Odd Ball Collecting

I think collecting for collecting sake is enough. Too many people are hung up on values. Collect what you like and the value will be there in the end plus you get to enjoy them along to way.

Moved to the Main Forum for a larger audience.

And I thought I was the only one harping about that. Ever notice when someone asks something like is this real, or what is this, the most common reply is usually Not Worth much, Of no real value, etc. Never could figure out why so many are hung up on values.
As to what I collect that is sort of odd ball, is Mercury dimes. Way over 3,000 of those things and really makes little difference of value. I put them in Albums, 12 of those, plastic rolls and 2x2's.
Also, Steel 1943 Cents. Over 2,000 of those for the only reason those were my first coins.

I seem to hang onto a lot of roadkill coins also altered ones (painted, nail polish painted, drilled holes, and any foreign coins I find. Also any coins whose colouring is different especially if attractive. Thee colours of some pennies are sometimes unbelievable and way cool to me!

I like collecting off-centre toonies ($2 Canadian) in any grade. They're pretty awesome and're still circulating. BONUS! There are ones that pass as normal and others that look like blobs.

I don't have a specific collecting strategy, though sometimes I wish I did. I have yet to find that one coin that speaks to me, that urges me to delve into that specific series. On the subject of value, I think that a lot of value is created that way, by having the in-depth knowledge of a specific series. Look at VAM's, for instance... but that is a lot like work until you find "the" one to focus like that on, and I figure I've got plenty of time for that yet.

For now, in addition to the blanket statement of "anything silver" I collect prettymuch whatever catches my eye and fits my budget, with a definite preference to historical aspect of things.


edited to add-- some specific things I have collected lately...

-I read an article on Sealand. Had never heard of it before, read a couple more articles, bought a 50 cent piece. Fascinating subject.
-I have a coin from British E Africa with King Edward VIII on it.
-Couple of other coins from countries that don't exist anymore.
-I have a Zimbabwe $100 bill, and then from just a couple years later $100 trillion dollar bill. Now there's a history lesson for you!
-I have numerous items family members brought back for me from places like the bahamas, ireland, cambodia, etc... personal or family history does it for me too.

To the outsider, a random mishmash of stuff... to me each a miniature representation of something I find interesting.

What do all you toned cents collectors do with your finds? Do you do them by dates, colors, denominations or whatever?

1. Dip them in battery acid
2. Dip them in jewlery cleaners from Walmart
3. Spit on them and see what happens next
All just kidding but should be obvious I do not collect nor like toning on coins. Some really look nice but I really prefer coins the way they were made.