Food for thought: Some of the best coins in my collection were only available because I had a lower grade coin of the same date/mm to trade to the seller.
Your hand-me-downs are dream coins for the rest of us.
"My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose, Cardinal.
Excerpt from one of my favorite stories, "The Velveteen Rabbit".
"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
<< <i>Excerpt from one of my favorite stories, "The Velveteen Rabbit".
"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." >>
I wish I had a nickel for every time I've read this excerpt in the chatroom -
<< <i>Excerpt from one of my favorite stories, "The Velveteen Rabbit".
"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." >>
I wish I had a nickel for every time I've read this excerpt in the chatroom - >>
You hang out in a lot of chatrooms? I don't and have never seen it posted before.
I think CCU is referring to those buck a minute chat rooms.
First I've seen it posted.
"My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose, Cardinal.
To me the key criteria is: "Will I enjoy looking at this coin?"
Of course you shouldn't buy a coin that you won't enjoy, but let's take it to the next level. Ask yourself what a coin needs to look like for you to enjoy it, and why. For every collector, and for every series, the answer is different.
For all it's worth, my approach is that I will not add something to my collection if I believe it is likely that I will later have the opportunity to improve upon it. My rationale is more financial than anything else. I know that when the chance to upgrade comes along, I'll do it. And I figure that coins are relatively poor investments, so why spend money on something that I'll want to sell later? And if I buy something I think I'll be able to upgrade later, I'll feel stupid every time I look at it, which would take the fun out of it. So I don't buy it.
That said, I have a fair number of ugly (but possibly unimprovable) coins in my collection!
For example, I'd be glad to add this to my collection:
Andy Lustig
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
<< <i>To me the key criteria is: "Will I enjoy looking at this coin?"
Of course you shouldn't buy a coin that you won't enjoy, but let's take it to the next level. Ask yourself what a coin needs to look like for you to enjoy it, and why. For every collector, and for every series, the answer is different. >>
I agree with you completely, which is why I was careful to word my earlier response so that it applied only to me:
"To me the key criteria is: "Will I enjoy looking at this coin?"
If the answer is 'no', then I don't care how cheap it is, or how rare it is, I just can't see a reason to own it.
You will note that I also did not use the word ugly. I personally don't enjoy looking at blast white proofs, but I wouldn't argue that they're ugly - they're just not for me. I really don't care for the look of them and I can't see myself trucking on down to the safety deposit box, pulling them out and twirling them in the light. And if that's not the case, they aren't of much use to me. But I'm guessing I'm in the minority on this view.
Coins like the one you posted can be interesting as well and If you enjoy them, that's cool.
<< <i>To me the key criteria is: "Will I enjoy looking at this coin?"
If the answer is 'no', then I don't care how cheap it is, or how rare it is, I just can't see a reason to own it. >>
<< <i>one of the hardest things to master in the hobby is patience. way too many collectors feel that if they pass on a certain coin they'll be shut out and that type of thinking has caused more than a few to deviate from what their original thinking might have been when starting a set. certainly there are some rare/scarce items that won't come around very often but those are few and far between, being the exception for most of us and most series/sets. i figure that if i'm really obsessed with buying-buying-buying it'll be better in the long run if i try to improve what i already have instead of compromising myself just to fill a hole. i'm currently in the midst of a 2+ year wait on the right 1805 Half-Cent and don't feel compelled to buy "any coin" just to have it.
FWIW, i'm also not one to subscribe to the thinking that says "buy the best coin you can afford" when that coin is one i'm not totally satisfied with. >>
I agree with both CCU and keets on this issue. However, I also value rarity and history in coins and these factors will influence my opinion of a coin's beauty or ugliness. Patience and a discriminating, critical eye are extremely important when building a collection - type, series, or whatever. Don't buy a coin just to fill a hole...but buy a super rare coin with a great story whenever you have the oportunity and the means. Take your time and enjoy...may each coin in your collection bring a smile to your face.
I will collect whatever I like, thank you. I collect and research coins because I find it enjoyable to do so. It's a hobby that I find interesting, stimulating, and even relaxing. Other people's opinions of my collection and collecting habits are simply irrelevant.
