Collector Problems

Interesting question. If you do get a lot of replies, possibly not much use since what effects coin collecting in one area may have nothing to do with other areas of the country or world. As an example for coin availability some places have coin shows all over the place and coin stores too. In some areas there are coin shows every week and in other areas no coin shows at all. Again as to availability it your near the Canadian border, you may possibly find their coins in US change frequently but by me I've seen none for many years.
Possibly availability is one of the biggest things that are a problem. And it is a problem without a solution. By this I mean if the quantity minted of a coin is one million and there are 5 million collectors that need that one, only solution would be to have the Mint remake that one.
Prices too effect coin collecting. And in some areas a coin could sell for 2 or 3 times what it is going for in other areas. However, that is changing due to the internet. And again, availability is one of the biggest reasons for that.
Solutions to the above are simple. Have the Mint make more of the older coins again. Make more coin shows everywhere. Get rid of excessive coin collectors.

This is most definitely NOT a problem. IMO this is what collecting is all about. I have had many hours of fun trying to verify the authenticity of a coin...let alone figuring out its die variety.

The only problem I have is a skinny wallet.

My biggest problem is maintaining a sound, balanced perspective on overall life priorities and keeping the hobby contained to its proper position and level of importance within the "big picture."

For me, any and all other coin collecting problems added together and multiplied a hundredfold are insignificant when compared to this one.

P.S.....Don't tell me - I already know - I need to be going to CCA (Coin Collectors Anonymous) meetings 2x every day and living a vigorous CCA 12-step lifestyle to have any hope of controlling my coin collecting "disease."

For me, it's getting American zincoln pennies, dimes, and quarters in my change. I chuck them into the garbage or train tracks or traffic, see who wants them that badly. I discourage their use in commerce in my country.

I have an idea for the good way to easily show and store your slabs. It is sort of like a 7070 Album. I think if you make it hold slabs, and about the size of a binder, it can hold 6 on each page. Sure it might get really bulky, but it is an idea in progress.

1. Get China to make better counterfeits.
2. Get China to make better fake slabs.
3. Find out how over 1 million collectors have a 1916D Mercury dime in their collections.
4. Have someone find a massive new vein of Silver so coin prices can go back to coin prices.
5. Have someone get a job with Whitman and fix all the prices in the Red Book.

I didn't know they had those. I thought they did, but wasn't sure. Thanks.