This isn't a hobby, it's a job!!!

Ogden

Man, when I got into coins again, after an absence of 30 years I thought that I would find enjoyment, and relaxation, but forget it. There is so much to know and learn that it's become a job. You better get educated or get out. This isn't a hobby for the faint of heart. Keep the wallet open and beware of deals too good to be true. Is this really a hobby anymore? Hobbies don't cost this much!!! At least not the hobbies I was familiar with.

Ogden

MadMarty

Amen, to that brother!!!

LucyBop

to help calm you down, you should really find a hobby.

merz2

Ogden
You know it ! After the Fun Show Auctions,I think people will be doing some serious reflecting.

Ogden

That's good Lucy, really good! Makes sense. What would you suggest? I don't knit?

Ogden

Russ

It's not a job, it's an adventure!

Russ, NCNE

LucyBop

How bout some Doo Wop ballads?

coppercoins

I am a firm believer that there are many fun ways to collect coins and still have fun while not getting the wallet out at every turn. Lincoln cent die variety collecting has been very fun for me, it's very inexpensive for the better part, and it's a real thrill to cherrypick some of the goodies from rolls or from shows. As far as I am concerned it is a hobby, and a very rewarding one at that. While the collection isn't worth a bucketload of money, and I own not a single slabbed coin, I'm still having a blast doing it. I guess it's all in how you perceive things. If you HAVE to make a profit at what you call a hobby, then it is a job. Simply put.

CLASSICS

there seems to be two types to this hobby anymore...some just collect for fun and enjoy what they like. it might be coins in the lower grades for the older items, and higher grades in the newer items. however, when you start getting into the numbers game, its a whole new world. you can buy common coins that retail for 10-25 dollars, but that same coin if slabed with full steps, full belllines, full this , full that ...that very same coin can become worth hundreds, or even thousands of dollars. a hobby, yes for some, and a numbers game for others.

Ogden

I guess it's all a matter of personality. Copper coins collects because he loves it and profit doesn't appear to be a motive. But using my personality, I would think that hobbies are a quest to improve or add quality to what you have. If an increase in value isn't prominent why collect? Don't we collect to show the collection off? Why else have this forum for sharing, otherwise who cares? My humble opinion is that an increase in value is what drives hobbies!!

Ogden

ClausUrch

<< <i>It's not a job, it's an adventure! >>



Ya see; it's a matter of perspective....some of us combine 2 hobbies....collecting and sniping!!!

StillLurking

I collect circulated 1965 Washington quarters for the fun of it. At last count I had 43. Most are showing their age but occasionally I get one that Photogrades XF-AU. I also pull Memorial Cents from change to see if I can come up with complete sets 1959 to date P,D and S. I'm working on my 3rd. Darkside-wise there's always the one-from-every-country collection, but it's not as easy as you might think.

Conder101

<< <i>My humble opinion is that an increase in value is what drives hobbies!! >>



There's your problem, wrong attitude. Hobbies MAY have an increase in value related to them if you just pursue the hobby and ignore the montary aspect, but once you start trying to force the value increase it becomes much less of a hobby and more of a job. And as for a value increase driving hobbies I don't think you will find much value increase in many hobbies such as reading, photography, stargazing, bird watching, cross stitch, needlepoint etc. And some hobbies involve great expendature to pursue where you will definitely have less afterwards such as flying, car restoration (Usually you put a lot more into the car than it sells for.), historical re-enacting etc. Above all a hooby should provide enjoyment and relaxation. If it doesn't, you're in the wrong hobby.

nwcs

Yeah, when I came back to the hobby, I found that everything costs so much. And I've tried to educate myself as well. I think I've done OK in learning, but I am dealing with the issue of how do I proceed in the hobby. I really like Morgans and gold, but good ones cost so much. And the low end stuff is so hard to sell when you need to. Not to mention storage costs.

I'm taking the ANA grading class this March and I figure I'll know better what I'm doing after that. I think it'll have something to do with not buying many coins, but finding good deals and take them. Like if I find a super quality walker that is undergraded and cheap or a nice morgan that is unattributed. But I've spent more in the last 10 months on coins than on anything else except my house and car. Don't think I'll do that again.

Neil

Outhaul

You want to see an expensive hobby? Click on the link in my sig! Costs me more per year than coins do. Collecting coins SAVES me money.

CONDER/COPPERCOINS: I wholeheartedly agree. The increasing/decreasing value of your collection should be secondary to the hobby itself. If it's capital gains you're looking for, try real estate or gamble in the stock market. This (and antiques) are the only hobbies where so much emphasis is placed on rate of return. I collect because I enjoy it, and if my collection grows in value, that's a bonus, if it doesn't, dems da breaks. Just my opinion.

Cheers,

Bob

UncleJoe

coppercoins and Condor101, Well said!!!

