How can we bring the joy of collecting back into the hobby?

oreville

I have always maintained that as collectors, we owe it to our families not to throw away our money in a grossly negligent way when buying coins. It has nothing to do with "investment" at that point. Investment implies the potential of making a PROFIT. That is not what you are talking about. You are talking about not throwing away your hard earned money.

On the other had, no one likes to be "taken." No one likes to find out that they overpaid for any coin they bought unless they knew it at the time they bought it. Sure, it might indeed be a learning experience, an educational experience but we do not want to keep learning from repetitive mistakes, rather just avoid them in the future.

Sure, we can enjoy the hobby while overpaying for our coins but we can also enjoy the hobby at the same time being careful with our purchases. It is not mandated that we MUST overpay for our coins and disregard prices just to enjoy the hobby.

Indeed, we do suffer a loss of childlike "innocence" when we begin to be "guarded" every time we buy coins to make sure we are not overpaying for the coin or buying an overgraded coin without our knowledge. It does take a little bit of the innocence out of the hobby.

Here are some ways how to bring back the joy of collecting into the hobby:

(1) Buy circulated rolls from your local bank and search through them. Enjoy the one wheat cent you find even if you only find 1 in $100 worth of face value cents. ENJOY IT!
(2) Join your local or regional coins clubs.
(3) Attend a major coin show with the intention of NOT buying any coins! Just enjoy the people you meet!
(4) Lots more but I will let you fill them in!

MICHAELDIXON

I think the joy is from each individual and can't be brought back overall. Even in the 1960's everybody wasn't happy in the hobby. You can't please all of the people, all of the time.

my3cents

Simple - collect what you like...and enjoy it!

Barry

Lower prices?

Seriously, who said the joy is gone?

oreville

You guys missed my original post.

I started a list of ideas:

Here are some ways how to bring back the joy of collecting into the hobby:

(1) Buy circulated rolls from your local bank and search through them. Enjoy the one wheat cent you find even if you only find 1 in $100 worth of face value cents. ENJOY IT!
(2) Join your local or regional coins clubs.
(3) Attend a major coin show with the intention of NOT buying any coins! Just enjoy the people you meet!
(4) Lots more but I will let you fill them in!

Russ

I have lots of joy. The only time I don't is when that butthead Marty beats me to a nice score.

Russ, NCNE

MrEureka

Collect something that you know little about, that is difficult to find, and that is far less expensive than what you are used to buying. You will experience the thrill of the hunt and the satisfaction of learning, without the fears associated with more expensive purchases. For example, consider die varieties, tokens, darkside or antiquarian numismatic literature.

BTW, you don't have to give up your more "serious" numismatic pursuits to collect something else. You can collect a multi-million dollar set of gem Morgans and ALSO a cheap set of circ shield nickels by die variety at the same time. And you might be very surprised which collection gives you the most satisfaction.

mgoodm3

5) I really enjoy giving coins away here on the boards. Especially to the youngens.

tradedollarnut

I've started buying nice type coins in the MS64-67 range - but only if they're relatively cheap and outstanding for the grade with superb eye appeal. I find this to be very satisfying ... even more so than upgrading one of my sets!

mgoodm3

Oh, I have been buying interestingly toned brown and RB copper for photography, which for later dates can be downright cheap.

wam98

Something I think that can be added to this list is researching and learning. There is so much knowledge to be found in old auction catalogs, flyers, specialty coin books and even old red books. Today we have many coin magazines and publications to learn from. And of course the internet and coin forums like this one, that just keeps getting smarter every day. More people willing to share their knowledge with others is the best IMO. Seems like no matter what question someone has about numismatics, if asked, more than likely it will be answered.

nwcs

I think slowing down on buying has brought more joy into my collecting. Instead of rushing to fill holes I'm just sitting back and picking up great coins as I see them. And I'm learning how to be OK with just passing instead of splurging. And when I have splurged, it has been for $30 coins I liked.

