Serving two masters
MidLifeCrisis
Posts: 10,569 ✭✭✭✭✭
I have been focusing on building a type set of pedigreed colonial coins for about three years now. I have always believed that staying focused in a very specialized segment of the hobby can lead to more enjoyment because you can become a subject matter expert to some degree.
But always appreciated a wide variety of other coins...particularly Indian gold eagles. I've also always had an attraction to the popular key dates that I could only read about when I was a kid.
So in the past couple of weeks I've started to focus on a side project of building a type set of gold coins in PCGS old green holders. I posted about this in another thread.
However, also during the past couple of weeks I have turned down the opportunity to buy well-pedigreed colonial coins so that I could focus on my side project.
I'm obsessive and it shows in how I collect. It's really hard for me to serve two masters simultaneously in this hobby.
I'm reminded of the old MASH TV show and the character of Dr. Charles Emerson Winchester III. He was very arrogant and he would say "I do one thing at a time. I do it very well. Then I move on."
But always appreciated a wide variety of other coins...particularly Indian gold eagles. I've also always had an attraction to the popular key dates that I could only read about when I was a kid.
So in the past couple of weeks I've started to focus on a side project of building a type set of gold coins in PCGS old green holders. I posted about this in another thread.
However, also during the past couple of weeks I have turned down the opportunity to buy well-pedigreed colonial coins so that I could focus on my side project.
I'm obsessive and it shows in how I collect. It's really hard for me to serve two masters simultaneously in this hobby.
I'm reminded of the old MASH TV show and the character of Dr. Charles Emerson Winchester III. He was very arrogant and he would say "I do one thing at a time. I do it very well. Then I move on."
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<< <i>I'm reminded of the old MASH TV show and the character of Dr. Charles Emerson Winchester III. He was very arrogant and he would say "I do one thing at a time. I do it very well. Then I move on." >>
He would also condemn his bunkmates' one track minds.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
The hardest is my gold type set, which I would like to complete, but in this market finding a nice 1796 No Stars quarter in AU is a challenge. A couple years ago they were all over the place at the major shows, but it was not in my budget then.
Next is to complete my early commemorative gold set (1903 - 1926). That one is within two (maybe one coin) of being complete.
My third project is to continue to buy 19th century presidential compaign tokens, medalets and medals wherever they turn up. Since I've got over 500 pieces now, it's harder for me to locate additional varieites, but it's a collection I can build for not that much money in most cases.
I collect for the fun of it, and I'm not hung up the color of the label in the slab (OR even if it's certified when it comes to my political token set; I prefer those pieces to be raw.) or who owned it before me. Prior ownership nice information if it's available, but it's not a driver for me. I'm much more interested in the coin, token, medalet or medal.
As you mentioned OGH Gold is a Side Project so passing on the opportunity to buy well-pedigreed colonial coins for you Primary set may come back and haunt you
Side Projects are just brought to the front line when there's boredom due to no hunting action on your Primary set.
OGH Gold for type especially if you seeking common dates will always be available... well pedigreed coins you missed may not resurface for years.
It might be good to spend the weekend reevaluating you collecting goals
I knew it would happen.
<< <i>Shouldn't it be "Serving Three Masters" Mrs. MidLifeCrisis, Pedigreed Colonials, and now OGH Gold >>
Good point!
I applaud those that can do just 1 thing, and do it very well. However, in this day and age, I think that we are all bombarded with enough variety that it is hard to stay singularly focused. I know I can't.
I have to do multiple things. Some I do very well, others I like to learn from.
I don't think there is anything wrong with taking your primary to a high level but realize that you need to spice things up a little (hence, having a Mid-life Crisis
So, run with it, buddy, run with it.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
<< <i>More than one collecting goal is fine. The important priorities should be: patience, buy the right coin, and buy the best you can afford. Upgrades, if need be, will hopefully come with time. >>
Lee, while I generally agree with all of that, one thing that I have found is that "buy the best you can afford" is open to interpretation.
There are times when I could buy a MS63 but would rather buy an AU58 (set consistency, budgeting, etc). While I could go higher, I get just as much, or more, satisfaction lower.
I do agree that upgrades do show up over time (I really hate that sometimes...wait months and months, or longer, buy a coin that fits and doesn't come around often, then.... sis boom bah....upgrades to that coin are popping up out of the woodwork.)
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
one project gets stalled, I can work on another.
At one large show, I was fortunate to find coins in each of my three main
projects (type set, Ireland set, and Netherlands set), but that's nor the norm.
Usually I can find only one thing for one set if I am lucky.
Mark
Discover all unpredictable errors before they occur.
I had two different interests when I started back up in May. I was primarily focused on my Mercs....but was messing around just a little with Liberty Nickels.... Then some Mercs became available that I wanted and I didn't have enough cash at the time so I made a decision.... I sold the Nickels and a few of my crappier Mercs so I could focus on what was bringing me the most joy. Until my income gets into another bracket, I will focus on one set at a time. I will get back to the Liberty Nickels, but for for now it will have to wait. I'M ON A MISSION!
Greg
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
<< <i>He would also condemn his bunkmates' one track minds.
Shouldn't it be "Serving Three Masters" Mrs. MidLifeCrisis, Pedigreed Colonials, and now OGH Gold
So, run with it, buddy, run with it.
...that being said, knowing your tastes in colonials if this one had the look that you are known for ...it would still GO FOR IT!!!
Sell a kidney and do both? >>
Thanks for the responses all. I smiled a lot and laughed out loud a couple of times as I read them.
As for the colonials I passed on...I said they were well-pedigreed. I did not say they were rare. In fact, one would have been a duplicate of a coin I already have in my collection (for type, but not variety). And one I'd already owned once and it was offered back to me. Both were nice coins, but I didn't need either of them.
And now you know the rest of the story.
I am still building my pedigreed colonial type set, one coin at a time, making sure each one has that look (thanks for the compliment Realone!). But just as I occasionally buy a 55 DDO Lincoln because they are cool, my OGH gold type set is a fun way to spice up my collecting.
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<< <i>Shouldn't it be "Serving Three Masters" Mrs. MidLifeCrisis, Pedigreed Colonials, and now OGH Gold >>
Good point!
I was gonna' point this out, but Broadstruck beat me to it.
I guess that since you (MLC) used the Mash TV show for a quote, I'll use another TV show, "Rumpole of the Bailey", where he talks about, "She who must be served"...
U.S. Type Set
<< <i>"She who must be served"... >>
Indeed!
To serve 2 masters that is.....
Who ever said coin collecting has to be rational.....
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.