Who has insight into two very prevalent collector traits??

keets

Why are pride and ego such pre-emminent characteristics of so many collectors??

Al H.

50LargeCentz

Are we as collectors any different, than say a football team in the shower? Or a group of guys on the race track?

Its all about "Mine is bigger and better than yours!"

Thats just the way the world is. We are not immune to this due to our involvement in this wonderful hobby. Just my opinion though.

19Lyds

I think the ego thing is more related to forum posting than collecting.

ambro51

You tell us.

MikeInFL

<< <i>Why are pride and ego such pre-emminent characteristics of so many collectors?? >>



I would ask the same question of humans in general. I don't think collectors are any more or less likely to exhibit those characteristics.

messydesk

<< <i>Why are pride and ego such pre-emminent characteristics of so many collectors??

Al H. >>



Instead of collectors, you could substitute any other human pursuit for which people develop an ability to excel, and pride and ego are not specifically purged as a result, and still have a perfectly valid question.

Steve27

Because most collectors are male.

keets

Instead of collectors, you could substitute any other human pursuit for which people develop an ability to excel

yes, i know that. it's just that being Number One doesn't mean as much anywhere else!!!!!

WTCG

<< <i>Because most collectors are male. >>



That and also for many coin people in general, their collection is basically the only thing in life they have going for them. They're subconsciously aware they probably can't compete with others in other fields (ex: atheletics) so they use their perceived numismatic abilities to compensate for other shortcomings.

On the flip side, men who tend to get into altercations or threaten physical harm to others on a frequent basis are doing the same thing, using physical threats to bully others in an effort to compensate for their shortcomings.

LanLord

No pride and ego here.

In fact, I'm the pre-eminent collector with no pride or ego issues. I exceed all others in the low pride and ego area.
In fact, if there was a world series of low pride and ego, I'd not only have a championship ring, it would have a CAC sticker and a +.

Now don't make me go all StGuru on you!

keets

their collection is basically the only thing in life they have going for them

how dare you say such a thing!!!!

it makes me think of the Micheal J. Fox movie where he was a pro-bowler. there's a line where he says he's one of the best in the world at what he does and he can't even make a living at it. that pretty much sums me up in the proverbial nutshell.....................there are quite a few things i do exceptionally well but none of them afford me a living so i'm stuck doing things that the multitude of people can do just as well.

can you imagine being the world's best ditch digger??

cladking

<< <i>Are we as collectors any different, than say a football team in the shower?
>>



Most assuredly. Unless they take their showers fully clad.

MikeInFL

<< <i>

<< <i>Because most collectors are male. >>



That and also for many coin people in general, their collection is basically the only thing in life they have going for them. >>



That's a fairly strong statement, and I'm not sure that I agree at all.

Most of the collectors I've met -- the vast majority -- do have quite a number of other things "going for them" in their lives.

But perhaps we run with different crowds.

Take care...Mike

ricko

I would assume you are referring to excessive pride and a swollen ego. After all, except for the mentally ill, we all have pride in what we do or own to some extent. As for ego, again, unless one is egotistical to the extent that it is a dominating personality trait, we are all subject to self pride (ego) and usually see ourselves in a brighter light than others may. Cheers, RickO

RedTiger

<< <i>I think the ego thing is more related to forum posting than collecting. >>



I would tend to agree with this. Most of the guys at the local coin club don't exhibit big egos. I don't think coin collecting and ego are much correlated, other than coin collectors tend to have above average incomes and above average net worth, and guys with money will tend to have bigger egos than their poorer brethren.

Basically, my theory is that it is a small percentage with big egos, but they tend to post much more than the average folks. Get two or more with big egos on opposite sides that insist on being right and that thread will get to 100 posts in a day. Often times the thread is full of "hot air," because so many with the biggest egos, either don't know all that much, or don't have enough perspective to give the big picture instead of their microscopic tunnel vision world view.

cladking

It seems to me that almost everyone's ego is pretty big. We almost
all have our minds made up on almost every subject and have grave
difficulty considering opposing arguments and evidence.

