/or polished. That is what was in the sets that
family used to buy for me as holiday/b-day gifts. It was heartbreaking
for both them being scammed, and the forever ruined coins in the sets.

Does your Dad enjoy reading at all? If his eye sight is still good, and he can comfortably read books, you may try and introduce him to some good coin books, like "Adventures with Rare Coins" and " United States coins as Illustrated by the Garrett Collection" both by Q. David Bowers, excellent reads that might slow down his spending willy-nilly for a time, then get him to read any number of books by Scott Travers (all very good on investment woes and pitfalls, as well as strategies).

An older book on investing or at least making a profit in the coin business, David Hall (PCGS) wrote, that is out of print, but not too hard to find, is still relevant other than pricing. David discuss and interviews the top coin dealers in the business as to which coins are the ones that will increase in price over time, and in which grades to own. Some real eye openers in the lists in the book - "Mercenary's Guide to the Rare Coin Market" I see copies currently listed on Amazon for under $1.00 + S&H.

That last book should show your Dad what he is buying is not investment grade. David explains how even coins like 1913 Nickels aren't really good investments (usually), his book is direct and straight to the point. I read a ton of books myself, (almost all coin related) and was really impressed by "Mercenary's Guide to the Rare Coin Market" - which I had not read until a couple of months ago, though the book came out in 1986.

My Dad was similar, though he blew his money on get rich quick schemes, leaving my Mom nothing after he died, so sad as he had over $1 million at one point, whittled down to a bankruptcy, and IRS tax liens by the time the medical bills were paid off. I never expected anything from him, but to see that my Mom was left with only her Social Security check every month after how much they had 10-15 years before he passed away was almost criminal, she couldn't even afford to keep her insurance they had together. Please don't let your Dad do this to your Mom. I feel for you.