For Lonesome Numismatists Everywhere

I'm the opposite. I enjoy talking about the hobby with people I know. Yeah, some of them think I'm a geek, but I don't care. I know that they get a pretty decent impression of my historical and numismatic knowledge that now spans about 2600 years including having coins that go back about that far. For those that don't enjoy hearing me ramble, they rarely if ever hear about the hobby again for me. Actually, more often than not, they ask to see items that I might have at home at any given time (usually the valuable stuff is in the bank).

It does NOT have to be a lonely hobby. In fact, it is regretable that so many think it shouldn't be shared. I say share it. Let others gain from your knowledge. Let them ogle at your beautiful numismatic posessions (with care for not showing the "wrong" people that would like to make you a target). I've already started turning on more than one person to various aspects of the hobby because of my passion.

Don't let your knowledge and your collection be kept to yourself. What's the point? I know...I know...for self satisfaction. I've read that in many a letter and on boards like this all the time. That's sad. This hobby is one that's meant to be shared. How else can it grow!?!?!

There is a lor ro be said about privacy, and enjoying ones own company. Sometimes I just love to be alone. I do talk to friends about my coins (although I try not to geek out to much, lol), but I enjoy posting and reading about them all over the place, and going to places to talk about them, or watch somebody else enjoying the hobby (like at a coin shop, or a kid at a coin show, etc.).

Just remember, no man is an island, so sometimes I take a boat to visit the mainland population...

This is an interesting post. I think of coin collecting as a pastime, among many pastimes. It distracts my mind from gnawing cares. Lately it has been a little more center-stage, but it is still just one of many.

I've thought about posting a "coin collecting tourist" subject, because that's often when I think about coins. When I was a kid I collected brochures, and still have piles of them from faraway places. When as an adult I started to visit the places, usually on mind-numbingly boring business trips, I brought back regional souvenirs - wines, cheeses, candies, toys, etc. Over time the gift recipients lost interest (I remember bringing back a 5 kilo cheese once - I was the only one excited about it - "you had to be there"), but I still enjoyed the hunt. So I focused in on coin stores, which you can find anywhere from LA to Philly to Raleigh to Minneapolis. What I brought back was very portable, and I didn't feel bad if nobody else liked it. An 1871-cc half in G from Compton CA, an 1878-cc AU quarter from Bradenton FL. I'll never remember why I was there, but the coins are anchors in my mind for where I was at one point in time.

Most people bring their coins to me to check out I have not meet anyone per chance that collected, mostly forums and shows. When I was a kid we all saved them, also stamps.

I'm certainly not a loner. As a consultant, my ability to develop relationships (and lots of them) is what pays my bills. For me collecting is a nice escape from my daily life of research, meetings, voice-mails, teleconferences and e-mails.

The funny thing is that you folks at the CC forum are essentially my consultants when it comes to collecting. If not for the advice and knowledge that you folks have shared with me, I'd probably be ordering first-strikes from those clowns at shop-at-home. I also enjoy seeing all the different coins that are posted here and occasionally sharing some of my meager collection as well.

I do consider myself to be somewhat of a loner. I deal with the public all day, and when I get home I usually just want to be left the heck alone! I've always been perfectly comfortable by myself, I live alone (well, unless you count Hayley), and most of my hobbies are solitary pursuits. It also doesn't help that some of my hobbies are considered "guy things", and I'm often one of the few females interested in such things. I do have to say I enjoy the looks I get while combing the Sci-Fi section at the bookstore or wandering the aisles at Best Buy!

Rachel

Superdave and Kyra, you remind me of the old saying, " I love humanity, it is people I hate ".

Jim