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What does it take to be a REAL collector?

MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,253 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
All the other collectors are wannabees, of course. Probably including you, you miserable slug. Yes, you!
Andy Lustig

Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.

Comments

  • ERER Posts: 7,345 ✭
    I'm definitely a REAL wannabe collector.image
  • morganbarbermorganbarber Posts: 1,821 ✭✭✭
    You need to enjoy it. Every dingdong who thinks he is making money by buying coins is no collector whether he ends up profiting or not.
    I collect circulated U.S. silver
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,797 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Some REALS like this 1/2 Real:

    imageimage
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • CoinOnTheCobCoinOnTheCob Posts: 712
    I have only been interested in coins for a little over a year. When I was first exposed to it, I bought everything that wandered into my vision. Now, I can see that is not the way to go. A collection is different than just having a bunch of coins. But, having a bunch of coins let me get a feel for what I would really like to collect. I feel like I am walking into the crosshairs with this next statement. I like Lincoln wheats.
    Dennis
    imageimage
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,649 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Anyone who collects coins and tries to learn something is a real collector.
    Tempus fugit.
  • ARCOARCO Posts: 4,396 ✭✭✭✭✭
    When you are thinking about coins as the last thing before you fall asleep....every single night, you might be a collector.

    Tyler
  • DHeathDHeath Posts: 8,472 ✭✭✭
    image

    Just like Pinnocchio, all you gotta do is lose your strings. Free yourself from the Geppetto's that'll tell you what to collect (read invest) and go ahead and give in to your cravings. Hoard the stuff that YOU think is hypnotizing. image Then you'll be a real boy, er.......collector. image
    Developing theory is what we are meant to do as academic researchers
    and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
  • clw54clw54 Posts: 3,815 ✭✭✭


    << <i>All the other collectors are wannabees, of course. Probably including you, you miserable slug. Yes, you! >>


    Well, yeah. The truth hurts, but I'm a wannabee. image
  • MacCrimmonMacCrimmon Posts: 7,058 ✭✭✭
    REAL collectors are not LEGENDS in their own minds. image
  • TommyTypeTommyType Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The question reminds me of "....You might be a Redneck" jokes:

    If you've ever had your name placed on a slab, you might be a real collector.
    If you've ever received an apology from Heritage, you might.......
    If an auction company has ever paid your airfare to an auction, you might be......
    If the chain from your loupe lanyard has grown into the skin around your neck, you might be.....


    (I have a feeling this bunch can come up with better humor than these) image
    Easily distracted Type Collector
  • LincolnCentManLincolnCentMan Posts: 5,347 ✭✭✭✭
    What does it take to be a REAL collector?

    Endurance
    Determination
    Money
    Knowledge
    Friends with similar intrest

    Optionals that help:
    More money
    A safe
    A display center
    A lot more money

    David
    Lincolncentman Toned Lincolns
  • solidsolid Posts: 2,975
    When it's tough to sell a coin, YOUR coin, even though you're making a large profit on it. image
  • ms70ms70 Posts: 13,954 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A wannabee is better than a usedtobee. image

    Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.

  • SMSSMS Posts: 139
    All it takes to be a collector is heart. It doesn't matter if you collect Lincoln Cents, Morgan Dollars, or silver 3 pence, if your heart is in it, then you're a collector. If not, then you just wannabe!
    Monthly giveaways for members AND guests!! Current giveaways include foreign mint sets!!!!
    image
    www.Numismatic-Playground.com
  • ccrccr Posts: 2,446
    Not adding much to what has been said but, dedication, desire, and probably the most important, enjoy what you`re doing.
  • magikbillymagikbilly Posts: 6,780 ✭
    knowledge, patience and the guts to follow your own star.

    Billy

  • XpipedreamRXpipedreamR Posts: 8,059 ✭✭
    image
  • nwcsnwcs Posts: 13,386 ✭✭✭
    I'm a wannabe collector. I'm obviously not a real one because I haven't sold everything to live in a cardboard box to free up funds for buying coins. Oh wait, I'd still have the box. I'd have to sell that, too.
    Blog and Pics
  • Purple73Purple73 Posts: 2,016 ✭
    What does it take to be a REAL collector?


    A person that collects collectibles and buys many(not coin specific) to make a collection makes him/her a collector.
    Founder of The Circle of Crust™
    imageimage
  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,082 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Guess I will change the name of my registry set to WANNABUCKS image
    theknowitalltroll;
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 33,964 ✭✭✭✭✭
    To be a REAL Collector:

    1. You need to enjoy coins and want to learn all you can about the areas in which you specialize.

    2. You should be more interested in the coins themselves than how much money you are going to make when you sell them.

    3. When you start a series or a collection, you should have strong desire to fill all of the holes. The term "holes" does not necessarily mean holes in an album. It can also mean mental “holes” or goals that you have set for a collection. If you don't have this desire to continue with a collection until you have reached your goals, you might not be cut out to be a collector.
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
    I would say someone who buys more than he sells, and when he sells, it is because the coins sold do not fit in the overall collection he is developing.
    Always took candy from strangers
    Didn't wanna get me no trade
    Never want to be like papa
    Working for the boss every night and day
    --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
  • JulianJulian Posts: 3,370 ✭✭✭
    IMHO, a real collector is one that has a goal in mind, a definition of his collection.

    Additionally, a real collector will continue to add to/improve his collection continually, as his means allow, in ALL markets, whether they seem weak or aggressive, toward his goal.

    This collector will grow to know more about the series than many dealers, and that is a good thing.

    I, personally, encourage all collectors and only suggest selling duplicates or series that no longer interest them.
    PNG member, numismatic dealer since 1965. Operates a retail store, also has exhibited at over 1000 shows.
    I firmly believe in numismatics as the world's greatest hobby, but recognize that this is a luxury and without collectors, we can all spend/melt our collections/inventories.

    eBaystore
  • JrGMan2004JrGMan2004 Posts: 7,557 ✭


    << <i>What does it take to be a REAL collector? >>

    Simple - 'Collect coins that you like that fall in your budget range.' That makes a person a REAL collector, along with a drive to increase their knowledge... image
    -George
    42/92
  • MadMonkMadMonk Posts: 3,743 ✭
    To be a real collector you must purchase your coins from a real dealer.
    Wannabe collectors must purchase from wannabe dealers! image
    Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
  • mtnmanmtnman Posts: 571 ✭✭✭
    When I went to bed, I used to think about women and sex. Now I think about the Bust halves I
    want to buy. Guess this makes me a wannabe collector and very old.
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 33,964 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>When I went to bed, I used to think about women and sex. Now I think about the Bust halves I
    want to buy. Guess this makes me a wannabe collector and very old. >>



    And who ever said that the overweight women of the 19th were not attractive? When John Reich introduced his Bust design in 1807, critics said that he had patterned the lady on the obverse after "his fat mistress."
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • seanqseanq Posts: 8,652 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>What does it take to be a REAL collector?

    Endurance
    Determination
    Money
    Knowledge
    Friends with similar intrest
    >>



    Four out of five ain't bad.... but then I have a feeling if I weren't a collector I'd have the fifth thing and none of the other four. image

    Sean Reynolds
    Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.

    "Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
  • BigGreekBigGreek Posts: 1,090 ✭
    A pulse and some coins.. actually pulse is optional image
    image
    Please check out my eBay auctions!
    My WLH Short Set Registry Collection

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