Why Do You Collect What You Do?

I collect things that have a connection to my youth and roots. Mckinney Texas memorabilia, Dr Pepper items, Texas commemorative half dollars, National bank notes from Texas.

Penny gumball machines fascinated me with I was a little kid. I collect those along with the trinkets that they dispensed.

I like pocket knives because my Dad introduced me to those when I was little.

We all have our reasons for collecting the things we do. Some of my stuff would be nothing but junk to others; to me it's priceless!

I'm both a history and an art nut, so I'll collect anything old that comes my way. Since I'm from the US that's the majority of my coin collection (also US coins have a clear starting point because the mint only started in the 1790s)

But I also want to collect world crowns because every country has its own history, own designs, own reasons for including different depictions... so much fun stuff to get to learn more about and appreciate.

There is no rhyme or reason but one is never enough.

At one time I thought that one banjo was enough. But I was wrong.

For a while I collected French movie posters but my source dried up and I lost interest....after about 50....none of them on display for the last 10 years....too big....

With coins, the scarcer the better. Condition is less important, and acquiring complete sets is not interesting at all.

For decades I've worked on a U.S. Type Set, which got expanded to a PCGS Registry Dansco 7070. Type sets appealed to me for two main reasons: 1) It enabled me to collect a coin of each of the major U.S. coin designs, and 2) Since I needed to buy only ONE coin of each type, I was then able to buy a coin in a higher grade than if I were collecting a full date and mint mark set.

There is NO right or wrong in what ANYONE collects. The beauty of our wonderful hobby is each of us can choose the direction of our passion, and derive pleasure and tremendous satisfaction from that. That's what our hobby is all about!




Once I "completed" my Dansco 7070, I needed direction, and just like @kanga, I looked for small sets. Like him/her, I completed a business strike Two Cent Set (only 10 coins are needed). I'm now working on a Franklin Proof Set (only 14 coins are needed) and a Standing Liberty quarter DATE set (only 14 coins are needed, since I can choose which mint to purchase, as only 1 coin is needed for each date). To make that challenging, I'm limiting that set to FH.

Also spending most of my time/money on foreign coins now. I love the history aspect. And the bargains. I've gotten silver world coins for way less than silver price at auctions. Because nobody else there knew they were silver. Or where to go to find out if they are. NGC's world coins guide is my main resource.

My interests have changed over time. As a youngster, I collected coins from circulation to put in folders. This is when you could still find silver in circulation! As a teen I spent just about everything except a 1909VDB Lincoln Cent and a couple of Buffalo nickels. A few years ago I restarted collecting. Started with Mercury dimes. My goal was to collect a complete uncirculated set. Then I found out I couldn't afford many of the older coins in UNC. I have completed a set in circulated with the exception of the expensive in any grade coins, the 1916D and the 42/1 over date issues. Someday I may obtain those coins, who knows. I decided I wanted to do a set that I could afford to complete in uncirculated. Since I am attracted to dimes, I decided to start a Roosevelt set. I was able to complete that in 2020. Right now I'm working on an Ike set while also using uncirculated mint sets to fill a number of albums, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson nickel, Washington quarter through 1998, and Kennedy half. I'm still on the lookout for 1916 through 1934 Mercury dimes in the highest grade I can afford to complete a CAPS album. So, plenty of things to keep me busy for the foreseeable future.

@NumisEd asked "Which foreign coins you collect?"

I mainly stick to silver issues that have great artistry both front and back in UNC condition.The range of dates for World coins tends to be substantial, which makes them fun and interesting to collect, A fairly low mintage is always a plus, but that's not what drives me. It's the art and condition, as long as I can comfortably afford sonething in UNC condition or better.

Just a typical coin hoarder. I collect a little bit of everything - Cents Pre 59, Nickels Pre 60, silver coins (90% & 40%), Errors, Paper, Foreign silver, Canadian Cents Pre 64, Canadian 100% Nickel...........