Buy the best quality coins that have an opportunity cost (rare/special). Don't buy if you have ANY concerns about color or marks. Compromises will haunt you.
I guess the point to this question is to explain what is the most important thing you have learned. For me it is this.
If coin collecting does not on a regular basis puzzle you humble you, and make you feel like an 8 year old kid on Christmas morning; then go find something that does. James
Tuition costs come in many forms and you will pay it. The challenge is to minimize the severity through shortening the learning curve.
Looking (vs buying) a lot of graded coins is one of many steps one should take. Of course, the buying mistakes are excellent teachers because the associated pain is well remembered!
Seated Half Society member #38 "Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
@Catbert said:
Tuition costs come in many forms and you will pay it. The challenge is to minimize the severity through shortening the learning curve.
Looking (vs buying) a lot of graded coins is one of many steps one should take. Of course, the buying mistakes are excellent teachers because the associated pain is well remembered!
Tuition!
3) I should have budgeted more money for travel and attending major shows.
4) I should have started setting up tables at smaller shows and just entered the fray.
5) Meeting and seeing the rock star dealers of this hobby and their offerings will make you a better collector.
6) Consistently seeing a never ending stream of coins in hand has always benefited me.
7) Networks and networking is an underrated skill.
8) Taking breaks from the hobby or missing shows dulled my skills.
BST: KindaNewish (3/21/21), WQuarterFreddie (3/30/21), Meltdown (4/6/21), DBSTrader2 (5/5/21) AKA- unclemonkey on Blow Out
One lesson I think I have learned is that not every series is worth tying up resources to, even ones where you like the designs. Over time, I find the policy and legislation aspect of coins much more interesting then spending a ton of money on coins in certain series' and making sure they have a CAC sticker or trying to compete with other collectors to show that my collection is better than theirs. Also part of me thinks that hobbies are supposed to be places for people to unwind, not get worked up unnecessarily over.
Comments
This is like saying buy a bigger safe than you think you need because coins like other hobbies Multiply if left alone
Don't start out buying massive lots of assorted coins where you can knock off like 8 coins from your type set in one fell swoop. Ask me how I know
Buy the best quality coins that have an opportunity cost (rare/special). Don't buy if you have ANY concerns about color or marks. Compromises will haunt you.
Coin albums are fun but that ends when it's time to take them apart.
I guess the point to this question is to explain what is the most important thing you have learned. For me it is this.
If coin collecting does not on a regular basis puzzle you humble you, and make you feel like an 8 year old kid on Christmas morning; then go find something that does. James
Tuition costs come in many forms and you will pay it. The challenge is to minimize the severity through shortening the learning curve.
Looking (vs buying) a lot of graded coins is one of many steps one should take. Of course, the buying mistakes are excellent teachers because the associated pain is well remembered!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Tuition!
3) I should have budgeted more money for travel and attending major shows.
4) I should have started setting up tables at smaller shows and just entered the fray.
5) Meeting and seeing the rock star dealers of this hobby and their offerings will make you a better collector.
6) Consistently seeing a never ending stream of coins in hand has always benefited me.
7) Networks and networking is an underrated skill.
8) Taking breaks from the hobby or missing shows dulled my skills.
BST: KindaNewish (3/21/21), WQuarterFreddie (3/30/21), Meltdown (4/6/21), DBSTrader2 (5/5/21) AKA- unclemonkey on Blow Out
Easy....the price of PM's (gold, silver) is probably lower so many coins that trade off those metals are much lower so start buying !!
If I was alive in 1933, I would have bought every HR and fab 5 Saint I could get my hands on
One lesson I think I have learned is that not every series is worth tying up resources to, even ones where you like the designs. Over time, I find the policy and legislation aspect of coins much more interesting then spending a ton of money on coins in certain series' and making sure they have a CAC sticker or trying to compete with other collectors to show that my collection is better than theirs. Also part of me thinks that hobbies are supposed to be places for people to unwind, not get worked up unnecessarily over.