Is your collection "a bit contrarian"?

87redcivic

I'm reading the book Ancient Coin Collecting (2nd ed.) by Wayne Sayles. In it, he states: "The way to maximize one's enjoyment and minimize potential loss is to collect with a purpose and don't be afraid to be a bit contrarian".

I thought it would be fun to ask the members of this forum - do you have a part of your collection that is "a bit contrarian"?

Sapyx

Google, define "contrarian" for me.

Contrarian, adjective
opposing or rejecting popular opinion or current practice.

OK, sure, I've got bucketloads of that.

Conventional wisdom says that if you've got $1000 to spend on coins, you should buy just one $1000 coin, instead of 1000 $1 coins. I would definitely take the 1000 coins, thank you, especially if they're countries and types I don't already have.

Conventional wisdom says to pay excessively high values for incrementally tiny increases in grade, to buy coins so fragile and delicate that they need to be kept in hermetically sealed tombs otherwise they'll be ruined. I'd rather save my money and buy coins that were actually used as money, and look like they were used as money, that I can hold in my hands without breaking them.

Conventional wisdom says you should do all this so that you maximize your value, so you get the most money when you sell. I... don't care about resale value, because my coins aren't for sale.

braddick

@87redcivic said:
I'm reading the book Ancient Coin Collecting (2nd ed.) by Wayne Sayles. In it, he states: "The way to maximize one's enjoyment **and maximize potential loss is to collect with a purpose and don't be afraid to be a bit contrarian**".

I thought it would be fun to ask the members of this forum - do you have a part of your collection that is "a bit contrarian"?

"...and maximize potential loss..."
Was this what you meant to write?

seatedlib3991

I don't know if it qualifies as contrarian but I have always tried to stay away from coins that are rising steadily or rapidly and pursued coins less popular. I do it for budget reasons rather than any philosophy or set plan. I just like to get as many coins for my buck as possible.
I understand that approach though. I have collected for more than 50 years and can attest that if you make a few good guesses you can occassionally hit on coins that are trending up. too back i just as often pick coins going in the other direction. James

87redcivic

@braddick Thanks for the QA. Original post corrected.

VKurtB

My collection, AND my personal style, is 100% contrarian.

NeophyteNumismatist

I don't think my collection is "contrarian," but my taste seems to be a little different than most other collectors. For instance, I love Half Cents. They are my favorite coin type, but they have never been popular. Alternatively, I really don't like Morgan Dollars at all, but it seems most collectors do.

VKurtB

@NeophyteNumismatist said:
I don't think my collection is "contrarian," but my taste seems to be a little different than most other collectors. For instance, I love Half Cents. They are my favorite coin type, but they have never been popular. Alternatively, I really don't like Morgan Dollars at all, but it seems most collectors do.

Very cool. Very wise. Except maybe if I get into an auction bidding war against you. Then it’s not good for either of us.

Walkerfan

I wouldn’t say that my collection is contrarian, but I DO collect what I like In the highest grade possible and practical for me, which may differ for other people.

braddick

Just as you can't give yourself a nickname, I'd think it would be up to others to determine the level of contrarian another's collecting style is.

DDR

Oh, yes. I prefer my Trade Dollars damaged (chopped).

hummingbird_coins

My collection is contrarian in the sense that I don't focus on anything in particular. This is mainly because I buy anything that is priced low enough. Whatever doesn't "click" with me sells, and the coins that do stay. Aside from helping me better understand coins and their market, as well as maximizing my return, I find this collecting style enjoyable because of the uncertainty of not knowing what coin will pique my interest next.

hummingbird_coins

@DDR said:
Oh, yes. I prefer my Trade Dollars damaged (chopped).

If they were chopped when they circulated in China, does that make them Chopped Chin.. I mean China?

oldabeintx

My collecting objectives might be considered contrarian. I collect coins that I find interesting historically (coin history or general history), or aesthetically. With an emphasis on diversity. Investment or resale considerations are of little importance, other than getting fair value. All about the research and the search.

MyWorldCoinTypeSet

I collect higher grade world coins by type, see https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/world-coins/pbs-world-coin-type-set/631. Though I have about 1500 Top Pops, this is because the certification rate for these coins is low. Where many are certified, I'd be just as happy with a nice coin meeting my grading thresholds, and don't care if the coin has many brothers that are nicer.

Does this make me a contrarian?