I have lost a little of my passion....
Raybo
Posts: 5,327 ✭✭✭✭✭
for coin collecting.
I have lost the passion it in the past, but the coin bug has always come back to bite me square in the a** for some reason.
Anyone else?
14
Comments
I liken the coin collecting bug to the shingles virus- it may go dormant at times, but once you catch it, it is always within you ready to make a reappearance when you least expect it. Fortunately the coin collecting bug is a good thing!
Sometimes hope is just believing that hope will return. If you want the passion to return then don't sweat it, take a break - give them up for a few weeks. There are ebbs and flows in many aspects of life, this may just be one of those moments.
I recover quickly when I ignore the slabs and grab a handful of well circulated old coins.
You are not alone. I believe many long time serious collectors have lost both their passion and interest in the hobby, and I also believe that many have have sold out, left and never looked back. I also have very strong opinions as to why this has been going on for many years now, but it would be a very unpopular opinion to voice on a corporate sponsored chat board with so many industry luminaries pushing their for profit agendas here.
Your hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need it.
It comes and goes for me....mostly due to lack of time and too many other priorities.
I would love to just take a few days and review all the stuff I have (yeah, it's a bunch LOL).
As it is, I'm lucky to get an hour a week to look at my coins and currency.
I have boxes of stuff I haven't looked at in 10 years.
Hang in there, take some time off, and then come back recharged.
Happens now and then to me as well.
The first few times that my interest waned it was depressing. Sad that something unique to me was fading away, never to return. Fortunately the desire returned after varying lengths of time.
Now I just roll with it.
I'm seem to be more focused and sharper after a break.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
I think that is normal for any hobby. I've been actively involved for 30 years in a different hobby and hobby club, and
over those years I've seen people get passionately engaged for a few years, then back off, and then get re-inspired and re-engaged.
A dealer told me this weekend, either collecting is in your DNA or it isn't. And if it is, something about it will always draw you back.
My strategy is about collecting what I intend to keep, not investing in what I plan to sell.
Yep. I took a 18 month hiatus and came back with a wimper before I hit my stride again. I came back with a renewed focus and energy. Burn out is normal
This hobby’s positives outweigh the negatives ( for me at least )
m
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Certainly sympthasize.
You might consider downsizing the collection or going to a certain area in coins that interests you. Birth year acquisitions may ignite interest. It has for me.
Have not lost my passion for Lincolns but have lost my will to keep over paying for them, so I moved on to collect a few other items that interest me.
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
Yes, but I think it is permanent this time. My tastes are expensive, which means everything is pretty much in slab land already. Grade inflation and market instability have destroyed my willingness to buy what I like. If I am going to take huge losses, there are plenty of other hobbies/projects I would rather spend the money on.
That is why I have several hobbies/interests.... I move between them and keep active... so never really burned out on any of them. Variety in activities is the key.... never get a chance to become stagnant or bored... Cheers, RickO
what RickO said.
there seem to be several things in my life that compete to occupy my limited time. I believe that as we age our focus becomes sharper and our discipline reaches a point where we can move from activity to activity without losing total interest in any single one. as an example, there are several Numismatic Auctions/Shows on the horizon --- but --- it is also Spring which is the busiest of seasons. I like to garden(perennials and vegetables) but I also like to Fish. there always seems to be a project around the house that needs to get started and the Spring Concert Season will soon be heating up.
my dilemma is how can I dip into that stuff and still have time to visit the forum!!! I will manage.
another interesting aspect of this is distraction within the Hobby that keeps it exciting. when one area goes stagnant there's always another thing to collect or at least to look at. one thing I tell people is that while I might seem boring I never get bored, something's always on the front burner boiling and the back burner on simmer.
Having more than one hobby is a must here in snowy Wisconsin. Coins occupy my winters, but as the snow starts melting and the roads clear off we look forward to getting our hot rods out. Once summer hits we go camping most weekends till the snow starts flying. Put the summer toys away and brace for winter. Lather, rinse, repeat. Keeps everything fresh.
Seems like for some they need to get out of the hobby entirely every once in a while. While others get burnt out or bored with certain series/types and simply move on to other coins within the hobby...only to circle back again at some point!!
