Why Do You Like Collecting Coins?

Why!?!

Well, all started over 20 years ago, after I left the royal Navy, I had so much change then, I diddn't really know what to do with it, then, after sorting it out to bring it to a change office, I saw that there where all from country's I have been to, and feelt sorry to depart from them, even worse, I wanted those other country's that I had been too as well, and so I started collecting, little by little.

After I wile, I even took coins from country's I never had been to, and this grew out to a little collection...............

At the day of today, I have a small collection, only 87 books full, and a few thousend doubles, well, maybee, some day, I get the chance to full my one hundreds album or so, and then?.......

UP FOR THE NEXT HUNDRED!!!!

Greetings, Carl

Thanks for the stories ! Very intersting, keep them coming!

I started collecting when I was very young and the big draw for me then was the time I spent with my grandfather learning about coins and their care and some of their history.

As I grew up, I had the sentimental reasons of the time with my grandfather who was then deceased and starting forming my own views about collecting and what series and types I liked.

Most of the US coins I like for their beauty of design. This is especially true for the Bust coinage which is, by far, my favorite. The beauty and number of die varieties and the fun of attribution is wonderful for me.

I also like the British hammered pieces for their history (especially the Tudor period). This is a historical time that has interested me for well over 30 years. I have read just about everything there is on the subject and to be able to see the actual coins with the monarch's portraits on them and know that people from that time period handled them is such a thrill for me.

I love the fact that there is always something new to learn in this hobby. That's what really holds my interest. That, and the wonderful people I've met through coin interests.

I haven't done much collecting for about 10 years, but recently the bug has bitten me again. I sold off most of what I had about 6 years ago to help buy a piece of wilderness property...I like living in the country! I don't really regret doing that, but am amazed at how the values of the coins have gone up just in these last few years. Anyway, I have recently been thinking to start a set of large cents. I think this is partly because the average person has never heard of large cents and they make good conversation pieces. The history there is just astounding. Also, I just like the feel and look of the heavy coppers. I'm starting with the braided hair cents, of which I would like to get a complete set(or nearly so) mostly in EF to AU grade. This is more within my budget and I can still get good quality with the knowledge that the pieces saw some circulation. They did their job and I can sit around dreaming about who may have spent the pieces and for what purpose. That part is the real attraction for me. Since I started this quest though I've found that good quality pieces at catalogue value are not that easy to find! I would like to get into Colonials too, but a person can only do so much!

Well....i think I was born a collector, right from the time I drew the first breath into my lungs, I was collecting then all the cuddles and kisses from dad and my immediate family.

Growing up right until my teens, I was collecting the number of bruises and blackeyes received and also the number given back.

Things changed for the better after my teens as I was then collecting the number of times my heart got broken and the number of hearts I broke as well.

Took the plunge, got married and I was thrown into a new collecting field of bills, meeting mortgage repayments etc etc.....lol

On a serious note have been collecting for more years than I can remember but only took it up seriously 14 years ago after meeting all the normal obligations we have to go through.

Now, in the twilight of my years,with the kids gone and me living the life of "The Lone Ranger without Tonto" this hobby is what keeps me sane and humourous.

It is not possible to quantify the joy and pleasure I now draw from what I have acquired over the years, and the ones I now hunt.

Knowing fully that my collection will outlast me, I take pride in the knowledge I am just one of the many temporary custodians that is preserving what could very well be historical artifacts for future generations to enjoy.

Daniel, what a great story. How would you explain our current coinage to her? For some reason we have lost that message and against the will of many of our forefathers, decorated our coinage with their images. Mike

I am not real sure we are actually voting for a leader? Well we are going through the motions but the electorial college pretty much picks the President and even then, when you get to that level of politics, who knows what goes on? We always get the results they want us to get! Nothing more and nothing less! Our early forefathers, even when they were drafting the constitution, made note that the system they were setting up would guarantee the filthy rich and noble would always rule. They may have fled England but they kept a world of their beliefs now didn't they. Here it is, well over two hundred years later, and it takes millions to win a major office! Every time I cast a vote I can't help but wonder why I bother as the candidates were hand picked by the rich for the rich and regardless what party is in power it is more of the same! The rich taking care of the rich, everything else is politics as usual or a political act. Thats why are coins are pathetic today.