Shouldn't this be the standard for adding a coin to one's collection? (selectivity)

Catbert

Quoting @Cladiator in the favorite coin thread:

"I feel the same way. When I first saw it for sale I had a physical reaction to it. My pulse increased, I felt like my blood pressure rose and I got a little bit jittery. I still get an endorphin rush when I bring it out to this day."

I can relate to this feeling. I try to resist the opposite tendency, not always successfully, when adding a coin to my collection is done more so out of obligation. Such obligation might be filling an open slot or don't have that type yet, or "it's nice and I need a fix" feeling, etc.

Perhaps what Cladiator expressed applies to the Box O'20 collecting approach (or some limiting principle). Imagine a collection that meets that thrill standard! It would take patience and incredible discipline.

How many coins in your collection meet such a standard (say a percentage)? Does it matter to you?

coinbuf

There would be a glut of coins going unsold if every collector bought only coins that elicit that response. I like most of the coins in my collection (95% or better) but would say that only 10% of my collection would give me that reaction. Important to remember that while a large percentage of this board can afford to spend any amount, the vast number of collectors have far less to spend and cannot afford to collect that way.

I would agree that this would be applicable to many of the box of twenty collectors.

MFeld

“Shouldn't this be the standard for adding a coin to one's collection? (selectivity)”

Not necessarily. Collectors should set whatever standards they wish for adding coins to their collections. Those standards can differ greatly from one collector to another and there’s nothing wrong with that. Collectors should collect what they want and how they want.

Catbert

Does patience relate to selectivity @MFeld ?

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/13451565/#Comment_13451565

MFeld

@Catbert said:
Does patience relate to selectivity @MFeld ?

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/13451565/#Comment_13451565

Absolutely. But different people - and collectors are people, too 😉 - have different (mental and physical) reactions to seeing and/or acquiring objects that they covet.

Catbert

I don't really disagree, Mark, but I would say that there is generally an emotional component to this hobby and that we buy coins that elicit a reaction in ourselves. As such, would you agree that a collection primarily composed of such coins would be desirable?

The_Dinosaur_Man

There is also the opposite reaction, seeing a niche coin you need for your collection but not having the finances for it.

Much of the coins in my half dime and early dime collections won't straight grade, getting them was more out of obligation for the rarity of encountering such pieces.

When I worked at a LCS, I would often show multiple options of a date a collector was looking for so they could pick out the one they wanted most for their sets.

oldabeintx

I don’t have to love the coins I buy, but I need to like them. On the rare occasion that I settle for a coin I don’t really like, it doesn’t stay in my collection for long. Sort of like any purchase, hiring, or dating.

MFeld

@Catbert said:
I don't really disagree, Mark, but I would say that there is generally an emotional component to this hobby and that we buy coins that elicit a reaction in ourselves. As such, would you agree that a collection primarily composed of such coins would be desirable?

Dan, I certainly agree that there’s generally an emotional component to our hobby.
And a collection composed of coins which caused the type of reaction you mentioned would likely be desirable to many collectors.
However - and I promise, I’m not trying to be difficult - because different collectors have different tastes, such a collection probably won’t be nearly as desirable to some, as to others.
As just one general example… Many collectors who prefer original, attractively toned coins won’t be moved by color-free examples in the same way that a collector of the latter would. Likewise, many collectors of brilliant, color-free coins won’t be as excited by original, attractively toned ones.

seatedlib3991

It has been my stated belief for many years now that if getting new coins does not make you feel like an 8 year old kid on Christmas morning you should go find something that does. life is too short to settle for mediocre and besides our mistakes the only other thing that is trully just ours is our life experiences.
I am not mandating how people should collect. I just hope they know they are the one's who esablish what they want out of life. I hope you all get a thrill out of coin collecting. Otherwise you are just buying things and if all you are about is money than you are a rather short story not worth reading. James

Catbert

@MFeld said:

@Catbert said:
I don't really disagree, Mark, but I would say that there is generally an emotional component to this hobby and that we buy coins that elicit a reaction in ourselves. As such, would you agree that a collection primarily composed of such coins would be desirable?

