What makes me feel blah about collecting?
Stooge
Posts: 4,668 ✭✭✭✭✭
This has been the question on these boards recently and especially with me. I sometimes find no joy in collecting coins. The constant struggle to "Compete" with others even though I just want to compete with my self. The constant dullness to collecting has over taken me.
I live where there is really only 2 coin shows a year and they are dull. The same old arse material. Over graded Morgans and Gold that I don't even look at nor even stop at the tables to view them. Mint sets that are over priced and they looked as if I'm the 10,000th person to touch them. Not to mention I have to weed through an enormous amt. of circulated coins that dealers think they are uncs.
One local dealer has a nice Roosie album with raw singles and he cannot grade a Dime if his family jewels were at stake. Its unreal, and sometimes they actually look cleaned.
Nick C. Called me last night to say HI and as always his words are fun and inspirational, let alone he lets me know how it is.
Can someone please tell me what I need to do to keep things fun? I'm very bored!
I have a few projects going on right now, but I wonder from day to day what it all means.
Later, Paul.
I live where there is really only 2 coin shows a year and they are dull. The same old arse material. Over graded Morgans and Gold that I don't even look at nor even stop at the tables to view them. Mint sets that are over priced and they looked as if I'm the 10,000th person to touch them. Not to mention I have to weed through an enormous amt. of circulated coins that dealers think they are uncs.
One local dealer has a nice Roosie album with raw singles and he cannot grade a Dime if his family jewels were at stake. Its unreal, and sometimes they actually look cleaned.
Nick C. Called me last night to say HI and as always his words are fun and inspirational, let alone he lets me know how it is.
Can someone please tell me what I need to do to keep things fun? I'm very bored!
I have a few projects going on right now, but I wonder from day to day what it all means.
Later, Paul.
Later, Paul.
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Comments
I'm not at your level but I have gotten the feeling, you describe, before.
The coin shows around here are pretty lame, with the exception of 2 of them. In most of the rest, it's the same old garbage over and over.
What helps me is two-fold.....I have another hobby (basketball....I play in a local league) that can help keep my mind going and also, whenever I run into that collecting brick wall, I get out of the coins and sit down with my son and ask him what he likes about each coin. Now, regrettably, his attention span, at his age, doesn't last overly long on coins, but it isn't too bad.
I get such a rush out of listening to him that it helps me get over the blahs....
So, maybe you could "long-distance" mentor someone on Roosies.....what to look for, where to find them, how to grade or know how the TPGS will grade, etc.
You have a ton of knowledge and you may be one of the people that enjoys teaching others (I don't know you well enough to know if that is true or not).
just something to think about. Best of luck to you.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
I took a break from my MS Silver Wash Quarter set a couple years ago. I sold none of the coins since then and bought none either. And, you know what... I basically missed close to nothing in all that time (maybe one or two interesting coins). Now, the 1932-D PCGS-MS66 Quarter is available once again. Do I want to compete for it or not? Not sure, but, frankly, if I am this indecisive, perhaps my "break" is not over? I still greatly enjoy the silver Washington quarters even though I have taken a break for several years now. one day I may "wake up" and decide to go full steam ahead on imrpoving upon the collection. One day I may "wake up" and decide to sell them all. In the meantime, "no action is action".
Wondercoin
Shoot brother, take a break. These coins have been around and they ain't goin' anywhere.
No local dealer at all. Closest is 30 miles, Canadian Specialist, and the next closest is 200 miles. No shows at all in the area. 240 miles to the lame Seattle shows and 200 to the two shows that are west of here. Guess what. Its web sites, eBay, BST forum or nothing for this guy.
As far as competing with others that went south with the mercury dime set that was sold off. Now its completing a set or sets the way I want to. None of the number chasing at all. The hobby has became fun again and when the desire wanes I just go to the car hobby that has been had for 15 plus years.
Ken
<< <i>What makes me feel blah about collecting? >>
Inconsistent grading is what makes me feel blah. My dime set is such a mess. I have coins that are overgraded by 2 points, others that seem undergraded by 2 points. I used to love searching rolls but now it's hard to now that I fear submitting so much.
One aspect of numismatics I enjoy tremendously is reading about it. Of course, I am a prolific reader and I really enjoy history, so almost any sort of numismatic book will captivate me. I mean, I have "read" and enjoyed books about New Orleans gold and I have no desire to collect New Orleans gold! I am currently reading one about the Carson City mint and I likewise have no interest in collecting CC coins. So, given that there are no books on modern dimes, have you thought about reading some of QDB's classics, such as Rare Coin Adventures? Perhaps that will get you over the blah feeling...
I don't see your problem Paul. There are no dealers around me either. It's auctions and going to the big shows that does it. The big shows are great. And Central States is coming up and it is close to you at Chicago Rosemont.
My problem is not boredom but money! The coins are out there and you have a lot of holes in your set. Don't worry about the competition. The guy sitting at the top right now WILL stay there. He must have very deep pockets to collect dimes in the grade he is. I just want to complete the set, and I thought that is what you wanted?
JMHO, Jon
You cant live 24/7 in the dime world.
Yes, as nice as it might be, You need to take a break.
Find a hobby that takes your mind off of those Dimes.
You have plenty of support and if there is a coin that you may
need for your set, someone I am sure will let you know.
Hang in there buddy and let roosie take a break.
BILL
Edited to add: I have been there myself and was going to sell the complete lot and
get back full time into cars. I narrowed my searches and went to dimes only. That has helped
a bit for me. Like I have said before "Tomorrows another day"
a few will be on the "front burner". If I get bored then I just move
them back to simmer and move something else up.
We're each different but it's important to me to be learning new
things all the time. I suppose this is largely to test what I already
know but my favorite way to perform these tests is with anything
numismatic or nearly numismatic.
