Are you building a Goldilocks collection?

MrEureka

Collect something where it's too easy to find coins is not so much fun. You constantly have to turn down coins that belong in your collection. Perhaps it's because the coins are so expensive, perhaps the coins are too common, or perhaps it's because you're trying to collect too many things. Either way, it's frustrating.

Collect something where it's too difficult to find coins can also be very frustrating. ("Difficult" is good. "Too difficult" is bad.)

Collecting something that's just difficult enough for you, given the amount of time and money you want to invest in the collection, is IMHO a far better way to go.

In this sense, are you collecting something that fits you well? If not, why haven't you changed course?

ctf_error_coins

I am in a sweet spot, my porridge it just right.

LindeDad

You know it. Some years are just flooding the search page some years are just hard to find those Maple Leafs in original mint Mylar.
BTW they milk spot too.

Broadstruck

Not really sure what I'm working on as I got the Goldilocks story confused with Rapunzel

TopographicOceans

My bed is too big.
I hope I don't sell off too much so that my bed is too small and instead will be just right.

coinlieutenant

Oh...you know exactly where I am....and I blame you.

JeffMTampa

I collect Barber Halves- they fit your description of "just right". Although there are many coins in the set with mintages less than a million (and several less than 200K) it's affordable and not difficult to assemble a low grade set. Once you get into VF to AU coins the challenge really begins (some are much tougher than others). There are many dates where the pop counts for VF to AU coins is less than 50 (both NGC and PCGS). I guess the only reason these coins have not ballooned out of site is the lack of collectors. If another dozen people started collecting high end circulated Barber Halves the prices would begin to soar.

TommyType

On my type set, I'm getting down to the area where, "It's too expensive!" I have all of those "draped bust this", and "liberty cap that", and "flowing hair other thing" left.

But I knew they were going to be an issue with me when I started, so I don't sweat it. Maybe I'll fill a slot once every couple of years when the opportunity and urge presents itself. Maybe I'll settle for a "problem coin". Maybe I'll just leave them empty. It's just so cool even being CLOSE to "every regular issue US coin design"! That's the goal that got me going, and I'm glad I tried, even if I never actually get there.

410a

I like to collect bust quarters, they seem resonable right now. Then of course I don't get many offers when they are reasonably priced. Reduced size in EF 45, Early dates; large size, original as possible, in VF. So, I wait and look.

I keep my eye out for SlQs in EF 45 that are rare enough and just right in eye appeal.

mirabela

Sort of ... I've got a few different projects going.

Two of them are "just right" in the sense that you mean, in that they are finite sets, I've got a nice example of every piece, and I'm able in any given year to acquire anywhere between two and a dozen upgrades at terms I can accept, depending on how active I am. To me, that feels about right.

The other project, though ... I'm not sure how many pieces it is supposed to have. I'm not sure what would comprise a "complete" set. I launched the idea almost nine years ago. The items, when I can find them, aren't expensive. In fact, the one piece I've managed to acquire, I got at face value. However, that's the only one I've managed to locate. I admit, I could probably look harder, but I've definitely become discouraged with the difficulty of the hunt.

pakasmom

<< <i>The other project, though ... I'm not sure how many pieces it is supposed to have. I'm not sure what would comprise a "complete" set. I launched the idea almost nine years ago. The items, when I can find them, aren't expensive. In fact, the one piece I've managed to acquire, I got at face value. However, that's the only one I've managed to locate. I admit, I could probably look harder, but I've definitely become discouraged with the difficulty of the hunt. >>



My imagination is running wild.... Can you share what this project is? Or at least some more clues?

Walkerguy21D

Interesting that you put it that way.....it's kind of why many years ago I started collecting Middle Date large cents.
The late dates were pretty common and ordinary, the early dates quite expensive in any kind of decent condition.
The Middle Dates were uhhh, right in the middle!

mirabela

<< <i>My imagination is running wild.... Can you share what this project is? Or at least some more clues? >>



20th century local exchange currencies of Vermont ...

Timbuk3

Agreed !!!

lasvegasteddy

desert racing motorcycles taught me

if i look at a rock on a path...i'll hit it
if i look at the path around the rock...i won't

i stay focused on paths with no rocks in life

Type2

Ya I trun left when I should have truned right some time's. But that's what keep me sharp.

ricko

I collect what I like when I see it...... avoids issues that way....Cheers, RickO

GotTheBug

.

MrEureka

I collect what I like when I see it...... avoids issues that way....Cheers, RickO

RickO - Is that because you have so much money, or because you don't like many coins?

tychojoe

<< <i>Collecting something that's just difficult enough for you, given the amount of time and money you want to invest in the collection, is IMHO a far better way to go. >>


That is exactly how I picked my series of choice, and it has kept my interest for years!

Walkerfan

I think that what I collect is just right for me. It's very challenging yet do-able.

ranshdow

I'm pruning down to "just right", but there'll be some more blind alleys I'm sure.

Baley

<< <i>I collect what I like when I see it...... avoids issues that way....Cheers, RickO

RickO - Is that because you have so much money, or because you don't like many coins? >>



Or are you just being, you know, trite, banal, and platitudinous?

joebb21

I guess by the mere fact that we collect anything it must mean it fits well otherwise we wouldn't collect it.

DennisH

Yes.
The set I'm doing (foreign) has just eight coins in it. I have six. And it's been exactly 5 years since I last acquired one.

DennisH

Wonky site last night... double post.