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The Unplanned Collection is Not Worth Having
Coinosaurus
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Some Greek person, maybe years ago, not sure if he was a coin collector or not, said something to the effect that the unplanned life is not worth living.
I am not sure this applies to coins.
Aren't some the most interesting purchases nothing more than a pleasant serendipity?
I am not sure this applies to coins.
Aren't some the most interesting purchases nothing more than a pleasant serendipity?
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If one can't adapt and change according to one's circumstances, a successful individual one will not be. (Sounds like Yoda!)
Perhaps a collection is a similar beast, broad plans...perhaps, specific planned out routes and goals...nearly impossible. Eliasberg, who had one big goal (every US coin) didn't have the luxuary of planning it out, you take it where you can get it, in any grade available sometimes. You don't think Pittman planned to attend the King of Farouk (sp?) sale when he started collecting, he was in the right place, and took advantage of the situation. Things like that can't be planned, I wish they could.
As for the life question, those that set goals do tend to get more done, but that presumes that getting more done is having a better life. Some long term goals such as a having a career as a doctor, or classical musician are set in motion at a young age and are near impossible without long term planning and commitment. That said, that doesn't mean a person that doesn't plan can't have a rewarding career in other fields. Two of the most successful people that I know personally didn't get to their careers with long term planning. They pursued their passion and worked very hard. They had top tier talent and could do as much as three to five lesser people in their field. They had some luck and were in the right place at the right time, and answered the door when opportunity knocked.
My coin collection overall is similarly "loosely planned", and some of my favorite pieces as well as areas of interest were 'happened upon' in a largely accidental way. Somehow it all kind of fits together.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
<< <i>Anyone who plans life doesn't really understand what life is. >>
How do you make God laugh?
Tell him your plans.
Jim
But my nature is such that I've gotten too bogged down in the minutiae of such structure and parameters sometimes, and have felt a need to loosen up and remember that it's a hobby, and to have fun.
For that reason, I've been toying with the "Box of 20" idea lately. Sort of a more freestyle approach than the "sets" I've been doing. It might be liberating.
Taken in moderation, a little bit of planning and structure and organization is a good thing, I believe. It's what separates us coin collectors from those who are merely hoarders or accumulators. But sometimes we (or I, anyway) take it too far.
Thats just me though, and I have been known to buy a super eye coin from time to time thats not on the list for the personal collection.
The best laid plans of men etc etc
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
well worth having that aren't necessarily "great" in the grand scheme of things. The hobby is also about
fun and the occasional impulse buy of a coin that doesn't fit into any of one's major collecting themes.
<< <i>Concentrating on one or two series might be great for some people, but I find too many coins enticing and seem to call my name. I guess I collect the coin, not the series. >>
I couldn't agree more.
Having my grandfather's coin collection in my possession - WORTH HAVING
I believe I have falsified your main premise.
Lance.
~Will Rogers~
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
I think you might be thinking of the quote by Socrates, "The unexamined life is not worth living".
Dogs do fine without planning or self-examination, and they seem happier than most people.
IMO, all great collections are the result of a plan.
While this is largely true, I'd also argue that most collectors capable of building a great collection developed their skills and found their goals by first heading in many unplanned directions. In other words, most of us do not and should not start with a plan.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
To be honest, I go for purchases that meet all or most of these criteria:
- are "unusual" or exceptional in some way, be it in design, quality, eye-appeal, or even just a cool design I see that I want to have
- are reasonably priced
- that I feel will appreciate in value in the future, or that I can reasonably expect to sell in the near future to help fund more expensive purchases
I don't often look for coins that "match" my other purchases. I completed a collection of Canadian large/small cents and Canadian 5 cent pieces. I now have no desire again to go after all the coins from the same series that are all the same except their date or variety.
<< <i>
<< <i>Anyone who plans life doesn't really understand what life is. >>
How do you make God laugh?
Tell him your plans. >>
Mann macht, Gott lacht!
<< <i>IMO, all great collections are the result of a plan.
While this is largely true, I'd also argue that most collectors capable of building a great collection developed their skills and found their goals by first heading in many unplanned directions. In other words, most of us do not and should not start with a plan. >>
A fair point. When I got back into collecting in the late 20th century, I cast a fairly wide net and acquired
a bit of this and that. Over the next few years, I found the areas that really held my interest. Many of the
other coins acquired in those early days were subsequently sold to fund coins in the areas of focus.
<< <i>
<< <i>Anyone who plans life doesn't really understand what life is. >>
How do you make God laugh?
Tell him your plans. >>
Or tell him you believe in magic space men... And not to be a fuddy duddy but I believe the quote translates to "The unexamined life is not worth living" which is a slightly different perspective.
I'll probably not understand the importance of your collection and you'll probably not see the importance of mine. Whatever. Plans change. I'll probably look at my collection someday and wonder what I was thinking. C'est la vie.
these little accumulations of oddly shaped pieces of metal that were usually discs with
grooves and cut-outs and just had an urge to acquire one of every one that was made.
It's one of my favorite collections now and I still look for pieces I don't have but now I've
got the catalog. About 30 copies were printed probably. I've got reems and reems of
information and could tell Targonsky a thing or two.
One of these days I'll find a telephone or a coin slot.