It's an enormous world and I don't think I'll ever get bored.
If you enjoy collecting for other reasons then you'll just need to
figure out what they are and why you're not enjoying it as much
at the current time. Perhaps it's something simple you can change
or maybe you need to completely reevaluate your relationship to
collecting.
Whatever the case I'm sure most of us here hope you'll be around
a long long time.
Good luck in any case.
My suggestion is to stop collecting the registry sets, which
(a) Let's PCGS tell YOU what to collect
(b) Places emphasis on plastic, not coin
(c) Throws you into competition with people who should be your friends.
Instead, erase the registry from your mind and soul, and start collecting what you want to collect.
I stopped worrying about the registry set and haven't entered an upgrade in years. And instead of collecting every little silly date that PCGS tells me to collect, I've been collecting fun stuff, like coins with elephants ... coins from defunct countries ... coins with beautiful nekid hooters ... and interesting error coins.
You know, about 3 years ago, I paid something like 45k for a Jefferson variety d/horizontal d. I got the coin, whipped out my loupe and stared at it Nice coin, clear variety, properly graded, pop top, but a dull, uninteresting coin enjoyable only with a loupe and then not nearly as enjoyable as a one of my beautiful elephant coins or one of those coins with yummy hooters.
I said to myself: "You're a schmuck. Why are you spending 45k on a coin that, if it weren't for the registry set, would be worth maybe $100?"
So I stopped, and switched to the coins that interest me and I've been having a blast ever since. When one of my employees flies out here from the states and brings my newbies for me ... then I have fun. Lots of it. Interesting coins. Beautiful coins. And coins that intrigue me. And added benefit is no competition with fellow numismaniacs like Mr. Wondercoin, Registry Set, Nick, or you.
Try it. Try collecting what you want to collect and forget the registry. Life is better that way. And if you ever get out here to Bangkok, I'll take you to my bank and show you some really interesting coins that will knock your shoes off.
Best wishes from ...
Just having fun in Bangkok, and tons of it!
Seriously, the best thing about selling my set to you in its entirety, JFH, is that I didn't have to compete with you. I just got to sit back and watch you take a very good set and after combining and adding, you made it a tremendous one. It is possible, although sometimes difficult, to maintain a registry set without being too competitive. I know this doesn't sound possible or that much fun, but I've tried being less competitive, and being other than #1 isn't all that bad, especially when you have built a strong respect for those with the higher ranked sets (or sold them some coins).
Good luck with your decision Paul.
May I suggest CW era merchant tokens?
Cheap, easily available on ebay, interesting and rare (in their own way)
This one is interesting in that is was engraved by Robert Lovett, the man responsible for the Confederate Cent.
Man - what a time to decide to not use a dealer to assist you in your major endeavors!!
Wondercoin
I posed this question to see what others thought and what others had on their minds. I'm not at all egotistical, but I am very smart and I get bored easy because yes, you get a coin and add it to your set, and it doesn't do anything.
I hate to say it, but I have become very anti-PCGS as of late. I sent in a batch of 2007-D's last year and didn't get a single MS68FB, and I know in my heart that at least 1 in the bunch should have made it. I was very disappointed with the results, and just late last year I found an error John Adam's Dollar with an extra letter (The letter T) and my own 72 year old mom with Cataract problems could see it. I sent it in and they said no it wasn't an error.
Am I being too critical?
Should I send in better coins?
Should I stop sending in coins and take a break?
I love to read on these boards what fascinates others when it comes to collecting, and yes it is a great deal of joy to read the rants too. I believe that it is good for breaking up the monotony.
I chose Roosevelt Dimes because they are inexpensive and easy to collect, but now I've come to the point where the coins are now expensive and not easy to collect, so I've decided to collect them secretly in a whole different way. When I get to a certain point where I want to share with the forum as to how I have a new way of collecting, I will do that, but for right now, its more of a project then anything else. It will hopefully make things fun again.
Later, Paul.
Later, Paul.
Personally, it's become more about the money & value of the coins rather than the coins themselves that makes me feel blah.
It's about the plastic & the little tag that tells you what it is & what it's worth.
It's about coins we really like coming back at a lower grade than expected, or BB for something we really can't see.
This is the game we play & the TPG make the rules.
JHF hit the nail on the head.
Booby coins sound interesting, although my wife thinks I'm crazy about coins already, now she'll think I'm (more) perverted!
The problem is walking away, turning your back on a goal that was set.
Knowing that your raw coins, no matter how great, will not be sold for the amount a graded coin 1 or 2 grades lower would bring.
It's having partial sets that are graded & also raw coins so that neither 'looks really great.
Dansco with holes, graded coins with missing dates.......
Needing graded coins that are just too pricey (at least for me
All these things have me a bit jaded.
Not leaving, just slowing way down.
With the internet and all of the stuff coming from the mint in decent condition I am having much more fun now. Oh and I am reading a lot more now that I have slowed down collecting.
1. I started really studying the history of the coins, in more depth than anything previously published.
2. I started studying die varieties, since not much serious work had been done on Canadian large cents.
3. I wrote and published a book about both subjects.
Long story short, despite having no place to go on upgrades, I have actually increased my enthusiasm for my favorite coin series by acquiring in-depth knowledge of it and sharing it with others
http://www.victoriancent.com
<< <i>2. I started studying die varieties >>
This has really fascinated me, concerning silver Roosevelt Dimes and I wouldn't mind doing it, but I think it would or could be an overwhelming project.
Later, Paul.
Later, Paul.
When I get the urge to be creative, I get the camera out and find coins that I haven't photographed. A well-done photo brings a lot of pleasure to me, and allows me to see coins close up better than I can with a loupe and eyesight that's far from perfect. It can be frustrating at times, but the results can be well worth the effort.
Jim