Ask not what numismatics can do for you, but what you can do for numismatics...

CoinHusker

I was thinking about the kind of individuals I've encountered in my limited exposure to numismatics. There seems to be two kind of coin people (with various mixtures in bewteen ) Those in it for what numismatics can do for them be it profit, fame, recognition, etc.. And then those in it for what they can do for numismatics. Promoting the hobby, not their sets, or their collections or their inventories. Promoting the hobby because it's a great hobby.

Now of course there is a lot of overlap as I have met many individuals who because of their promotion of the hobby have found recognition, fame, etc. As well as those who because of their personal success in the hobby have unintentionally promoted it.

But I was wondering in what category would you find yourself?

RedTiger

"Enjoy the hobby."

Sometimes sharing information is the best way to learn. I often preface a sentence or paragraph with the phrase, "for those new collectors reading along," because there are so many here. That said, it is more my personality in general than any allegiance I have to the hobby that makes me want to help new collectors avoid painful and expensive mistakes.

Myqqy

Shouldn't there be an addiction category?

combatmailman

I collect for both pleasure and relaxation, but on the other hand I am attempting to make wise investments for the future as well.

CoinHusker

notlogical

I don't think I ever saw this thread before.

AUandAG

I find myself in the "I can preserve them for future generations" catagory. Have tried, unsuccessfully to get my grandkids
interested but to no avail.

bob

PerryHall

I get a lot out of the hobby but I try to also give back. I mentor several new collectors and I'm president of my local coin club.

09sVDB

I enjoy numismatics for the history and story behind the coin. I don't buy coins with the intention of loosing money but have.
As for what I can do,currently I am on my second batch of 5000 Lincolns for The Cent Project. Each coin must be sorted by date and MM. The last batch took me a month to do.

gecko109

Good OP. However, as you pointed out yourself, there is alot of grey area. In fact, if I were to make a guess, I'd say that less than 5% of all the people who deal with coins would fall into either of the two extreme categories. As one responder stated, I too consider myself just a custodian of the collection I currently maintain. Many generations owned them before me, and many generations will own them after im gone. Therefore, we are all really just caretakers of our coins. Like most collectors, I fall somewhere in the middle. While I enjoy collecting just for the hobby for it enormously, I also enjoy poker. However, I would have no problem plunking down $500 on a nice exapmle of a type coin at all, while the same $500 at a poker table stresses me out a little. The point im making I suppose is that while I love the hobby aspect, the investment aspect makes the cash outlay easier to swallow.