It's really tough going from a sizable collection to a Box of 20!

Broadstruck · January 15, 2013 2:39PM

About 3 years ago like many others on this forum I started considering putting together a Box of 20 of coins in my collection that I'd like to keep indefinitely. Well I've never managed to fill this Box without some level of frustration and just walking away from it until the next try. I've finally come to the conclusion that the Box of 20 collecting method just doesn't work. The main issue is the Box itself is like the Ark and I'm Noah... So in order for the Penguin to go the Giraffe needs to be left behind. If the Water Buffalo goes then Koala Bear is out. I could go through all the animals but I'm sure you all get the point.

How tough has it been for the rest of you who have made this transition

braddick · January 15, 2013 2:43PM

<< About 3 years ago like many others on this forum I started considering putting together a Box of 20 of coins in my collection that I'd like to keep indefinitely. Well I've never managed to fill this Box without some frustration and just walking away from it until the next try. I've finally come to the conclusion that the Box of 20 collecting method doesn't work. The main issue is the Box itself is like the Ark and I'm Noah... So in order for the Penguin to go the Giraffe needs to be left behind. If the Water Buffalo goes then Koala Bear is out. I could go though all the animals but I'm sure you all get the point. How tough has it been for the rest of you who have made this transition? >>

Koala bears are nasty animals!
Best they had been left off the Ark!

Myqqy · January 15, 2013 2:45PM

Koala bear riding the face!!

I have no idea how a collector can hold to a box of 20. i would be hard pressed to stick to a box of 200...

SmEagle1795 · January 15, 2013 2:47PM

Hard, but a switch flipped in my mind when I started seeing which ones I'd sell, and I had only a box of 15 for a long time (down from 500+) as I couldn't add pieces of high enough quality. Now I clock in at 22 - I have an old Bowers and Merena auction box which holds 26 so I don't mind going slightly over the limit of 20. Perhaps I'm not as strict as others in that I'm fine if I go over or under by a few pieces. The main concept still applies of quality over quantity and I force myself to remain cognizant of this when adding pieces.

Broadstruck · January 15, 2013 2:47PM

<< Koala bears are nasty animals!
Best they had been left off the Ark!

>>

OMG I'm dying here braddick as I so wasn't expecting that!

lkeigwin · January 15, 2013 2:50PM

I figure the box of 20 doesn't mean you can't have others.

So there's the box of 20, next door to the box of 64, and the other one. Those damned Mint sets get in the way. Gotta lose them.
Lance.

MidLifeCrisis · January 15, 2013 2:52PM

I think you've missed the point of the Box of 20 method of collecting.

The box of 20 is simply a symbol...a metaphor.

You should not focus on the number. Instead, you should focus on the quality of your collection and the idea that having fewer coins of higher quality is better than having many coins of lower quality.

coinsarefun · January 15, 2013 2:55PM

braddick

I am in a simaliar situation. I started about a year, maybe year and half ago.
I first had to clear out many coins and tokens to start narrowing down.

Then I started on a box of 20, I found it extremely difficult so I said to myself.....ok I will do
a type set and maybe cut it down later.

After thinning out the coins I found that there were only a few keepers and would have to search for new ones that I
would like to keep indefinitely..

Well I have only been able to obtain a few coins that I would say will be keepers and finding myself
buying moderns for the type set as they are easier to obtain.

So the hunt continues

mozin · January 15, 2013 3:00PM

I would have a hard time putting together a box of ten boxes of twenty. What can I say, I like my coins? Let us narrow it down to only Capped Bust Half Dollars. I think I could narrow it down to about four boxes of twenty, but it would be very hard. Isn't coin collecting fun?

TomB · January 15, 2013 3:15PM

I've done the mental gymnastics for a Bo20 and have never been able to come up to twenty coins to fill the box.

Jcarney · January 15, 2013 3:46PM

OK "method" for an investor, for a collector; not so much.

TwoSides2aCoin · January 15, 2013 4:00PM

Transitions are never easy.

mkman123 · January 15, 2013 4:02PM

No can do for me, maybe 40-60 is possible for me

MidLifeCrisis · January 15, 2013 4:02PM

I think the basic premise of the box of 20 method is no different than trading up for a better coin.

Jcarney · January 15, 2013 4:21PM

<< I think the basic premise of the box of 20 method is no different than trading up for a better coin. >>

This is a really good point and one I hadn't considered. I guess I was fixated on the number 20. My Franklin set will never have less than 35 coins but it rarely has more than 37-38. I sell the dupes quickly.

Unknown · January 15, 2013 4:30PM

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Cougar1978 · January 15, 2013 9:34PM

I find 100 works better for me for what I call primary inventory. This is just coins only as currency is easy to stack and does not weigh what bulk coins do. The rest can be small stuff.

80 slabbed coins will fill up a case at a coin show and extras can be stacked. The other case can be used for currency with primary displayed and the rest stacked.

crypto79 · January 15, 2013 10:15PM

It may sound weird but I like so many collectors have a wide area of interests so even after I found a focus and specialized I used the box of 20 concept to control the coins outside my main collection. If it doesn't fit one has to go. It keeps my investment outside my main collection minimal and allows me to keep a few random joys.

Justacommeman · January 15, 2013 10:19PM

<< It may sound weird but I like so many collectors have a wide area of interests so even after I found a focus and specialized I used the box of 20 concept to control the coins outside my main collection. If it doesn't fit one has to go. It keeps my investment outside my main collection minimal and allows me to keep a few random joys. >>

This is my method as well weirdo.

