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 Replies: 24 / Views: 3,442 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5828 Posts |
Sigh... So recently, I have been focusing my time and efforts onto my other main hobby, Militaria (military memorabilia, my main focus is US WW2). I have a pretty nice collection so far valuing around $500. It is fairly small, but is incredibly nice. I have 3 backpacks, including one worn by a paratrooper on d-day (a M1936 musette bag). I also have a M1928 haversack worn by a trooper in the 18th USMC engineers, 2nd marines. That means it was in Nagasaki after the war... So basically I have a few other items like this, that are really nice and have amazing history. After I'm done looking at these, I turn around and look at my coin collection. Its valued at about $1,500, which is pretty nice, but 40% of that is tied up in tiny coins valued at $4 or less. I still love my LWC set, as it is pretty nice IMHO. Its nearly completed, so my next challenge is Buffalo nickels and Shield nickels... I honestly think the biggest problem with my collection is that I spread out my collecting interests... If I had only set my goals on finishing my LWC set before branching off, I wouldnt have this problem. Now I have a ton of misc. coins that dont fit together in a collection (i have like 5 Seated Liberty quarters, 2 3 cent pieces, 2 2 cent pieces, just random stuff in my "collection"). Really all this thread is saying to me is "sell part of your collection and narrow your collecting vision to completing the 7070 and finishing a few sets youve already started" So, my question is... Do you think selling off some of my coins, and say keeping one type coin, and focusing on a 7070 (and a few other sets) is a wise idea? I just hate having a collection full of random coins that dont mean anything to each other... mini rant over. Thanks. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
513 Posts |
Different strokes for different folks. I tend to start a "new" collection before getting all in the "old" collection--mostly because of cost of the left-to-get or "hole" coins. So I have lots of "random coins" that are starters of a set here or there. I go back to "old" collections periodically and fill a couple of holes. Because I recently rejoined the hobby, I had lots of old collections that I started dozens of years ago . . . with "random" coins . . . that I've been working on. Finally got all the Three Cent Nickels I'm likely to ever get, for example. I find that the variety keeps me learning a lot about the different coin sets (nations, varieties, denominations, etc.) and provides me fodder for looking on ebay for what's available for a particular collection, or learning about wear patterns, or seeing if I can identify fakes, or whatever, when there is too much month left at the end of the money. And then there's the "thrill of the chase." Like you said, though, some folks want to concentrate on one thing until it is finished, kaput, done, finis. I can't seem to do that. Now, to start those Jamaica large pennies . . . |
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Moderator
 United States
188122 Posts |
I moved this out to the main forum for exposure.  We all have times when we feel a lack of satisfaction. You need to pause, take a step back, and look at the big picture, so coming here to "rant" was a good idea.  We like to say "collect what you like." If you do not like being spread out, then maybe it is time to scale back and refocus. However, if you liked doing it, then maybe you just need a small break. Just take time making your decision. I would hate for you to get rid of everything on a whim and regret it later. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5239 Posts |
My question to you is, if you sold all the "random" coins would it amount to very much, and how would that compare to what it would cost you to buy them again, if you want to go back to that series again?
So maybe it would be better to put them aside and look at them again in a few years and see if you want to pursue that avenue.
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Valued Member
Canada
71 Posts |
I've gone through a few different hobbies in the past 10 years (watches, fountain pens, pocket knives) before coming back to my first collecting love, coins, and it's perfectly natural to hit a point where you simply don't have any desire to add any more or you're happy with what you've got. I've made little trimmings of smaller pieces to the other hobbies, but I feel like a large scale sell off would be something you'd regret. Especially if you change your mind on some of it, nothing is worse than buying something at a premium to replace something you've already had and let slip away. Just my 2 cents.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3843 Posts |
I collect several items including coins and I've found that my favorite pieces in each collection are the ones I had to stretch my budget to get. You don't necessarily need to liquidate what you have, you just need to focus your future efforts and resources on better quality items. Also you are young and once you get decent employment your collection will flourish, I know mine has.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5394 Posts |
When I was a young fellow , back in the 1600 s , I had the same issues. One solution is park your collection for awhile and pursue other interests. There is no right or wrong way to collect anything.
