I was told to specialize in one country?

Coincracker · January 5, 2004 7:20AM

Instead of taking on the entire world. What do you think would be the best way to go?

Cladiator · January 5, 2004 7:21AM

There's no way I could do that...there are just too many awesome coins out there!

Darkhorse · January 5, 2004 7:21AM

Just one country? no way. I just get a coin I like from whatever country. Absolutely no focus and that's the way I likes it!

Lloyd · January 5, 2004 7:23AM

Ask advice on prices, grades etc. but NEVER ask advice on what to collect.

Buy things you LIKE. Go for quality. High grade.

L

oldshep · January 5, 2004 7:24AM

One country!!!!! That's what the lightsiders do.

Shep

theboz11 · January 5, 2004 7:35AM

One Country

Coincracker · January 5, 2004 7:44AM

WHOOOO!!!! HOOOO!!!!

I'm up for that

rhound1977 · January 5, 2004 7:46AM

<< One Country

>>

I do focus alot on GB, but am also building type sets for other countries, unified Germany, Ireland, Iceland to name a few..

And I collect almost anything in the World Coin Realm......

newsman · January 5, 2004 7:50AM

<< Instead of taking on the entire world. What do you think would be the best way to go? >>

Try it and see what happens. If you´re like most of us, you´ll eventually be seduced by all those other nice coins out there.

NJMark1 · January 5, 2004 7:51AM

Ahh one of each coin will do nicely!

Mark

coinkat · January 5, 2004 7:54AM

Buy what you like... Take your time and seek quality coins for the grade.

JohnZ · January 5, 2004 7:54AM

I'm interested in Polish coins because of my ethnic heritage.

Are there any countries or cultures that you are interested in because of your ethnic heritage?

elverno · January 5, 2004 7:56AM

I collect a time frame that also lets me collect from over 200 different mints. I get to say that I'm specializing, and get to play too!

Aethelred · January 5, 2004 8:38AM

I only collect the coins of Great Britain and that works for me. I find that I need that focus to allow me to build the kind of collection I desire. I have always loved British history, for that matter I also enjoy British music, tv, literature, comedy, it just fits that I would select British coins. I also like the fact that there is an ample selection of reference material available in the language I speak. For all of these reasons and many more I collect British coins minted prior to the reign of Queen Victoria, with a focus on George III.

However, just because this works for me does not mean it would make you happy. Coin collecting is a very personal hobby. You have to select what you enjoy. Some people will try to collect as many coins from one nation as they can, others buy coins they find pretty, and still others will collect by size or period. There is no right way to do it, but you should enjoy what you buy.

I will give this advice. Buy the best coins you can afford. If you are faced with the choice of buying one really nice high grade coin or three not so nice coins, buy the one nice one. Also set aside some money for as many books as you can find about the area you are collecting. A good reference library will pay for itself many times over and you will never regret owning a coin book. Also, never be afraid to ask questions, both here and of dealers and other collectors, most are happy to share what they know.

Best of luck!

laurentyvan · January 5, 2004 8:55AM

Specializing in one country doesn't mean you can't sample the tantilizing wares of history's most accessible icon. It's an enormous treasure, reflective of history, art, cultural mores, political philosophy, all served up on a platter of precious metal.

Any time, any period, any subject, value from prosaic to stupendous, where beauty can be in the eye of the holder (sic).

Gold and silver, copper or brass that glitter softly in the light, illuminating an event or person with hard currency value from every type of ethnic and political system of the last 2500 years is a hard thing for me to take in small swallows. I appreciate specialization but I maintain a very wide focus-what an enormous field of endeavor is the recorded history of money!

Yet ye dead monarch is not incorrect; do whatever pleases you and you will enjoy it-I can only speak for myself.

Coincracker · January 5, 2004 9:30AM

Well Ive been collecting one of each Krause # for over a year now. I have about 2100 different coins, and this past week end one of my dealers, suggested that I focus on one country.

So thanks for all the input, I won't stop going after each km# ,but I think I'll go through the Krause tonight and see if there is one country that hits the spot.

satootoko · January 5, 2004 9:43AM

I agree with the previous posters that the most important thing is COLLECT WHAT YOU like, unless your sole purpose in collecting is to make money. In that case, you want bullion, bullion, bullion. If this is your hobby, do what most of us on this forum do - one from here, one from there, two from the other place. There are a multitude of approaches - 1 country, a group of countries, a particular design element (ships, animals, fish, ???), etc. The old Indian Chief said "Everyone like same thing, everyone want my squaw." Be your own man!

spoon · January 5, 2004 9:49AM

My collection is kind of like that (though not nearly as large, yet).. I just go for every KM # I can afford

Now I do have some focus: colonies get priority. But really, since I'm just beginning to collect above the pocket change level, I figure I'll go for everything right now, learn how the market works in each area, decide which types interest me most, which can become realistic goals. Then, probably a few years from now, I'll complete my slow evolution and pick up a narrow focus until completion, then another, ad infinitum.

Sometimes I get into spurts where I get carried away buying oddball coins that will probably never fit my specialty, but I figure that once I settle down I'll have plenty built up for trade-ins, etc, which should make it easier to go after the tough stuff then. So all my diverse coins now can be considered an investment, saving up for when I make up my mind.

Good luck on what you choose

Askari · January 5, 2004 10:37AM

Collect what YOU like!!

ajaan · January 5, 2004 10:40AM

Please don't collect what I like.

I get enough competition from wybrit and aethelred.

Aethelred · January 5, 2004 10:55AM

<< Please don't collect what I like.

I get enough competition from wybrit and aethelred. >>

You'll hate me after FUN!

lordmarcovan · January 5, 2004 12:05PM

<< I was told to specialize in one country? >>

Sez who?

Collect what YOU want to collect!

It does help to have a theme or goal or some sort of plan when taking on the vast ocean of world coinage, though.

1jester · January 5, 2004 6:16PM

Collect what YOU like. I think that's the best advice I can proffer. Don't be afraid of changing your tastes, either, as time passes.

SYRACUSIAN · January 5, 2004 6:50PM

If you were told to specialize in one country, that's because it's a valid option with many advantages, despite the comments of most members. I won't agree or disagree, since Aethelred posted an excellent reply on why he focuses on British coinage alone, and at least three other members mentioned to collect what you like and be sure to focus on quality.

I do not collect one coin per country etc, nor do I intend to do such a thing. I'm not interested in many countries or NCLT coins in general, and you have to loose some things in order to gain some others. I found myself feeling happy collecting my own native country's coins (Greek), but disregarded the advice of some hard core Greek collectors to ignore the rest and have an affection for US coins, British coins and world gold,and that is after all,the main reason for my presence in this forum. Good luck no matter what you choose and don't forget the all-important books on whatever you decide.

ajaan · January 5, 2004 7:46PM

<< You'll hate me after FUN! >>

What do you mean AFTER????

I was told to specialize in one country?

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