Dan, I certainly agree that there’s generally an emotional component to our hobby.
And a collection composed of coins which caused the type of reaction you mentioned would likely be desirable to many collectors.
However - and I promise, I’m not trying to be difficult - because different collectors have different tastes, such a collection probably won’t be nearly as desirable to some, as to others.
As just one general example… Many collectors who prefer original, attractively toned coins won’t be moved by color-free examples in the same way that a collector of the latter would. Likewise, many collectors of brilliant, color-free coins won’t be as excited by original, attractively toned ones.

I think my point wasn’t relating to toning, but to collect what excites you, whatever its appearance.

SanctionII

In the niche collecting area I devote a large portion of my hobby efforts to I sometimes stumble across coins that cause me to respond in the manner described by Cladiator (thick, even frost on the devices and deeply mirrored flawless fields that together accentuate the contrast present on the coin [be it untoned or toned]. I also respond the same way with some toned coins.

Examples of such coins currently residing in my collection are:

These mid 20th century US proof and SMS coins may not appeal to some collectors. However if the appearance of these untoned and toned coins were present on 19th century and early 20th century US proof and specimen coinage I suspect that collectors of those coins would be ecstatic to have examples of them in their collections.

To not exclude circulation strike coinage from my post, I also responded the same way when I found and acquired these coins:

jedm

@SanctionII Wow!!

erscolo

How I collect is how I collect, it is not the business of anyone else to judge that, critique it or comment on it. The exact same applies the other way around. A standard is for someone else.

coinkat

It is nice to have standards and feel great about your coins. But that great feeling may vary depending on your collecting objectives and that is okay.

The coin pictured is a Bolivian 1798 4 Reales. Some will not be impressed given the quality of the strike...while I recognize that I likely have as good of shot being struck by lightning than finding a better example.

MFeld

@Catbert said:

@MFeld said:

@Catbert said:
I don't really disagree, Mark, but I would say that there is generally an emotional component to this hobby and that we buy coins that elicit a reaction in ourselves. As such, would you agree that a collection primarily composed of such coins would be desirable?

Dan, I certainly agree that there’s generally an emotional component to our hobby.
And a collection composed of coins which caused the type of reaction you mentioned would likely be desirable to many collectors.
However - and I promise, I’m not trying to be difficult - because different collectors have different tastes, such a collection probably won’t be nearly as desirable to some, as to others.
As just one general example… Many collectors who prefer original, attractively toned coins won’t be moved by color-free examples in the same way that a collector of the latter would. Likewise, many collectors of brilliant, color-free coins won’t be as excited by original, attractively toned ones.

I think my point wasn’t relating to toning, but to collect what excites you, whatever its appearance.

My comment regarding collector preferences for toned vs. color-free coins was just one example of many I could have given. The same could have been said about collectors of Gem business strikes vs. those of circulated coins, collectors of business strikes vs. Proofs, collectors of gold coins vs. those of non-gold coins, etc.
Many coins, no matter how wonderful in the eyes of the grading companies and their dedicated collectors, won’t necessarily raise the pulse rate of other equally devoted collectors, whose interests happen to be elsewhere.

Cladiator

While I wish I could say I felt the way I do about the Gothic Crown with all my coins but that's far from the case. It would be a nice goal to reach for but likely unrealistic, at least for me. Of the entire collection as of today I think I can say I feel that way about 3 of them. The other coins are special to me in other ways and are all valued members of the collection, I don't want to take anything away from them. It's just that those 3 really float my boat to that extra level. To each their own and I just hope everyone has a coin out there that puts a smile on their face every time they look at it.

KSorbo

I focus on coins that are market acceptable to the top tier grading services. That already would probably make me more discriminating than the average collector. I see it as an added bonus when a coin has above average eye appeal, CAC approval or other special attributes. A small percentage of coins in my collection, maybe 10 percent or less, would fall into that category.

Elcontador

I have about 55 slabbed coins. I think maybe five of them give me that feeling. I like most of the others. Two or three are mistakes.

SmEagle1795

@Catbert said:
Quoting @Cladiator in the favorite coin thread:

"I feel the same way. When I first saw it for sale I had a physical reaction to it. My pulse increased, I felt like my blood pressure rose and I got a little bit jittery. I still get an endorphin rush when I bring it out to this day."

