One thing I've learned about collecting 20 yrs ago vs now...

GoldClause

20 years ago I couldn't afford to collect things that I really wanted to, like 1794 cents by die variety or draped bust dimes.

20 years later, even though I'm making a lot more money than I used to, I still can't afford to collect things I really like, because classic coin prices have risen even more dramatically than my salary.




I'll guess I'll always have to collect dreck.

magikbilly

often I spend time more time learning additional information about the stuff I already have or can/will afford, and get ever increasing enjoyment of said collections (and a better knowledge base that pays back in spades) - for free!

Eric

lordmarcovan

I feel ya, brother.

But surely in 20 years you've learned to spot a good value within your own particular niche in the food chain, eh?

There are good buys and bad buys in every level of the market.

There's a line in a Jethro Tull song (yeah, I'm a diehard Tullhead) that says, He's a lover of life but a player of pawns, which sums me up pretty well. I'm not a knight or bishop or king on the chessboard of material existence, but even we lowly pawns can make a good play or two.



("Bungle in the Jungle", from the WarChild album. One of the few Tull songs that actually gets occasional radio airplay, even today.)



<< <i>Walking through forests of palm tree apartments ---
scoff at the monkeys who live in their dark tents
down by the waterhole --- drunk every Friday ---
eating their nuts --- saving their raisins for Sunday.
Lions and tigers who wait in the shadows ---
they're fast but they're lazy, and sleep in green meadows.

Let's bungle in the jungle --- well, that's all right by me.
I'm a tiger when I want love,
but I'm a snake if we disagree.

Just say a word and the boys will be right there:
with claws at your back to send a chill through the night air.
Is it so frightening to have me at your shoulder?
Thunder and lightning couldn't be bolder.
I'll write on your tombstone, ``I thank you for dinner.''
This game that we animals play is a winner.

Let's bungle in the jungle --- well, that's all right by me.
I'm a tiger when I want love,
but I'm a snake if we disagree.

The rivers are full of crocodile nasties
and He who made kittens put snakes in the grass.
He's a lover of life but a player of pawns ---
yes, the King on His sunset lies waiting for dawn
to light up His Jungle
as play is resumed.
The monkeys seem willing to strike up the tune. >>



Here's the YouTube link, if you need a retro '70s kickstart for your day.

crypto79

<< <i>20 years ago I couldn't afford to collect things that I really wanted to, like 1794 cents by die variety or draped bust dimes.

20 years later, even though I'm making a lot more money than I used to, I still can't afford to collect things I really like, because classic coin prices have risen even more dramatically than my salary.




I'll guess I'll always have to collect dreck. >>




Or step your game up

GoldClause

Ha ha, thanks for the song.




<< <i>But surely in 20 years you've learned to spot a good value within your own particular niche in the food chain, eh? >>




I quit collecting about 10 years ago, started collecting paper money last year, but got drawn back into coins, so it's kind of like starting over, I don't have much experience to draw on per se.

I've been a bit surprised at how high some coin prices are for classic stuff. I've owned a couple very-low-4-figure coins back in the day (a Dahlonega half eagle for one), but they were type coins, not something I could "collect", and they were quickly sold when I needed funds for other stuff that I did collect (mid grade barber halves etc.).

I haven't even really decided what I collect now. I've been buying nothing but random dreck over the past year.

GoldClause

<< <i>

<< <i>20 years ago I couldn't afford to collect things that I really wanted to, like 1794 cents by die variety or draped bust dimes.

20 years later, even though I'm making a lot more money than I used to, I still can't afford to collect things I really like, because classic coin prices have risen even more dramatically than my salary.




I'll guess I'll always have to collect dreck. >>




Or step your game up >>




Sure, can you loan me 10 grand.

lordmarcovan

You can ALWAYS step your game up. Therein lies the fun of it. The challenge.

You can play the cards you're dealt or you can fold. So maybe you've only got a pair of sevens, but you might be selling yourself short. Other folks out there have a pair of deuces, or a scattered hand that looks like part of a straight but really isn't. (Hmm. A poker metaphor from somebody who doesn't play cards much. But you knowhutimean.)

ctf_error_coins

"But surely in 20 years you've learned to spot a good value within your own particular niche in the food chain, eh?"

Well said, if you specialize, then you KNOW great value when you see it. I buy stuff every week that is way under valued, imo.

Also Ian puts on one heck of a great concert

lordmarcovan

I'm a 30+ year Ian Anderson and Tull fan, and have never been to a concert. I should try, before Ian gets too old to tour anymore. I hear they have a new studio album due out next month, which is the first in twelve years. I'm salivating in anticipation.

(Eh, whoops, sorry for the hijack. Back to the topic at hand. Playing your pawns well, or not folding on a pair of sevens. Pick your metaphor.)

Edit to add: you don't even have to specialize to do OK at the grand game, though that doesn't hurt. I happen to be a wide-spectrum generalist who knows a little bit about a lot of different things, and that has served me well. I might not be as expert as those who do specialize, but I know enough to be dangerous sometimes (only occasionally to myself, haha).

GoldClause

<< <i>

(Eh, whoops, sorry for the hijack. Back to the topic at hand. Playing your pawns well, or not folding on a pair of sevens. Pick your metaphor.) >>





Ha ha, ok, I folded 10 years ago and cashed out. Now I'm back in the game, shocked that the ante is 5x higher, and I'll I got is a pair of sevens to bluff with, and I'm not good at bluffing.

TwoSides2aCoin

20 years ago coin collecting was a thing of the past.
I never thought I'd be back into it, in the future.

Lakesammman

I know what you mean - but I still enjoy collecting.

BillJones

<< <i>20 years ago I couldn't afford to collect things that I really wanted to, like 1794 cents by die variety or draped bust dimes.

20 years later, even though I'm making a lot more money than I used to, I still can't afford to collect things I really like, because classic coin prices have risen even more dramatically than my salary.




I'll guess I'll always have to collect dreck. >>



Tell me about it.

I know I look like a "whale" to some people, but if I could have bought some of the items I've purchased over the past couple of years four or five years ago, they would have cost me a lot less.

Even the big guys are feeling the pinch. One very prominent dealer I know told me that he not comfortable with Mint State Chain Cents bringing more than $400,000. Of course that was before that piece brought over a million at the January FUN auction.

johnny9434

i just wish i wasent so tight with the dollar then and spent more on the coins i liked. live and learn i guess

keyman64

Stay away from dreck. Go for the really nice WIDGETS! That's what I do. Mercury Dime Complete Variety Set. Really rare coins with low demand and the opportunity to Cherrypick some of them. It's fun!

Justlooking

I remember looking at a Redbook at age 12 or so and planning to buy a complete series of Liberty head nickels. Seems like they were between $6 and $12 each back then. Never had the money to buy even one. Still don't own one.

Inflation is the devil.

shorecoll

I just love the fact that every thing I sold in the 80's has skyrocketed.

EF 08/07 half cent @ $600.

Wreath cents, 1799 cent...yada, yada.

Numerous original bust dollars at $1k/ea.

I just finished replacing my Barber half set...of course I upgraded from VG+ to VF+...now that was an ouchie!!!

ricko

Champagne taste and beer budget.... seems that is the way we all were, and, in many cases, still are. Those top of the line coins are sure nice, but one can appreciate the ones in the more affordable grades too. Cheers, RickO