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Have you long time collectors lost interest in coins from time to time?
bosco5041
Posts: 1,303 ✭
I have been a coin collector for nearly 50 years ( and I use the term collector loosely). I have lost a lot of interest lately, maybe its the wheather and that I'm busy doing other things. I have did this in the past though and come back with more interest than ever. I think the chinese counterfeiting have sapped some of my interest to, I certainly don't want to get stuck with a counterfeit. Any of you do this?
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type2,CCHunter.
anyway ...
Had periods like Curly where I had much higher financial priorities (family) ... and times where I was so involved with family, work and life that I really didn't have much time at all. But also there have been times when I just wasn't into it as much ... like recently. With the internet it happens less frequently (or for less duration maybe) I think, as I come to places like this just to read up on what others are doing and maybe share a few messages.
It happens, and I'd say it actually has been more off than on over the whole course of 25 years ... and yet it never really goes away. Ultimately I think it's healthy, at least for me ... as like you seem to mention, I often come back energized and refreshed ... with a new quest for knowledge about something, or a specific acquisition in mind.
I went into my LCS Saturday and picked up some bullion as part of a regular asset diversification plan, and as we talked he asked if I'd picked anything up lately. I thought about it for a second, before answering, "No, not really. Been kind of out of it this year other than a few bullion buys." While driving home I realized that my last real coin purchase was a EF Bust Quarter from early February. And since then, I've hardly looked for anything at all.
Of course, that was apperantly enough, because late Saturday night I was on the dealer sites, here and flea bay ... really kind of looking around for the first time in at least three months ... because I kinda know one I want next.
Funny how it goes ...
Several years ago I went through my records, and was looking at the years I bought certain coins in my collection, and at that time, I had never went a calander year without having bought a coin I still owned in my collection. That should still be the case unless I sold something from a slow year.
In that way I've long thought the items in my collection had a second history, as I usually can remember something about the time that I purchased them, and what I was thinking, living and being at that time, and where they've been and what they've been a part of since then.
It's been an interesting road so far.
Monday morning ramble over ... just thought I'd share my thoughts
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Anyone have any opinions on any changes to PCGS grading....tougher? looser?
The counterfeit situation is discouraging, especially the fake slabs, and the fakes of relatively low value coins. Used to be that buying certified or buying low value coins was relatively safe, but no more. What it mostly means is that I have to be much more careful. Odds of a good coin, go up dramatically if a person buys from sellers with a high level of expertise, but that policy eliminates many coins from consideration.
ANA LM
USAF Retired — 34 years of active military service! 🇺🇸
More recently, I see a much more complicated market, and as I find more coins to complete my type set, I find it difficult to find what I am missing. I haven't bought anything in over a year. While my interest in collecting hasn't waned, I am much more selective about what I buy.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
U.S. Type Set
I am building a house for the kids so I am having fun selling for a change instead of buying.
Commems and Early Type
I also started around 1960 and grew more active while I had my paper route and there was a man
next door that I learned alot from and got coins from. He was my mentor pretty much and then joined
the coin club and really took off for another 5 or 6 years. Then the sr. high school deal came along and
studying and messing around and kind a lost touch with my coins for the next few years, After H S messed
a little with them but found out about sex, drugs and rock n roll and there went the coins, back in the
closet again. Since about 1983 or 84 I have been back at collecting and hoarding some coins and off
and on with the local club but now I enjoy being a numismatist and learning about the hobby all the
time.
There is one thing that I have not be able to do and that is to find the books and a couple of boxes I
had with coins in them from back in the early 60s. Don't really remember what all I had but I know
it was a bunch and maybe one day I find them stashed.
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870
<< <i>Sure. There have been long periods of little activity, mostly for financial reasons. It is normal for activity to wax and wane. Finances, health, other demands on a person's time are all factors.
The counterfeit situation is discouraging, especially the fake slabs, and the fakes of relatively low value coins. Used to be that buying certified or buying low value coins was relatively safe, but no more. What it mostly means is that I have to be much more careful. Odds of a good coin, go up dramatically if a person buys from sellers with a high level of expertise, but that policy eliminates many coins from consideration. >>
This is precisely what I'm talking about. You can't even know for sure if a $100 coin isn't fake anymore. I trust PCGS for their grading and guarantee but of course they can't guarantee a fake slab. I really love coin collecting but I don't have time to study counterfeiting and slab counterfeiting hours a day. I hope this can be resolved soon.
Bob
They call me "Pack the Ripper"
You need a bunch of different hobbies. Mine include guns, hunting, and aquariums.
I'm fixin' to get back into the aquarium thing, but time constraints keep things to a maximum of two or three active hobbies.
Pete
Louis Armstrong
It seems that I get the fever sometimes more than others and could be for a couple of reasons
1) I had been working towards one major goal in particular for quite a while and accomplished it
2) Money has been a little tighter and I have sold off most of my "easier to part with" extra stuff which helped me fund future purchses
3) Wheather has been nicer and spending more time outside and not at the computer
4) Not having really anyone who shares the same, or even close, interest to coins gets old after a while
On the other hand
1) It is very rewarding being able to look at what I`ve accumulated/accomplished over the years
2) Knowing that I have a little nest egg to fall back on in trying times helps
For me, it comes on stronger at times than others. As of right now it`s on the weaker side...
We must distinguish an overall interest in coins from an interest in buying coins, as I can envision situations and know of some specific cases in which individuals are extremely interested in coins but are not actively adding coins to a collection. I would like to transition to that level of hobbyist someday, maybe even in the near future.
I have said in the past that a coin collection is like a shark.
Empty Nest Collection
rainbowroosie April 1, 2003
<< <i>this board is likely the reason for my continued interest >>
It certainly plays a big part. I'm actually spending more time and money on my decoys right now, but this place keeps me interested in the coin world, I'm not likely to just walk away from it as I have done with some previous collections.
Dwayne F. Sessom
Ebay ID: V-Nickel-Coins
My V Nickel Registry Set - https://pcgs.com/setregistry/alltimeset/71874
If coin collecting does not offer some type of "return", beit financial, educational, or simply excitement, then it's relatively easy to "lose interest" in fovor of something which does offer financial gain, educational advancement or excitement.
However, just like anything else, you have to find time to step away from the helm and go work in the kitchen. Otherwise, you'll simply sail in circles.
The name is LEE!