Is the US collector population rising or falling?

291fifth

I'm defining a collector as someone who actually makes purchases of coins for more than face value. This eliminates all the State Quarter collectors who just pick a coin out of change.

I noticed that the number of subscribers to Numismatic News rose in the past year. What I don't know is what happened to Coin World's circulation. Did it rise, fall or stay the same? Some of you may remember that back when Coin World used to publish its circulation number each week, they would usually do an editorial on the combined circulation trend of all the major numismatic publications. Once a year, usually in November, publications that use the USPS have to publish a Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation. This is usually hidden back in the classified section. Did anyone see this year's statement for Coin World?

Bear

The biggest problem is, that the bulk of collectors

seems to be getting older, balder, fatter and crankier.

Where are all of the young ones?

Mark

Bear:

I presume the young ones are not at A-Coin in Jacksonville....

COINB0Y

collector as someone who actually makes purchases of coins for more than face value

The Mint is a good clue, the Collector Pop is obviously increasing

ahooka454

im a younger guy (25) and i love coins and everything about them. i dont like the grumpy guys though. just to much fun to have a bad day.

Goldbully

<< <i>im a younger guy (25) and i love coins and everything about them. i dont like the grumpy guys though. just to much fun to have a bad day. >>




ahooka, I like your youthful exuberance, it shines through.

Oh, and Congrats............700+ posts and the month ain't over.

Better watch your back, there's a bear on the loose on this forum.

John737

<< <i>seems to be getting older, balder, fatter and crankier. >>



Hey that kind of hurts. Especially the crankier part.

Julian

There are definitely more collectors, but many of them need to become more sophisticated.

It all depends on how many of the collectors attracted by the modern series of coins continue on. I also see many Baby Boom collectors now returning to numismatics, but at a much higher level than they started at.

Many, many people have coins somewhere and of those, some will continue the collection.

The statement about graying collectors is accurate, but we are also going to live longer than our parents, hopefully, and be able to collect coins longer.

Encourage all that ask about numismatics and you can help add to the collector base.

mheffner2

I'm 33 and have been back at it since 28 (prior to that stopped at 14 or so). 33 and cranky. The old crank at the B&M made me that way. He's bald too!


Just kidding, I'd never buy from a B&M.

silver2nd

Julian makes a good point about spreading the word about and engaging others in coin collecting.
I like to bring my coins out to show novices or other interested parties to see what collectables look like. P.S., Larry always talks up your shop - great coins.

dpoole

<< <i>The biggest problem is, that the bulk of collectors

seems to be getting older, balder, fatter and crankier.

Where are all of the young ones? >>



That's just because you hang around old, bald, fat and cranky people.

PerryHall

<< <i>seems to be getting older, balder, fatter and crankier. >>



It's been that way since the 1950's when I first started collecting.

Bear

A bear! Oh my gosh

those things can be dangerous.

Everybody stay sharp.

ahooka454

thanks goldbully, i know its alot of posts but i have alot to ask and say. just have alot of time to spend with all of you. i like that for the most part.


the hobby may be in trouble though. some older collectors hate young guys trying to find a way. guys like you and several others are a blessing. thanks and hopefully i will be here for years to come. as long as afew learn patience, or stop and remember what it was like to be new and overwhelmed and excited.




I thank the old guard who takes the time and understanding a noob.

Adam

tggr

guys like you and several others are a blessing. thanks and hopefully i will be here for years to come. as long as afew learn patience, or stop and remember what it was like to be new and overwhelmed and excited.




I thank the old guard who takes the time and understanding a noob.

Adam

Well spoken.
from an old fart

PerryHall

<< <i>I'm defining a collector as someone who actually makes purchases of coins for more than face value. This eliminates all the State Quarter collectors who just pick a coin out of change. >>



Many of those state quarter collectors go on to collect other series resulting in a rise of the collector population.

LickThoseStamps

<< <i>I'm defining a collector as someone who actually makes purchases of coins for more than face value. This eliminates all the State Quarter collectors who just pick a coin out of change.

I noticed that the number of subscribers to Numismatic News rose in the past year. What I don't know is what happened to Coin World's circulation. Did it rise, fall or stay the same? Some of you may remember that back when Coin World used to publish its circulation number each week, they would usually do an editorial on the combined circulation trend of all the major numismatic publications. Once a year, usually in November, publications that use the USPS have to publish a Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation. This is usually hidden back in the classified section. Did anyone see this year's statement for Coin World? >>




I can't accept your definition that someone who picks up a coin out of change is not a collector.

TwoSides2aCoin

I'm defining a collector as someone who actually makes purchases of coins for more than face value. This eliminates all the State Quarter collectors who just pick a coin out of change.


Just wait til them territorials come out.... Then the collector base will leave the continent

cladking

I suspect that the number is exploding. There's a vast pool of collectors who don't
meet your criteria yet but likely will in the future.

Look at all the ads in the unday supplements and elsewhere. There are the TV shows
and even Bob Vila selling mint sets. Most of these newbies aren't "well hooked" yet,
but everything in its time.

ahooka454

Tggr, thank you sir for the nice words. The hobby has a good amount of people that will make it last forever if we just remember why we started collecting, and forget the $$$$$. I like everything about coins,currency,stamps,tokens,etc. I hope my daughter likes and collects coins. Otherwise I will have to take it all with me. If there is no new collectors, who will be left? I know knew collectors means higher prices for alot of what we collect, and I dont want that, but its a got to happen. Without teaching someone afew key things, why would some kid want to collect coins? Collecting should be fun, educational, creative, and awhole list of stuff. I dont expect to have my hand held, but its nice to get advice from ones that are in the same field. Say 150,000 people collect coins, (Just a # I pulled form thin air) and only 100 people help someone else, that would be enough. I for one would help anyone I could, if I could.

A few good people will make this hobby a passion for a new collector. And in doing so will make The Hobby Of Kings live on...


Thanks again guys and gals, & HAPPY NEW YERA!!!!!!!


Adam

coinkat

Perhaps the better question is... Are collectors becoming more cranky?

Snapdragon

I think that your looking in the wrong place for NEW collectors. The new collector base isn't going to be young and virile...they will be old, fat, balding and cranky. The baby boomers are just beginning to retire...with too much time and money on their hands and nothing to do with it, here are the "youngsters" you need to tap into as a new collecting base...and they are starting to become interested as the stores of wealth that have worked in the past seem to be failing just as they retire. So buying gold, silver and platinum becomes more attractive as a means of storing wealth...and I believe some coins are made out of those metals

Population Rising!

Snapdragon

BECOKA

I would have to say increasing. I think the starting age might be increasing as well.

For me seeing the old pirate movies with all of the rooms or chests of treasure is key. As an older person I see blurbs of Silver or Gold news that remind me of the old treasure and then the ideas start forming and the next thing you know one is collecting.

I would love to leave a little treasure for my kids to find.

53BKid

While there are a good number of Y/N, there are a couple younger generations which collect relatively very little.

They're much more into spending on tech, music etc., and very few collect much of anything anymore.

Are more people coming into collecting--With the mint's expansion of offerings, especially the state quarter series, and gold and silver prices rising, I'd have to think a lot more people are broadening out as they learn more.