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Coin collecting is like ....

Trying to "quit" smoking.

Many times, your intentions are well placed, buth then something occurs and "rocks" your resolve:

Trying to locate a particular item show after show, is sometimes like trying to stay quit day by day.

When you think you've found that specific item only to find it has this problem or the owner failed to mention this characteristic, etc., is like going three months and still having cravings to light up.

Locate a forum, or a club or even smaller gathering where what should be common ground is only fertilized with the commentary and disdain of the less considerate, similar in kind to the "friend" knowing your dilemma, turns to you and says, "Cigarette?"

I could go on, but, my point is, every so often, when there is every reason in the world to enjoy coin collecting, there comes some "spud," some "attitude," some "egolomaniac" who makes you look at your holdings, or your select group, and sometimes your goals and makes you wonder why you bother.

Sure, I get a lot of "indivdual" satisfaction in this hobby, but very much more sharing in this hobby - and, sometimes, it is almost impossible. And so, I hesitate, get a little sidetracked about my "so-called fellow collectors," isolate myself, and before you know it, I'm experiencing "negativity" in being a part of the whole, but that is no fun - I take a break from the adversity, the repeated hype, the competition and even the collecting - and with my head low, feeling alone but distanced from the negativity, I turn and spark that cigarette - oh, enjoying it at first, but before it is finished, I realize that I threw away XX days of not polluting my lungs, just like I let the "spuds," the "attitudes," the "egolomaniac" cause me to NOT enjoy what I should be enjoying very much.

My effort, my study, the hunting, the acquisition, the sharing: the collecting.

What is coin collecting like to YOU?
Gilbert

Comments

  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,649 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Suddenly I want a cigarette....and after 15 years too!
    Tempus fugit.
  • UncleJoeUncleJoe Posts: 2,536 ✭✭✭
    WOW!!!

    Do I have to do this lying down on a couch?image

    All kidding aside, I do understand your sentiments. It is tough to share with someone that thinks their way is the best and only way to collect or worse ridicules what you collect.

    Most of the threads have to do with MS coins with some apparently sometimes arbitrary number such as 64, 65, 66 attached to it. Well I don't do MS so most of the threads really don't interest me nor do I have coins that I can share those same experiences as some board members face as regards MS coins.

    I wonder what the board would think if I posted my restored date 1918-D 8 over 7 buffalo nickel?

    There, I said it, I have restored date buffalo nickels in my collection. image

    But that is my choice and I am happy with it. I have asked questions and received a number of replies, sometimes helpful, sometimes not. But I don't allow anyone else's negativity to change what I collect. I collect for my reasons and my reasons only.

    I am thankful for this board because after a long absence from coin collecting, it helped me get up to speed with the new (for me) coin market. image

    Joe.
  • "A Box of choclates."

    You never know which one is the cherry or where you are going to find it.

    Cameron Kiefer
  • nwcsnwcs Posts: 13,386 ✭✭✭
    Coin collecting can be like Drano. Sure as heck it'll clean you out, but leave you feeling hollow inside if you don't do it right.
  • DeepCoinDeepCoin Posts: 2,781 ✭✭✭
    Uncle Joe,

    The whole thing about collecting is that YOU get to pick what you want to collect. If you like restored date Buffalos, then good for you. I hope you can get a full set of restored dates. It is about your choice and the journey.

    How many people have sent links and auctions to Braddick for his collection of PO1 material? I collect No Band Mercs, that are seen as the lesser coins by some. Yet, it is my niche.

    In other words, just go for it! Anyone who is negative about your collecting choices is a snob and who cares what snobs think as you cannot reason with them anyway.
    Retired United States Mint guy, now working on an Everyman Type Set.
  • ...having a harem.

    anaconda
  • pmh1nicpmh1nic Posts: 3,275 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Is like reading an interesting history book with a touch of mystery and science entwined (with pictures image).
    The longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice is it possible for an empire to rise without His aid? Benjamin Franklin
  • GilbertGilbert Posts: 1,533 ✭✭✭
    Sorry Cladking.



    That post most have emanated from the dark recesses of my mind. I hardly recognized it. image
    Gilbert
  • tjkilliantjkillian Posts: 5,578 ✭✭✭
    It is like going back in time...

    Tom
    Tom

  • MacCoinMacCoin Posts: 2,544 ✭✭
    one thing about coin collecting its only bad for your health when the wife see the slip in the bag with your latest new coin.
    image


    I hate it when you see my post before I can edit the spelling.

    Always looking for nice type coins

    my local dealer
  • ARCOARCO Posts: 4,396 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes, coin collecting has addictive aspects with similar traits like one sees in drug addicts. GOD it feels soooo good though.

    I am addicted to a certain "look" or eye appeal in coins. Hell I can have 20 coins of the same date and denomination and still am compelled to buy another if it comes along and looks nice. I collect Barber Halves and now have a mini hoard of 1914's in VF. I love them all and despite my therapists, and parole officer's pleading and Cajoling, I refuse to sell them! image

    Tyler

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