Cladiator

ive lost no joy from collecting coins still lovin it, even more so than when i started

morgannut2

Orville's four suggestions are great. The idea of collecting from bank rolls brings to mind that prior to the TPGs, everyone had to learn how to grade. With so many talks and courses available, it can't hurt to update my skills. I've been working on circulated Washington and Morgan Sets where it's fun to buy the coins raw and there's no megebuck "investment" type money involved. It's really a test of skill to match the toning and grades. Plus except for a few coins, it's hard either lose big or make a big "score"; and more like a fun hobby.

MacCrimmon

I found true bliss on the DARKSIDE.......


CHARGE!!!!!!!!!!

relayer

Getting all of your coins out and just sit down and look through them.

Deb048gold

I would venture to say that most of us who collect coins probably have a fascination for History as a subject.
Each coin and set we collect represents a part of history and tells a story. I enjoy knowing as much as I can about the time period, the sculpter or artist, information surrounding the development and eventual demise of the particular coin. Numismatics is only half the equation. The history of the coin is the other.

ANACONDA

I love the hobby. But then again, I have books, I read them. I actually look at my coins....I work on my photography....I enjoy writing...and I'm not focused on making money on them. I enjoy my friends that I know in connection with coins. I don't shave every last cent off of every deal or try to squeeze every cent out of someone on every deal. I try to sweet talk my wife into liking my hobby rather than going behind her back. Well, sometime I go behind her back. But not every time. Don't tell her.

ANACONDA

(2) Join your local or regional coins clubs.

Good idea. I gave a talk not long ago at a local show. I enjoyed it.

"You can collect a multi-million dollar set of gem Morgans and ALSO a cheap set of circ shield nickels by die variety at the same time. And you might be very surprised which collection gives you the most satisfaction."

Good idea. Collecting something serious and something not serious.

Deb048gold

"Well, sometime I go behind her back".

I hear you! My brother in law used to be a part of "Gamblers anonymous" while living in Las Vegas.
Plain and simple our hobby isn't only fun, it's stinkin addicting!!

"Coin junkies anonymous"

IrishMike

Great ideas oreville. A couple of my thoughts, forget about plastic for awhile and actually buy coins you can hold in your hand, stick them in a type set album, read up on them, find out about their history and what varieties exist. Quit worrying about what one more grade will cost you, whether or not its been cleaned or at. Closely examine the coin before you buy it and if it says buy me, just do it. Sometimes I get the feeling we worry far too much what others think about the coin or want to impress them.

If you have children, drag them along to the coin show, get them interested by collecting with them and of course educate them along the way.

oreville

My wife liked my list of four ideas too. She especially liked my last one:

(4) Lots more but I will let you fill them in!

She handed me my list of chores to do around the house and said great idea!

coachleonard

immerse yourself in the histories of your coins: read books, watch documentaries. If you collect WW II US coins, visit Pearl Harbor. If you
buy a 1700's British coin, visit Williamsburg, etc etc

paigowjohnny

Don't dwell on what kind of slab a coin is in, or what the slip of paper says for the grade. If you like the coin, and are happy with the price...buy it.

Conder101

<< <i>we owe it to our families not to throw away our money in a grossly negligent way when buying coins. >>


Not sure I agree with that. If it is your "entertainment" money you can spend it anyway you chose.

Buy circulated coins. They can still be quite attractive and difficult to locate, but they are much easier to grade and prices aren't as speculative.



<< <i>You can collect a multi-million dollar set of gem Morgans and ALSO a cheap set of circ shield nickels by die variety at the same time. And you might be very surprised which collection gives you the most satisfaction."

Good idea. Collecting something serious and something not serious. >>


And if you get short on cash you can always drop the not serious collection and just concentrate on the shield nickels.

1957joe

My joy comes lately to see my 7 year old son take such an interest in the hobby. He loves coins. He loves looking at my collection. He loves looking at his collection.

dorkkarl

<< <i>How can we bring the joy of collecting back into the hobby? >>

i think the point here is missed. isn't the real question: "how can we distinguish the HOBBY from the BUSINESS"?

after all, i would contend that the BUSINESS of coins can't be that enjoyable - just look at the typical coin dealer.

but i find the HOBBY to be quite enjoyable, as enjoyable today as it always has been.

K S