Making every purchase special

Yorkshireman

I recently decided not to pull the trigger on an eye appealing piece I was deeply considering.
While it is truly beautiful (and only $250) I have chosen to step up my game and aim only for very "special" pieces as I can afford them.
While I am not a total set builder and believe in the quality strategy inherent in the "Box of 20" philosophy, I was just reinvigorated as I read a great essay by Larry Shepherd entitled "Make every purchase special" (see the SIMCO website) and also Don Kagin's book.
I already have about ten pieces in my "Box of 20" which I really love. A few more have been sent to auction to raise funds.
I want the next 10 to be amazing (whatever that means)!
My chief requirement is that they be either half dollars or gold. After those 10 spaces fill up (or maybe during the middle of that process), perhaps I will reevaluate.

1630Boston

Sound like you have a plan

golden

Best of luck.

Kccoin

The numismatic universe works in mysterious ways. Happy hunting!

topstuf

Do a box of 21. We need more mavericks.

1630Boston

I have a box of 48 going, having trouble locating a suitable box though. May have to fabricate one.
[ it is actually one box of 40 and two boxes of 4 ]

Yorkshireman

@topstuf said:
Do a box of 21. We need more mavericks.

Funny!

hchcoin

I have always had trouble with this concept. Every coin is beautiful for the right price.

Yorkshireman

@hchcoin said:
I have always had trouble with this concept. Every coin is beautiful for the right price.

...but not necessarily eye appealing!

Zoins

If it was eye appealing and truly beautiful, but you want very special pieces, what does very special mean that excluded this piece?

Generally, it's good to have a focus for coins where you make larger investments so you can build up a nice collection with a story / theme.

Baley

It's good to have some form of discipline, as there are a LOT of coins out there, and even the wealthiest person with tons of storage space and nothing but leisure time can't afford them ALL. As I'm extremely limited in time, money, AND space, I try very hard to make sure each purchase fits into my overall core collection ( pre-2000 US type, and pre-1829 quarters and pre- 1808 halves by die variety) and even so, I do make occasional exceptions. What I really need to do is start to SELL some stuff that isn't any of those, and use the funds to finally get some of the tougher items on my want list.

Yorkshireman

@Zoins said:
If it was eye appealing and truly beautiful, but you want very special pieces, what does very special mean that excluded this piece?

Good question. Hard to say. It was a foreign coin that is probably a bit too common.

TwoSides2aCoin

Buy what suits you and forget what cronies tell you.

ricko

I have long since moved to this philosophy... I buy what I like....I appreciate the sets I have built and look at them often, I may still build another set at some point...but for now, it is coins that attract me - they could eventually turn into a set though... Cheers, RickO

originalisbest

Usually what I buy is no great shakes value-wise, since that's where I'm at, but I do enjoy being picky, and trying to find the very best example I can of "X" date at whatever grade level I'm targeting. It's an ongoing process. Winning Powerball would likely grease the wheels considerably.

Yorkshireman

I do not understand those who proudly boast that they have never sold a coin. At least one of the present commenters have written that in multiple prior threads
Surely every collector's tastes change and / or evolve meaning that there is absolutely nothing wrong with selling the old and buying the new or upgrading a coin or range of coins.
I would especially like to heart comments from those who only buy and never sell. I would think your set could be stronger if you sold something every once in a while to reinvest the proceeds into your set.

oih82w8

What was the one that you did not pull the trigger on...for only $250? It may be one that a forum member wants/needs for their collection.

1630Boston

I have never sold a coin, but am contemplating selling the very common , low value items that I have accumulated over the past 5 decades. Need to make room and lessen the possible future burden on loved ones.

originalisbest

Sometimes I probably wouldn't sell much at all, but finances occasionally dictate it (was a different story when I was single, now there are more moving parts. LOL)

I certainly have occasionally sold -- for the most part, "mistake" coins that I learned a lesson from -- learned it well enough to remember -- and then just simply had no interest in keeping the coin next to ones that, with more experienced eyes, I found to be nicer.

Zoins

@Yorkshireman said:

@Zoins said:
If it was eye appealing and truly beautiful, but you want very special pieces, what does very special mean that excluded this piece?

Good question. Hard to say. It was a foreign coin that is probably a bit too common.

I understand that and it's a tradeoff that I make as well. There are (at least) two types of beautiful coins that I don't pickup but would like (a) coins that don't fit any collecting focus or interest of mine and would essentially be random one-offs (b) coins that fit a collecting focus I like, am not currently pursuing now, but could see myself pursuing in the future.

johnny9434

all the best on that

Yorkshireman

@oih82w8 said:
What was the one that you did not pull the trigger on...for only $250? It may be one that a forum member wants/needs for their collection.

The coin on which I passed is a 1918 (George V) half crown from the darkside in MS 64 that has very cool toning.
I think it is still available on the Atlas Numismatics website.

kenwright396

Admire your passion for your new direction, Ken.

Catbert

I'd like to read the article you reference and I'm in a similar mode. My collecting focus has changed several times and I have landed on keeping just a few coins that excite me regardless of their timespan or origin. These few coins may turnover if I find it's time to release them so I can buy something else.

Of course, more often than not, this is a money losing strategy yet I find it keeps my passion alive. I suspect those who never sell do not have the financial limitations that I possess and thus feel no need to sell.

1630Boston

Perhaps I have never sold a coin in my life.

Also assume that my collection consists of Official Whitman coin folders # 1939 and # 9034.

I have a total value of $10.60 invested, if the two albums are complete, which they are not.

I for one, and it is just my opinion so do not take it personally, do not suspect that all of those who never sell have no financial limitations.

Again just my own experience and opinion.

Post Scriptum: {PS:} [and if I am wrong RickO let me know] @ricko you might like this.

WildIdea

I like the strategy, whether you sell pieces or not, up to you. I agree that purchases shouldn't just be a habit, that the coin should have more than one thing going for it, and that if the pieces you seek aren't too readily available, thus making the hunt more challenging.

ad4400

I can certainly relate to that sentiment. I have moved over the years from being a technical purest to seeking out eye appealing pieces. Each piece is like it's own little art work.

I also used to go to shows with specific want list. I have ceased that, and now go to buy whatever suits me. It is a rather liberating experience.

Yorkshireman

@ad4400 said:
I can certainly relate to that sentiment. I have moved over the years from being a technical purest to seeking out eye appealing pieces. Each piece is like it's own little art work.

I also used to go to shows with specific want list. I have ceased that, and now go to buy whatever suits me. It is a rather liberating experience.

That is a much more enjoyable way to view/shop a show!