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Just curious - what do you think is the average age of coin collectors?
DoubleEagle59
Posts: 8,377 ✭✭✭✭✭
I'll go with a nice round number - 50 years of age.
(I'm 51)
(I'm 51)
"Gold is money, and nothing else" (JP Morgan, 1912)
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
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-Paul
I am 30, have all of my hair, and its still red, not white
PCGS Registries
Box of 20
SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
PCGS Registries
Box of 20
SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
By definition it appeals to people with more leisure time on their hands, which tends to be the older demographic.
Probably a more worrisome issue is that all boomers who could find cool stuff in pocket change when they were kids won't have a like generation coming in after them.
...lots of youngsters here.
Could it be possible that the younger numismatists are not as interested or active in coin clubs and associations as the older generation is/was, and are not yet experienced enough to become board members of larger organizations such as the ANA so that's why the "face" of coin collectors seems older even though in actuality it's probably younger than we think?
The Penny Lady®
<< <i>Based on the coin club i quit (because too many really old dudes) i'd say it is a least 60. Now i am almost a grey haired old geaser myself, but these guys made me look like an Olymipian!
Hoard the keys.
As for coin clubs, there are a lot of people who belong to coin clubs and attend the meeting who do not actively collect coins. Sometimes finances are a factor, but I believe that many of the seniors attend the meetings solely for the social factor.
Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
<< <i>I bet it is youner than it used to be but older than most realize. We are talking serious collectors here I assume and by definition YN's would be left out of the calculations because they are just that, YN. Like a previous poster said, the serious collector has to be well healed, and that means aged to be able to afford such whimsical pieces of U.S. history. And f the average age is 50, that has to be youner than the serious collectors from the mid 1800's when serious collecting started thru the 1950's & 1960's. We are also living longer now in most although losing a member at 47 is heartbreaking but it also seems to be the exception. So if anyone is surprised to hear that the average age seems old think again.
RIP IGWT >>
How old to you have to be to be a serious collector?
So some people bash “moderns” and now it seems that some bash “YN”
Just curious
<< <i>65+, though participants on this forum are generally younger than that. >>
I also think most are easily 55+ and the point about this forum having a bias is
very relevant. Older folks tend not to use the internet as much as younger in my
experience.
"Older folks tend not to use the internet as much as younger in my
experience."
...yeah but we're learning how to use the 'puter at the 60+
<< <i>I bet it is youner than it used to be but older than most realize. We are talking serious collectors here I assume and by definition YN's would be left out of the calculations because they are just that, YN. Like a previous poster said, the serious collector has to be well healed, and that means aged to be able to afford such whimsical pieces of U.S. history. >>
I never got the memo that you could only be a serious collector if you were rich. Man I'd love to see Bill Gates' collection. He's a collector and doesn't even know it!
That attitude, apart from just being offensive, is the reason that so many young people are turned off by so many dealers. I surely don't have the financial resources of many others in the hobby, but I can show off my collection with pride knowing that I've done more than my fair share of due diligence to only buy the very best that is available within my budget constraints, or occasionally passing on something because I can't afford the quality I require. I take pride in knowing that often, collectors with much greater means, who can buy much more expensive versions of what I own (if they can find one with enough eye appeal) have made offers to buy coins from my collection, even though they're "cheap." I take pride in knowing that my collection is full of coins I love to look at, which fit my strict criteria for technical quality and eye appeal, even if that means I only add but a few coins a year. I take pride in knowing that I have nicer coins that many collectors who have more money but less discipline, and thus don't go for the best.
But I DON'T take crap from people who disparage young people as being limited in their abilities to be fine collectors, regardless of financial means.
great response airplanenut. I agree. Most dealers find the almighty dollar is more important than personal teaching time with YNs. Sad. I know my local B&M dealer is like that.
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
<< <i>We are talking serious collectors here I assume and by definition YN's would be left out of the calculations because they are just that, YN. Like a previous poster said, the serious collector has to be well healed, and that means aged to be able to afford such whimsical pieces of U.S. history. >>
I'd disagree. I think someone who is collecting Lincolns strictly from circulation can be just as serious a collector as the guy who's putting together a set of bust halves by die marriage. The Lincoln collector could even be more serious.