Of course only we collectors tend to brag about the enormity of our
collections and how our's is better than others.

cladking

<< <i>

can you imagine being the world's best ditch digger?? >>




You'll have to fight me for the title.

AngryTurtle

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Because most collectors are male. >>



That and also for many coin people in general, their collection is basically the only thing in life they have going for them. >>



That's a fairly strong statement, and I'm not sure that I agree at all.

Most of the collectors I've met -- the vast majority -- do have quite a number of other things "going for them" in their lives.

But perhaps we run with different crowds.

Take care...Mike >>



Yeah, what he said! Wanna step outside and settle it?

keets

well Sam, today i was a leading contender for worlds best ditch filler.

PerryHall

<< <i>It seems to me that almost everyone's ego is pretty big. >>



My ego is bigger than yours.

originalisbest

<< That and also for many coin people in general, their collection is basically the only thing in life they have going for them. >>

Ironic observation from an individual who has been so quick to jump on others for their generalizations.

keets

i knew when i read Wei's post that it'd go over well!!

JJM

its just pride to me.......I dont have
enough disposable $$$$ to buy the ego stuff......

and I think I like it this way...........

WTCG

<< <i><< That and also for many coin people in general, their collection is basically the only thing in life they have going for them. >>

Ironic observation from an individual who has been so quick to jump on others for their generalizations. >>



I try to keep an open mind about this subject (and everything else in the world) but for every 20 coin people you talk to about your recent trip to France, invariably from 17 of those people the first question out of their mouths is: "so was there a coin show there?" or "so did you hit any of the coin shops there?" and not "how long was the line to get into the Louvre?" or "did you have a drink when you toured through Cognac?"

It sort of makes you wonder...

shorecoll

A friend of a friend owns an electrical contracting firm. It started with him and his dad and they would go out in the morning and dig a 40 foot trench to bury a cable with hand shovels in a day. Now he employs 500 people and it takes 8 of them and $1MM worth of equipment to dig that same ditch. I'm guessing the world's best ditch digger retired several years ago. I thing that ego and pride thing is the thing that drives the registry competition and keeps the high-end stuff moving up.

BigE

<< <i>

<< <i>Because most collectors are male. >>



That and also for many coin people in general, their collection is basically the only thing in life they have going for them. They're subconsciously aware they probably can't compete with others in other fields (ex: atheletics) so they use their perceived numismatic abilities to compensate for other shortcomings.

On the flip side, men who tend to get into altercations or threaten physical harm to others on a frequent basis are doing the same thing, using physical threats to bully others in an effort to compensate for their shortcomings. >>




I dont understand how people could buy coins if they did not excell in other fields--------BigE

BigE

Coin collectors do have different traits, there is the need to achieve some kind of organisational perfection that sometimes fades when a set is complete, kind of like doing a puzzle.

They have a appreciation of medallic art, they are different in a lot of ways. Could think of many others but it would take a few hours!----BigE

Unknown

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yellowkid

I don't know that they are any more pronounced here than in the world "at large," I've dealt with collectors all my life and while I will admit we can be a strange group, (or at least the rest of you) IMHO the traits you mention would occur with the same statistical distribution among the non collecting.

keets

...................for every 20 coin people you talk to about your recent trip to France.....................

you went to France, why in the world would you go to France??? i tend to feel about the French the same way Sam Kinnison did.

MrEureka

being Number One doesn't mean as much anywhere else!!!!!

Tiger Woods might disagree.

MrEureka

I try to keep an open mind about this subject (and everything else in the world) but for every 20 coin people you talk to about your recent trip to France, invariably from 17 of those people the first question out of their mouths is: "so was there a coin show there?" or "so did you hit any of the coin shops there?" and not "how long was the line to get into the Louvre?" or "did you have a drink when you toured through Cognac?"

Maybe you should try talking to a greater variety of people?

