Trip to my LCS today
thisistheshow
Posts: 9,386 ✭✭✭✭✭
I apologize in advance if this post is not to everyone's taste. It's purpose is to hopefully entertain and/or inform other forum members/numismatists.
I've been a forum member here for a few years. I belong to other forums both coin and non-coin. This forum in particular stands out, as many of you know, as being exceptional in it's content. There is a treasure trove of numismatic and historical information available via the search bar.
I was first introduced to coin collecting by my Grandmother as a kid. Sometime in my mid to late thirties (less than a decade ago) I rediscovered the hobby. I have never been a man of great wealth 
and therefore must live vicariously through the exploits of others. But I love the hobby, and history, and learning. After a bit of trial and error I learned to "buy the book before the coin". I found that I love to pore through 90% looking for nice examples for spot. I found a favorite series , Washington quarters 32-98. I built a raw crusty collection of silver Washingtons that are in a Library of Coins album. I put together a nice set of clad Washingtons ( thank you @cladking ). I discovered, learned about, and even own a couple cheaper examples of Merriam tokens/medals ( thank you @DCW ). I discovered that there was a name for "the look" i love so much and that the term was coined on this very forum ( Thank you @LordMarcovan ). Point being, it's been fun and worthwhile.
I am fortunate enough to be close to a pretty good LCS. The owner and his family have become friends. I haven't been there much in the last few months. I've always played in the shallow end, but it's been more of a drought as of late. There was no way I could justify in good conscience spending more than ten dollars on coins today. But I decided to stop by anyways, even if just to catch up and maybe talk a little politics/economy/state of things, etc.
They were pretty busy. I spent about forty five minutes looking through some 90% and some world/miscellaneous silver that he sells for about spot. I joked that in today's economic climate I was switching my CircCam collecting from quarters to dimes. I found three perfect crusty Roosevelts. An 1880 Canada ten cents. A 1918 and 1922 three pence. And a 1925 10 centavos. I knew without asking him what he would tell me my total was........drum roll please..............ten dollars.
I might have ( definitely ) bought the Mistruzzi papal medal he was selling at spot, but since I didn't have the money I pointed it out to him and he pulled it from the tray.
I think the reason that I am sharing all of this is that I was very cognizant in that moment that my enjoyment of the hobby was greatly enhanced by the knowledge I have learned here and elsewhere - instead of hampered by my financial restraints.
Thanks for reading!
Comments
Thought I would check in and read one more post before bed. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this! Thank you, and good night all.
Agreed, great post. This is a hobby. Collect what you like and enjoy.
Life member #369 of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association
Member of Canadian Association of Token Collectors
Collector of:
Canadian coins and pre-confederation tokens
Darkside proof/mint sets dated 1960
My Ebay
Havent seen you post in awhile, my friend. Glad you are doing well and enjoying the hobby!
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Good post. It’s not just about the resources you have, but how you use them.
My LCS is about 4.5hrs away. There are some 3hrs away, but I’m not in that city nearly as often. You’re lucky to have a good one close and to have a relationship with the owner. I would love to be able to drop in somewhere and spend a ten spot.
Thanks for the tale and the reminder that these interactions still take place and that there’s a ton to be learned in here in between shopping trips.
Coin collecting is a hobby.... and also a business. I believe there is far more enjoyment in coin collecting as a hobby. As a business, it becomes work.... That being said, one can also enjoy their work, as I did in my career. However, one also needs distractions and time to pursue interests that are just for pleasure and relaxation. Cheers, RickO
Great post I enjoyed reading this too, it is nice to buy what you like. I miss the coin shows I can not afford a lot but just enjoy being there. And sometime get great buys
I liked your post immensely.
I'm glad that so many enjoyed the post. Thank you all for replying.
You can usually find me on the sports forum.
Enjoyable read. What I got from it is that you're grateful and that's a tremendous attitude adjustment that doesn't cost a thing except a few moments of thinking. I also thoroughly enjoyed the last trip to my favorite coins shop. A pleasant and entertaining conversation between people that have something in common and true appreciation for our blessings- what could be better?
Bravo!
I have never been to a coin club, and with this forum I don't think I ever will.
bob
Great story, and I have had a similar experience in my collecting journey. I have been through various phases of collecting between album sets and registry quality material. I have often over-extended myself and put too much money into my collection and have had to cut back. What I realized after 10+ years of collecting is I get the same enjoyment out of filling an album with $10 coins as I do buying a single $1000 coin.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this sir. It sounds like you had a wonderful time and I'm really glad to hear that you found some interesting pieces to add to your collection. Congratulations my friend!
I can't imagine someone not liking your thread!
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Really nice post
Latin American Collection
Great post. Seems your priorities are in order. Best wishes.
It's certainly racking up the "likes", and rightfully so.
(Look, it even lured me back, from out of the mist. For a moment, anyway.)