Does a coin have to be rare to be enjoyed?
nwcs
Posts: 13,386 ✭✭✭
I know the answer is obvious, but thought I'd make a thread about it. Do you care if your favorite series/type is considered rare or not? Do you think that only rare coins are worthy of attention? If so, why?
0
Comments
MCDBA MCSA MCP
SQL Server Database Admin
SQLgeek.org
Russ, NCNE
Rarity is important only if my fragile ego is involved - it's probably the least important attribute to enjoying a coin.
I'm still a naive, idealistic collector...I really don't care what a coin is worth (wholly subjective), or what the mintage is (distantly relevant).
I like or dislike a coin pretty much the same way I like or dislike people - if they're interesting to look at and have an interesting background.
I also believe in the tooth fairy.
Russ, NCNE
Go find them, and enjoy the process. That's a no-lose scenario.
Clankeye
No, it only needs to be rare to be valuable.
My posts viewed
since 8/1/6
<< <i>I am pleased that my collecting has devolved back to a point where I can appreciate a coin like this as much as some of the more expensive items I used to seek out >>
Clank, that's probably the happiest statement I've read in a long time on this board. And I don't mean that you've written. But it expresses what I'm thinking so well.
Neil
Be it P01 or MS62,being problem-free now means something to me.Not that I dont own my share of culls
Braddick helped to shine the light on the concept of `nice coins` no matter what the amount of wear.
Well,Thats what I,ll claim if someone asks why I have that near-slick `74 Washington piece in my collection.
Rare and enjoy have many meanings.
Some coins are enjoyed for the insights they can provide. It may be a circulating
nickel that suddenly allows you to understand some concept you couldn't before.
The coin may have no other "value" so goes right back in circulation. Some coins
are enjoyed because it is an error or variety with which you aren't familiar. These
coins usually have at least a nominal value in addition to the educational value.
Some coins are enjoyed because of the nostalgia associated with their acquisition.
Some coins are enjoyed because of a unique "pedigree", perhaps something which
would be impossible to prove but is known to the owner none the less. Some coins
are enjoyed because they were bought cheap or they were cherry-picked. Some
are enjoyed because only the collector or another specialist would appreciate just
how desirable they are. Others are just pretty, or historic, or perfect etc.
...And certainly some coins are enjoyed because they are rare.
Rarity should have nothing to do wi th the enjoyment of the "hobby"{ of coin collecting but unfortunatly, thats not the only aspect involved.
When the grading scale was filled in back in the early 80's it set up an entirely new facet to collecting- the condition rarity, and i will admit that to some exctent, i have fallen in to this trap hook, line and sinker.
The fatman pegged it [and me] the best when he said that people who collect mint state coins like "shiney round pieces of metal" my responce to him was that people who like coins in lower circ. grades like dull blah looking pieces of metal.
But as collectors, we all like round pieces of metal dull or shiney.
Does a coin have to be worth alot to enjoy? No, but unfortunatley the most eye appealing coins tend to have the things that make them worth more; full luster, sharp strikes, clean surfaces, pretty color.
I f you don't have to have the very best condition rarity for moderns you can get statehood quarters at the bank for face value. But if you like the classic coins, you better stick to the circulated grades or it's going to cost you. The grading scale is hear to stay whether we like it or not and that has changed the hobby forever. The number of coins available that are not expensive is vast, but it is limited to what grade or what type of coin you can afford unless your talking about coins you find in pocket change or get from the bank. Les
<< <i>Russ, we havn't tangled in a while so lets have at it!!! >>
barberlover,
Okay.
How's that WebTV working? Or, have you UPGRADED to AOL yet?
Bwuahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!
Russ, NCNE
My not short answer:
A 40's steel cent, 40's silver nickel, worn-out IHC, common Winged Liberty, etc. etc. are all really cool. Rare is not proportional to enjoyment for me (personally).
I rather like Helen Keller and braille on the reverse of a quarter, and the look in Sacagwea's eyes...
By the way, Kennedys Suck the big one.
Barbers are better!!! Les {LOL}
Russ, NCNE
The top Trade Dollar collector in the country (maybe the world) is a member of this forum. He also likes chopmarks.
Russ, NCNE
As to the question being asked - rarity has nothing to do with my enjoyment of a coin! I enjoy the coin for what it is - a piece of artwork that defines the history that it is from! Being stuck on rarity (to me at least) is being stuck on an ego trip (mine's bigger than yours type stuff!).
Total Copper Nutcase - African, British Ships, Channel Islands!!!
'Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup'
Otherwise what am I doing with over 1,000 Buffalo nickels in all grades from Restored Dates
Most of them are low-rent coins but I think they are fantastic.
Joe.