MJ

JJM · January 15, 2013 10:53PM

I just did 2 boxes of 20,....40 coins total, i keep it within that

ambro51 · January 15, 2013 10:57PM

Broadstruck has always shown a deeper exploration of his esoteric pieces and I think most of his delight is not merely hunting a coin down but knowing every last detail about it. That's a collecting style that demands a constant stream of interesting purchases. I can't see him enjoying looking at and enjoying the same 20 pieces longer than 24 months.

DIMEMAN · January 15, 2013 11:32PM

I could never bring my 644 coins Complete Dime Complete Variety Set down to 20!

A box of 20 in addition to my Dime set would be OK...I guess.

guitarwes · January 15, 2013 11:39PM

<< OK "method" for an investor, for a collector; not so much. >>

+1. I think this sums it up.

RichieURich · January 16, 2013 12:33AM

When I sold most of my collection, I didn't want to sell everything. So I looked at everything and decided which coins I really, really wanted to keep.

I think this illustrates the box of 20 concept, the number of coins isn't that relevant.

RYK · January 16, 2013 12:37AM

I have talked about doing some version of this, over the years, but I have not been able to execute it.

KAJ1 · January 16, 2013 1:01AM

I've been trying to do this. I have slowly been selling off my Lincolns, and have gotten it down to a box of 60.

CoinRaritiesOnline · January 16, 2013 1:01AM

<< OK "method" for an investor, for a collector; not so much. >>

I've never understood why some people think that having fewer, better coins means you are an investor. Can you explain this to me?

Sonorandesertrat · January 16, 2013 1:27AM

Stefanie,
You mean I bought one of your cast-offs?

Lakesammman · January 16, 2013 1:31AM

Like the concept for my core collection. Makes one a more careful and thoughtful collector when you have to displace one coin to make room for the new one.

On the other hand, I have 9-10 boxes of 20 for my sample and interesting slab collection.

ctf_error_coins · January 16, 2013 1:35AM

I don't think Broadstruck and the way he collects could do just a box of twenty, I know no way I can.

Maybe a box of twenty on top of a few core collections.

renomedphys · January 16, 2013 1:45AM

Slabbed coins (that are important to me)? I'm at about 33. That number ain't goin down anytime soon.

Raw coins that I care about? Probably another 50. That number could decrease if I ever decide to slab up my 7070.

I will always have a type set. Currently, I prefer it raw.

I will always be a small cent enthusiast. Every time I see another great example, be it a duplicate or whatever, well let's just say there's always room for one more!

RYK · January 16, 2013 2:13AM

<< 

<< OK "method" for an investor, for a collector; not so much. >>

I've never understood why some people think that having fewer, better coins means you are an investor. Can you explain this to me? >>

Me neither, any more than saying it's an okay strategy for a collector, but not an investor.

blu62vette · January 16, 2013 2:15AM

<< 

<< 

<< OK "method" for an investor, for a collector; not so much. >>

I've never understood why some people think that having fewer, better coins means you are an investor. Can you explain this to me? >>

Me neither, any more than saying it's an okay strategy for a collector, but not an investor. >>

You would think an investor would not put all the eggs in such a small basket. A gambler maybe....

vibr0nic · January 16, 2013 2:48AM

I'm starting a counter phrase to the box of 20 - Don't "box" yourself in.

BAJJERFAN · January 16, 2013 3:47AM

One can put an awful lot of hundred dollar bills into a PCGS blue or green box.

lava · January 16, 2013 4:03AM

For many of the reasons stated, and for the additional reason that there is something unmanly about it, I have never cared for the box of 20 concept.

Broadstruck · January 16, 2013 4:26AM

<< For many of the reasons stated, and for the additional reason that there is something unmanly about it, I have never cared for the box of 20 concept. >>

Unmanly... Well that's the best reason to avoid I've seen so far!

MrEureka · January 16, 2013 5:28AM

have no idea how a collector can hold to a box of 20.

Try 1793 Cents by die variety.

LindeDad · January 16, 2013 5:53AM

My primary set now has 206 coins and even considering the about ten stoppers that I might never get, I'm still looking at 20 boxes of 20.

BTW 31 to go and one upgrade on the way, and one hard date 1849 won this weekend.

coinbuf · January 16, 2013 6:55AM

Hmmm ok lets think this over. All the coin collectors in the world adopt the box of twenty concept; now everyone is fighting for 1% of the avalible coin population. What happens to the remaining 99%? Melted? Stuffed and forever stuck in dealers cases only moving from dealer to dealer? Silly concept that was brought forward by those who feel thay are elite and above the collecting masses. Collections should not have to have such hard boundries, its my collection and how many I have and the overall condition is only important to me not anyone else. I feel sorry for anyone that lets themself be influnced on what and how to collect because of what someone puts up on a chat board.

Edited to add that for those who will come on and say that I just dont get "it" no I get it I just dont subscribe to it.

Cocoinut · January 16, 2013 6:59AM

By definition, a collector is one who collects. I, for one, could never limit myself to just 20 coins, unless I chose to specialize in a series that consisted of 20 coins.

Jim

AnkurJ · January 16, 2013 8:01AM

I have too many coins I love to narrow it down to a box of 20. So no interest in even trying.

SkyMan · January 16, 2013 8:09AM

Not too many series out there where there are 20 or less coins in it, so if you are interested in collecting at least one series, and maybe a little of this and that on the side, then a Box of 20 makes absolutely NO sense.

Constantine · January 16, 2013 8:13AM

I really do not see how any collector, regardless of what they are collecting (coins, stamps, currency, cards etc) can really limit to just 20 items. There is a little bit of a hoarder in ever collector.

It's really tough going from a sizable collection to a Box of 20!

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