Is there a natural (or unnatural) progression for coin collectors?
llafoe
Posts: 7,220 ✭✭
When I began collecting, I favored proof coins. They became too "sterile", so I got bored and went esoteric; tokens, medals, errors, commemoratives, colonials, etc., but in short order, they didn't look "real" so I went to business strikes. I've stayed with business strikes the longest (never bought any Satin Finish coins). Is there a natural (or unnatural) progression for *most* coin collectors? Are collectors attracted to the pretty coins (proofs) then become collectors of esoteric only to land with "real" coins (coins intended for circulation)?
Most "collectors" I buy from locally either buy from Littleton or from the coin dealers on TV. Is that where most collectors buy their coins? I haven't bought any coins (from ads placed in the local newspaper) that were slabbed by any TPG from these collectors.
Most "collectors" I buy from locally either buy from Littleton or from the coin dealers on TV. Is that where most collectors buy their coins? I haven't bought any coins (from ads placed in the local newspaper) that were slabbed by any TPG from these collectors.
WANTED: Cincinnati Reds TEAM Cards
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<< <i>Morgans, to Silver Proof sets, to Errors, and then Old Commens, back to Errors, then 7070, then back to Errors, then Errors, Errors and ONLY Errors. >>
We've all made our errors... I try to learn from my errors, but to COLLECT them?
For example, my collecting expriences over the years has progressed very similarly to many other collectors in SOME ways...but very differently in OTHER ways.
In the past couple of years, I have redefined my own collecting scope - still not completeable - and with enough variety to keep me interested. I have decided that I will only buy PCGS, NGC, ANACS, ICG. For US, only PCGS or NGC. No raw coins, no matter how tempting.
Pre-1946 world coins by type and strike (which is to say, if a coin has been struck in both MS and Proof, I can collect both).
Pre-1946 US coins by type and strike (I have a very fine definition of 'type' - so I 'need' lots of coins).
Post-1945 US coins struck in gold, silver, platinum by type and strike (including bullion) - so I buy the ATB silver proofs, but no ATB clads, for example. My silver eagle type and strike set is complete with seven coins for another example. My Eisenhower dollar type and strike set is complete with four coins.
I hope I will have enough maturity to refine things further.
2. Collect from bank rolls, clean them up
3. Collect mint packaged, clean them up
4. Stop collecting coins, begin collecting potential mates
5. Collect again, this time from dealers, lose money
6. Become dealer, lose money
7. Specialize within reasonable budget, blow budget
8. Rinse, repeat
<< <i>It used to be said that if collectors stayed active long enough, they would all migrate to large cents. >>
I have never heard this but find it to be interesting. I have been all over the board on collecting over the years, but always find myself gravitating toward the early cents. There are many affordable nice old coins to be had. As for myself, the older the coin, the more desirable. Due to their small denomination, there are many grades available and many varieties. These work horses touched a lot of differnet hands. Great old history and that's my draw to the early cents.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Bad interactions with some dealers (i.e, tired of getting ripped off): 25-year hiatus
2007-present: certified type coins (1/2 cents-double eagles, 18th century to 1921), large cents, 18th & 19th century tokens, medals, antiquarian numismatic literature
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
I started collecting as a paperboy in about 1967 or 1968, and picked everything I could from circulation. Now, I'm in a completely different league. I seem not to be able to get past mercury dimes, but I keep trying.
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
Discovery - Realizing you like owning/looking at/handling coins.
Unfocused Hoarding - Buying anything that gets in front of you that you like.
Focused Hoarding - Creating a second, third, forth, etc. set of something.
Focused Collecting - continously upgrading a completed set, or starting something new instead of creating duplicates.
Groundbreaking - doing some type of collecting/research that is ground-breaking.
Not everyone gets to all of these.
I still buy a few U.S. type coins but I need 13 more and I would rather buy 4 or 5 ancients for the price of one EF+ Barber Half.
<< <i> Most "collectors" I buy from locally either buy from Littleton or from the coin dealers on TV. Is that where most collectors buy their coins? >>
I've seen evidence of this in collections people sell but on forums and at shows I hardly ever talk to people that buy that way. I wonder if it's a quiet group of collectors that rarely get out "the snowed in collectors" or something like that.
Empty Nest Collection
Matt’s Mattes
Just the same, I feel that when starting out, there's a large amount of ignorance about quality and honest coins - but you learn about this and improve your own definition of what makes a quality piece.
In terms of different sets, I think there's a large majority of people who start with modern sets. Then, as you learn more about previous types and earlier sets, you begin to branch out.
1. Pull from circulation into folders, plus wheat cents and WWII nickels
2. Modern proof sets and $10 to $20 widgets without a discreet plan
3. Morgans and Peace dollars, Walking Liberty halves, or some other set with affordable commons; and, tending to buy the holder
4. Finding one's calling, learning about the ins and outs, and spending a lot on one pivotal coin that either finishes the old sets,
Or, more frequently, starts the new.
<< <i>I seem to like to progress from purchasing the cheepest coin i can find of what I'm collecting to fill a book, to finding the most rare coin for what i can afford. >>
thats the same progress ive made.