"Box Of 20" Discussion

I think the proposal is an idea said to make a point. I can't imagine that anyone who has a 25 coin collection has never owned more than 25 coins in their life. I think the 25 coin collection is something that is only achievable after many years of collecting and after developing a very defined sensibility. Even then it's not going to meet the collecting needs of most collectors.

I am working on several series that have more than 20 coins each, so I have no intention of ever having a collection that small. But the advice that these people give has led me to make sure I go by a few criteria before I add a coin to my collection.
-The coin is worth having: Does it contribute to my collection in a meaningful way? Is my collection decisively better with it rather than without it? When you have only 20 coins, each coin is essential and important.
-The coin is is a good example: Is the coin in the best condition I can reasonably afford? Am I buying it with the intention of replacing it with a better one later? Don't buy a coin knowing you want a different one instead. It's frivolous. Will other people recognize it as being worth keeping? For me coins more worn than F aren't good examples because they don't show the coin well as it was created. I would only use grades that low if it was the only option.

I sold 35 coins from my collection last month that don't contribute to anything I am actively working on and used that money to buy 4 coins that do. I am moving in that direction.

You want each coin in your collection to be meaningful and valuable (not necessarily financially). You want your collection to tell a story, and hopefully the story is beautifully illustrated.

That seems reasonable. You can have as many sets going as you please. I intend to work on other sets too, but the "Box of 20" is seperate and apart from the other sets you are in th eprocess of assembling.

The "Box of 20" is only for your high end, rare pieces.

Interesting idea. Another thing to consider once my albums are finished. Yes, I want to finish those first. The only deviation I am allowing now is some current releases from mint that interest me, but there are so many interesting ideas out there tempting me.

Agreed. I cannot imagine this box filling any faster than my Dansco 7070, and that has been going on 20 years!

Well, I am down to five and two of those are going to really hurt my wallet.

I only buy coins I can see, check out, look up and need. And only buy at coin shows so does not apply.

Thanks Barry.

Remember, the "Box of 20" idea does not mean getting rid of everything else. You don't have to give up anyhting you don't want to and you can keep other collections going at the same time. As for me, I am keeping my type set album when its eventually done because I like it.

The "Box of 20" is only you high grade collectable coins that keeps you from overspending and will eventually (so the theory goes)build up that "Box of 20" over time to be a real showpiece or high grade investment (if thats what you want).

I started collecting coins when I was fairly young, and the vast majority of my coins are low end pieces, and most of them are worth less than $5/each if not $1/each. (Circulated Indian heads, Buffalo nickels, lincoln cents make up the majority of my collection in terms of total coins). Other than a few pieces which carry either sentimental value or have a particular look that am fond of, I don't have a lot of attachment to these coins. Over the past few years I have purchased a few coins that were a little pricier and I would say I have 4 or 5 pieces that would go toward a box of 20 concept. I do like the concept a lot, and am trying to gear more and more toward quality over quantity.