It's not the size of your wallet that matters.
BTW, I'm 39
Positive BST Transactions (buyers and sellers): wondercoin, blu62vette, BAJJERFAN, privatecoin, blu62vette, AlanLastufka, privatecoin
#1 1951 Bowman Los Angeles Rams Team Set
#2 1980 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
#8 (and climbing) 1972 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
<< <i>Mr Potatoe head sir once again you have twisted the intent of my comment and it ain't the first time so I am quite used to it. YN = just that YN by definition... >>
I'm not sure what you think I'm twisting, as I didn't even mention YNs in my post. For all any of us know, the Lincoln collector could be 80 years old.
<< <i>I never gave a definition of a serious collector to exclude anyone from collecting lincolns from circulation, why say that I did Mr Potatoe head? >>
You said:
"Like a previous poster said, the serious collector has to be well healed..."
and I disagreed with the "the serious collector has to be well heeled" part.
<< <i>YN = just that YN by definition, nothing to do with the wallet only have to do with being a beginner. Serious colelctors are not YN's, they been doing it for a long time and again that has nothing to do with the size of one's wallet. >>
Quite the opposite. What you wrote makes no suggestion that experience makes for a serious collector, and rather only that money does. That said, a YN could be collecting for 10-15 years, and you better believe some YNs have experience that puts them at the very top for their specialty.
<< <i>I stand corrected, then what was the point of your post? I never gave a definition of a serious collector to exclude anyone from collecting lincolns from circulation, why say that I did Mr Potatoe head? >>
You wrote this:
<< <i>We are talking serious collectors here I assume and by definition YN's would be left out of the calculations because they are just that, YN. Like a previous poster said, the serious collector has to be well healed, and that means aged to be able to afford such whimsical pieces of U.S. history. >>
These statements imply that serious collectors:
1- Must be older. A YN does not have the age required to have enough income to be a serious collector.
2- Must have financial means. Arguably, someone collecting from circulation would not require the income you seem to suggest, as the coins are basically free, however hard they may be to find.
<< <i>
<< <i>YN = just that YN by definition, nothing to do with the wallet only have to do with being a beginner. Serious colelctors are not YN's, they been doing it for a long time and again that has nothing to do with the size of one's wallet. >>
Quite the opposite. What you wrote makes no suggestion that experience makes for a serious collector, and rather only that money does. That said, a YN could be collecting for 10-15 years, and you better believe some YNs have experience that puts them at the very top for their specialty.
<< <i>I stand corrected, then what was the point of your post? I never gave a definition of a serious collector to exclude anyone from collecting lincolns from circulation, why say that I did Mr Potatoe head? >>
You wrote this:
<< <i>We are talking serious collectors here I assume and by definition YN's would be left out of the calculations because they are just that, YN. Like a previous poster said, the serious collector has to be well healed, and that means aged to be able to afford such whimsical pieces of U.S. history. >>
These statements imply that serious collectors:
1- Must be older. A YN does not have the age required to have enough income to be a serious collector.
2- Must have financial means. Arguably, someone collecting from circulation would not require the income you seem to suggest, as the coins are basically free, however hard they may be to find. >>
I think Realone shoud wave the white flag.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>YN = just that YN by definition, nothing to do with the wallet only have to do with being a beginner. Serious colelctors are not YN's, they been doing it for a long time and again that has nothing to do with the size of one's wallet. >>
Quite the opposite. What you wrote makes no suggestion that experience makes for a serious collector, and rather only that money does. That said, a YN could be collecting for 10-15 years, and you better believe some YNs have experience that puts them at the very top for their specialty.
<< <i>I stand corrected, then what was the point of your post? I never gave a definition of a serious collector to exclude anyone from collecting lincolns from circulation, why say that I did Mr Potatoe head? >>
You wrote this:
<< <i>We are talking serious collectors here I assume and by definition YN's would be left out of the calculations because they are just that, YN. Like a previous poster said, the serious collector has to be well healed, and that means aged to be able to afford such whimsical pieces of U.S. history. >>
These statements imply that serious collectors:
1- Must be older. A YN does not have the age required to have enough income to be a serious collector.
