Very good question. I like having coins and collecting coins because they are cool and interesting, whenever I look at a coin and see its year I think its really really cool that the coin was in that time and I have absolutely no chance at ever being in 1820 or 60 or whatever, wondering where it has been and what it has gone through, its just cool. I take my coins out and I look at them just like Mr. Wilson, that movie is so awesome. when I take them out I like looking at what I have, its very pleasuring especially when you have a genuine interest in such a hobby.
I find enjoyment in cataloging and preserving coins.
I draw a distinction between my bullion collection and my historical collection. Bullion is cool to own because you feel like a pirate, but owning historical coins is like maintaining a private museum.
After several years of reading forum discussions, I find this one to be one of the most enjoyable, friendly, and collegial threads I have read! Thank you all
Seems that we all have many things in common in US and World and Ancient coins. How interesting; it must be because they are indeed coins.
I am also a student of history and enjoy the thrill of owning a coin from the 1800s in the US. That real, physical connection to the past and the people who actually used the coin in commerce even if it was Benjamin or George or Thomas or Andrew or Robert or Ulysses or Teddy.
So, other than sets, I usually get them one at a time, usually in a 2x2. And then I study each one physically and research its historical time and context = enjoyment.
From the 2x2's they go either into an album, and airtight, or in a 3-ring 2x2 page. The biggest problems are with modern original government packaging which takes up tons of space, but one hates just to throw it away.
The second and subsequent times I enjoy them is whenever I see them again when I look for something in my collect. That can take a long time if I glower on each one I see while pursuing the game I am looking for. But, that just keeps me observing and learning more, a good thing.
The hunt to find and get any coin is great. To find it is even better. To own it is the best.
Yea, I do some hole filling, and some roll collecting, and some scatter shot buying because it strikes my fancy, and some silver stacking, and even a few slabbed collectables. I enjoy it all.
Speaking of Dennis the Menace, I always get a kick out of how they handle all the coins. Just grab them with their fingers. Drop them on the floor. Laying out in public. Not to many things like that happen today. And his entire collection is in one small case. Where I live that thing would vanish so fast there would be just smoke left. AND no one touches my coins with their bare hands. As to how I enjoy my collection. Not to much anymore. Used to be a lot of fun trying to complete sets. After well over 60 years of that, now sort of becoming a chore. For instance now trying to complete one entire set of Mercury dimes with all FSB's. Going to coin shows about 2 or 3 times a Month helps a lot but that too is getting old. No coin clubs by me. No one I know is into coins. No relatives want anything to do with coins. So it is now just a sort of private little thing.
I have a medium sized display shelf in the living room where I display small parts of my collection. I rotate the display every couple of months. I love walking by the display and looking (even though I have seen the coins a thousand times before) I try to rotate coins through that I haven't seen for months and months. I love answering questions when guests are over and show interest.
If I had to keep them locked up or put away, I wouldn't collect.
Normic.....well over the years I have filled up several coin albums, have several coin albums that are missing a few coins so my "collection" has grown too large to really be able to enjoy my coins. Besides some of the albums are just plain heavy~! My Washington quarter one (that is full) is a hand full....So this year I started a Type Set album. I figure I can put one coin of each type in one album and my heavy ones can stay in the safe and can enjoy an example of each of the coins I own a set of, and marvel at the examples of sets I will never be able to own
I get mine out and pick a few to further research or reacquaint myself with. I also enjoy getting new reference books to dive into regarding the coins in my care. Books have been the Lions share of my purchases this year. So I enjoy the viewing and learning...
After having my albums stored away in boxes and not looked at in over ten years I got them out two years ago when I found the Canadian Cent was being discontinued. Since then I have been adding to and updating albums as well as added Large Cents, 50 Cent pieces and Silver Dollar albums.
Half of my albums are complete but for some reason I seem to look more often at the ones that have a few "holes". Would that be common? Once I complete a set I lose a little interest in it.
For now I enjoy collecting sets and filling albums with coins I can find through bank rolls. Presidential dollars, national park quarters, half dollars (and the occasional silver :D). @Just Carl, at least you have us here on CCF to teach about coins! It is sad to see that you don't have much stimulation in the collecting area after so many years but I for one am happy that you keep in touch with us here with your expertise!
I like to take pictures of my coins, because you can't have them on hand all the time. I load the pics into my computer and make them my desktop image, then make it change every 10 seconds. I enjoy, sitting and staring at them, thinking, "oh, I forgot I even had that coin". :)
You know I've read in a number books by Q David Bowers where he suggests doing that. It's especially true if you're one that keeps you coins in a safety deposit box at the bank. Of course, nothing beats getting them out and holding in your hands for up close and personal inspection, but when that's not convenient your method is a great one. I admit I do the same.
I haven't taken pictures of mine, but I have pictures I have saved from a webpage locally to make my own catalog actually. It has the countries seperated a picture of the type of coin, the years or a picture of which folder those coins are in, and just in case it is useful that KM#.
The State Quarters Pre$ etc are in tables in the page sorted by year rows. Also they note like for the franc I have it is aluminum or the pence is silver with a color code. So If I want to look at the actual coin, I have a reference page to know where in my collection to go look for it to see it.
Tried all that fancy software and it all jsut seems so backwards designed and not very helpful or customizable, so I made my own catalog with html Only pic I have taken of an actual coin was the Lincoln counterstamped Kennedy, just so I didn't have to dig it out and so I could post it in the counterstamp thread here.
I have a contained with jsut random coins in it if I want to see examples in my hands, but the folders mostly stay put up. Grab an Ike or ATB from it when I want to see one without having to disturb those flimsy folders unless they are getting a hole filled.
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Posted 11/30/2014 01:44 am
Normic.....well over the years I have filled up several coin albums, have several coin albums that are missing a few coins so my "collection" has grown too large to really be able to enjoy my coins. Besides some of the albums are just plain heavy~! My 
