Antsy coin collector needs advice

JoeLewis

Here's the deal. I am a small-time coin collector (PCGS Kennedy Halves and U.S. Type Coin collections) whose monthly budget is (don't laugh!) $150. I get paid once a month, and as soon as I get paid I pretty much spend my entire budget on eBay within about an hour.

Anyways, there turns out to be about two weeks or so at the end of every month, when all the coins I've ordered have arrived, and I have nothing to do.

Does anyone know of a way I can spend two weeks without spending any money, but still be active in the coin hobby?

Here's my only idea so far:

I might try to build a collection of quarters where the rule is that it has to include only quarters that I've found in my change. No effort on my part can go into finding these quarters.

Thanks for any ideas.

LindeDad

There are also nickels, dimes, and pennies.

tradedollarnut

Buy coin books instead and read them for the entire month. Spending all your money on sight unseen ebay coins is a recipe for financial disaster.

coinkat

Read and have a library of good coin books... develop knowledge and appreciation for coins.

StrikeOutXXX

You could resort to bank change sorting. There is also a magnifying glass and the neighbor's change jars. You can perfect your image posting techniques and post some of your treasures in between paydays. Lots of research and book reading perhaps. If you hang around here enough, it becomes a full-time job keeping up with the posts, so that month will pass rather rapidly between paydays.

xbob

Certainly searching rolls is "free" since you only really pay for the coins you keep. For face value too! You could start a circulation album as you mentioned, or look for varieties, or both.

Reading books and magazines about collecting might be another good idea.

Organize your collection data in Excel or online with value tracking.

Just hanging out here on the forum is another great way to stay active.

DaveG

Is there a local coin club you could join?

Is there a local coin shop you could visit?

You could go to local banks and get rolls of half dollars to look through for silver. This will take some up-front capital, but you can either spend the remaining clad halves or deposit them into your bank (just don't get rolls from your bank, otherwise you'll be looking through the same rolls). The advantage to this plan is that you can sell the silver coins (perhaps to your local coin shop) and add the proceeds to your coin budget!

MrEureka

Decide on a collection that will cost you no more than 10K when complete and which is challenging enough that you will have trouble spending your money as fast as you make it. Do not buy any coins that are not part of your chosen project. Doesn't mean you can't look.

Pentimento

You will be bummed when you try to build a Washington set from change. You will get something you need only every couple of weeks. Not something that will keep you stimulated for a full half of your hobby time. Here are my suggestions--

Since you already like Kennedys, why not bank roll search those? Its free and fun. Its not amazing, but can eat up some serious time. I just finished my 40th roll last night and have found the following so far; 1964, 1967, 1967, and 2 cute little ddo's . So as you can see it is a total waste of time.

Why not try selling things you already own on Ebay? You could do a Ebay store and try to sell for more than you have paid. Might be fun.

WoodenJefferson

Here's what you need to do...get one of those shock collars, you know the kind used in training dogs, put it on before logging onto e-bay, hook the leads up to your mouse...everytime you hit the "Bid Now" button...ZAAAAP!

Of course you'll have to post a sign in a conspicuous location.

Myqqy

I think reading a good coin book is a great way to spend some downtime.....

fcloud

Try a subscription to Coin World or Numismatic news. They come weekly and you could spend some time reading them.

I don't think there is anyway to kill the coin bug!

Good Luck!

cladking

The best way for a collector to spend "downtime" is in learning. Assembling sets
of circulating coinage is a great way to learn as well as starting a numismatic lib-
rary. Take your time assembling a library but it's an important part of the hobby.
Learn the coins and authors that appeal the most to you.

Then read the books. Look for errors and omissions as you're learning.

RYK

Go to coin shows, hang out here, buy coin books on ebay and then read them, etc.

bidask

Go over the top, stretch, and pay alot more for a really desirable coin. That should quiet your monthly habit for awhile.

CoinResource

Become active in the various online forums...