2- Must have financial means. Arguably, someone collecting from circulation would not require the income you seem to suggest, as the coins are basically free, however hard they may be to find. >>
I think Realone shoud wave the white flag.
Indeed. I have seen all kinds of posts on this board, from the sublime (usually with pics) to the ridiculous. For the latter, just look at some of the statements pertaining to this thread.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
Out of the 27 tables that I seriously leaned in over to look at the items available only 6 people said anything to me. Three of which I had to start talking first...I guess I was there at lunch time and I interrupted their greasy, mayo filled sandwiches. Sorry to interrupt! God forbid I try to buy anything from them. 1 person seemed so troubled when I asked to see something. I had very nice conversations with two dealers though....they were young, relatively speaking...maybe in their late 40s or early 50s.
Soooo....yeah, I think it is 97.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
<< <i>97? Or maybe I am just speaking about the number of elderly, mean and grumpy people that I tried to be nice to and say hi to at the Clearwater Coin Show today? A lady with a walker and a man in a scooter about had a brawl in the isle....
Out of the 27 tables that I seriously leaned in over to look at the items available only 6 people said anything to me. Three of which I had to start talking first...I guess I was there at lunch time and I interrupted their greasy, mayo filled sandwiches. Sorry to interrupt! God forbid I try to buy anything from them. 1 person seemed so troubled when I asked to see something. I had very nice conversations with two dealers though....they were young, relatively speaking...maybe in their late 40s or early 50s.
Soooo....yeah, I think it is 97.
While I have met some really great and friendly people our hobby does tend to attract those lacking in people skills and put on a poopy face. Gem and fossil shows do too.
Positive BST Transactions (buyers and sellers): wondercoin, blu62vette, BAJJERFAN, privatecoin, blu62vette, AlanLastufka, privatecoin
#1 1951 Bowman Los Angeles Rams Team Set
#2 1980 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
#8 (and climbing) 1972 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
<< <i>
...those lacking in people skills and put on a poopy face... >>
POOPY FACES! That's the terminology! Wow. That is what I saw today, a lot of POOPY FACES.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
Menomonee Falls Wisconsin USA
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistr...dset.aspx?s=68269&ac=1">Musky 1861 Mint Set
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>YN = just that YN by definition, nothing to do with the wallet only have to do with being a beginner. Serious colelctors are not YN's, they been doing it for a long time and again that has nothing to do with the size of one's wallet. >>
Quite the opposite. What you wrote makes no suggestion that experience makes for a serious collector, and rather only that money does. That said, a YN could be collecting for 10-15 years, and you better believe some YNs have experience that puts them at the very top for their specialty.
<< <i>I stand corrected, then what was the point of your post? I never gave a definition of a serious collector to exclude anyone from collecting lincolns from circulation, why say that I did Mr Potatoe head? >>
You wrote this:
<< <i>We are talking serious collectors here I assume and by definition YN's would be left out of the calculations because they are just that, YN. Like a previous poster said, the serious collector has to be well healed, and that means aged to be able to afford such whimsical pieces of U.S. history. >>
These statements imply that serious collectors:
1- Must be older. A YN does not have the age required to have enough income to be a serious collector.
2- Must have financial means. Arguably, someone collecting from circulation would not require the income you seem to suggest, as the coins are basically free, however hard they may be to find. >>
I think Realone shoud wave the white flag.
I don’t know who the Realone is and after reading his first post, I don’t think that I want to know him. His statement
<< <i> We are talking serious collectors here I assume and by definition YN's would be left out of the calculations because they are just that, YN. >>
I took as offensive and belittling if not just out right “bashing” YN.
While I’m only 14 years old, just had a birthday two weeks ago, I’ve been collecting for five years now with my dad. I have several collection listed in the Registry with both PCGS and NGC in the Kennedy series under the name Acadia Collection. We have expanded the collection to include all of the varieties recognized by CONECA as illustrated in the “Signature Sets” at NGC. I’m not sure what else we need to do to be classified as a serious collector?
