I never set out to build any of my collections...

MrEureka

They just sort of happened. A random acquisition, followed by coins to keep the first one company. And at some later point, obsession.

Is that normal?

pursuitofliberty

Andy, I'm not sure if that's normal, but when you say "... followed by coins to keep the first one company" ... I for one feel much better!!

badger

I was going to do a 1953 birthyear proof set and was waiting and waiting for better grade coins. R&I had a super Jefferson but was 1955. They said you could always do a silver proof set registry in addition to the birthyear. Didn't take much of a push and suddenly was going mad on coins. But never initially set out to do the silver proof series.

Boosibri

I think it is quite normal

BustDMs

Yes, it is abnormally normal.

Coins are herd “animals”.

coinkat

Yes... in that it illustrates a progression in learning and appreciating what is possible predicated on the expansion of an acquired taste.

scubafuel

It happens to me in exactly the same way. I buy one coin because I like the look, so I start learning about the series and trying to find others with a similar look.

davewesen

every one of us here has a touch of OCD, some more than others
that is why we collect and do what we do

oldabeintx

Normal in my world, not sure about the other 99%. I think my Lincoln cents and type were the only collections that were planned, the rest grew in the manner described. This includes other collections not numismatic.

Zoins

@MrEureka said:
They just sort of happened. A random acquisition, followed by coins to keep the first one company. And at some later point, obsession.

Is that normal?

I think that's common for rare / esoteric items, basically things that look "uncollectible" at first but then just happen over time based on perseverance and opportunity.

JohnnyCache

@MrEureka said:
They just sort of happened. A random acquisition, followed by coins to keep the first one company. And at some later point, obsession.

Is that normal?

I think its normal and just simply organic growth

3stars

Yep. I went from having one Maundy set because they were so small and neat to having to have set from every king and queen since 1675...

TwoSides2aCoin

Yes. Perfectly normal in an orbital world.

ricko

That sounds like my progression... some years ago... I think I am at the final collecting stage now - No series, just collect coins that appeal to me. Some modern, some old.... I really like looking at large quantities/types/varieties of coins....Then, when that magical piece jumps out and says "Me, me, me!!" - I grab it. Cheers, RickO

ECHOES

Yes, started with one very common example, after that I was hooked...

daltex

@ECHOES said:
Yes, started with one very common example, after that I was hooked...

Is it rare to have a sample slab with an actual grade? I have a set of 1999 quarters graded MS 00.

ECHOES

@daltex said:

Is it rare to have a sample slab with an actual grade? I have a set of 1999 quarters graded MS 00.

>

No, please see here...

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/936323/pcgs-samples-generations-1-3-5-updated-10-31-20#pagetop
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/987334/pcgs-samples-generations-4-5-updated-11-2-20#latest
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/936325/pcgs-samples-generations-6-7-last-update-10-10-20#pagetop

And my never-ending set of dimes...
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/989135/rattler-ogh-sample#latest

Coinscratch

Glad we had this talk - I feel better all ready.

Boosibri

How did your CAR set get started?

coinlieutenant

@MrEureka said:
They just sort of happened. A random acquisition, followed by coins to keep the first one company. And at some later point, obsession.

Is that normal?

Sounds very familiar.... Remember this coin? The process rinses and repeats.

Swampboy

I hope it is cause I don't wanna be abnormal.

bsshog40

I hear ya! My late wife bought me a PF70 DCAM jefferson some years ago for Christmas. I had no intentions of collecting them but that one started it. I now have a set of certified proof jeffs from 1950 to date and climbing. Lol

Gazes

@MrEureka said:
They just sort of happened. A random acquisition, followed by coins to keep the first one company. And at some later point, obsession.

Is that normal?

Absolutely. I have found it works best for me because I will purchase a really amazing coin and then see another one and another ......This usually means I start with some of the harder coins. This works better for me than setting out to collect a series and starting with the common dates.

WildIdea

I kinda hope something comes along out of the blue that suddenly gets my attention. The few things I have laser focus on at the moment are somewhat slow.

MrEureka

@Boosibri said:
How did your CAR set get started?

It started when a friend offered me the 1837 4 escudos you later owned. A half dozen coins added “just because” over the course of the next decade, although I don’t think I passed on anything I wanted. There just wasn’t much to be had. I only got serious when the Eliasberg collection came to market in 2005.

Walkerfan

Yes, it is normal. It starts out as an improbable dream. It is just fun and an education, at first, with no expectation. Then, over time, you see progress, then realization and finally the finish line. The journey is funny that way.......

CoinHoarder

Many years ago, I started putting together complete circulated sets of Walkers, Benjies, Washingtons, Mercs, Roosies, etc. After I completed the sets, I still continued accumulating the silver coins, both raw and slabbed. Now I have hundreds of these raw coins, mostly accumulated from 90% silver hand picked acquisitions. I cannot stop myself, and once a tube of silver has been filled, I start another one. This method of collecting has turned into a combination of both collecting and silver stacking.

Below is a sample of what I am talking about: