Does Anyone Ever Get Burnt Out On Collecting?

Quite the opposite for me, I get a bit more excited each time I fill a slot. But my approach is drastically different than most. My current albums of Lincoln Wheats, Indians, Barber, Merc, and Roosevelt silver dimes are only filled with restored metal detecting finds. Free coins (ignoring gas, equipment, etc...) but the likelihood of ever completing an album is so remote that it keeps me engaged.

This is precisely why I've never been much of a "set" collector, especially of the date-mintmark fill-the-album-hole sets that are popular with US collectors: the paying of big bucks to acquire the coins needed to "complete the set", coins that are functionally identical to the 200 other coins I already have in the "set" apart from the date and mintmark. And the "filling the album hole" motivation would surely be perpetually frustrated if the only way to purchase those final high-end coins was to buy slabbed examples and thus the coin would never actually physically go into that empty hole.

That's why I collect coins. All of them. One of each type, date and mintmark ever made, from every country that has ever existed and issued coins. And with a budget cap of AU$1000 (US$500) per coin. Since this "set" would be functionally impossible to "complete" (unless you're an immortal trillionaire), I can relax and collect whatever catches my eye and lands within budget. No burnout.

I understand not everyone can be motivated to continue collecting without having achievable "goals" to aim for. That's OK, everybody's different. But the risk of "burnout" is a drawback that is fundamentally built into this concept of set-building, especially in an endeavour a popular as coin collecting where supply and demand means that those final few targets to hit are so much more expensive than the regular coins. The other drawback to this method of collecting is the opposite of burnout: inadequate reward upon successful completion. If one does persevere to the end and "completes the set" - what then? You don't even get a video-game-style "Congratulations, you won!" screen, unless you make one yourself. I'm often astonished to watch people who've pursued completion of a set for decades when they "win", and then they just... give up, sell everything off again, and maybe start again on some other set from scratch - almost like a catch-and-release fisherman.

no not yet. Even when I was in the Navy, I traveled with my collection and added to it as I traveled.

My attitude/solution:

1. It's a hobby.
2. If it causes stress or burn out, see 1.

yes, but it was more due to funds availability. cant remember how long but it was probably 25yrs as my children were hitting their teens and costs were rising. got back into it when I found this site in 2013. now that I'm pretty much retired and really too old now to continue accumulating I just live my collecting life watching and helping others collect here.

As you can tell, I quite like nickels. Also, Lincoln cents. My Lincoln cents collection I think might be my most proudest achievement for me personally.

I've had variances over time in what I find interesting. But now, looking on it, outside of collecting my nickels and adding to my Lincoln Cent collection, there really aren't any coins that interest me enough to say "hey, I want to build an entire set of these." Also, cost is a huge factor. But yes, I thought about building some kind of type set. I would prefer to use a Dansco. However, with the prices that they are at currently, I'm kind of waiting to see if I can find one that is a good deal.

While working on my Liberty nickel collection, spending 30-40 dollars on each coin for me, personally, is a lot of money.
I know many coin collectors who spend FAR more with their collection since they can afford it. I, however, cannot.

I've been enjoying adding cheap proof coins to my Lincoln cents collection. What a difference in price and enjoyment.
There also, unfortunately, isn't that many coin sets out there that are interesting and budget friendly IMO.

I recently tried building a set of Roosevelt dimes, and it just isn't doing it for me. It's quite boring.

Perhaps I will take a step back and focus on the collections I already have and work on adding to them. But also, I think a type set might be a good investment for me as well.
I also think Washington quarters are really interesting. However, the high cost of older silver Washington's is insane and not doable by someone on a budget like me

The heart wants what it wants.