How old were you when you started collecting?

GFourDriver

I was wondering if the lack of young numismatists today means that there will be a shortage of collectors in the future. Do you think collectors enter the hobby later in life and do you think the current YN's will be life long collectors or leave the hobby and come back later in life.

gecko109

I have been buying/selling bullion and bullion related coins for 10 years. However, I didnt start "collecting" until I was about 29. Im 33 now.

STONE

5, count 'em, 5 years old when I started/became interested.

I think there are more YN's out there than you think are out there.

UtahCoin

9 years old, in 1961

LeeBone

Whew, maybe around 5 or so.

Colorfulcoins

My dad took me to his safe deposit box when I was ~10. While he was never really a collector, during his youth, he pulled old coins from circulation and saved them As such, he had about 60 Peace/Morgan dollars, probably 300-400 steel cents, 100 or so Mercury and Barber dimes, 10-20 SLQs, about 30 Walkers, and afew hundred Buff's and War nickels. All circulated and just tucked away when found. That got me going and rekindled his fire just in time to take advantage of the Nixon vintage CC Hoards being auctioned off by the GSA! Haven't looked back since.....

OKbustchaser

<< <i>9 years old, in 1961 >>



A year older...a year later.

MidLifeCrisis

I started collecting at around 10 years old...collected until I was about 15...then left the hobby for about 18 years.

Shamika

First started collecting when I was 7 but was as passionate by the age of 10.

Cladiator

Late 20's.

mightyhunter

I was six years old in 1961 when I started collecting. I found an 1855 Large Cent while digging in a sand pile. That started it. Yes, I still have the coin.

doh

<< <i>lack of young numismatists today >>



I do not believe this to be true. Every show I go to I see a good number of YNs. Sure, not all will be life long collectors, but there are more than enough collectors out there to replace us as time moves on.

And to answer the question, I was 11 I think.

RYK

5 in 1970

COALPORTER

8, in late 1971.

BBN

collected as a kid, quit around 12-13, and came back at age 29 when I suddenly realized I could afford coins I could only lust after as a kid

ricko

Started with my paper route at 8 years old... Cheers, RickO

tightbudget

12

Fairlaneman

34 in 1981

Ken

ambro51

If Kids are going to come in, they are going to do it collecting pennies.

Quarters are way too much money, for a young kid.

You want kids in the hobby? Wait till 2009 then bite the bullet and circulate as many wheat cents as you can. Do you really need a bunch of worn 20's and 30;s wheaties...worth a whole whopping 2 or 3 cents?

That kid who finds them will be a collector for life.

BillyKingsley

I started collecting in 1995, when I was 11 years old. I collected until 1996. I collected the State Quarters when they came out but I don't consider myself to become a real collector until April this year, when I was-and still am, for less then a month-23 years old. This time it's permanent!