What is it that makes one person a collector and another person not a collector?

SanctionII

I have no clue,..................at best I can say either the hobby bug bites you or it doesn't. If it does, your hooked. If it does not, you look at coins and yawn.

InYHWHWeTrust

Almost everyone 'collects' something, anything under the sun. I suspect it's associated neurochemically with the pleasure centers akin to getting 'hooked' on: fishing, foods, drugs, gambling, the 'chase' for whatever/ 'shopping' for some women (yes, men too ;0) , hitting a sweet golf shot, --> once again, anything under the sun. Can get out of hand (addiction, covetousness). The themes that I have seen some create on these boards and in a few registry sets with their coin collection bug have been absolutely breath-taking masterpieces.

Don

19Lyds

I don't really know except that it borders on OCD!

ziggy29

A collector puts some thought and consideration into the pieces they buy or are seeking. An "accumulator" just gathers stuff more indiscriminately.

Coxe

I agree with Lee. A lot of collectors are probably undiagnosed OCD cases of varying degrees.

Collecting is also, in some ways, a competition, both among collectors and in buy/sell negotiation. That may explain the strong male bias in the hobby. With our loss of natural predators, humans have replaced natural survival competitiveness with sport and war. Since men are wired for this competitiveness, we tend to dominate (though not maintain exclusivity) in those areas.

Leiana

<< <i>A collector puts some thought and consideration into the pieces they buy or are seeking. An "accumulator" just gathers stuff more indiscriminately. >>





And a collector cares about maintaining his/her collection and about learning about his/her collection.

-Amanda

HighRelief

<< <i>I agree with Lee. A lot of collectors are probably undiagnosed OCD cases of varying degrees.

Collecting is also, in some ways, a competition, both among collectors and in buy/sell negotiation. That may explain the strong male bias in the hobby. With our loss of natural predators, humans have replaced natural survival competitiveness with sport and war. Since men are wired for this competitiveness, we tend to dominate (though not maintain exclusivity) in those areas. >>



A very interesting way to look at why we collect.

gsaguy

Genes.

cladking

<< <i>Genes. >>



Indeed. One has to not only have the gene but also a spark to ignite the passion.

Most coin collectors begin as children and then pick it up later as an adult. This tends
to be true for other types of collectors as well.

Clankeye

<< <i>Most coin collectors begin as children and then pick it up later as an adult. >>



True for me. Clad is wise.

I actually am better at the appreciating part then the collecting part. I get restless as the accumulation grows larger.

JLW

<< <i>Genes. >>



Dittos to this, it has to be genetic!
Joe

JRocco

"The Rip" doesn't put more money in your bank account- it puts another great coin in your collection.

ABC123

$$$$$$$ and interest !

majorbigtime

Julian said that collectors are born, not made.

I agree.

michael

What is it that makes one person a collector??

coins


and another person not a collector?

see my sign line below

and also

buying raw common coins moderns mostly for a few dollars or thereabouts and then dipping them and getting them in ga ga grade pcgs plastic and sticking it to the buyers as fast as you can unload them when you get the posted grades

DUIGUY

<< <i>Genes. >>

AND that one extra drink

Trime

Collectors accumulate things; numismatists are students of coins. Many collectors of coins are not numismatists. Some numismatists do not collect coins.

Conder101

<< <i>buying raw common coins moderns mostly for a few dollars or thereabouts and then dipping them and getting them in ga ga grade pcgs plastic and sticking it to the buyers as fast as you can unload them when you get the posted grades >>


That doesn't make you a collector. That makes you a dealer.



<< <i>Collectors accumulate things; numismatists are students of coins. Many collectors of coins are not numismatists. Some numismatists do not collect coins. >>


Very true and fairly well put. Most people seem to think that "coin collector" and "numismatist" mean the same thing and they don't. There is a small correction I would make though. A Numismatist is a student of money and money substitutes not just coins.

BillJones

I think the best way to look at it was something I read many years ago in a coin magazine.

If you start to fill a folder full of coins, and find that you have no desire to fill the holes, chances are you are not a collector. BUT if you have a burning desire to finish the collection, or perhaps start another colleciton, chances are you are a collector.