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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,931 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1723 Posts |
Inspired of some of the other recent posts here in the main about what kind of collector you are, dipped coins and the discussion that has gone on within those threads, it really shows the diversity and different opinions of each individual collector that has chose to share their thoughts.
It has me really thinking about people's views to their collection, why they really collect, where they think their collection will end up when inevitably the end comes, how they chose their coins, why they do, how they organize.
For myself my collection is pretty exclusive to Canadian decimals mainly because I find it really cool to have a lasting piece of Canadian history going back as far as I can go. To watch and be active in this process just tickles me the right way. Being able to hold this history in my hand is very gratifying.
HOW DO I PICK AND ORGANIZE MY COINS........I have pre determined what minimum grades I would be satisfied with based on years. Eg, say 1960 to date MS state 1930-1959 EF, 1900-1929 VF etc etc. Those aren't exact dates but I just wanted to get the point across. For me the value of my coin comes from being able to make out the detail in every particular coin NOT the hunt for the best of the best. I do not mind lightly dipped coins in a solution like pro dip. I do wish to have them as close to original as possible but don't mind a quick dip to remove some surface debris in order to make out details better. I DO NOT want a 150 year old VF coin looking like it's straight from the mint. For me there are lines drawn in the sand between helping a coin a bit and completely over doing it. So I will accept some coins in order for me to achieve my overall collecting goals.
I have already pre done all my binders with every year in every denomination with varieties that I would like to add to my collection. All my 2x2 cardboard slips are all pre labeled and placed inside the binder in order so I can enjoy the coins whenever I wish and also easily see what is still needed. 90% of the time if I order a small batch of coins or an individual coin that I had saved for, I will NOT buy another coin until they have come in and I have placed them in their respective binders. This allows me to not impulse buy and also maintain organization. Of course I always keep my eye out for that one or two coins that don't come available often. I also have a written out spread sheet for my own references. It lists every coin that I still need to acquire, in what grade and the book value that goes along with it. That way I always have an easy way to reference what I'm looking for.
END GAME......I have 2 daughters. One has shown particular interest in the hobby from time to time. I hope that one day to be able to pass this collection of history to her for her to continue building on since I don't foresee myself financially ever being able to complete it in my lifetime. Should neither of them chose to keep the collection, I'm working on a catalog list of what each coin is worth today so when they go to sell they understand what they have and what they should be able to get in return. This collection is not an intended make money collection but just a preservation of Canadian history and I hope I've chosen coins wisely that would at least sell down the road at today's approx value.
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
1723 Posts |
I do apologize for the long winded opener. I just thought I would focus on a larger scope to understand members and their collecting goals and habits rather than focus on what any one of us deem to be right or wrong. As well I hope I might give some ideas for others regarding understanding their collection and perhaps help keep them organized so the can appreciate their collection rather than being overwhelmed and help stay in budget.
Again the point is how do you choose your coin grades, why do you choose those, what coins would you accept, what's the goal of your collection, are you looking to pass it? Make money? Just killing time and selling it? Someone else going to enjoy the coins next or they going to sell it? It's sad to hear when some spend a lifetime collecting just to have to sell it off so if that was the scenario then how do you chose the coins you want. What is the personal gratification of each collector as well as the long term gratification.
I turn it over to you fine folks.
Edited by samsnate
01/03/2021 11:42 am
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Valued Member
Virgin Islands (U.S.)
