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 Replies: 45 / Views: 6,020 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2269 Posts |
I collect out of pure enjoyment. I like the history behind every coin minted, whether it is a modern piece or a denarius from the Roman Empire. Every coin tells a story.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
594 Posts |
I didn't vote. None of my reasons were listed. It seems the OP is an investor more than a collector. #4 Nostalgia. I used to collect when I was a kid. #5 Challenge. Try and get a set of Kennedy halves without paying more than 50 cents for one. #6 Heirloom. I look at my collections as something to pass on and not to necessarily sell. #7 History. Just think of who could have spent that Flying Eagle cent before you got it? |
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Valued Member
United States
236 Posts |
For me it started out as a fun thing to do. What I mean is, at the end of the day my spare change went in a cup and at the end of the week I would search it for my dates and then upgrade to better looking coins. Then the researching the history of the small cent was the logical next step. I was collecting a piece of history man! Then the next step was finding semi and key dates and buying what I could afford and drooling over what I couldn't. Then I guess just filling the holes was my next quest. So now I am at he point where I have filled the holes from 1856-1974 (P)DS and now its all about the upgrades and my TONED collection. I actually might sell some of collection cast offs (coins no longer in my collection a d use the money to buy MORE coins. Hope none of you went to sleep during that coin geek rambling.
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Valued Member
United States
259 Posts |
Quote:I didn't vote. None of my reasons were listed. It seems the OP is an investor more than a collector. #4 Nostalgia. I used to collect when I was a kid. #5 Challenge. Try and get a set of Kennedy halves without paying more than 50 cents for one. #6 Heirloom. I look at my collections as something to pass on and not to necessarily sell. #7 History. Just think of who could have spent that Flying Eagle cent before you got it? ^ This, of course. Plus, they are little pieces of art. Some really inexpensive coins just look plain cool. Edited by chasinva69
05/03/2012 9:58 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2120 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
98 Posts |
Like most people here, my answer is #3 - I'm in it for the living history. If my collection isn't worth significantly more 20 years from now I'll be surprised, but not disappointed.
But nothing is really that cut and dried. Along the way I have bought & sold some coins knowing I could turn a quick profit. There's also a number coins I own that I'm expecting to make a long term profit on that are duplicates of other coins in my collection.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1126 Posts |
I collect coins primarily as a place of peace,relaxation and fun
When researching a coin or variety all of the hassles of everyday
life disappear and fade in the the distance for awhile.
Secondary but still quite important to me is the challenge of
searching down a known variety or finding something not yet discovered
on a coin.
The time that I enjoy coin collecting far out weighs every dollar put into the hobby
Edited by stewart
05/04/2012 11:03 pm
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
And hitting the winning lottery ticket never hurts, either.
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New Member
United States
39 Posts |
I think its in my DNA!!
My father collected coins and introduced me to collecting at a young age. I was hooked since then. I suspect that its like a genetic condition. Your predisposed ( but don't have the "disease" yet) then something triggers it and now you have it too. But this is a good hobby/disease to have, although my wife and kids would object.
Since I really cannot explain what drives me to hunt for a coin, this is why I believe its innate.
Most of the time history triggers that emotion to find that special date/mintmark( in the best grade possible - oouucchh!). I look back and imagine what collectors were doing 100 yrs ago, when they had the coins right in front of them. Did they think they would be worth so much today? Will collectors 50 yrs from now be wishing they could have had our modern coins, the ones we can get fairly cheap today?
These are the things that motivate me today.
Simon
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1227 Posts |
Different, much more complicated answer:
For me, it is, as many have said, the history in the coins. Every time I hold a coin from the 1920s or early 1930s in my hand I have the same thought and feeling of wonder: "This coin was minted before the perpetration of the greatest evil this world has ever known."
But on another level, this is an investment for my nieces: in 20~ years, when Baby Mossberg hits "the real world," my collection becomes theirs. If they go "you know what, Aunt Nina, just put it in your will," I will. If they go "hey, we can sell these for textbooks!" then okay--I'll ask my sister or their grandparents (my in-laws are amazing) to help them find a good broker. And if they go "HEY, COOL!!! I want to collect too!!", well . . . hey, I'd be okay with that, too!
Essentially, this is my gift of history--and possibly a bit of money--to my nieces, at a future date. For me, it's not the money at all, at least not for myself.
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New Member
United States
9 Posts |
I started collecting coins because it has been passed down since my great great great grandmother. I have pre colonial coins as well as original colonial minted coins. These have been passed down every generation of my family. In my lifetime as I am currently 34, coins really havent changed much like in our older generations. so for me to see my 8 year old get extatic over statehood and ATB Quarters is something special. the pure history that you can hold in your hands as you can personally see historical change in your eyes. Who knows in 25 years will there even be anymore coins minted or will everything be electronic like the Jetsons. |
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Valued Member
United States
50 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
259 Posts |
because they last longer than bottles of wine (which I used to collect, but they just didn't last too long).
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Valued Member
United States
256 Posts |
All of the above. I try to fill holes out of circulation, which is great because no matter how much money I spend on the hobby, I still have it! But I supplement with purchases at coins shows and on ebay. The older, historical coins are fascinating, (Geaorge Washington might have held this coin!). And I love accumulating silver and copper. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1348 Posts |
I plan to use my coin collection to fund my childs schooling/expenses (she will be born in July). Hopefully in 18 years the coins I have been buying and will be buying will be more than enough for plenty of schooling.
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Replies: 45 / Views: 6,020 |
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Posted 04/30/2012 1:32 pm
