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 Replies: 38 / Views: 4,955 |
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Valued Member
United States
108 Posts |
It's certain that very few of us became collectors only as a means to win the approval of others. Collecting numismatic items to me is a selfish indulgence, and one with which the general populous does not connect on a personal level. Here, I'm curious to see how some of you relate to those in your immediate families who might or might not understand why you're so interested in "old coins" and the like.
I'm postulating that most of us fall into one of the following categories:
Obsessed Nerd: Family thinks you're a loser who's disconnected from reality.
Money-Waster: Family has ever asked, "Why would you ever pay more than fifty cents for a half dollar?"
Closeted Collector: Family has no idea you even have coins. You're afraid that they might judge you, or that they would just dump them in a Coin Star one day while you weren't home.
Inheritance Accumulator: Cares nothing about your collection until you've met your Maker and it's time to get rid of it at the EZ Pawn.
Savvy Investor: Folks just don't get it, but they understand that your collection is valuable and will most likely increase in value over time.
President of the Club: You have one of those rare families who not only supports your hobby; they get involved. You often go to shows together, compete with each other on set-building, and have often discussed numismatic topics.
As for me ... My wife is supportive of my collecting, as long as I don't cash out the 401(k) to chase after a coin. Parents see me as more of a savvy investor, but the in-laws have me pegged as a kook who wastes money.
What remains to be see is how my collecting is perceived by my daughter, who makes her grand entry into the world in mid-October. Hopefully, I'll at least be able to foster a mild appreciation for her daddy's collection as she grows. Edited by Typeguy38
07/19/2015 08:56 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6370 Posts |
My parents also collect coins, so I don't entirely fit in any category. My friends, however, put me in the "Money-Waster" category, even though they would pay $100+ for an outfit they they would rarely wear and end up donating to Goodwill, while I sell my coin for 150% of what I paid for it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
513 Posts |
Kinda "Inheritance Accumulator: Cares nothing about your collection until you've met your Maker and it's time to get rid of it at the EZ Pawn."
Except that they don't care or care to know anything about the value; getting rid of it (pawn shop?) will just be one more hassle to attend to after I croak. And then one of you can grab it from the pawn shop.
But at least they don't go around telling friends that I am a collector (target). I'm "into history and reading."
And it's a more "acceptable" hobby to my spouse than computer gaming or skeet shooting or mumbleypeg or philandering or other hobbies that cost way less.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
I don't think I fit any of those categories. I would call them "mostly disinterested".
My wife will look for older coins from change for me and knows I have a budget I keep to,. She will go to a coin show with me but is mostly just in the camp of this being a hobby of mine and it's my thing if that's what I like to do.
My kids know I collect but mostly aren't interested. My younger son does have a small collection so he is a little interested, but mostly not. Maybe someday though.
My extended family either doesn't really realize I collect coins or knows but doesn't really even know what that means exactly.
It's really my hobby and everyone else has the attitude of "oh, ok".
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Pillar of the Community
United States
589 Posts |
Things that my family members collect:
Designer hand bags, Swiss watches, Name brand guitar and so on, thus my small coin collection goes unnoticed.