WTCG

<< <i>...................for every 20 coin people you talk to about your recent trip to France.....................

you went to France, why in the world would you go to France??? i tend to feel about the French the same way Sam Kinnison did. >>



I just used France as an example and frankly I haven't been there in a couple years though I'm planning on going to Paris later this year.

It seems this country has a large number of Francophobes, mostly folks who judge by perceptions and by not actual experience. Sure an aura of a superiority complex often seems prevalent, but once you begin to have an open mind and a sense of understanding and respect of protocol you'll discover that France is a fascinating and an incredibly sexy place.

Heck, if I was French and owned a boutique in Paris and some portly Yank decked out in a baseball cap, fanny pack, shorts, white socks and white sneakers started groping my shop wares without my permission I'd get prissy too.

Coinosaurus

<< <i>

<< <i><< That and also for many coin people in general, their collection is basically the only thing in life they have going for them. >>

Ironic observation from an individual who has been so quick to jump on others for their generalizations. >>



I try to keep an open mind about this subject (and everything else in the world) but for every 20 coin people you talk to about your recent trip to France, invariably from 17 of those people the first question out of their mouths is: "so was there a coin show there?" or "so did you hit any of the coin shops there?" and not "how long was the line to get into the Louvre?" or "did you have a drink when you toured through Cognac?"

It sort of makes you wonder... >>



Dude....you seriously need to move to the right coast....and join the Société Américaine pour l’Etude de la Numismatique Française.....I think you'll get a lot less of those kind of silly questions.......

keets

my feelings about France come about because of what they have historically done. they were our ally in the War of Independence not so much to help us as to help us help them against their historic enemy, England. they went against World opinion and the unanimous agreement of the NATO countries and detonated an atomic weapon-----simply because they could and felt it would prove their entrance into the Nuclear Club. the biggee for me is "those extra 5,000 air miles that out ally in NATO" forced us to fly when we were trying to eradicate the wackjob in Libya. i could go on, but that should suffice in not only making my personal case for disliking France but in also getting the thread deleted!!

suffice as to say that i suppose France is free to do as they please, they just tend to forget History and have become a third rate country saved only by inclusion in the European Union.

IGWT

With all due respect, WTCG, you might be misjudging the collectors who bring coins into a discussion about France (or about some other seemingly unrelated topic). Most of the collectors I know -- including the collectors I met through this forum -- are intelligent people with varied interests who have achieved success in their professional lives and happiness in their personal lives. Generally, in conversations between or among people who are just acquaintances, it is typical for people to use a known point of common interest to carry the discussion forward. So, unless you were close friends with the collectors to whom you refer, you should have expected them to turn to talk of coins as common ground.

Ahrensdad

<< <i>

<< <i>Because most collectors are male. >>



That and also for many coin people in general, their collection is basically the only thing in life they have going for them. They're subconsciously aware they probably can't compete with others in other fields (ex: atheletics) so they use their perceived numismatic abilities to compensate for other shortcomings.



WTCG: You seem a little jaded with that response. I assure you, many more of the collectors I've met have more going for them...they just happen to also be coin nerds (present company included). Though, your statement is appropriate for some others.

All the best,
Andrew

Lewy

<< <i>Because most collectors are male. >>



I agree with 'you' Steve27.

bidask

I get rid of my pride and ego everytime I sell a coin for a loss.

Mowgli

<< <i>Why are pride and ego such pre-emminent characteristics of so many collectors?? >>



I think it is hard not to feel pride in one's self or feel our ego grow because we added to a collection or completed one or someone drooled over our coins. To build a collection requires a drive and any progress towards our goal has to feel like we are being successful - surely such a feeling contains some pride and feeds the ego.

On the other hand (we were on one hand before) boastful pride or ego where we seek it from others is not necessarily a trait of collectors. Many people keep their collection habit to themselves or do not need others to appreciate their collections. I suppose having some affirmation that we "did good" deals more with insecurities than trying to feed the ego. It's just my opinion but ego and pride do not drive my collecting habit one bit - more likely OCD and the satisfaction that comes from accomplishing something independent of other people's approval or recognition.

