Please explain the box of twenty
Frozenink
Posts: 446 ✭✭
Does this mean you only strive for the 20 best coins that interest you? Or is this a elite stash of coins but you still collect others?
If it is only twenty, I might be able to save alot of money in the long run if I take that approach.
Gary
If it is only twenty, I might be able to save alot of money in the long run if I take that approach.
Gary
0
Comments
(dont be so sure about the saving money part; quality costs)
www.brunkauctions.com
Dwayne F. Sessom
Ebay ID: V-Nickel-Coins
peacockcoins
<< <i>The Langbord's is either half empty or half full, if they ever come out of limbo. >>
They could keep the other 13 as far as I'm concerned.
20 is plenty. No?
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
<< <i>The most common coin slab boxes store 20 coins. A box of 20 simply refers to a full box of slabbed coins. They can consist of anything.
My thought is eventually you'll come close to having 20 type coins that by themselves stand on their own merit, nothing to do with filling a hole...doesn't mean they have to be expensive.
or at least very expensive
You will have 20 coins having nothing to do with each other.
Taken metaphorically, it descends into meaninglessness and is thus better expressed other ways.
Such as "buy the best you can afford/understand."
I do not like the "box of 20" concept.
Am I starting to line-space like Bear?
Edit: slightly toned down language
Ed. S.
(EJS)
discipline upon the collector.This discipline is needed to prevent
the scourge of collecting an accumulation of unrelated coins of
dubious quality and rarity. With a self imposed limit, one has to
think carefully about each purchase, does it fit properly with the
rest of the collection, is it appropriate quality, is it something I
really want to collect. Collectors are famous for wanting to collect
what ever catches their eye. Thus they spend their available funds
on non essential coins and thus are short of funds when something
really desirous comes along. Discipline, is a requirement of every
serious collector.This matters no matter how much or how little you
spend on your collection. The questions you really should be able to
answer are:
1. What kind of coins and series do I wish to collect.
2. Do I want to collect complete sets of a type series.
3. Do I wish to limit myself to a single series or denomination.
4. What grade of coins do I wish to collect. Is such a grade compatible
with my available funds and financial obligations.
5. Do I want to collect graded or raw coins and how do I want to display them.
(Books, slabs, Plain slabs, Mylar holders or 2X2s)
6.Modern, classical, Commems, foreign, colonial.
Off the top of my head, these are some of the things that a collector must work thru.
Camelot
<< <i>Taken literally, it's idiotic.
You will have 20 coins having nothing to do with each other.
Taken metaphorically, it descends into meaninglessness and is thus better expressed other ways.
Such as "buy the best you can afford/understand."
I do not like the "box of 20" concept.
Am I starting to line-space like Bear? >>
Why is it idiotic? How would you like it if I called what, or the way, you collected "idiotic." Why would the coins have nothing to do with each other? What if it was 20 19th century silver coins, or copper? It's a way to collect, often for people who have had huge collections and have decided to slim down to 20 exquisite pieces. If you don't like it, fine, no need to rain on anyones else's parade.
To Bear and others with the insight given, Thank You.
Gary
.....................................................
<< <i>Taken literally, it's idiotic.
You will have 20 coins having nothing to do with each other.
Taken metaphorically, it descends into meaninglessness and is thus better expressed other ways.
Such as "buy the best you can afford/understand."
I do not like the "box of 20" concept.
Am I starting to line-space like Bear? >>
I have been collecting coins, off and on (now very much ON) for 40 years. During that time, I went through various set-building phases. I finished a variety of Dansco albums, and after finishing a nice set of Barber halves, I decided that I was not going to do another long series ever again. The 'box of 20' concept should not be taken too literally--for some, it will turn out to be a box of 60 or whatever. The point, as others have noted, is to 'force' oneself to focus on quality instead of 'stuff' that tends to be found in most coin collections. Once you have reached your numerical limit, adding another coin requires removal (sale) of a coin. And a box of 20 coins having nothing to do with each other can be fascinating to look at, study, and think about. Maybe it will contain an 1816 large cent (only denomination made by the mint in 1816) next to an 1854 or 1855 pattern cent (bridging Braided Hair large cents and Flying Eagle small cents) next to a 1900 O/CC Morgan dollar next to... A box of 20 coins, each having an interesting story to tell, would be a very interesting pursuit.