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Valued Member
United States
142 Posts |
It really depends on who it is. My dad was the one that got me started, my mom loves looking at them but that's about it, some of my friends collect State Quarters so their eyes shine when I show them something completely different, I think I'm starting to spark an interest with my nephew, but my girlfriend just repeatedly says "I don't see how anyone could like coins. They're gross, they all look the same. Would you ever sell them? You should sell them and get money. Blah Blah." It's what I love, though. That's all that matters. |
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Valued Member
Slovenia
459 Posts |
Somewhere in between ... My girlfriend mostly supports me, we talk about it and she knows what coins to look for in circulation (she works at a store). She also is able to say: "Stop," as I can sometimes fall into the Zone and talk and talk and talk about the subject :) My father is a different story; he is somewhat ignorant, but when not it's either a) "If it's old, is valuable", or b) "These all look the same to me; how can you tell a difference?". My mother has some kind of romantic/nostalgic approach to it. The extended family doesn't know I collect. But I did 'inherit' a nice 5 corona 1909 silver coin from my girlfriends father, that was in the familiy from WWI :)
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5417 Posts |
Originally my family was more on the Money-Waster: Family has ever asked, "Why would you ever pay more than fifty cents for a half dollar?" side. They though I would end up going to sell the coins I payed several thousand dollars for and get pennies on the dollar. Well, boy were they surprised when I flipped several coins I bought for a profit at many a coin show and on ebay. Now I'm more of the Savvy Investor: Folks just don't get it, but they understand that your collection is valuable and will most likely increase in value over time. My parents understand that my collection is a good investment but they keep telling me "what little profit you may make on coins is peanuts compared to the big bucks you'll be making as a doctor", so I'll be going to med school as soon as I'm finished my undergrad, not that it's not what I want to do anyway. Edited by zxcccxz
07/19/2015 1:51 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6478 Posts |
Obsessed Nerd: Family thinks you're a loser who's disconnected from reality.
Money-Waster: Family has ever asked, "Why would you ever pay more than fifty cents for a half dollar?"
President of the Club: You have one of those rare families who not only supports your hobby; they get involved. You often go to shows together, compete with each other on set-building, and have often discussed numismatic topics.
My dad supports it 200%
My mom thinks I'm dumb and waste money
My older brother thinks that coins are only worth their face value and I am dumb.
My younger brother just does not care
My grandparents tell everyone I collect coins.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3843 Posts |
I'm probability considered a money waster by the few relatives that know that I collect. Luckily my parents are mostly on board and collect a bit too.
I've been to some estate auctions where some relatives were also in attendance and I can tell that they though that the items that I purchased (other collectables, not coins) were not worth what I paid.
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Valued Member
United States
336 Posts |
I've got quite the mix of reactions throughout my family. My wife was not a collector before she met me and hated that I spent over face value on coins. After a wail though she began to understand and started collecting herself. Once she discovered toned coins, she was all for it. Shes extremely supportive these days :) My mother in law doesn't quite see the appeal as of yet, but enjoys hearing me talk about it. She generally switches the subject to economics on me though lol (shes always got some question for me in the department).
My older brother probably has forgotten I even collect and my younger brother throws me into the nerd category for it. My father is supportive, but doesn't really collect himself. He enjoys looking at anything I'll bring his way. My mother was very supportive of my collecting when she was alive. We worked on a Kennedy date collection together and she bought me coins for Christmas quite often. As far as extended family goes, one of my cousins who is close to me collects, but is still what I would consider a beginner. He does go to shows with me from time to time. The rest of the family generally just has me appraise coins and on occasion sell me coins.
All in all I can't really complain. I've got it pretty good. I rarely get bothered by anyone in my family about it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
513 Posts |
Quote:
The rest of the family generally just has me appraise coins and on occasion sell me coins ah, the family fence   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
It's always been a solitary pursuit for me. My uncle got me started, but he died when I was young. None of my friends collected when I was a kid, and although I've had several families over a long life since then, only one of my spouses, kids and grandkids has ever shown any interest Most of them think I'm a little loony, which is probably right. Nonetheless, the collecting instinct is just as strong today as it was when I got my first Whitman folder, and I don't mind doing it alone most of the time. It is my solace and my escape.
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
 I guess I fall in between obsessed nerd and money waster. the only one who's somewhat interested in my hobby is my wife. Kids and grandkids could care less. however I have a good shot with my 3 year old granddaughter. I'm going to make a strong effort with her. my sisters think that I just have a few coins in my collection. If they only new ! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1788 Posts |
My dad supports me but doesn't really care.
Mom thinks I can spend money on "better things"
My brother is interested.
My grandpa shows me local coin listings near him and we talk about coins.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5828 Posts |
Obsessed Nerd Just ask my friends  |
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Replies: 38 / Views: 4,955 |
Posted 07/19/2015 10:14 am
