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 Replies: 22 / Views: 2,531 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
716 Posts |
I apologize in advance if this thread has already been done, but I have only been involved in this forum for a couple of months. Do you collect coins as a hobby or an investment? Now I know many of you will say both, but after reading numerous posts over these last couple months its apparent to me that most of you that say both have one as your primary goal and the other secondary. I will start by saying that I am 63 and retired. Coin collecting for me is strictly a hobby and plays no part in my retirement portfolio. I am upgrading an IHC collection that I inherited as a young boy. One other thing I have noticed while on this forum is that many of you, like me, started collecting as a youngster, put it aside to raise a family, and then renewed your collecting later in life. I find coin collecting to be immensely enjoyable and educational ( and time consuming--helps me get through the long winter months in northern PA) Even though coin collecting is strictly a hobby for me, I have been buying quality coins in the higher grades. I certainly hope that these coins will appreciate significantly over the years, but, if not, it will not diminish the joy that I got from collecting them. Hope to hear from many of you about how you feel about coin collecting and what you hope to get out of your collection. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
I do it for both...mainly for the hobby, but on occasion for an investment; gold first spouse for instance. I opened up the box (Jefferson Spouse, 2007), and there is the packing list, I paid $430 (something) in late 2007, and look at gold values now. Of course I got lucky, but it is probably time to release this one back into the wild.  That and I need to re-do one of the bathrooms.  Coins (and paper) are only ours for a short time...you can't take it with you when you are gone. Edited by oih82w8
07/08/2011 11:18 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
609 Posts |
I do it for both right now. I'm 14 and in a couple of years I'm going to need a car. I hope that the silver rolls I am making now will help me get that car. I spend about half my money on silver, and half on my 7070.
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Moderator
 United States
187776 Posts |
It is a hobby only. Resale is not an option. I have said it before, my coins would be the last thing to go just before I move into a cardboard box.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1745 Posts |
My coins are my hobby, my investments are separate. If my collection appreciates, so be it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1064 Posts |
Like you, recently retired and back in the game; strictly a collector, not interested in coins as an investment at all. I guess what I have will rise in value over time, never really thought much about it, and maybe it will benefit my youngest son someday. I did buy the AGE set from the mint in 1997, but as beautiful coins and not realizing at the the time there was any investment consideration - I guess if I was in financial difficulty, that would be the first to sell.
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Valued Member
United States
406 Posts |
For me, strictly a hobby. I do care somewhat about grade, but for me, a coin's history matters a lot more. I'm hoping to create a coin collection that will be a family heirloom instead of a future sale.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3294 Posts |
I will sell a coin every now and again, but the $ I get always goes into buying another coin, so I would say it is a hobby at this time.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
At my really, really antiquated age group, it's sort of way to late to think of an investment in anything. So far I've never sold a coin nor anything else I collect. Although at times I say to myself, this will really be worth a lot in about 20+ years. Even funnier when I think of something being worth a lot in 50 years.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
539 Posts |
hobby exclusively. I think I own enough silver for a thimble-full! LOL I lvoe the variety of world coinage.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1064 Posts |
jbuck... Quote:
I have said it before, my coins would be the last thing to go just before I move into a cardboard box Timing will be everything when you make the move; you'll want to coordinate that sale with the real estate cycles, so you end up in a 2-level cardboard box (the heavy-duty kind), possibly with a harbor view!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
524 Posts |
Hobby, I enjoy the hunt and I want something to leave to my daughter that brings back memories of us together. If it's worth something and can get her out of a bind some day thats fine.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1391 Posts |
I am mostly doing it as a hobby. Most of the stuff I have will probably never be worth very much since I don't have much money to buy a lot. Interesting to think about though. Apart from the PM content, the investment opportunities exist because the hobby exists. If no body collected coins they would never be worth more than their face or intrinsic value.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3453 Posts |
Hobby with an eye to try not to overpay. I will leave my collection to my son and hope he either picks it up where I left off or liquidates it completely (which is why I keep an eye on prices). Now, I will say I bought a holed Trade dollar with XF details for $80 because of the history and am looking for a circulated chop-marked one to match. I try to imagine the coin circumnavigating the globe to get it's chop-mark or wonder who wore the holed one. While I try to get a specimen of the best grade I can afford for each of the series we collect, I prefer the circulated coins for their character (plus I like using my imagination). The only exception is my hubbys Franklin collection - all full bell lines there (he likes figuring out what is on the bell). So after reading the drivel above, hobby, definitely hobby. |
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Valued Member
United States
397 Posts |
Strictly investment , I view coins like I do real estate , both of which have very good historical appreciation and both can be bought under value. I've got stocks and mutual funds in my portfolio , but there's no way to buy them at a discount, while with RE and coins I can buy at a discount if I work at it. Only been buying on a regular basis for about 3-4 months now, and I've already hit around $3k in value onhand.
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Moderator
United States
16677 Posts |
Both.
I have some coins I would never sell then there are thoughs like some of my key dates, I view as investments. I have watched those rocket in value over the years. Someday I will dump.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Replies: 22 / Views: 2,531 |
Posted 07/08/2011 11:10 am
