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Posted 11/13/2018 02:33 am
I understand what you're saying, but it must be some kind of inherent personality difference because I feel exactly the opposite. I've never been able to appreciate challenge for challenge's stake, leaning instead toward the exotic and beautiful whether achieved through much effort or not. I'm that person who thinks marathon runners are nuts, and although I have climbed mountains the reward is 100% the view at the summit, which I would be just as happy to drive up to if I could.
I never had the kitchen table of coins experience you describe as a kid. The thing I still do that links back to my roots is aquarium fish, raised them since I was little and now catch/buy/breed many wild and domesticated species, and ship them all over the country. But even in this hobby, the goals are somewhat bifurcated between those who like what is challenging and those who like what they like. For instance, there are a lot of people who consider a solid black guppy or solid white betta holy grails, because they are extremely hard to breed and therefor hard to find. Me, I just think, well there are plenty of other beautiful species you can get that are solid black or white, without breaking your wallet. Meanwhile guppies and bettas are the most colorful and diverse fish there are, so if I'm going to stretch my budget for them it'll be gonzo psychedelic looking ones! And luckily there are a good number of other aquarists who agree; they are my customers and trade buddies.
In short, I guess what I'm saying is I don't understand why with coins the market seems to be so much more 'challenge'-skewed. The existence of collectors whose goals are all about completing this or that series or set doesn't surprise me, but the relative absence of people seeking the sheer 'weird' --that does surprise me and disappoints me, I must admit.
I never had the kitchen table of coins experience you describe as a kid. The thing I still do that links back to my roots is aquarium fish, raised them since I was little and now catch/buy/breed many wild and domesticated species, and ship them all over the country. But even in this hobby, the goals are somewhat bifurcated between those who like what is challenging and those who like what they like. For instance, there are a lot of people who consider a solid black guppy or solid white betta holy grails, because they are extremely hard to breed and therefor hard to find. Me, I just think, well there are plenty of other beautiful species you can get that are solid black or white, without breaking your wallet. Meanwhile guppies and bettas are the most colorful and diverse fish there are, so if I'm going to stretch my budget for them it'll be gonzo psychedelic looking ones! And luckily there are a good number of other aquarists who agree; they are my customers and trade buddies.
In short, I guess what I'm saying is I don't understand why with coins the market seems to be so much more 'challenge'-skewed. The existence of collectors whose goals are all about completing this or that series or set doesn't surprise me, but the relative absence of people seeking the sheer 'weird' --that does surprise me and disappoints me, I must admit.