I don’t tell others what to collect or at what level to collect at and I don’t like it when someone else tries to tell me. I just think they are arrogant and rude, that was the reason for my first post to this thread.
Sorry for the vent,
Caleb
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>YN = just that YN by definition, nothing to do with the wallet only have to do with being a beginner. Serious colelctors are not YN's, they been doing it for a long time and again that has nothing to do with the size of one's wallet. >>
Quite the opposite. What you wrote makes no suggestion that experience makes for a serious collector, and rather only that money does. That said, a YN could be collecting for 10-15 years, and you better believe some YNs have experience that puts them at the very top for their specialty.
<< <i>I stand corrected, then what was the point of your post? I never gave a definition of a serious collector to exclude anyone from collecting lincolns from circulation, why say that I did Mr Potatoe head? >>
You wrote this:
<< <i>We are talking serious collectors here I assume and by definition YN's would be left out of the calculations because they are just that, YN. Like a previous poster said, the serious collector has to be well healed, and that means aged to be able to afford such whimsical pieces of U.S. history. >>
These statements imply that serious collectors:
1- Must be older. A YN does not have the age required to have enough income to be a serious collector.
2- Must have financial means. Arguably, someone collecting from circulation would not require the income you seem to suggest, as the coins are basically free, however hard they may be to find. >>
I think Realone shoud wave the white flag.
I don’t know who the Realone is and after reading his first post, I don’t think that I want to know him. His statement
<< <i> We are talking serious collectors here I assume and by definition YN's would be left out of the calculations because they are just that, YN. >>
I took as offensive and belittling if not just out right “bashing” YN.
While I’m only 14 years old, just had a birthday two weeks ago, I’ve been collecting for five years now with my dad. I have several collection listed in the Registry with both PCGS and NGC in the Kennedy series under the name Acadia Collection. We have expanded the collection to include all of the varieties recognized by CONECA as illustrated in the “Signature Sets” at NGC. I’m not sure what else we need to do to be classified as a serious collector?
I don’t tell others what to collect or at what level to collect at and I don’t like it when someone else tries to tell me. I just think they are arrogant and rude, that was the reason for my first post to this thread.
Sorry for the vent,
Caleb
This young person is what it is all about. While I am old enouph to be his grand father he and his father have been my internet friends for about five years. It was fun watching him build his Kennedy set to replace me in the top five of the registery back when he had to make comments and deals threw dad.
Hope that these younsters keep pushing the age down especially when they are able to discuss issues of the hobby this well.
But I also want to post due to what I think were some rather disparaging remarks towards YN's, and a few towards collectors who do not have the money involved that some of our posters do. I am of the mindset that a couple posters here should rethink and/or appologize for their coments, and should remember that YN's (whether under 18 or just substancially younger than them), and low budget collectors are just as vital to this hobby (if not moreso) than they are.
When someone is trying to become (or has become) a fellow collector, young or old, and regardless of whether they can afford thousands or tens of thousands, or just a five and ten spot now and again, the respect and comradarie of pursuing the same passion should be enough to crack the door open to the world which many of us have occupied for quite a bit longer than the new collector has.
Here on this board, we do a pretty good job of that ... most of the time. I vote we try to keep it that way.
to Jeremy, who I know has quite a thick skin ... to Caleb, who is probably still learning ... to any new collector, young or old, blue blood, rich or working man ... all I've got is a twenty ...
... if you love the hobby stick with it. Persistance is probably the greatest reward.
I would have never imagined at 23 years old how life would have progressed, and how collecting would have stayed with me. I also would have never dreamed that I could own and keep some of the coins I have, some of which I have now owned for going on 23 years, and very well may own for the next 23.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Is 'not quite fossilized' close enough?
edit to say
<< <i>the serious collector has to be well healed >>
This comment is not really well thought out otherwise I'd need a new hobby.
In case it is well thought out, it is pompous.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso