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 Replies: 20 / Views: 3,119 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1203 Posts |
About 90% of the posts I have read have in one way or another said something about a coin’s “value” or asking if it will be “worth’ more than...etc.
They have what seems like a built in question of “is it worth It” or “ will it make me some profit” attached to the thread. When a graded coin is discussed, it is often spoken of as to grade and the associated “value “ attached. Resubmits to raise the grade and assure a automatic raise in “value” when sold, etc.
Question for each member of this forum; If you were to eliminate the “value”, “worth”, “profit”, would you still be a coin collector? If so, why?
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5953 Posts |
Yes I would. Because I like them and it makes me feel good to know I have a complete set of something. The value is important to me only in that I try to keep my hobby as self funding as possible. I buy coins I feel will rise in value in order to sell later to buy the coins I want. This way I can still buy groceries. If I have a good year then my collection gets a little closer to completion if I have a bad year then it goes on hold. I have no budget so I have to invest the money in my coin account wisely if I am ever to complete my collection. If I did not buy coins with it I would find something else that had the potential for a small profit as it is the profit that feeds the collection. Most of my Nickels and Cents I pull from circulation and as such have no Value over and above face but they are part of my collection.
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Pillar Of The Community
3147 Posts |
Above and beyond anything else I AM A COIN COLLECTOR regardless of value. It is a pleasant thought to think this hobby may indeed make me a buck or two someday but I will probably never see that as I intend to pass my efforts on to my little guy so he won't be starting at zero, if and when, I get him hooked. We have been building both boys a collection for years but the oldest (13) doesn't show any interest other than to occassionally say, "I want one too!" The little guy, even at 3, wants to be involved (sometimes too much) so he will inherit what ever I may have accummulated when the time comes.
Now I won't say I have never made any money off of buying and selling coins as that would be far from the truth as I buy for my collection and I buy now and then to tie up extra money knowing sometime I will sell to turn over my money. Sometimes I make some and sometimes I don't but there is no trip to the bank or a tax statement at the end of the year playing this game. I am in up to my neck with this hobby and intend to stay there until my end! Who cares what my holdings will be worth as millions couldn't buy the joy of collecting or the thrill of the hunt!!!
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Rest in Peace
United States
2884 Posts |
I would be and am a collector who pays little attention to the profit side of collecting. If I make a profit or sell a coin it serves only to feed my desire to buy and possess another piece of "history". To me collecting coins is a way to connect with the past, to have a little history in my hand if only for a little while. My interests change and so do my collections. The fact is, collecting type hobbies are the only ones that give you the potential to end up with something of value. If you are a golf fan and drop a hundred bucks golfing 25 or 30 times a year, at the end of the year you are out 3K, but have paid for the pleasure of playing the game. Even if you are only a mediocre buyer of coins you have something of value to enjoy at the end of the year spending the same 3K. The field of collecting is huge and the avenues to pursue near endless. The connection to history undeniable. I love this hobby! Mike  Edited by Mike
07/15/2005 9:53 pm
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Pillar Of The Community
3147 Posts |
One other point I would like to make is that I would not have all of you and collectors all over the world to talk to, share with or to trade with. You can't put a price on trusted friends and coins has given me a lot of very special relationships with folks I probably will never get to meet! None the less they (you) are all friends and money can't buy that either!
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Valued Member
United States
256 Posts |
Being an artist, I usually base my coin purchases on artistic appeal. Many times I will choose a common date that has wonderful eye-appeal over a rarer but less appealing coin (sounds stupid but that's just the way I am). So, yes, I think I still would collect coins.
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Forum Mom
 United States
5877 Posts |
That's a very thought-provoking question, Old Dan. If there was no monetary worth, I would definitely be a coin collector (I just wouldn't also be a dealer  ). |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
867 Posts |
Sure I would! Some of the coolest coins in my collection have very little monetary value, like the foreign coins I've found in circulation from countries that don't even exist anymore. Even the more valuable stuff is selected by if I like how they look, not if they're gonna go up in value. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not gonna complain if the Morgan dollar I paid $25 for five years ago is now worth $75, but it's nowhere near the most important thing. Rachel [:p] |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
756 Posts |
In short, even as a amateur coin collector for 11 years, YES...I would still collect. Remember...I started collecting coins soley based on what I thought "looked" cool. Never taking into consideration of their present/future value.
