Is three years about the limit for an intensive collecting effort?

291fifth

Let's say that you are really serious about collecting something and have adequate funds. I have found that when I have collected something on a fairly intensive basis that the thrill of the hunt lasts about three years. After that I start thinking about just how much money I have tied up in the collection and how much (usually too much) money it will take to bring it to completion.

Comments?

guitarwes

Haven't been collecting for 3 full years, but will let you know what's going on when I get there.

MrBreeze

I am an ebb and flow collector. I tend to focus on one particular area. But, if that area gets stale (as far as purchases or available coins), I will drift to another area of interest. I don't think I could have an intensive collectiing effort for three years.

Lakesammman

I started one in 1996 and am still enjoying it. The other one that I sold lasted 10 years before I burned out.

TahoeDale

3 Years? That's a very short period of time for any series before 1900, if the grades are going to be above VF.

$50 gold Buffalo's-- probably less.

RVDavis

<< <i>Let's say that you are really serious about collecting something and have adequate funds. I have found that when I have collected something on a fairly intensive basis that the thrill of the hunt lasts about three years. After that I start thinking about just how much money I have tied up in the collection and how much (usually too much) money it will take to bring it to completion.

Comments? >>



I think I am in my sixteenth year of hunting VAMs, specifically 1878 7/8 TF. The thrill is even greater than when I began.

mgoodm3

I think the trhee years cycles are pretty close to how I work also. I need new things occasionally.

kranky

Is the time period fixed, or related to how long it takes until you are either not finding anything (or can't afford) to fill the holes you have left? I would think as long as you are still finding coins for the set and are making progress, you could keep going indefinitely.

In a way that supports 291fifth's point. If you get to a place where continuing to work on the set is not feasible because of cost, I would understand why you'd want to move on. But is it related to the length of time the set is being worked on?

flaminio

Three years is where the fun really starts. In most series, one can acquire all the "easy" ones in three years. There's no thrill or challenge in that -- anyone with a checkbook can do it. Once you've got that done, then the "thrill of the hunt" begins. Hunting down the last 10% to complete the collection is the real thrill, and it can take a lifetime.

Nysoto

With die varieties, a quality comprehensive collection will take ten years or so, regardless of funds, and many are still actively working on their sets after 30 years. I am 10 years into my flowing hair and draped bust half collection, have 95% of what I want, but have not lost any interest in owning and studying the coins. I have the same interest in classic head gold, but am only 2 years into the series.

TheRaven

I think it depends on how hard you go at it.....

Interest goes in high cycles and low cycles all year round for me.....

If you really enjoy collecting something I don't think time matters.....

orie

Over the past thirty years it's been 3 years on and 5 to 7 years off. Presently I have one modern set I'm maintaining, couple of finished sets that I can upgrade and a type set that needs a couple of coins.

Purchases have really slowed in the past year and have no plans on starting any new sets.

Coxe

I have been doing coins since the late 60s , about 30 years or so with breaks and definitiely variable levels of intensity and dedication. What I can say is that it is a LOT easier to keep going and perhaps collect obsessively because of the interaction of like-minded collectors from all over, thanks to this forum, registries, online associations, ... In the 70s, it was pretty much impossible to find others into varieties though they were out there. Prooflike Morgans? Once I posted my set across the street at their registry, I got connections with a number of similar collectors. To me, the registry isn't about the competition as much as the connection.

shirohniichan

"Intensive" is the key word here.

I have been working on some sets for 5 to 9 years. I am still interested in completing them, but I have not been able to find the coins I need after years of searching. I can't say my collecting efforts have been "intensive" because I do not scour World Coin News, eBay, and dealer sites weekly to see if the coins pop up. However, I do go to the Long Beach show once or twice a year, I check Heritage and Stacks auction catalogs, and check eBay once a month or so.

ccr

I`m into my 5th year in completing my Peace Dollar set. I got my first 11 in about 18 months and picked up only 2 in the last 3 years or so in my slabbed set. Got all the keys so It`ll be a breeze when I decide to finish it off and I intend to do it. The 1928 - P is the last one I picked up which was about 6 months ago.

I`m doing a Dansco set of them too and picked - up 3 for it a couple weeks ago. With half the set, the 1928 - P is the only key left in my Dansco set and ought to be a breeze after I find the right one.

Guess it depends on the person and coin collecting is big enough to be flexible. I don`t feel rushed right now to tie it all together.

USCGCraig

I've been working on my XF45 Barber Half set for almost 5 years now. I need only 4 coins. I'm guessing it will take another 3-4 years to find these coins. Has nothing to do with money. Just darn tough to find.