The "Majority" of coin collectors don't post

al410

While we like to see and hear about these coins that sell for multiples of thousands of dollars, the majority of coin collectors will never own one. We get excited when we buy a coin for a $100.00, but we don't post many on here because they pale in comparison to the ones posted by rich collectors. But the truth is we make up the majority of the coins purchased daily. We enjoy our collections and the pursuit of the coins we need. When I read about coins not being available I think wow, its the money not always available. Sure some are cleaned, some are AU instead of MS but they are great coins. Does an old cleaning ruin a coin? NO- Does a light scratch ruin a 100 year old coin? NO, but we hear on here about how undesireable these coins are. The point is to all of us collecting what we can afford, be proud of that collection, buy the coins we can afford, do not get discouraged that you can't afford a $1000 coin, post the new coins and let all of us see your purchases!!

AL

This rant was brought on by discussions of how availibilty of desireable coins are in short supply, well theres plenty of coins available to the majority of us.

RYK

While I understand your position, I must say that some of the most egregiously overpriced and horrible coins I have seen on the bourse have been in the under $100 range. Sure, if you only pay $90, the most you could probably lose is $85, but on a percentage basis, this is breathtaking.

al410

The post was not about making money or losing, it was about the majority of coins bought and the majority of collectors, when buying a $100.00 dollar coin we still buy the best for the money, the point is the best for the money maybe a coin with an old cleaning or a scratch. because the alternative maybe not collecting. The alternative is not buying the $1000.00 coin.
AL

morgansforever

Here's my latest grab of Ebid. Not spectacular or a wow coin, but appealing to me.
$52 dollars shipped, I was the only bidder, kinda thought it would have gone for a bit more.
At least it's not a 22. Collect what you can afford, keep the hobby going.
scott

Trime

Al,
Please post whatever you want. As you say the majority of collectors are your coin brothers and sisters in interest and resources.
Undoubtedly you will get feedback.
Envy no one, enjoy what you have1
Happy New Year

66Tbird

I think each collector will find the price range and style of collecting they like. In my case I started with $100 coins but soon found out that ten of those buys a $1000 coin, and I like those better. I don't mind the save and wait game either.

yellowkid

I understand the limitations a budget can put on collecting anything, but don't use it as an excuse to acquire a collection of pieces with "problems." You mention AU coins, I don't think anyone here has any issue with collecting or posting AU examples, or XF, or VF or whatever grade, but I think in almost any situation you are better of buying a lesser grade with eye appeal, than a coin with "issues".

Patches

<< <i>Here's my latest grab of Ebid. Not spectacular or a wow coin, but appealing to me.
$52 dollars shipped, I was the only bidder, kinda thought it would have gone for a bit more.
At least it's not a 22. Collect what you can afford, keep the hobby going.
scott


>>



I bet this coin is awesome in hand...nice pickup!

al410

yellowkid, you missed the point, I was not advocating buying problem coins, what problem coins are is an individual perception, but the thread was not about advocating buying a problem coin.
AL

Swampboy

I'm with Patches.

Nice pick up morgansforever.

yellowkid

<< <i>yellowkid, you missed the point, I was not advocating buying problem coins, what problem coins are is an individual perception, but the thread was not about advocating buying a problem coin.
AL >>



My take on your OP was that it was in large part about coins with problems, albeit you addressed other subjects. My response was based on my perception of the post.

LindeDad

I like your thoughts and agree when I started collecting I was paying child support and a fifity dollar coin was streching it some times. As I stayed with the hobbie the kids went there own way and now make more than the old man. BTW allways wait if possoble for the right coin it make you appreciate it more and they are more liquid to sell of as you upgrade. And yes some key dates may only be available in problem coins. BUT a key date in a Genunine holder is better than a counterfiet or altered coin. I found out about that when I bought a 1914 Barber half is a seconded tier holder and later found out it was a 1914-D altered date.

al410

I mentioned "old cleanings" and "light scratch" but the post was not about or advocating buying problems. The majority of coins purchased are by the everyday collectors enjoying there hobby. There are plenty of coins avvailable for us to choose from. I do advocate looking and buying the best coin for the money, that is what part of the hobby is all about. The hunt! Anybody with a alot of money can pay a broker to find the best coin and buy it for them. Anyway the OP was about enjoying the hobby and not getting caught up in the exclusive high dollar coins that are beyond our reach. I personally like seeing the newp's purchased by the "Majority collector"

AL

anablep

I love that Peace Dollar... it's that kind of look that could get me very interested in collecting those...

IGWT

The "Majority" of coin collectors don't post . . .

. . . they just drive hard to the basket.

ksteelheader

<< <i>The "Majority" of coin collectors don't post . . .

. . . they just drive hard to the basket. >>



That's about the only way to score.

OneCent

Let's drink to the hard working people
Let's drink to the salt of the earth
Let's drink to the two thousand million
Let's drink to the humble of birth

This thread reminded me of that song for some reason....



Nice post Al. Whatever end of the pool one may play in, finding quality, problem-free coins for the grade is a good mantra.


For the Salt of the Earth™...

44

GrumpyEd

It's ok to post an alleged undesirable coin, I still can get excited over it especially if it's a neat variety or a coin with a story of how it was found or how you bought it. It doesn't need to be a big $ coin to be fun.