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Valued Member
United States
421 Posts |
The only thing 'value', 'price', etc means to me is: "Can I afford it?". Other than that, I don't track how much my coins are worth after I buy them... I don't sell them unless forced to... And I don't pay any attention if they go up or down in value. I consider myself a Hobbyist.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1091 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by OldDan
Question for each member of this forum; If you were to eliminate the “value”, “worth”, “profit”, would you still be a coin collector? If so, why?
I think the value of the coin is part of its identity. A coin is described by Country, Year, Mint Mark, Mintage, Grade and Value. Usually, country, year, mint mark and mintage is fixed from the start, so most of the discussion is on Grade and Value. Personally, I collect coins and can’t seem to bring myself to sell even my doubles so whatever value the coin has is just part of the coin. For me, part of the fun of collecting world coins is identifying all aspects of the coin.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1203 Posts |
Thank you one and all! Received the responses that I was expecting and would have made myself if answering these questions. It's nice to know that your among like minded individuals when enjoying this hobby here on the forum. Thanks again, it's appreciated very much.  Edited by OldDan
07/16/2005 12:58 pm
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Valued Member
United States
458 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by OldDan
Question for each member of this forum; If you were to eliminate the “value”, “worth”, “profit”, would you still be a coin collector? If so, why?
I probably would be. But the reason I am a coin collector is because it is collecting "money". Money will always have a "value" and so there fore is "worth" something-- . Now as for profit, I don't care one way or the other, but I will admit a profit is nice on money. Money always, or should make you a "profit" either in an investment, savings account, 401, or coins etc etc..You must admit that coin collecting is not like other hobbies--This hobby cost money. In some cases heavy money-- So, would I be a collector if the coins had no value & isn't worth anything? I donno, I might go and collect or do something else or collect something else that is not so expensive--Or I might be a coin collector, if they then had no value then I should be able to buy say a 1893CC morgan for a buck, or a $20 gold Saint for 20 bucks ,But then, thats not reality is it? eh? Anyways, another good provocative question from OldDan--  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by OldDan
About 90% of the posts I have read have in one way or another said something about a coin’s “value” or asking if it will be “worth’ more than...etc.
They have what seems like a built in question of “is it worth It” or “ will it make me some profit” attached to the thread. When a graded coin is discussed, it is often spoken of as to grade and the associated “value “ attached. Resubmits to raise the grade and assure a automatic raise in “value” when sold, etc.
Question for each member of this forum; If you were to eliminate the “value”, “worth”, “profit”, would you still be a coin collector? If so, why?
Of course I would!! being a collector is not something that you do! Its something that you are!! this has been true for me since I was a Boy,I still have my marbles(no wise cracks) and throughout my life I have collected all sorts of things Dice,soap box premium glassware,ink pens,coca cola advertising ,tools,rocks and fossils,all of which I find enjoyable. coins though hold a special interest for me,the History ,composition and design, even within a series no two coins are identical I find this facinating as well as intellectually stimulating.as well as physically relaxing. its a quiet somewhat solitary time of the day to sit and look, read and study the minute history of each coin as well the blatantly beautiful aspects of each coin. and the fact that some increase in value is just a bonus !! Rick Edited by Metalman
07/16/2005 5:20 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1247 Posts |
To answer your question I *guess* I would still collect. But I also don't believe that it could ever get to that point because there would always be examples that inspire hope if not outright hallucinations. I could look at all my tokens none of which I paid more than $25 for, most not more than $10 for, and say they'll never go up in value. But then I could also look at how much CWTs are worth today and how the Fulds bought so many of them for 6 cents apiece back in the 60's. Such examples, IMO, are how the investment angle in coins becomes the crazy uncle up in the attic that no one wants to admit is there. But I don't have to worry about "saving and investing wisely." The gubber-mint makes "investments" for me every week. Edited by longnine009
07/17/2005 07:33 am
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Valued Member
Netherlands
309 Posts |
Hello Dan,
just got back from a week trip, and have seen your question.
Of cource I still would collect, I can't emagine not too, first of all I like to get my series compleet, then the history of the coins, country's where they are from, and all side effects that there are, and not only the coins, but as well as the tokens, which are made in time, are a nice way to study a little history!!
Shure, it's nice when you have a nice "faleued" collection, maybee it's a nice thing to let to your children, or use it when you go in retirement to make life a little easyer, but, I think a treu collector does not give so much for the faleu, as well for the hobby, or like my wife calles it illness, then for the pricetag which goes with it!!
Greetings, Carl
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Replies: 20 / Views: 3,119 |
Posted 07/15/2005 9:47 pm
