I've been thinking about changing my collecting interests
STONE
Posts: 15,275 ✭
Over the past couple of weeks I've been thinking of changing my coin collecting interests from U.S. based, Bust type coinage, to Ancient coins. Ever since I was a little kid I have been introduced into three main genres of numismatics: Foreign coins (1st), U.S. coins & Ancient coins (a close 2nd and 3rd).
My first interest, foreign coins, was fueled almost exclusively from my dad. He wanted to get me to understand and learn about as many foreign countries as possible therefore we tried to collect atleast one coin from every country. (Note this was when I was between the age of 5 and 7/8) We accomplished a lot from this and got most of the countries, but for me foreign coins were too broad of a collecting interest. So, I turned to U.S. coins.
My initial interest in numismatics was fueled by my find of a Buffalo Nickel when I was 5 and then finding out that this coin was worth more than just 5c. My early interest consisted of any U.S. coin that I could afford, which limited my collecting to Mercury Dimes, Buffalo Nickels, Indian Cents, Wheat Cents, and anything else I could find that wasn't overly expensive. My collection of U.S. coins has become quite expansive in the past 12-15 years since I started concentrating on U.S. coins and I am amazed as to what I have acquired, and subsequently spent on my collection.
Finally, I was introduced to Ancient coins from my dad when he gave me an ancient coin for my First Communion. I always thought that ancient coins were underappreciated, even when I was only 10 years old. I used to see them in my local shops for between $1 for crummy/ uncleaned ones, to $25-40 for nicer ones. I picked up a few silver roman coins whenever I didn't see ay new U.S. coins I needed, and the Ancient coins I picked up were Silver Roman coins that cost between $15 and $25; which for my age was a bit up a burden thus I could only pick one up per visit. I slowly expanded my ancient coin collecting on a part-time collecting basis. I collected Silver Parthian coins for about 3 years and amasses about 8-10 coins in that time. I still see ancient coins as a fairly underappreciated series, but I do notice that coins are catching on in value; some more than others. Also, when I notice the exobitant prices U.S. coins are attaining today, I feel that that money could be put to better use in Ancient coins.
Because I am thinking of turning my attention to Ancient coins, would like to find one period to collect. There are three main genre of Ancient coins I would like to collect: Roman, Greek, or Parthian. Within these series are broken down time periods (excuse my novice ignorance in pronunciation). I would like to focus on Silver coins that have neat depictions and scenes on them (i.e. olympic scenes, battles, exotic animals, etc.)
If you collect ancient coins, please give me some ideas as to what series/ genre of collecting you like. Any input would be apprecited and I don't plan on selling my U.S. collection anytime soon. I also understand the bias for U.S. coins on this site thus I will post on the Ancient Coin Forum as well. Also, if many of you give me good enough reasons for not converting, then I don't think I will change my interest drastically.
Thanks for any and all input,
STONE
My first interest, foreign coins, was fueled almost exclusively from my dad. He wanted to get me to understand and learn about as many foreign countries as possible therefore we tried to collect atleast one coin from every country. (Note this was when I was between the age of 5 and 7/8) We accomplished a lot from this and got most of the countries, but for me foreign coins were too broad of a collecting interest. So, I turned to U.S. coins.
My initial interest in numismatics was fueled by my find of a Buffalo Nickel when I was 5 and then finding out that this coin was worth more than just 5c. My early interest consisted of any U.S. coin that I could afford, which limited my collecting to Mercury Dimes, Buffalo Nickels, Indian Cents, Wheat Cents, and anything else I could find that wasn't overly expensive. My collection of U.S. coins has become quite expansive in the past 12-15 years since I started concentrating on U.S. coins and I am amazed as to what I have acquired, and subsequently spent on my collection.
Finally, I was introduced to Ancient coins from my dad when he gave me an ancient coin for my First Communion. I always thought that ancient coins were underappreciated, even when I was only 10 years old. I used to see them in my local shops for between $1 for crummy/ uncleaned ones, to $25-40 for nicer ones. I picked up a few silver roman coins whenever I didn't see ay new U.S. coins I needed, and the Ancient coins I picked up were Silver Roman coins that cost between $15 and $25; which for my age was a bit up a burden thus I could only pick one up per visit. I slowly expanded my ancient coin collecting on a part-time collecting basis. I collected Silver Parthian coins for about 3 years and amasses about 8-10 coins in that time. I still see ancient coins as a fairly underappreciated series, but I do notice that coins are catching on in value; some more than others. Also, when I notice the exobitant prices U.S. coins are attaining today, I feel that that money could be put to better use in Ancient coins.
Because I am thinking of turning my attention to Ancient coins, would like to find one period to collect. There are three main genre of Ancient coins I would like to collect: Roman, Greek, or Parthian. Within these series are broken down time periods (excuse my novice ignorance in pronunciation). I would like to focus on Silver coins that have neat depictions and scenes on them (i.e. olympic scenes, battles, exotic animals, etc.)
If you collect ancient coins, please give me some ideas as to what series/ genre of collecting you like. Any input would be apprecited and I don't plan on selling my U.S. collection anytime soon. I also understand the bias for U.S. coins on this site thus I will post on the Ancient Coin Forum as well. Also, if many of you give me good enough reasons for not converting, then I don't think I will change my interest drastically.
Thanks for any and all input,
STONE
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Also, he has an Ancient Coin Club at his shop and meetings there are extremely interesting.
When I walk the big shows I don't even slow down at the forigen(sp) or ancient tables!
I got my start in this industry when I began collecting foreign paper money. Although I'm not as active in aquiring foreign paper money as I used to be, it's still a fascinating genre.
Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
I've collected ancient coins for years and they are the most interesting bcause you can create your own theme - I like gold portrait coins - here's a couple of my favorites.
“It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.” Mark Twain
Newmismatist
it's lookin' more and more like Numismatic Polygamy.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
the phases and long term collectors are the rare birds.
watch for the market to drop as these new collectors sell their coins
and there is no one there to buy them at the high prices they paid
just two years ago.
have fun collecting the dark side! I cannot wait to know what you
will be collecting next year :-D
<< <i>watch for the market to drop as these new collectors sell their coins
and there is no one there to buy them at the high prices they paid
just two years ago. >>
Then again, if the market for U.S. coins drops enough, maybe you'll see some come back. For at least some, it's the moon money that's chasing them away.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire