I guess I don't fit the profile -
Mizzou
Posts: 515 ✭✭✭✭
During a safety meeting at work the other day the discussion turned to hobbies in your free time. Saltwater fishing was popular as well as bike riding and kayaking. And then I mentioned coin collecting and actually heard a couple of snickers...they thought I was joking. Maybe I would have been taken seriously if I had been wearing my reading glasses along with a pocket protector in my shirt pocket. This is 2020, will numismatist's ever get rid of the nerd conception?
Sometimes I think that animals are smarter than humans, animals would never allow the dumbest one to lead the pack
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Well, pretty sure we are nerds.
Embrace it!
It reveals more about those that snicker than those that collect.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Few in the work place have actually held an attractive numismatic coin. Showed off a graded 20 Saint Gold to some of my co-workers awhile ago. Needless to say,their reaction was not negative.
Find a new job. Someplace with a better class of employees.
As a saltwater kayak fisherman who used to go mountain biking, I love coins
Let them snicker. I am pretty sure I will get the last snicker when I sell my collection for low to mid 6 figures before I retire.
Good luck to them for getting half of what they paid for their used kayaks and reels and bikes.
"It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."
On Instagram a LOT of the well known and respected people who collect coins, stack silver & gold have physical appearances that might be considered by some to be "rough around the edges". Not to stereotype, but many have Tattoos, piercings, beards, mohawks and a lot of character and personality. Some of the coolest, kindest, honest and down to earth people I have ever communicated with in this hobby. The way someone looks only creates unfair opinions in the small minds of people who see the world through a tiny hole! That and something about a book and cover that I remember hearing wise people discussing!
As a freshwater kayak fisherman, and an avid 4x4'r, hiker and explorer, I also love coins (and probably do not fit the stereotype)!
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
I have found that Once I tell people about some of the pocket change finds I’ve made that are worth decent money they seem to become a lot more interested in the hobby.
Everyone likes a treasure hunt!
Ah, profiles are for conformists. I like being a pop 1 person
TurtleCat Gold Dollars
I am different than most, in fact I LIKE THAT...
POST NUBILA PHOEBUS / AFTER CLOUDS, SUN
Love for Music / Collector of Dreck
I don’t know if I “fit the profile” or not but....
I began collecting in the 60’s, dealing as a high schooler in the 70’s and am still making a living at it today. When seeing old HS alumnus and being asked what I’m doing now it is rewarding to answer “the same as last time you saw me in HS”!
Not bad for a “coin geek”, I guess......
A: The year they spend more on their library than their coin collection.
A numismatist is judged more on the content of their library than the content of their cabinet.
Just think of what they would have done if you had said you were a stamp collector.
I get some weird looks when I tell them I collect old windup watches also. Lol
My Original Song Written to my late wife-"Plus other original music by me"
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8A11CC8CC6093D80
https://n1m.com/bobbysmith1
You should have explained to them that coin collecting is more of an intellectual pursuit so they probably wouldn't understand it.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Now is the time to let them know that you might buy Grandpa's coins he left them.
Lemon = lemonade
bob
I prefer to keep both coins & figure skating in the closet
My Saint Set
Most people seem to have no idea the depth a coin collection can take a person. It’s a subculture, somewhat private and unlikely to take the world by storm.
Naw.........Instead of a pocket protector you should have had a bottle of mustard along with some stains because that just SCREAMS out that your a collector and even a dealer
Steve
In all the occasions I have had to mention I am a coin collector, I have never heard 'snickers' or snide comments. Of course, that may be due to some knowing my other hobbies...
Or the fact that I am known for retaliation - immediately, in kind, and twice the impact. 
I like books, coins, firearms, tactical training, hiking, metal detecting and many other interesting pursuits. Frankly, I do not give a da(r)n what anyone else thinks. 
Cheers, RickO
Most coin collectors are smart enough to keep their hobby secret for security reasons. The people that you tell may be trustworthy but who knows who they may tell? I said this once before a few years ago in a similar thread and a few forum members accused me of being paranoid. I think they were being foolish.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Bicycling is my other passion, I own 5 for all types of riding, and some redundancy (technically 6 but one is taken apart right now for 'conservation' purposes). Oops that describes my numismatic pursuits as well - all types, redundancy. And yes, I am officially a nerd based on occupation and education.....
Best, SH
Nah, I still think you are paranoid.
For years, I had a large, framed paint like picture (via Todd) hanging in my office of my colorful A&R Half that also shows interesting Longacre doubling. Not one person who met with me in my office looked at it or commented. I thought it'd be a nice conversation piece. Most people have no interest in old coins unless they find some and think they've hit the jackpot.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
I don't fit the "profile" either. My arms are full sleeve tattoos, mouth piercings, leg tattoos, etc. I was told I look like a parolee.
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
The phrase I was told was, "Isn't that passe?"
This person was 70ish and just retired from Mentor Graphics.
Not only coins, but I also collect spoons!
Me ——> 🤓
My YouTube Channel
Well, that would be most people....WE are in a distinct and absolutely shrinking minority, despite protestations on these Boards of seeing the odd snipe of a young collector here or there.
BTW, exercise equipment when used is the BEST investment by far - just ask your heart and lungs!
And this comes from a collector of 50+ years standing who still uses that equipment until it wears out and then replaces it.
Well, just Love coins, period.
We are not cool. So what?......
put out the word you’ll pay $100 for a 1975 Quarter
Yes I get the same sometimes till I show some of my morgans. Then their jaw drops open with envy.
But some always make jokes like is there a "I found a penny with the head side up" thread.
I am....
Coin collectors do tend to lean towards the 'nerd' needle.
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
Depends on where you are. When I mentioned that I collected, I usually get a story of what stash they have at home, that their grandparents gave them some old coins and so on. I've actually looked over many a coin during lunch break at work, and some folks had stuff way above the usual stash. It's usually a friendly conversation start, with people asking genuine curiosity questions. And yes, I do run across the occasional "I got a 1943 copper penny, what's that worth?"
10-4,
My Instagram picturesErik
My registry sets
I find that my various collecting interests bring me into knowledge and learning that completely escapes the average person.
I look at some of these fanatics in various activities and ot all looks so shallow. Fun, sometimes healthy, but shallow.
Gosh you’re cheap, I’m paying $1000! 😜
A: The year they spend more on their library than their coin collection.
A numismatist is judged more on the content of their library than the content of their cabinet.
Is that what DCarr overstrikes are going for these days?