Collect whatever you want, however you want, and enjoy yourself.
Comments
Your hand-me-downs are dream coins for the rest of us.
"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
<< <i>Excerpt from one of my favorite stories, "The Velveteen Rabbit".
"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." >>
I wish I had a nickel for every time I've read this excerpt in the chatroom -
<< <i>
<< <i>Excerpt from one of my favorite stories, "The Velveteen Rabbit".
"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." >>
I wish I had a nickel for every time I've read this excerpt in the chatroom - >>
You hang out in a lot of chatrooms? I don't and have never seen it posted before.
First I've seen it posted.
Of course you shouldn't buy a coin that you won't enjoy, but let's take it to the next level. Ask yourself what a coin needs to look like for you to enjoy it, and why. For every collector, and for every series, the answer is different.
For all it's worth, my approach is that I will not add something to my collection if I believe it is likely that I will later have the opportunity to improve upon it. My rationale is more financial than anything else. I know that when the chance to upgrade comes along, I'll do it. And I figure that coins are relatively poor investments, so why spend money on something that I'll want to sell later? And if I buy something I think I'll be able to upgrade later, I'll feel stupid every time I look at it, which would take the fun out of it. So I don't buy it.
That said, I have a fair number of ugly (but possibly unimprovable) coins in my collection!
For example, I'd be glad to add this to my collection:
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
<< <i>To me the key criteria is: "Will I enjoy looking at this coin?"
Of course you shouldn't buy a coin that you won't enjoy, but let's take it to the next level. Ask yourself what a coin needs to look like for you to enjoy it, and why. For every collector, and for every series, the answer is different. >>
I agree with you completely, which is why I was careful to word my earlier response so that it applied only to me:
"To me the key criteria is: "Will I enjoy looking at this coin?"
If the answer is 'no', then I don't care how cheap it is, or how rare it is, I just can't see a reason to own it.
You will note that I also did not use the word ugly. I personally don't enjoy looking at blast white proofs, but I wouldn't argue that they're ugly - they're just not for me. I really don't care for the look of them and I can't see myself trucking on down to the safety deposit box, pulling them out and twirling them in the light. And if that's not the case, they aren't of much use to me. But I'm guessing I'm in the minority on this view.
Coins like the one you posted can be interesting as well and If you enjoy them, that's cool.
I enjoy looking at 1793 Lib. Cap. large cents. I do it often. Few would find these beautiful ...... they are to me.
Lakes .... Barbers rock.
K
My 1866 Philly Mint Set
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
<< <i>To me the key criteria is: "Will I enjoy looking at this coin?"
If the answer is 'no', then I don't care how cheap it is, or how rare it is, I just can't see a reason to own it. >>
<< <i>one of the hardest things to master in the hobby is patience. way too many collectors feel that if they pass on a certain coin they'll be shut out and that type of thinking has caused more than a few to deviate from what their original thinking might have been when starting a set. certainly there are some rare/scarce items that won't come around very often but those are few and far between, being the exception for most of us and most series/sets. i figure that if i'm really obsessed with buying-buying-buying it'll be better in the long run if i try to improve what i already have instead of compromising myself just to fill a hole. i'm currently in the midst of a 2+ year wait on the right 1805 Half-Cent and don't feel compelled to buy "any coin" just to have it.
FWIW, i'm also not one to subscribe to the thinking that says "buy the best coin you can afford" when that coin is one i'm not totally satisfied with. >>
I agree with both CCU and keets on this issue. However, I also value rarity and history in coins and these factors will influence my opinion of a coin's beauty or ugliness. Patience and a discriminating, critical eye are extremely important when building a collection - type, series, or whatever. Don't buy a coin just to fill a hole...but buy a super rare coin with a great story whenever you have the oportunity and the means. Take your time and enjoy...may each coin in your collection bring a smile to your face.
<< <i>TDN:
Your hand-me-downs are dream coins for the rest of us.
Collect whatever you want, however you want, and enjoy yourself.