stamp collecting more popular than coin collecting

dougwtx

I collect both so I'm not out to say one is better than the other; but I noticed something surprising while visiting the ANA's and APS's websites and thought I'd throw something out for discussion.

The ANA claims nearly 33,000 members and the APS claims 44,000+ members. I would guess there are a lot less stamp dealers than coin dealers though.

Nobody will ever know how many actual collectors of each are out there; but I just found the membership numbers surprising.

LabMan

I think one of the reasons there are more APS members than ANA members is the reason I joined the APS- to be able to by from the philatelic sales divison and receive stamps from the circuit. That's a fantastic thing as their website is excellent and many hard to find stamps can be found and many good bargains are in the circuit books. I was once an ANA member, but unless you are a dealer I don't think membership offers you very much. The ANA journal has no better articles (in my opinion) than can be found in CoinAge or Coin World. I think in actuality coin collectors vastly outnumber stamp collectors. For instance in my home town (Terre Haute, IN population about 55,000), we have two coin shops and zero stamp shops. The coin club draws 25-50 people per month, the stamp club 5-10.

1977topps

I was a member of ANA, and am now a member of APS. I believe that APS is a superior organization. I very much enjoy getting the circuits, and it seems to me that APS has more member services.

philactica

This comparison makes interesting perspectives.
In New Zealand there are 26 Coin Dealers and about 54 Stamp dealers, which for its population is a lot.
Where I live there are no stamp dealer nor coin dealers per shop though coins and stamps are sold as sidelines in some shops.
Remember there is a psychic (Affecting or influenced by the human mind) difference between stamps and coins.
Not reflective of the collector of either.

philactica

Intersting point about APS having now 44 000 members.
I remember an APS membership total of 55 000 round about 15 - 20 years ago and I can vouch of their good service all round.

Michigan

Making comparisions about the popularity of a hobby by membership levels in organizations is not
really scientific.

There are a great number of coin collectors who do not belong to the ANA for various reasons. A lot of
people have let their membership expire but continue to collect coins.

The ANA in recent years has gone through a lot of internal struggles that are too complex to explain
in detail here but many people have quit the organization due to the behind the scenes negative
politics but still collect coins.

dougwtx

Hi Michigan,

Maybe I should have reworded my thread title, but I was hoping it would draw some discussion. I believe the number of coin collectors way out number stamp collectors and know comparing the memberships is not a gauge of popularity. There are coin shows weekly, but I have to wait a month or more before a stamp show comes around.

philactica

My comparison was made on just a few examples that are factual.
A mere statistical approach should indicate that there are more stamps than coins to be had globally.
Each to his own hobby afterall.
Interesting comments about the volume coin versus stamp shows.
The frequency may be pulsating on local demand of a specific area.
Another observation I like to make is that most Antique dealers tend to have coins or medals rather than stamps.
In my travels I have been aware of yearly Numismatic Shows, same as Philatelic Exhibitions but with many more Stamp Fairs or Bourses.
The crux is really the demand and supply.
Anyone who collects whatever is always pleased with a nice gem or two.

philactica

Another point - must be read with the understanding that I do not wish to offend anyone who collects stamps or coins.

When a robbery or theft takes place the coin collection is more a target of returnable money than stamps.
A thief would rather take a coin collection than a stamp collection of similar valuel. The aim is to turn it into money.
The exceptions are where specific collectors are targeted for their stamps or coins. In these cases there are already "buyers" standing by.

So, can one dare to argue that because more coins are opened on the market, more transactions take place? Can one also say there is this resultant "growth in popularity even though more are coined.
Coin Dealers go to great expense to put their better items in a large safe, not that stamp dealers also take care of their best.

Surely some of these beautiful coins just viewed on this site have hardly any recognisable proof when stolen that they belonged to "A"
In comparison a similar top valued stamp can be suitable marked and identified belonging to "A"
This thus hampers trade in stolen top class stamps.
Obviously very few and rare coins or old worn coins are also identifyable by their characteristics.
Howerver most, when presented as a coin, value is the target.
Enjoy your hobby !

quarterlvr

I've been an APS member since 1985 and can say for the most part the journal and the services I've used with them has been excellent.
Since I'm only a casual coin collector I haven't decided it was worth the money or effort to join the ANA, don't see the point. Would rather save the money and spend it on something I want for my collection. I do think there are a lot more stamp and coin collectors out there than society memberships reflects. I think a lot of people don't bother to join organizations or even attend club meetings, they just enjoy collecting, however haphazardly or occasionally. I don't see it getting any better either with the price of gas and other things rising, people won't have the money to spend for things. I have used the circuits through the APS and was pleased but found myself not having the time to really look through them and get them back in time, they only give you a few days to keep them and them they have to be passed on to the next person.

philactica

<< <i>I think a lot of people don't bother to join organizations or even attend club meetings, they just enjoy collecting, however haphazardly or occasionally. I don't see it getting any better either with the price of gas and other things rising, people won't have the money to spend for things. I have used the circuits through the APS and was pleased but found myself not having the time to really look through them and get them back in time, they only give you a few days to keep them and them they have to be passed on to the next person. >>



I do echo those thoughts.
Having stamp circuit books may also underline that there are more stamp collectors. The expensive stuff inevitably is omitted.
Do you get coin circuit pouches ?

Never had the opportunity to get APS circuit books because I was on another Continent and the postage would not warrant such ventur. Nevertherless was fortunate to be living near the most prolific circuit book distributor for a local Stamp Society. Richard of the Edenvale Philatelic Society made a packet for the Society And I as other, had the opportunity to look through hundres of books for say a week.
Could one say, time versus handling is more afforded by stamp collecting than coins ?

To the next comment -

UncleWiggly

I was told worldwide stamp collectors out number coin collectors simply because of the number of people who collect Disney Stamps. I like stamps much more than fooling around with coins. I also like currency more than coins.



Jerry