You can always return to coins in a different way.
I follow a lot of your posts with interest and one thing is for sure you have a great deal of potential when it comes to numismatics. Take some time and enjoy other pursuits!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5828 Posts |
I should add that I'm not planning of leaving Numismatics, I'm just saying that I'm frusterated with the lack of care that I took when assembling my collection. After consideration, I'm planning on putting together these sets: US Type Lincoln Cents Indian Head cents Buffalo nickels Shield nickelsThose will be my main focus Thanks for moving this Jbuck. |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
7096 Posts |
I would think that most collectors go through periods of boredom/doldrums with their collections, I know that I do.
This is probably why my collections are so diverse because when I do get one of these "Moments" I tend to look to other areas of numismatics that are new to me and start on a new learning curve as I collect this new series/type.
All the coins in my collections are nice and I have enjoyed putting them together But for me personally the education and enjoyment that I gain from researching and studying these new areas of numismatics as I collect them is far more rewarding than the actual coins themselves.
Another thing that I get a real "Kick" out of is helping other collectors with their collections or just simply sharing the small amount of knowledge that I have gained over the years.
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
I hear you COTW , I'm in the same boat. But I'm a lot older than you and still trying to fill holes, as Garoryn says it's the cost of filling those hole coins that can throw a monkey wrench into a nice set . I however have no other hobbies to throw my money into . I suggest not selling any of your coins. because once you do , you will never get them back again, at least not at a decent price . I'm trying to put together 8 different sets right now IHC to Walking halves . Yep , boredom city at times .  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1314 Posts |
Quote:
I'm frusterated with the lack of care that I took when assembling my collection. Me too. That's the beauty of 20-20 hindsight. If you could do it perfectly the first time, I would suggest brain surgery for your next hobby. I'm selling off duplicates and upgrading the things I really care about. And spending some time with a few other interests. You've got more time to correct your course than many. Good luck. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
509 Posts |
I feel like I was in the same spot as you recently. I've had to slow down my collecting for past 3-4 months for work and now find random coins or albums that I've accumulated over past 2 years of collecting. I feel much more satisfied now that I've stopped accumulating and am focusing on the 7070. its so easy to watch your progress and see everything right next to each other.
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Rest in Peace
United States
2668 Posts |
Just collect one of everything. I mean, if I have one of something, I'm a collector. Just ask my wife.  And then I find something pretty, like Belleek, and end up putting $$ into a dinner set, several different tea sets, and beau coup vases. I still haven't gotten a kettle. No, honest honey, no more than that. Collect for fun, collect to make money. What's the diff? Well, if you were collecting to make money, you'd still have all of the boxes your pristine toys came in. Nothing quite as fun as watching 'Antiques Roadshow' with a bunch of senior delinquents. I had that toy!  One of the reasons I have over 10,000 LP records is because people were selling them. Cheap. What's not to love?  And if I put it off long enough, I never have to organize it all...........  ETA: I've made quite the progress over the OCD Edited by Parklane64
06/21/2016 01:38 am
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
7096 Posts |
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And if I put it off long enough, I never have to organize it all........... Love that  |
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Pillar of the Community
Poland
3201 Posts |
In a way, it is useful to collect something else. You can just focus on the other collection for a month - or a year. The interest in coins will return sooner or later, I'm afraid...  Sell off the duplicates, those coins that aren't good enough condition-wise, perhaps also those that could easily be replaced with better specimens, and any random ones that you don't expect to collect in the future (although that cannot be predicted with absolute certainty), to add funds to your militaria fund. Just don't sell the best coins you've got, try to keep anything that's clearly above-average. Otherwise, in a few years you'll be thinking "I already had that one back then!". Depending on the coin in question, that thought might be quickly followed by "Why does it cost 4 times more to buy it now?"  I know. It happened to me.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
946 Posts |
I think this is a perfect situation to get and get yourself a type album,kind of see which series you want to go after. Been down your path many times. Stick to QUALITY and not quantity. You may only end up with a few coins at the end of each year,but they sure are better then having 20 coins worth 4 bucks.
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Replies: 24 / Views: 3,442 |
Posted 06/20/2016 5:24 pm