JRocco

<< <i>The post was not about making money or losing, it was about the majority of coins bought and the majority of collectors, when buying a $100.00 dollar coin we still buy the best for the money, the point is the best for the money maybe a coin with an old cleaning or a scratch. because the alternative maybe not collecting. The alternative is not buying the $1000.00 coin.
AL >>



I hear ya.
I agree that the MAJORITY of collectors both on these boards as well as in the real world (sorry Kool Aid drinkers )
have less than perfect, expensive coins in their collections. It has always gotten under my skin when someone posts
a hundred dollar coin on these boards that has seen a cleaning or has some rim bumps, and asks this board what they think the grade is and the first handful of responses are bagged/Genuine slab/ that won't make it into XYZ plastic etc etc.....that wasn't the question.

Please share your $100 coins with us as I for one would love to see them.

TwoSides2aCoin

I paid more for the grade/ slab than I did for the coin.

astrorat

Post what you enjoy collecting whether it be $100K Trade dollar or a $2 Buffalo nickel.

Lane

ocon4008

Bear

Wisdom, insight and a gracious way,

are not subject to wealth or status.

On this Forum, all people of good will

are welcome to speak, opine and discourse

on the merits and specifics of coin collecting.

As roses have sharp thorns, the occasional

thorn shall never diminish the beauty and the

enjoyment of the flower or the Forum.

Type2

Yes, I found this one roll serching. $3.00 a roll. I relly hope it comes back FS.

greghansen

I think I undrstood the overall point of the OP and I agree. If you collect in the under $100 there are, in fact, plenty of coins available every day. True, you may have to sift through a larger 'haystack' to find that elusive 'needle' which is your prized problem free under $100 coin...but there are plenty of them if you are patient and reasonably knowledgable in the area you are collecting.

I have a few coins over the $1,000 mark mentioned, but I have been stopped in my tracks by under $100 coins before. At last years FUN convention, I bought only one coin. Paid $40 for it. This year that may be all I can afford...but that's another story...anyhow, here's my $40 prize which I continue to enjoy immensly even a year later.

IrishMike

I enjoy purchasing coins that I like and building sets. I get a hundred dollars enjoyment out of a hundred dollar purchase. I was never able after 50 plus years of collecting to get a ten thousand dollar enjoyment out of a coin that cost that much. So why do it? This is a question I've asked myself many times. I also see very expensive coins purchased and a buyer filled with pride, but then the coin gets sold within a couple of years. All that I can relate to in this instance is a profit motive. I don't feel a coin collecting angle to this, but more an ego soothing motive. Obvious this is not true in every case, but it makes me wonder sometimes. I guess there is something to saying I owned this coin or pedrigee at one time.

As Lane succinctly put it collect what you like and I will add don't get swayed by what others think (of course this assumes some basic knowledge of the hobby).

StubbyMcNumbthumbs

I enjoy seeing the high-dollar, "finest known" coins, but I don't own anything like that. I agree with the OP.

The last couple of years have been very tight in our household. There are MANY times when we wonder how we are going to pay the next bill, or fill up the tank in
the car. I still try collecting, even if it is only a coin every couple of weeks or month. With my latest set, I have set a "self-imposed" (lack-of-funds-imposed) limit of no
more than $20 per coin, including P/H costs, if any. Sure, that makes it hard to find something nice and problem-free. But at least this way, I'm still able to add
to my collection, and it's still fun. I still get a thrill of finding what would normally be a $30 or $40 coin for $12. That makes me smile.

I know for a fact, many of you would would have nothing but negative comments towards some of my purchases. Hey, I can't justify spending the money it would
take to get MS, or even AU, examples of early copper. Yeah, some of them have a scratch or may be well worn, but I like the history behind them.

Well, maybe I can't always afford examples that are as nice as I would like, but I try to get something that looks good to me and fills the hole. Heck, anybody can put
together a nice set when your not limiting yourself too much on price. One hundred dollars? Heck, sometimes I have to really justify a $15 purchase. Better be a
good deal, and then, no more coins until next payday!

I have a lot of coins that I would like to post, you know "hey, check out my latest purchase" kind of stuff, but I don't. I don't need to hear stuff like some of the
comments I see here regularly.

It would be nice to be able to show some of them and just hear "hey, good for you, hope it fits your collection nicely" or something like that.

I'm sure most of us collect for our own enjoyment, but it seems like a lot out there collect to impress others, or just for the "competition" ("my set's ranked number 3
in the world!..." etc).

Sorry about the rant. It's late, the kids won't go to sleep and I'm tired. I'll go back to being part of the silent majority now.



As per forum rules, I have edited this post to remove darkside coin in US coin forum. Moved to world coin forum. Stub.

MrEureka

I see no reason why low budget collectors need to compromise on quality. If the budget is short and you want to collect gems, settle on collecting something that you can afford to collect in gem condition. And if collecting gems isn't practical for the series you're dead set on collecting, then at least buy coins that you can be proud of.

Planchet

The coins that have brought me the most happiness, and that I have enjoyed the most over the years, are those that I have found in circulation. I enjoyed the hunt, as well as the coin. And needless to say, the price was always right. -Planchet

rhedden

You should never be ashamed of posting a coin because its value is under $100. Many people have, and received complements. However, if it's A $20 coin that cost you $100, you might get beat up a little. That's part of the value of this forum: instant feedback on your purchases, whether good, bad, or ugly. Taking a verbal beating here is better than buying another $20 coin for $100, or an album full of them.

JJM

Id guess that 60% + of my collection is under $100 coins, I buy what I like
I never thought this was a "valued" competition.........JMO

ElmerFusterpuck

I've been a long-time collector, and still get thrills on the 50 cent items, as well as a well chosen 4 figure early large cent. Here are a few recent examples, all under $5 each: