Any Real Long Time Collectors Out There? 50 Yrs

I had some foreign coins when I was really young, but didn't actually collect.

I would say I first really became a coin collector in 1956. Joined the ANA in 1961.

So, started in 1956. 50 Years this year.

I'm 63.

Guess since I am a 49er. I am over the 50 mark. Saw my first flying eagle in 1960(a 1856)my uncle gave me a 1857 got me started. Took a long break,back now. Still have my 1857 FE. Saw the wheat back changed, wonder is the eagle back quarter,will become the new wheatie? OLD BIRD OUT

[font=Courier New]I can remember sitting at the kitchen table with my grandmother in the late 50's sorting through rolls of pennies, nickles, dimes, quarters, halves and dollers, she collected everything. She tried her best to pass her love of collecting on to me, but I seemed to enjoy spending every coin I got. I kick myself now! She passed on some of her collection to my Dad and someday it will be mine, but I can't help thinking of all the time I lost between then and when I took up collecting a couple of years ago.

I am 45 and only started a couple of years ago when I quit smoking. I needed something to fill in my extra time with and to spend my new found wealth on. LOL. I have had a lot of fun since I started and have to keep reminding myself that I have only been at it a couple years and to just enjoy what I have so far and quit feeling anxious about trying to catch up with everyone else. I collected lots of other things before that though. Stamps, Comics, Books (which I still have), Board Games (still have), Nascar die cast (still have) but nothing has taken be by storm as much as coins has. I always thought it was for rich people and didn't seem like it would be that much fun but I quit thinking about, fooling with and or buying the shiny things. It has me just plain hooked.

I started collecting world coins in 1965. I used to sell newspapers at the local pub. I then used every cent of my pay to buy Marvel superhero comics. I had every copy of every comic over a two year period. I had every first issue. I left home and my mother threw them out.

I also collect' collectables'. Over the years my kids have been into to such things as basketball cards, various collector cards and things like tazos. I must have driven them mad. I made sure I had a perfect (uncirculated) copy of each of them. I still throw things into the collector box.

I restarted seriously collecting coins about 3 years ago when I finally decided to go through the kilos of world and Australian coins I had gathered over the years.

Sparky, Sorry to hear about your being affected by Katrina, but at least you made it through OK. I imagine your stamps were a total write off, how did the coins turn out, much damage? Salt water would have to be their worst enemy I reckon. Although, silver & gold don't seem to suffer too badly, judging by what is still being found in old shipwrecks. Hope you managed to salvage most of yours.

Katrina happened on my birthday, so I'll always remember that occasion. From what I've seen on TV, it's going to be a long time before people who were affected get over the experience & recover, if they ever do.

Along with the bottle of aspirin, I find I need strong arms. I'm going to have to start using smaller books, as they end up so heavy I'm flat out lifting them.

I doubt that coin collecters ever stop learning, I seem to find out something new every day. Trouble is remembering it for more than 30 seconds.

I bought my first coin in 1957 - an 1857 Flying Eagle cent that I paid 50 cents for. I had been collecting from change prior to that since about 1954. But since 1957, I have never stopped buying, selling or collecting coins of all kinds. Got my first 8R Mexican coin in 1957 for 80 cents. Got my first counterfeit coin in about 1960. Started buying fakes intentionally just a bit later.

So I guess early next year, I make the 50 year club.