Typical collector trends over decades
stevepk
Posts: 238 ✭✭✭
Is it typical for a collector to take periodic breaks throughout this hobby? If you are a collector or 20, 30, or even 40 years, have you been a continuous collector, or do you find your buying habits to wax and wane over the decades?
I was bitten by the coin bug at a early age and have ever since had an interest in coin collecting. I have been an avid collector for the past seven years and think it is time to take a break. Numismatics is an incredibly interesting and addicting hobby. It does, however, pose one problem. Regardless of what a collector acquires, he will always want something more. There will always be something to make a collection even more complete. A type set collection is a perfect example of something that can be made more complete with a little something extra. That extra something is usually a pretty expensive little something, and the sky is the ceiling in relation to numismatic valuation.
I've found the best strategy is to have fun for a few years and acquire a modest collection worthy of being proud of. Realize that quality carries more weight than quantity, and if you aren't buying quality, you really aren't doing much for your collection.
Unless you have access to virtually unlimited financial resources, take some time away and focus on something unrelated to numismatics knowing that you inevitably come back. The truth is that coins are hard to sell unless you are a professional always in the 'loop' of the numismatic community. As a collector, it is important not to put yourself into a position where you will be forced to sell.
Do most collectors take a periodic hiatus, perhaps even for several years at a time?
I was bitten by the coin bug at a early age and have ever since had an interest in coin collecting. I have been an avid collector for the past seven years and think it is time to take a break. Numismatics is an incredibly interesting and addicting hobby. It does, however, pose one problem. Regardless of what a collector acquires, he will always want something more. There will always be something to make a collection even more complete. A type set collection is a perfect example of something that can be made more complete with a little something extra. That extra something is usually a pretty expensive little something, and the sky is the ceiling in relation to numismatic valuation.
I've found the best strategy is to have fun for a few years and acquire a modest collection worthy of being proud of. Realize that quality carries more weight than quantity, and if you aren't buying quality, you really aren't doing much for your collection.
Unless you have access to virtually unlimited financial resources, take some time away and focus on something unrelated to numismatics knowing that you inevitably come back. The truth is that coins are hard to sell unless you are a professional always in the 'loop' of the numismatic community. As a collector, it is important not to put yourself into a position where you will be forced to sell.
Do most collectors take a periodic hiatus, perhaps even for several years at a time?
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It's a first for me. Having said all that, I'm headed to the PNNA show tomorrow here in Portland and plan on having a great time visiting, looking at everything and catching up with some friends in the biz. I can't wait!
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
Hoard the keys.
I should say that just because I took a break on buying over the last year, I did not stop visiting and posting on the message forums.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
As a practical matter, one's finances, priorities and amount of free time changes, so I'd think breaks from whatever activities are normal for you are expected from time to time.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
I don't think the passion wanes much. Or not for long. If you've lost the luster you should certainly step away. But maybe hold onto what you have instead or rashly selling.
Lance.
That said, I feel myself somewhat less engaged than I was, say, five years ago or eight years ago, and that is probably a good thing and will allow me collect with greater sustainability over time (if that makes any sense!).