I can relate to this feeling. I try to resist the opposite tendency, not always successfully, when adding a coin to my collection is done more so out of obligation. Such obligation might be filling an open slot or don't have that type yet, or "it's nice and I need a fix" feeling, etc.

Perhaps what Cladiator expressed applies to the Box O'20 collecting approach (or some limiting principle). Imagine a collection that meets that thrill standard! It would take patience and incredible discipline.

How many coins in your collection meet such a standard (say a percentage)? Does it matter to you?

This is roughly the mindset I follow but I'm closer to a Box of 20 than a date-set collector.

I also have adopted the thought experiment of: if I were to print out a book of my collection and have someone open to a random page, would that coin be a coin I'd be proud for them to look at? If the answer is no, that coin shouldn't be in my main collection.

FlyingAl

A very interesting take on this - and I mostly agree that we should strive for that feeling.

With that said - photography has opened a lot of doors for me to see some true trophy coins (the type of stuff 99% of us could only dream of owning). It was initially common for me to have a sort of endorphin rush to the true trophies, but that has become somewhat uncommon to me now. @MFeld may be able to relate to this, as grading would create a similar experience. Today, the coins that I truly like aren't limited to trophy coins, but they're moreso just random examples here and there that really speak to me. A 1939 dime here, a 1874-S quarter there, a PR66CAM Morgan the next time.

There are several coins in my personal collection that still evoke a reaction every time I pull them out, but I distinctly remember seeing a 1910 $20 in PCGS PR67. Every time I think of that coin it still puts a smile on my face.

breakdown

Catbert, I think what you say makes sense. In an ideal world, I would have ten or twenty coins that I truly treasure and sift through the rest to sell. But in my collecting journey, I have always felt the compulsion to build sets. Full sets, like Walkers or Buffalos, or date sets like when I collected seated halves. I have sold them all and now collect gold.

Because I collect sets, I have at times "settled" in order to fill a hole in the set. I never found a 35-D Walker that I liked (they are notoriously flat strikes) so I settled for a mediocre 65 that certainly did not get my blood pumping. But it did fill that hole...

I admired how Saint Guru acquired 10 or so spectacular Saints and had no interest in putting together a full set. But it's just not how I have collected.

Walkerfan

I can’t stand owning a coin that I don’t like to look at or has something about it that bothers me just because it’s rare. I did that once and sold it and then replaced it with a better example. Afterwards, it made me feel better about my entire collection.

ad4400

I certainty agree with the sentiment, and in some ways count it as a measure of success that some of my recent attempts at upgrades have been somewhat of a disappointment, left with a sense of whether I should have left well enough alone. On a different spin on criteria, I've felt each piece should be able to stand on its own (while still ideally fitting in an overall look or theme), and having largely accomplished that is a satisfying feeling.

Same theme, different verbiage, in a deal I concluded with a board member maybe two years ago, he wished me luck in continuing to "curate" pieces for my collection, and the implications of the word stuck with me and really resonated, and I think it terms of 'curating' pieces for my ongoing sets.

And of course, I do relish that "holy crap" feeling when you open a package or see something in a case - I strive for that experience, but can't always meet it. Can't put a % on it. After much work and going through upgrades I feel much of the current set falls into that category, but it was not a linear path.

mirabela

Sure, yes, I agree in principle. That said, one man's ceiling is another man's floor, and tastes vary tremendously. Ultimately it's a game you play by your own rules, and there is some absurdity cooked into the whole enterprise. I try not to lose sight of that.

Barberian

I showed this elsewhere. My favorite Barber half. This one scratches the itch.

seatedlib3991

I don't say this often but Nice Barber! James

jmlanzaf

@MFeld said:

@Catbert said:

@MFeld said:

@Catbert said:
I don't really disagree, Mark, but I would say that there is generally an emotional component to this hobby and that we buy coins that elicit a reaction in ourselves. As such, would you agree that a collection primarily composed of such coins would be desirable?