I imagine that a lot on coins that come on the market are from some sort of lost interest. It’s kind of a circulating current that makes the coin world go round.
Mine is all the way gone. Coins are great, the hobby and the need for everyone to have to make a buck, has ruined it for me. I love coins, but no way I am paying a huge premium for the privilege of being the temporary caretaker. I prefer my hard earned money more than I care about coins.
And that is really the whole problem with this hobby; the overpayment of any coin to build a set or collection.
EBB & FLOW. The tides of life. But the oceans continue. The drive to have what no one else has. That special coin. At Ebb tide, we come upon one of those beautiful examples of long ago, with me it was an 1802 1/000 error large cent. The moment I saw it, I had to have it, the finnageling and in fighting until I had saved, sold off extras, and finally got it in my hand, Lord did it feel good. But She was lonely, I had to surround it with friends and the collecting urge was full bloom. Ahhhh A set, that's what I needed. One of each year. But my lifelong passion was Wheat Cents, Ahh back into the flow, That 1920 MS 65 just had to go into my collection. Whoa when did prices get so out of hand, Back into Ebb tide. WOW God how did I miss the beauty of a Roosevelt dime. That 1957 d Ms 66 has the absolute prettiest toning I've ever seen. Got to have it, GOT TO. Should I try to put together a set, well they're undervalued, I think I can put together a full set cheap. Hey I need to upgrade it with Mint State Certified's. They're cheap. In the Flow, Hey , what happened did everyone start collecting Roosies. How come they're so expensive. And we're back into Ebb tide. It's the roller coasters in life that keeps it so interesting. No Merry-go-round for me . Too boring just going round and round.
Oh man did you see that Standing Liberty Quarter, I am not at all interested in quarters but man the detail on that coin is out of this world, Ah shoot, here we go again
Bob Sr CEO Fieldtechs
I agree with others about having multiple hobbies. For me having two hobbies keeps it fresh. I collect PSA graded Nolan Ryan cards along with collecting a PCGS type set of US coins.
@Raybo Try and find another interest to keep it fresh.
Donato
Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set
Successful transactions: Shrub68 (Jim), MWallace (Mike)
I have mentioned here on a few occasions about how I have lost the passion that drove me for years.
About a week ago I sat down with a good friend of mine that you all know, FadetoBlack, looked closely at my collection and picked out a good portion of it to start listing for sale. With his knowledge and encouragement it will be a lot easier parting with said coins. It will be a long process for me to take the pics and create the listings but I have already moved forward.
Peace
what RickO said .......
Hobbies are suppose to be rewardingly therapeutic ..... they become work if you must
Priority changes daily so the intensity varies but having FUN is the keyword
Double Agrees with PF
It happens every once in awhile.
It’s in your blood and it’ll never leave you but will go dormant from time to time. You would be very much missed if you leave the forum but if a break is needed then I think we all understand.
You’ll always be my coin brother 😊
Maybe buy a new area of coinage one you would of never done. Like pre 1800 English coin/tokens. Do you dabble in Civil War Tokens? It’s always fun to bid and loose on beautiful Civil War coins. Maybe you get lucky and win one. Of course you need a good source.
Agree!
I've lost interest only to be drawn back in. Like @ricko says, having multiple hobbies is truly the way. If I get tired of coins, I'll focus on my antique silverware, if I get tired of that, I'll focus on my folk pottery, etc. etc. It keeps life interesting!
My YouTube Channel
Same here I’ve been in and out a few times but always came back I’ve given up on giving up
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/publishedset/209923
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/album/209923
I have coins, sports cards, marbles, albums stuffed into a 10x10 climate controlled warehouse.
It's always a treasure hunt, even in my own space.
When burned out, I just rotate my chair to the next hobby... hahaha
A year ago, I snagged 600 albums from an estate sale.
I listen to them while sorting cards or looping coins.
Everything from variety shows, army hour, to Bach.
The marbles cost $20 for about 10 gallons but I am convinced there are some antiques in the bunch. Got to learn something new I guess.
Everything goes to ebay.
Selling stuff is always cathartic.
Just netted $600 profit on a $2K baseball card I just sold... so I am feeling good about now!
BST: KindaNewish (3/21/21), WQuarterFreddie (3/30/21), Meltdown (4/6/21), DBSTrader2 (5/5/21) AKA- unclemonkey on Blow Out
Give it a rest...I expect you will be back. The hook has been set!
