Personally Feel That RCM Has Sunk The NCLT Hobby

@Alex A hits the nail on the head for me. I'm mid-30's, and I collect a lot of things: older-model cars, coins, fine art / inuit art, real-estate.

While some of the items in my "collections" are bought solely out of love, long-term price stability and/or appreciation matters greatly to me.

If price stability and/or appreciation is doubtful, I then look at the intrinsic "usefulness" of can item - can it get me from "point A" to "point B" (in the case of a car)? Can it be rented out (in the case of property)?

It makes no sense, in my mind, to simply "collect" items for the purpose of accumulating "stuff".

Perhaps I am jaded here because of history: I've seen my grandparents down-size when they moved into a retirement home (and then again, when my grandfather passed away). Recently, my parents downsized from a large country acreage to an urban home. In all cases, I found myself asking "why did they collect / save this?" with several items / assemblages of items.

In fact, I'll be having a garage sale in the next few weeks. Anyone who thinks I might be a little off-base is welcome to drop by... I have oodles of decorative / collectible China plates, tons of Red Rose collectible figurines, and more (EDIT: From my grandparents / parents collections).

This is why my purchases of NCLT coins has dramatically dropped over the past few years - it started to make no financial sense in continuing to "collect". If the price of a car or property in my "collection" were to drop, these items still have intrinsic usefulness (driving, renting out). With NCLT coins, there is no usefulness - just dead loss with re-sale in the after-market.

I still love coins & previous metals - the history behind the releases, the feeling of a physical asset in my hand - but I'm much more particular with what I purchase today. To me, the rationale behind paying large premiums to mainstream mints for NCLT offerings is rapidly evaporating. Many mini-mints are producing compelling products in today's marketplace, for a substantially lower premium. Put simply, you still get that "physical asset in the hand" feeling, but at substantially less "investment risk".

Just my two "cents"!

This is well said.
Over the years, I am buying, and then comes unloading period, where the coins literally go for 50%-60% from issue maximum (before the fees). Cause I usually buy just because they mint and I like it. After unloading again comes accumulation.
My wife laughing at me, saying, that I not collect, but "rent" coins, spending money on this.

But we can't look at the dealers.
Cause, if you are selling- the Dealer will not be usual customer.
Dealer will buy to try to make a money on it, that's why expected to receive very low offer...

In general you right without any doubt.
The majority of the coins lose the value immediately, because too many of them and none is special to chase after it and overpay.
well, there are many factors, why we need the specific coin, but in the bottom line: if not this one, so another...

I have a similar train of thought myself as well. I enjoy the art work, quality, and exclusiveness of mintage. The value can be had for me even without the prospect of an positive investment. That in-hand feel is irrevocable for myself.

With that been said I do feel that my choice and frequency of purchases are far and few between themselves because of the lack of return, breaking even, or loss with my purchases.

I'm still very new to coins compared with the rest of you, but as a casual collector I can compare the purchase of a coin to the purchase of a new vehicle. With a massive depreciation straight from the "factory" or even a dealer this keeps me from fully diving into this hobby.

My favorite formats are the silver half kilo and up and some of the 2oz glow in the dark series.

-28 Year old, started with a 1995 proof un-circualated set from a grandfather I never knew. First own RCM purchase was 2017.

@Electrum ... I believe that this is the RCM thinking as well, hence the change resistance.

I couldn't agree more. Not just with coins, but life in general. If it doesn't provide utility, potential gain, or happiness to you, do you really need it?

I have found that the less "stuff" I own, the more enjoyable my life has become, as counter-intuitive as that sounds. I also find that the things I DO decide to keep are enjoyed more. I have a beautiful large proof Libertad on my desk that I glance at and admire daily. I get more enjoyment from it than I did from having boxes full of collector coins that never saw the light of day.

Is this the concern here? How many NCLT coins RCM minted in 2018-2019 with "Emperor of India"?