True Coin Collectors , Where Are They ?

I have never sold a coin. I have no desire to sell coins or to upgrade ones that I have. However, I can say is that I once traded some found CRH silver half dollars for Franklin half dollars that I needed to fill some Dansco holes.

I think we need to be careful in how we throw around terms like "true collector". Elitism is rampant in hobbies like comic books and video games, and a lot of newbies are driven away by the die-hards who mock them for being introduced to the series by the big-budget Hollywood movie, instead of reading 75 years worth of comic books before daring to talk about the series.

Don't get me wrong, I despise the ebay barons who drive prices up and make certain coins utterly unattainable for many of us, especially when they flip their entire "collection" with no passion for anything but the bottom line.

But I have also noticed an increasing trend of "Oh wow, why would you collect that?" and "Why didn't you buy the RedBook before asking such a basic question?" I can sure say that I have asked some painfully basic questions, and I got my start on this hobby by hoarding/accumulating old nickels from bank rolls. Everyone has to start somewhere, right?

Ok ,so to sum it up ,probably using the phrase '' true Collector'' was not appropriate for this thread .
Also many who posted their views about buying and selling are doing it for more good reasons than I thought . and I only brought up the subject because I simply don't sell my coins . Though I'm surprised that there are only a few of us who practice this ideology of Not Selling !
BTW , I have 85% of my collection inventoried , have an extensive want list and most all coins are properly stored .

I still have almost every coin I ever collected, other than ones I've upgraded. I sell and trade duplicates but have never sold any coin that I consider part of my collection.

As @Coinfrog states, when collecting interests change, it is perfectly logical to sell to get something else to collect. But you are still a collector. Perhaps some have the same collecting interests for decades, so there is no reason to sell.

Meanwhile, I'm a nearly perfect example of an Accumulator.
(Which I'm not really concerned about - I always knew that I wasn't much of a collector.)

EDIT: I cannot truthfully say that I have never sold any coins in my collection - there was at least one case when I sold some duplicates to a newbie collector for a symbolic price, and at least one case when I sold some circulation finds for a less symbolic price (that was technically even lower).
Even so, as long as we don't count coins spent for their face value as "sold", the total amount of money I have ever received for coins I've sold probably wouldn't make ten dollars (and I'm not sure it would make five).

I am thinking it would be hard to put the average collector into one group.

My guess would be that everyone's idea of collecting is different and
for different reasons.

For me I like collectable coins, but I also worry about the economy,
so I stack silver.

I would also think there are different levels of collectors based on age
and income levels. Or maybe just what they feel comfortable paying
for a coin.

For me .. I am sure some see the different coins and notes I buy is
crazy. I think I have a plan ... but plans are ever changing.

I am trying to build a core to my collection. Coins I may never sell.

Years ago I had thoughts of someday having a coin shop, and bought
coins with that in mind. After working at a coin shop for several years
I am not sure I would want the headache.

Now I am watching, and making friends with , guys at flea markets.
Also ebay sellers. There is a new plan forming. When I get older
I might sell at a flea market or coin shows or online. More for something
to do, but in a hobby I love. I know to do that right, a large
inventory helps.

Also when selling coins, I think it is not all about making money.
I do find joy helping "true collectors" find the coins they need.

I would suggest looking at how other collect with a open mind.
And not how you think they should collect.

Understand that not everyone can afford high dollar high grade coins.

Many just collect for the joy of building their collection, the way they want.

I've only sold a dozen coins or so in my 20 years, most of that in the last year. It was always to self-finance coins for my focused collection. Some coins were ones I had for a while that no longer fit with my focus, so I essentially traded them out. Other times I had to buy a lot of 3-4 coins, but only one of them was pertaining to my collection, so I tried to get my money back from the lot in selling the other coins. I feel that I have become a better collector and maybe even delved into becoming a numismatist through selling those coins. I know my wife appreciates anytime I can fuel my addiction for as close to 0 net impact on the family budget as possible, a couple times it was the ONLY way to financially justify the "adoption to my family" :)