Just re-read their posts for your answer.

Some hobbies require large outlays of cash with little or no residual value. However, when it comes to coin collecting, there seems to be this obsession as to future value.

Now, I do not want to pay more for the coins I want than I have to but at the same time I am not really worried about their future value. If you buy right, you will always have some future value just don't try to predict if that value is up or down.

If that is what you are doing then it is a job and no longer a hobby. You also may not be collecting what you really enjoy if you are letting presumed future value dictate what you purchase.

Joe.

meos1

As far as I am concerned I buy what I can afford, what makes me happy. So that the dollars stretch out, I usually buy modern coinage. My "exotic" coins are SAE. A 2002 proof set is a treasure. I look for good deals and smile thinking about my kids finding the "hoard" and as far as I'm concerned 6000 dollars for a quarter is not in my budget. But that does not mean someone else might not see 6000 dollars worth of value in it, just not me.

If your smiling your probably having fun....

Dan

becker

I would like to see the hobby press and electronic venues do a better job of introducing people to the hobby and exploring the thousands of different ways coin collectors can have great fun for a reasonable cost and low financial risk. Because someone can't afford a five figure coin doesn't make them a second class collector.

What does seem to be a constant in the hobby is a something-for-nothing attitude. I've done business with countless numbers of "collectors" who were bitter and angry because the products they purchased from the Mint didn't appreciate in value. Is there any logic at all in thinking this should have happened?

I won't bother to mention how the dealer community uses the hobby.

Best,
Tom Becker

UncleJoe

becker, Who did you tick off?

I looked at your profile and you have 1 vote for a rating of 1.

Or did someone forget that we decided that 10 is the best rating?

However, I agree with your post and I am going to give you a 10.

Joe.

Outhaul

TOM:

I remember when I started collecting. All I could afford to buy were the worst of the worst. I only ever dreamt of spending $10 - $1,000 on the coins I really loved. Well, like everything else in life, these things took time. But, now I spend hundreds on coins that I love and only dream of spending thousands. As the old adage goes...We don't grow up, our toys just get more expensive.

The "something-for-nothing" syndrome is another thing. I think this mentality is found mostly with new collectors and is not a factor of age. Both young and old are guilty of it. When they see a coin they like for $100.00 and the dealer turns down their $30.00 offer they feel like they've been kicked. They feel that the dealer should cut them a ton of slack to get them as a regular customer. Thing is, it works just the opposite. The dealer will cut you some slack after he/she sees your face a few times. Newbies seem to want it all right away. This, to some, may not be fact, but it's just what I have observed.

I have had colleagues at work wanting to buy Morgans from me for $10.00 - $15.00 just because they know I paid less. When I turn their offer down I'm suddenly labeled a greedy SOB. Hey, I'm just a collector trying to enjoy my hobby.

Cheers,

Bob

dwood

It could be worse (but at least I'm not a sailor!)

My other hobby is astronomy. Fun, relaxing, and like everything else at my age...pricey$$$$

becker

Thanks for mentioning it. For an old guy with no computer experience I find this site pretty complicated. I might have done it myself. I thought you clicked on the profile button if you were sitting sideways to the monitor. Around here login means add another few sticks to the woodstove.
Best,
Tom

BlueCole

becker, you're my kinda guy!! Almost nothing i love better than firwood--cutting, splitting, (i could do with out the stacking) and burning.

As far as coins go, trying putting together a set of cheap coins with eye appeal. now THAT's difficult.
I love my collection, wouldn't trade anything for it. my most expensive coin? $10 2000 eagle that my wife bought for our first anniversary. I can't wait until the Heiress climbs into my lab, asking, "what's this, daddy?", while pointing to a 2 cent peice, or a three cent silver.

B.

B.

paigowjohnny

<< <i>No slab is safe!! Now growing teeth! >>



BlueCoe...you ought to get her a couple ACGs to chew on

becker

I'm fond of saying that in the coin hobby a little knowledge is like a little dynamite. Both can cause a big explosion.
Best,
Tom

cladking

I'm having a blast and learning something new every day. I put in enough hours that
I'd be rich if it were a job. If you're not having fun it might be because you're in over
your head. If you don't understand the series or the grading and you're spending a lot
of money then you need a dealer you can trust or a different series. There's nothing
wrong with this hobby as a job and some may have a ton of fun "working" in coins, but
you need to reassess your involvement if you're in it for fun and it's creating stress.

becker

You know what they say about using wood to heat with--it warms you twice.
Best,
Tom

nwcs

For me the stress is seeing things I can't have. But I've been changing and looking at different things. I actually like one member's idea: collect only circulated issues. A lot less argument on grades, a lot more available and affordable examples, and if it is stolen it's not worth a great deal.