Braddick's dilemma solved: Why doesn't everyone collect coins?

wingedliberty

I thought that it was a very good question and decided to start a fresh thread:
Here are my observations after twenty five years of serious collecting.

The reasons everyone does not collect coins are as follows:

1.There is a strong corrollation between numismatics and history. Not everyone is interested in
history. It is disgraceful, when you consider how lacking the average person's knowledge of history
is. These include pivotal events in U.S and World History.

2. There is an even stronger connection between numismatists and attention to detail. Since coins
are small relative to other collectibles. Just think about how casual most people are about precision
and detail. We are a very curious and fussy breed of collectors. Most people don't have the will
or the patience for this level of precision, especially when it comes to grading, so they get frustrated
and not give it an effort or chance.

3.Grading. Grading takes years of committment, most people don't have that level of patience.

4.Braddick mentioned budget, but I think that even on a modest budget, one can put together a
formidabble collection. I know a YN personally who's budget is only $25 a month. So he buys a nicely
toned certified MS63 Morgan or Peace dollar every month and a few modern DCAM proof lincolns that
are raw and puts them into airtights. Is he ever going to have an Elliasburg collection , no!!, but he
will have a nice collection of pretty toned Morgans and Peace dollars along with some nice dcam lincs.
He will have a great collection as his budget increases when he becomes an adult and has a larger
buget.

My point is this:

Grading
Attention to detail
precision
patience
history
appreciation of aesthetics and beauty.


: One has to admit that these are rare qualities. Just a thought. What does everyone else think?

wingedliberty

I ordered pizza tonight with friends, tipped the pizza guy with two Sac dollars.
He looked like a deer in headlights, but was thankful.

Brian.

Trime

Wingedliberty,
Most sensible post I have read in some time.
Commitment to detail, time and sense of history.
Recognition of rarity and quality.
RSS

wingedliberty

Thanks Trime:

P.S: Three cent nickels are great.


Brian.

Clankeye

This is an exceptional post, Brian. Enjoyed reading it. I might have a few thoughts to add later, but it's late at night and I'm just too tired. Wanted to say good post, though.

KlectorKid

I agree completely

fcloud

I agree!

I would like to add this comment: Some people are afraid to start because of some of the so-called-coin rip offs (we have all seen ads in the Sunday paper were a so-called-coin company or mint is selling overpriced junk). Most collectors (myself included) have been taken early on in some way. I chalk it up to learning and move on. Some new collectors simply figure everyone is trying to rip them off, and never go any further.

I love the history aspect--to think that some early coins could have been made from Washington's copper pots is amazing!

Tony

stujoe

My grandfather collected from pocket change and I remember reading the dates off of Lincolns for him as his eyesight deteriorated. When he passed away, I inherited his collection. It sat in my closet for about 17 years. I would take it out every once in a while and look at the coins. Mostly circulated Lincolns, IHCs, some Franklins, a couple Morgans, etc. I was always fascinated by them and enjoyed looking at them.

However, I never thought I could afford to add to the collection. I fgured all old coins were expensive.

Then. in 1999, I found Ebay while looking fo some State Quarter stuff. I was amazed at all of the coins that I could afford for basically the price of a pizza or less. Coins to add to my Grandfather's collection. Coins I had never seen before...trimes, half dimes, tweo cent pieces, etc, etc. Sure, they were not Mint State beauties but these were things I could actually afford!

From there, I got hooked and discovered other coins and other sources of coins...local dealers, shows, etc and how I discovered how much there was to learn about them

So, that is my reason for not collecting for more than 17 years. I did not know that I could afford to.