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 Replies: 49 / Views: 6,909 |
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New Member
United States
16 Posts |
So I don't know if this is the right forum for this question. But will coin collecting die off? Usually when I go to coin shows there are usually older people and not too many younger guys. Kids now a days aren't really into coin collecting so I'm just wondering if there will still be a demand for coins if there are few people collecting? I just want some opinions from others.
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
At some point,probably. People have been collecting since the days of kings and queens. There are more than a few YN's here on CCF. We,as collectors need to plant the seeds for future collectors. Get your kids and grandkids involved at an early age. I started when I was 9, back in 1971. Give them a folder with a few coins and tell them you will answer any question about coin they may have. John1  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3323 Posts |
Someone needs to develop a coin collecting video game. That might get the younger generation interested.
"Nummi rari mira sunt, si sumptus ferre potes." - Christophorus filius Scotiae
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Valued Member
United States
453 Posts |
I would love to see a demographic study on this but I have a theory. Younger people (kids to young adults) tend to get into coins if they are exposed and the treasure hunt appeals to many of them. Often times in the late teens to 20's people get busy with other things. As life settles into a routine later on people come back to it (usually with a little more income) and enjoy not only the thrill but the history and sometimes the investment and trading aspect. Of course, I'm really speaking in generalities here but I guess my point is I bet the average age of collectors has probably always been about the same.
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
No it won't. It's never been a hobby for kids, it requires disposable money and that's something kids rarely have in
abundance. You could have gone to a show 60 years ago and seen the same things. Shows are an even worse measure now since the younger collectors are doing it mostly and in many cases exclusively online. Some of that has to do with what the collector, some is not wanting to spend money traveling for shows and some is the simple fact that there's to many people who try and take advantage of younger collectors at shows because they think they can. Not every dealer does it but many will treat you very differently if you look in your 20/30s instead of your 50/60s.
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Valued Member
United States
56 Posts |
This has been discussed on other coin sites, and one of the main points that I recall is that yes, while numismatics does tend to be an 'older guy' discipline, there is a solid supply of older guys, especially considering current demographics (no aspersion on the fairer sex as they are certainly welcome). So getting YNs into it is very important for the long term.
Implicit in this question is the long term value of collections. I am not too worried, because they are not making more classic coins, at least not genuine ones. And as the world goes increasingly digital things produced either by hand or early machines ought to hold their value, if well preserved. Even though coin collecting is usually not a great investment in this lifetime, it has many aspects that make it worthwhile as a legacy to be passed along.
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Valued Member
Belgium
186 Posts |
I wouldn't be so sure about the fact that there are so few young collectors. While CCF might not be best representative of the hobby in general as a lot of older guys aren't getting into the Internet, we could use the forum's demographics as a starting point. If we consider this poll representative of the CCF: http://goccf.com/t/121221Then we can see the average age is about 35 and the single most populated age category is 15-20 years old, so the 'few young people are getting into numismatics' theory might be of not so much truth. Also, as basebal21 pointed out, many younger people mostly discuss and trade coins online while rarely being present at physical shows or stores, which could be a cause of the propagation of this not necessarily true theory. |
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Valued Member
United States
330 Posts |
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You could have gone to a show 60 years ago and seen the same things. This is the first thing that I wondered too. If this isn't some new observation it doesn't change much. |
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Moderator
United States
188342 Posts |
Will it die off? Doubtful.
Will it continue to change and evolve? Of course.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
743 Posts |
I don't think it will die off. I'm only 31 years old and love collecting coins and hopefully will have some disposable income to continue for many years. As long as people my age begin or come back to the hobby, it will continue.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2204 Posts |
I disagree that this is not a hobby for kids. Why do you think Whitman has been selling Lincoln Cent folders for at least 70 years? Because kids love collecting pennies--it's the only thing they can afford. But I think as long as someone thinks they can get rich from looking through their pocket change, coin collecting will always thrive. |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
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This is the first thing that I wondered too. If this isn't some new observation it doesn't change much You very likely could have gotten someone to chat you up back then about how there's no future to the hobby because everyone at the show is old as well. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1666 Posts |
The younger generation is very much involved in numismatics, just in different ways. As many of the older folks are used to forums and shows, there are vibrant numismatic communities on social media like Instagram, Reddit and Pinterest. I encounter many young numismatists on these venues.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
634 Posts |
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coin collecting video game Not to be rude, but I don't think that would inspire new collectors, and it would be rather patronizing to us young collectors.  Edited by Illegaltender
03/13/2018 11:14 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3323 Posts |
Quote:
. Quote:
coin collecting video game
Not to be rude, but I don't think that would inspire new collectors, and it would be rather patronizing to us young collectors I meant no offense and I'm totally serious. Young kids obviously enjoy video games on their phones. Create something along the lines of Pokemon where they look for Wheaties, buffs etc. At least they will get to know what they are. It may translate to an interest in the real thing. "Nummi rari mira sunt, si sumptus ferre potes." - Christophorus filius Scotiae
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Valued Member
United States
453 Posts |
Bump111 the more I think about a coin game the more it actually sounds like a good idea. Lots of simple games are basically treasure hunts anyway add in some real coins for an educational aspect and BOOM! You may have the next billion dollar app there!
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Replies: 49 / Views: 6,909 |
Posted 03/13/2018 3:23 pm
