Collecting Or, Investing?

When I started collecting coins it wasnt intended as an investment, it just turned out that way. Over the years some of them skyrocketed in prices such as the Carson City and Dahlonega mintage coins.
It makes me cringe when I think about some of the coins that I passed on years ago - seeing the prices now.

My coins will go to our kids.

I suppose if really tough financial times came along, it would be good to have coins which could be used to pay bills. However, the plan is to pass them on to the next generation.

I usually buy only what I like and only things that I would not be troubled by if they didn't go up in value one cent. And I usually buy what is not interesting to others or at least not interesting to the masses. In this way I get the best prices and few if any grading headaches. I just purchased two military tokens that had no mention of grade, just a scan, and no mention that one of them has a 90 degree rotation. Can you imagine if that was State Quarter?

IMO, collecting in this way is not only pleasurable but is investing, indirectly and more importantly the way that successful investors of the past did it. By demanding supply (buying what no one wants) and supplying demand (selling what everyone is clamoring for.)
Isn't that really all that a speculator does?

I will sometimes buy something as a pure speculation. But I look at it more as wasting money on lotto tickets or speculating in rail roads in the 1800's--building rail lines from no where going to no where. I did this with the Buffalo nickels, socking away two roll sets. My assumption being that some minor error would be found on them, it would be hyped, people would bust open their mint rolls and in a 1000 years....

I collect because I'm fascinated with coins. Also their history.

I just like to collect them, because of their history and beauty. I never thought of an investment, my coins are of limited value, they are basically from exchange, markets, or when we travel abroad

quote:

---

Originally posted by CiScO

I collect for all of the above^^^^^^^^^, investment? yes, history? yes, cause they r purdy & shiny? yes--Do I expect a profit? yes, Is that why I collect? yes/no, some coins/sets/gold/silver I will not be alive when they are sold, like my old silver proof sets from the 50's-, some of the saints, my 95w silver proof, will I sell them 1 day?donno, they r not on the market now, BUT, you never know what the future hold, if I some day need the doe, I would do it, and at that time hopefully for a BIG profit, but that is not my main reason for collecting---Doz all this jibberish make any sense to anyone?

---

No!




Only kidding Cisco

Makes perfect sense to me but then I am in your neighbourhood and it may be the water.

History and enjoyment and hope as I do sell to break even or make enough to support or at least help support my habit! I change directions very often and only hang on to some stuff for sentimental reasons. Mike