At What Point Do You Consider A Collection Done?

Decades ago, I have managed to do complete sets, with nice success.
Got bored.

So I asked myself:-
What could I collect, such that is is impossible to do a complete set?
The answer:-
ancient coins.

I have continued doing that for the last 40+ years.
Never been bored since, always learning something new.
Huge amount of scholarly research done. Researchers have earned their pHd's on ancient numismatics.
Adjustable budget. Coins from a few dollars, to a few thousand dollars.
International collector base, facilitated by the Internet.

Currently, I am looking at building a U.S. type set, (for knowledge, CCF has helped immensely), but I won't be able to complete that, either - complete set way too big and expensive.
No problem, When it is disposed of, future collectors will be looking for individual coins anyway, not the complete set.

Hey Frog - Ill shoot some photos this weekend and post them up.

Who knows mcshilling, maybe you can start a trend.

Key date free sets, for those who refuse to bow to societal pressure.

For me no such thing as done. This is a sick, sick thing with me. Just can't stop collecting and since I never sell a coin, piles of rolls, albums, etc. just keep on accumulating. For example I'm now on 12 Albums of Mercury dimes. 10 of them also have the 16D coin. About half do not have all the 42 over dates. Set one was recently completed with all FSB coins however, there too, always room for improvements as I now inspect each coin. My method of collecting is to buy coins I need to improve coins in an Album. As I get better and better graded coins, they go into an Album and the ones that were there go into a 2x2 flip. As the amount of flips grows to the point of almost an Album, I start a new Album with those and it starts all over again.
In other words there is not end to this hobby.

My position has already been expressed by others. There are so many expensive key dates across the many series issued by the US mint that I'll never be able to complete all the sets I collect. Heck, I'm constantly upgrading and shuffling coins down to set 2 and 3 (even set #9 for Lincoln Cents 1935-1958)knowing full well sets will always have empty holes but I'm ok with that...

Way to go!




I didn't misunderstand. I was making a value judgement on that being a false dilemma. To me it's like saying I can buy an 1877 IHC or some Walmart shares.
I think a true dilemma for a collector would be whether to spend on an 1877IHC to complete that set, or buy the next 3 coins in another set they are working on, or like you say, buy the majority of a set like Mercuries.

I agree that its fine to set limits, like not spending for a key date that will set you back more than a certain amount. After all, hobbies are about pleasure. I've certainly set limits like that in my collecting themes.

That's just how my brain works

Isn't the unfinished collection still an unfinished collection after you die? Though it is true the collecting is done.
A la Schubert.
Our oeuvre (whether it's stuff we've collected, or stuff we've created) outlives us, for better or worse.