68 Posts |
My collection is one primarily built on eye appeal -- but the artistry has to extend to the obvserse and reverse on the same coin, and primarily silvers rather than coppers or nickels. There aren't a lot of business-issue USA coins that fit in that for me, so that opens me up to old World coins and commemoratives. I keep my eye toward the best grades I can confortably afford, which for me is minimum AU/UNC range.,And while my top 2 USA business strikes are the SLQ (nothing less than full head) and the 2-cent, prices for those in my collector range are priced beyond my means, and I refuse to buy a worn-down key date example just for the "investment" value because eye appeal for me is tantamount, even if it's a "lesser" date/type. But I have splurged ridiculous on an item or two because it was in hard to find shape. IMO, every collection ought to have one or two "wow" coins that you spent crazy mad on just because you could at the time and that coin in date or grade gave you a woody. I've also bought two silver ASE proof sets at online auction because the price was right and way--better than right, altho ASE's really don't interest me all that much. Those will probably be the only "investment" sets I'll ever buy. Typically, I favor coins that have been graded and slabbed by one of the Big 3 grading houses (PCGS, NGC or ANACS) because the previous owner already went thru the expense to have it graded and slabbed, and I know I'm getting the real McCoy to spend my money on.mI'm happy to pay a little more for that confort. Now, for the big question: What will happen to my collection once you go off to the great beyond. My 3 now-adult kids always knew of my hobby, but my original collection mysteriously disappeared after a divorce, and since I've had a job that pays decent, I've been rebuilding it and then some. But here's the kicker: My kids know nothing of this, and when I keel over, they will have a considerable surprise worth something waiting for them, for them to either give them a good collectior basis and insure if they want to go that way, or sell outright if they want to go that route. Me, I'll be croaked, so I won't care in the afterlife, so I won't care. But either way they go, they'll still have a decent foundation. Edited by STTScott
01/03/2021 12:57 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7936 Posts |
My collection is organized around my four active themes: - Kingdom of Poland/Lithuania and environs OFER/OFEY - Duchy of Brabant OFER and type coins - Duchy of Lorraine OFER and type coins - Saints on Coins Across these themes, I am also filling in a limited OFEY from 1474 - 1800. I have a target list to fill the OFEY, and a few missing saints I would like to get (Nicolas which could fill an OFEY date, Gregory the Great, Theodore, Lucy), but there are always attractive medieval types popping up, too, that fit within these themes. Given the era covered (pre-1800), I look for VF to AU coins below a certain price point, with a strong preference against slabbed. I have no ambition to make money, and fully expect proceeds to be lower than acquisition costs taking into account the time value of money. I consider it a self-indulgent hobby that provides a heckuva lot of pleasure! Neither of my children collect. My end game will involve instructions on how to dispose of the collection through auction houses (WCN, CNG and Jean Elsen, where perhaps 60% of the collection originated) though I have not yet compiled this. Or, if I keep my wits about me long enough, I may liquidate it myself when I am fully retired.  Edited by tdziemia
01/03/2021 2:46 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
With practically no one to leave it all to, I always wonder what they will say at a bank after I'm gone. And someone just takes my entire collection there and dumps it all.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19143 Posts |
My end game is simply to enjoy gathering, searching through, and organizing coins--finding, handling, and looking at 'em provides 99% of the fun.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1723 Posts |
@ just Carl.... so if you don't have anyone to pass it to does that mean for sure it's just going to end up at the bank? Also if that's what you think would happen does that mean you would collect mid range coins or do you still go after higher grade or even scarcer coins as well?
@ijn1944.... so does that mean you have a mix match of coins and you don't have anything really specific that you look for in your coins, you just enjoy it as a hobby, kind of a thing to pass the time that you enjoy?
Thanks for the responses so far.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4333 Posts |
I've been into collecting for almost 50 years. When I'm gone, it won't matter what happens to it.
When I listen to LED ZEPPELIN...so do my neighbors...
Roll hunting since '77
Dirt fishing since '72
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
My end game is to describe the development of World numismatics from it's beginnings 26 centuries ago,
illustrated with examples of coins.
In one sense, I arrived more than 30 years ago.
In another sense the end is impossible to achieve.
There is always an opportunity to add something to the collection.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
999 Posts |
I don't see an endgame, only a continuous journey. Sure, there are collecting goals along the way. Some which are easier to achieve than others and some that may never be achieved. Ultimately there has to be an end. Hopefully at that time I have sparked at least one friend or family member's numismatic interests and can pass it on to that person. It's something that I'm working on developing. I also think it's important to have a detailed record of what everything is potentially worth. I'd hate to see those key date wheat cents getting rolled up.
@ just Carl - I always get a little sad when you mention that your collection will probably just end up at a bank. I'm sure you're not the only one on here that sees that as a possibility. Hopefully there is a way for you to pass on at least part of your collection to someone who will appreciate it after you are gone.
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Moderator
 United States
188091 Posts |
I hope my kid or grandchildren (if I have any by then) will appreciate it when I am gone.
But I have no control over what they will do, so I really do not give it much thought. They know my will, what they do with that is up to them.
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,931 |
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Posted 01/03/2021 12:53 pm