WTCG

<< <i>With all due respect, WTCG, you might be misjudging the collectors who bring coins into a discussion about France (or about some other seemingly unrelated topic). Most of the collectors I know -- including the collectors I met through this forum -- are intelligent people with varied interests who have achieved success in their professional lives and happiness in their personal lives. Generally, in conversations between or among people who are just acquaintances, it is typical for people to use a known point of common interest to carry the discussion forward. So, unless you were close friends with the collectors to whom you refer, you should have expected them to turn to talk of coins as common ground. >>



Actually I agree with you, and being coin collectors it's probably their attempt to find a common ground to talk about, abeit their attempt may be a little tired and corny. I certainly hope even for their benefit they aren't really as one-dimensional as they portray themselves to be.

This is an actual true conversation that took place on 2/21/10. There was a small local Sunday show that day and I had just debarked a plane from an international flight. I went straight from the airport to the coin show and got there in the last waning moments. I had a conversation with an investor/ part time dealer who was set up, a guy I otherwise like. It went like this:

Him: "Where were you, did you just get here?"
Me: "I just got here. I just landed and came straight from the airport."
Him: "Where were you?"
Me: "Vancouver."
Him: "Was there a coin show there?"
Me: "No, the Olympics. I was at a few Olympic events."
Him: "Really? Didn't know the Olympics were going on. Did they just start? Where are they again?"
Me: "Vancouver. A week ago."
Him: "Did you hit any coin shops there."
Me: "No."
Him: "Not a lot of US coins huh?"
Me: "Didn't look for coins there."
Him: "Any 90% silver for sale there?"
Me: "Didn't look."

Conversations like this happen all the time with coin people.

Lewy

I like your words Mowgli. Very insightful.

yellowkid

<< <i>...................for every 20 coin people you talk to about your recent trip to France.....................

you went to France, why in the world would you go to France??? i tend to feel about the French the same way Sam Kinnison did. >>



France, what can you say about a country that thinks Jerry Lewis is a genius?

tjkillian

I thought the Olympics were in the summer. Were those some type of special Olympics?


Did you see any coin shops while you were there?

cladking

<< <i>well Sam, today i was a leading contender for worlds best ditch filler. >>




How big, how fast.

I once moved 24 tons of material in fifteen minutes with nothing but a shovel.

Of course I was effectively shoveling it down off the top of a pile.

Bear

Pride is not limited to coin collectors. I believe that any person ,collecting anything,
will tend to take pride in their collection.Furthermore, most folks take pride in a new
car, a home, a hair transplant, a boat, as well as a 80 inch HD TV with stereo sound.

Now, ego, is a different thing altogether. We are all born with egos.It is a part of our
brain function, as well as our emotional makeup and personality. Most folks are able to
keep their ego under some kind of reasonable control, while other folks ,like to flaunt their
ego as if the very planets revolved around it. It doesn't really matter to me, to each
their own.

gummibear

<< <i>Instead of collectors, you could substitute any other human pursuit for which people develop an ability to excel

yes, i know that. it's just that being Number One doesn't mean as much anywhere else!!!!! >>



I Live in L.A. I Guess you have met the movie, TV and record industry people. You can't imagine how fat there heads are. Then we have the sports stars here as well. Oh yeah, and you should me some of the high end car collectors. There are some of course in all those groups including coin collecting that surprise you with how humble and down to earth they are. Those are the ones to hang out with.
Richard

RebelRon

<< <i>

<< <i>

can you imagine being the world's best ditch digger?? >>




You'll have to fight me for the title. >>

That's me!

originalisbest

gummibear, I think it's worth noting that your car art is outstanding -- easily among the nicest I've ever seen (from a fellow artist.)

originalisbest

Well put Mowgli, I see myself in your points, and would agree. Darn OCD.

lkenefic

Perhaps this will help:

Venn Diagram