Dan, I certainly agree that there’s generally an emotional component to our hobby.
And a collection composed of coins which caused the type of reaction you mentioned would likely be desirable to many collectors.
However - and I promise, I’m not trying to be difficult - because different collectors have different tastes, such a collection probably won’t be nearly as desirable to some, as to others.
As just one general example… Many collectors who prefer original, attractively toned coins won’t be moved by color-free examples in the same way that a collector of the latter would. Likewise, many collectors of brilliant, color-free coins won’t be as excited by original, attractively toned ones.

I think my point wasn’t relating to toning, but to collect what excites you, whatever its appearance.

My comment regarding collector preferences for toned vs. color-free coins was just one example of many I could have given. The same could have been said about collectors of Gem business strikes vs. those of circulated coins, collectors of business strikes vs. Proofs, collectors of gold coins vs. those of non-gold coins, etc.
Many coins, no matter how wonderful in the eyes of the grading companies and their dedicated collectors, won’t necessarily raise the pulse rate of other equally devoted collectors, whose interests happen to be elsewhere.

I think Catbert's point related to the individual and their own collection. At least, I took it that way. I don't think he meant that such a collection would excite everyone

MFeld

@jmlanzaf said:

@MFeld said:

@Catbert said:

@MFeld said:

@Catbert said:
I don't really disagree, Mark, but I would say that there is generally an emotional component to this hobby and that we buy coins that elicit a reaction in ourselves. As such, would you agree that a collection primarily composed of such coins would be desirable?

Dan, I certainly agree that there’s generally an emotional component to our hobby.
And a collection composed of coins which caused the type of reaction you mentioned would likely be desirable to many collectors.
However - and I promise, I’m not trying to be difficult - because different collectors have different tastes, such a collection probably won’t be nearly as desirable to some, as to others.
As just one general example… Many collectors who prefer original, attractively toned coins won’t be moved by color-free examples in the same way that a collector of the latter would. Likewise, many collectors of brilliant, color-free coins won’t be as excited by original, attractively toned ones.

I think my point wasn’t relating to toning, but to collect what excites you, whatever its appearance.

My comment regarding collector preferences for toned vs. color-free coins was just one example of many I could have given. The same could have been said about collectors of Gem business strikes vs. those of circulated coins, collectors of business strikes vs. Proofs, collectors of gold coins vs. those of non-gold coins, etc.
Many coins, no matter how wonderful in the eyes of the grading companies and their dedicated collectors, won’t necessarily raise the pulse rate of other equally devoted collectors, whose interests happen to be elsewhere.

I think Catbert's point related to the individual and their own collection. At least, I took it that way. I don't think he meant that such a collection would excite everyone

Assuming that to be the case, I wholeheartedly agree with him and withdraw any of my “buts”, “howevers”, etc. 👍

skier07

With a box of twenty approach it’s certainly possible to have this type of emotional response when buying a lot of your coins. On the other hand if building a set there may be some coins where you get this type of response but without unlimited time or funds or few examples of key dates it’s going to be very difficult to fall in love with every coin you buy. Hopefully you don’t compromise too much.

SanctionII

Regarding set building.

Sometime ago I completed a set of 1950-1964 Proofs, most of which have received a CAM designation (or at least have a Cameo appearance).

Once I completed that set I began upgrading it. During the process of upgrading I have, on occasion, found upgrade coins that are far and away much better than the coin it upgrades. When these types of WOW!!!!! upgrade coins are found, acquired and added to the collection the feeling is similar to that described by Cladiator.

As I look for upgrade coins (be they raw or already graded) I have to remind myself that a small, incremental upgrade is to be avoided. For many reasons the upgrade should be one that make me go WOW!!!!

woenickel

I'm easily amused, which has caused me to keep things other people probably don't, but to be fair, I infer that less than ten percent of the population uses, much less keeps, sorts and searches for pocket change.

I get picky when I'm about to spend five dollars; being new, I've overpaid a couple times that I know of. I can't believe it, but I shrug it off---nothing is investment for an economic purpose, it's much more, I found something cool, I was able to get it, yay me.

I absolutely understand that caught-breath moment every time you see it again. But I used to find 40% half dollars in bank rolls so frequently I filled a jar before silver stayed above $25, so just having that, I feel like Gollum, half the time.