What Does Your Family Think About Your Hobby?

My family thinks I'm collecting just because the collection will be worth more in the future. My mom does help me out with sorting and looking at the dates of coins while looking what to buy. I'm teaching her something and she appreciates the hobby more!

As for me, I collect anything that I like not for the purpose of the possibility of it increasing in price but for enjoyment purposes. I'm working my way down from the recent U.S. coins to the early 1900's and late 1800's.

@just carl




I'd gladly take them off your hands for you and find good homes for all of them.

Mostly closeted collector. My wife knows, but doesn't know to what extent... for example today is our anniversary and I asked where my coins are and she thought I was joking. My kids know, but they are at age 3, 1.5 that they don't really know... For everyone else.. They can openly see Red Book and U.S. Mint brochures on the counter or coins on my desk, but have never asked about it, so I think I count as closeted

I'd also classify as savvy investor- my wife knows I sell for a profit on ebay and she thinks I'm money conscious enough that I wouldn't buy to lose big in future.

To be honest I am not really very concerned about what those around me think of my collecting hobby. After all I do it because I want to.

I showed this to my friend and he said he thinks I am "obssessed nerd, money waster, and savvy investor." My parents kind of think I'm between money waster and investor (not too savvy though). They think the coins I have are worth money but not very much, and they think I spend too much time looking at them so they see it as a waste of time and money.

My dad is completely supportive because back in the 60's his parents (my grandparents) would give him every Wheat cent they found, so he had a collection which he still has to date of wheat cents. My grandmother collected 1964 Kennedy halves, because she had some sort of obsession with Kennedy (still does, idk why never asked her, she's 83 now) and she managed to have around 42 90% silver halves, that also ended up in my hands about 8 years ago and will forever be with me. She also gave me a 1922 Peace dollar that a customer from her sewing job back in the 50's-60's gave her as part of a payment.

My mother is also supportive. I try to teach things to her and sometimes she'll get them and other times she won't understand a thing I'm saying. I have, however, taught her to recognize the sound of silver.

I guess you could say numismatics is partly in my blood. My grandfather on my mom's side used to be a collector until he sold it all off, and my great uncle on my mom's side who's in his mid 70's is also a collector, but I'm not sure how avid he was. I know he still has quite a collection still, from what I've heard.

My family is mostly indifferent to my hobby. They don't care too much or get involved, they let me do as I like as long as I don't mess up anything. Most of my relatives don't mind me looking at their old money if I asked, and more than a few are happy to share one or two pieces. Though my mom did express that she would prefer that I collected stamps instead (which she did in the past, when she had more time) since they don't circulate like money and so are less dirty.

I used to have to read Coin World out in the open while everyone else watched TV. Now at least I have my laptop.