I'm as passionate as ever. Except for my college days 35 years ago (when I was broke) the fire has always raged. I have other hobbies, but nothing approaches numismatics.
Dave
Guns and coins have been life long hobbies and as the years have gone by my interest has "evolved". Both have had their ups and downs as far as "activity levels" for a number of reasons but the interest has always been there.
Right now I’m in full woodworking mode. I bought and set up a new jointer yesterday...... I was thinking it was unreasonably expensive, until I though about how much enjoyment I’d get out of it versus one more coin to put in the SDB.
Coins will return to front & center eventually but it’s warming up finally and pretty soon it will be back long-range shooting for a while..... I don’t know when I’m going to have time for training a new pup & travel. The new grandbaby mode gets a turn too.
I've slowed down but I've never completely lost my interest.
Taking a break, once in awhile, is a healthy thing.
I too have other hobbies that I participate in to keep it interesting.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
I once took a long break from collecting, a bit more than a year but I felt more encouraged to collect when I began volunteering at a collectibles shop 2 years ago.
CAC and its ardent supporters have ended my interest in significant purchases of U.S. coins. There are loads of tokens, medals, British coins and political items to engage my interest. I hope that CAC will stay away from those areas.
Agree with the comment re other hobbies. And sometimes life gets in the way as well. Put in a new foundation on the house last year.
There are three coins I am looking for, all five figures, if I can find them. Am not in a hurry to pay that kind of money for a coin, even if it is all there for the grade. At this point, I am having some of the nicer coins I bought which were graded 20 years ago or earlier reviewed by someone I trust. Am sending them in for upgrades. When I'm done with that, I'll figure out what I'll do next.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
Whenever I feel that way, I buy an album and try to fill it with low grade coins like I did when I was a kid. It doesn't cost much and is actually quite fun. I have done it with buffalo nickels, indian head cents, mercury dimes, franklin half's, walking liberties, etc... I don't worry about the keys. I just putter around trying to fill the holes by searching eBay and going to shows and buying stuff in VF or lower. Dealers love when I come and buy this kind of stuff from them. I can honestly say the buffalo nickel dansco was probably my favorite in the last 10 years. I sold it a couple years ago to a dealer who absolutely loved it. I am not sure why but going back to basics has always helped rekindle the fire for me. Right now I am buying large cents. I was at a show and couldn't find any bust quarters I wanted and just decided to try and find one nice large cent for under $20 for fun. 6 months later and I am still puttering around with large cents. Then I bought a book on large cent die varieties and now I am having fun trying to identify what I have.
I have many interests and consider myself fortunate that I can easily occupy any spare time I may have enjoying them.
But besides the *big" things..my passion and interest in coins has not waned in more than half a century.
I understand the OP's lament, because this has happened to me with other pursuits, but not with coins.
I am going through a similar funk myself...I messed up on our taxes a couple years ago and they came a knocking...wanting money. I am considering to sell it all and possibly start over. I will always have fond memories and pictures of my coins.
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My ultimate passion is sailing; more so than numismatics. Both are very expensive hobbies. I have often thought about giving up on coins, but I'm still playing catch-up from the last time I gave them up. Annual costs of both my hobbies for CY18:
SAILING: $12,616.00
COINS: $8,770.00
I go from coins to currency's and back and forth !!!
I thought about getting into currency, but there’s way too much to know.
Wow! There are so many great and differing responses here. We all go through this in one way or another. Good luck and God bless!
I ended up taking 18 years off. Came back in 1999 stronger than ever. My brother rekindled the spark when he showed an interest in learning about coins and suggested we attend shows together. His interest lasted about 3 years.
While there are several pieces of currency I would like to own....I always live by the mantra if there was a fire at least there would be something left of my coins! @crazyhounddog
You can check out if you like, but you can never leave
It comes and goes (passion) and its a bit like the pilot light on a stove, where a flame is always flickering.
I have balanced my pace with my passion. Not too high and not too low. A happy medium sort of heat.
Then came bullion and OMG. I had to learn a whole new trade. Yes I burn-out sometimes ...in business. The hobby not so much. Variety is the spice of everyday life.