And the phrase 'buy the best you can afford/understand' is just plain common sense, even if you don't like the messenger (Laura Sperber, as I recall). I have repeatedly seen the consequences of buying what one does not understand when a number of collectors have sold their collections--they lost significant amounts of money. If one doesn't understand something relating to a coin being considered for purchase, don't buy it. The reason does not matter---maybe something about the surface doesn't look right, or the toning is funky (but the seller is jumping up and down, telling you how great it is), may be you don't understand what typical coins of the mint issue look like and aren't sure about the one in front of you, maybe it's a niche item (like a plastic pattern or obscure token). Out of a random sampling of 100 coin collectors, I'd bet that 95 of them will lose money because they repeatedly buy things that they do not understand. If more collectors took this phrase to heart, there would be a lot less moaning and groaning.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
Menomonee Falls Wisconsin USA
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistr...dset.aspx?s=68269&ac=1">Musky 1861 Mint Set
Not sure why others feel the need to put down others, but it's a good way to learn who your friends are. Just collect how you want to, it's supposed to be fun, right?
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Drunner
Right now I am working on 23 boxes of 20.....
Camelot
Lance.
<< <i>
<< <i>Taken literally, it's idiotic.
You will have 20 coins having nothing to do with each other.
Taken metaphorically, it descends into meaninglessness and is thus better expressed other ways.
Such as "buy the best you can afford/understand."
I do not like the "box of 20" concept.
Am I starting to line-space like Bear? >>
Why is it idiotic? How would you like it if I called what, or the way, you collected "idiotic." Why would the coins have nothing to do with each other? What if it was 20 19th century silver coins, or copper? It's a way to collect, often for people who have had huge collections and have decided to slim down to 20 exquisite pieces. If you don't like it, fine, no need to rain on anyones else's parade.
For the record, I don't believe anyone _really_ collects by the literal box of 20 concept, so I'm not actually calling anyone idiotic.
Tho something tells me this response would only cause more problems.
Ed. S.
(EJS)
Camelot
There really is a 'Box of 20' type of collecting. You pick your favorite 20 coins (that fit your budget) and go after just those coins.
If I did the Box of 20 it would be these:
1856 FE cent
1877 IHC
1955 DDO cent
1885 Lib Nickel
1873 DDO Seated Dime
1876 20c
1839-O Bust Half
1861 Con Half
1876 Seated Half
1876 Seated Quarter
1916 SLQ
1876 Trade $
1921 Peace Dollar
1921 LWH
1932-D quarter
1876 20$ gold
1876 10$ gold
1876 5$ gold
1876 2 1/2 $ gold
1895-O Barber Dime
Of course I retain the right to change this at any time.
Bar Cent
Do NOT focus on the number.
Focus instead on the idea of making sure every coin in your collection is the best you can obtain and afford.
The Box of 20 concept enables you to ensure that each coin in your collection is at least equal to the others...it is a "less is more" concept for collectors who believe that having fewer, higher quality coins is better than having many lower quality coins.
But again, do NOT focus on the number. For example, if you collect classic commemoratives and it takes 50 coins for a basic silver type set, then your box of 20 becomes a box of 50.
But, by limiting your collection to the lowest number of coins necessary, you focus your buying on coins that improve your set. If your set of 50 silver classic commemmoratives is complete, then you must sell a coin to add a coin. Therefore, you force yourself to make sure that any coin you are considering will actually be an improvement over what you already have.
Do NOT focus on the number.
This is not about rigidly sticking to a specific number of coins...it's about making sure each coin is special; that your focus is on quality rather than quantity; and that you decide to buy a coin only when it really adds to your overall collection.
I follow these guidelines...but a complete collection for me would include anywhere from 43 coins up to 368 coins (Early American Coins and Tokens Basic Design Set or with Major Varieties 1616-1820). These PCGS registry sets are how I choose to define my collection.
However, I have bought a 1955 DDO Lincoln Cent that doesn't fit either of these sets...and I have a Pillar Dollar that doesn't fit in either set. Both coins are still keepers for me. But I would only buy another 55 DDO or Pillar Dollar if it was an upgrade to what I already have...and in that case, I would sell or trade my old one.
Oh, and...Do NOT focus on the number.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>It might make sense if you're an investor but if you're a collector enjoying his hobby, it's just plain goofy to limit yourself to just 20 coins. >>
Funny...I don't feel much like an investor.
Hey, here's an idea...don't focus on the number.
<< <i>It might make sense if you're an investor but if you're a collector enjoying his hobby, it's just plain goofy to limit yourself to just 20 coins. >>
Whatever the number, I agree. Why limit yourself to ANY number? If you get to 20, or 50, or 200, and each and every one is as good as you can afford, why stop there? If you get to 20, then change that number from 20 to 50, then it's not really a limit, is it?
Some of my favorite coins are not necessarily the best I could afford.
But hey, whatever floats your boat, I say. As long as you enjoy it!
If it's not then well, I can get another box.
<< <i>I prefer a box of 12
Camelot