The Thrill is Gone...

RYK · June 20, 2014 3:38AM

Due to a combination of factors, I believe that my days of being an active coin collector are drawing to a close. I have taken some breaks in the past, reshuffled the deck, thrown the deck out the window, swabbed the deck, etc., but I have always come out of it is an avid collector. This time, things are indeed different. These are some of the reasons why:

1. I do cycle in and out of interests, like many people, and I have spent an unusually long time in this interest.
2. I have other demands for my discretionary money--family trips, running gear, Steelers thong underwear, to name a few.
3. I have other demands for the capital already spent on coins. Specifically, I am looking to wrap up Act I of the working career and need the funds for Act II.
4. The competition for the coins that I like has become so intense that it is often a matter of who refreshes which website faster as to who gets the coin. Relationships seem to matter less.
5. Prices have increased to the point that I am no longer able or comfortable paying for many of the coins that I would have purchased 5-10 years ago and would have otherwise added to my collection, including coins that I sold in the neighborhood of 5+ years ago.

But, ultimately, the thrill is gone. The bloom is off the rose. The fat lady is singing. It's not you, it's me. Etc.

So where do we go from here?

I have sold about half the value of my collection in the last six months, with likely more to follow. I plan to keep some coins and have some idea which ones are keepers (and a strategy or cohesive theme) and which are not. To be honest, I am down to the coins I like the best and am having trouble parting with them, so I think there may be some life in me as a collector. Perhaps down the road, I will cycle back into coins--or not--and either outcome is perfectly acceptable to me.

I do enjoy the forum banter, and if it is okay with the powers that be (and Keets), I will probably still come around and participate in the numismatic banter--so long as it is fun and light.

MGLICKER · June 20, 2014 3:41AM

It is in your blood man. Take a break and come back in the Fall!

Eagleguy · June 20, 2014 3:43AM

Good luck with your future plans! Hopefully we'll continue to see more of you here. I always enjoy your posts.

JH

Justacommeman · June 20, 2014 3:46AM

1) Those must be some fancy running shoes you be a needing

2) I hate to see you post less

3) Your plan make sense

4) You can always jump back in

Do you still have that Libertas medal you want to sell on the cheap?

MJ

MidLifeCrisis · June 20, 2014 3:46AM

All the best to you in whatever your future holds, my friend.

Having walked away from the hobby, I understand your sentiment completely. I hope you do find yourself reinvigorated, as I did, and come back sooner rather than later. But if you've truly moved on...I wish I'd bought the Hain PTS back from you!

Tassa · June 20, 2014 3:46AM

<< It is in your blood man. Take a break and come back in the Fall! >>

MsMorrisine · June 20, 2014 3:56AM

Dog maven & Dog whisperer providing sage advice to all?

bidask · June 20, 2014 3:58AM

Will you please sell me back that 8 reales ( I think Peru) that was a pcgs 58.

It had a double profile of the bust....

Please?

123cents · June 20, 2014 4:00AM

<< Good luck with your future plans! Hopefully we'll continue to see more of you here. I always enjoy your posts.

JH >>

erickso1 · June 20, 2014 4:03AM

Man, that Baseball HOF decision about whether to open the box or not really took it out of you.

BryceM · June 20, 2014 4:04AM

I've done the same thing in other hobbies. No worries. At least you're leaving on your terms. You might get pulled back in later and maybe not. If cashing in allows you to take your career a better direction, jump in and never look back.

Keep a few though - maybe the ones that would be impossible to replace....... Or not. They're just things. Do stop by though.....

silverpop · June 20, 2014 4:08AM

oddly enough I have split my time between coin collecting, family,fossil hunting and doing other things

tends to avoid the burn out that many collectors get cause your notice is not on one thing it's on multi things

and the thrill of not knowing what is in your change keeps the flame of collecting alive

Boosibri · June 20, 2014 4:08AM

Genuinely sorry to hear it... I appreciate the education and selling me a coin or three here and there. It was through those discussions and transactions that I really saw what nice gold looks like. You have certainly made an impact on me as a collector and for that I'm very thankful.

Keep in touch whether through the forum or email.

Brian

Sonorandesertrat · June 20, 2014 4:09AM

Best of luck. You're still a homie.

shorecoll · June 20, 2014 4:10AM

Put your remaining superstars away, call them your "fixed asset portfolio" and forget about them for a while. "No, I don't collect coins...I do have a fixed asset portfolio to balance my other investments". If you sell them and they continue to climb you'll be sick. I've been in and out of collecting 3 or 4 times, never had as good a set as you do, and that's happened to me every time. Bust dollars, bust, seated and barber halves, woof.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

PS. Seek therapy for your Steelers obsession.

SethChandler · June 20, 2014 4:13AM

Darn, Newman, Gardner, Pouges, and now RYK. Whats the world coming to?

Once you have it it always stays there. Half the fun is the people I meet. I spend most of my time at shows chatting away. Most have been there 20 years or more, and they will be there in the future as well.

Its probably good to say your going to quit and actually do it. I did. Walked away for two years in the mid 90's. No Coin World, no books, no shops. Walked away. This is after collecting at 5, crazy crackhead collecting at 10. Then when I came back, I really came back. I knew I would be a numismatist forever, and that made it much easier. The problems you mentioned, were always there, and will continue to evolve and be there. I struggle with it all the time like you. You just have to choose to embrace all of it. It you do, you will be happier.

Another thing. You ave never seen a market crash. It will come one day. They're bad, real bad. When it does, you will have a much different perspective on things, which will help you to reframe your level of numismatic involvement.

Just my thoughts, RYK!

CoinJunkie · June 20, 2014 4:13AM

Truly the "End of an Era".

RYK · June 20, 2014 4:14AM

Guys, I am not leaving the forum, don't worry...or worry!

mariner67 · June 20, 2014 4:15AM

RYK I have always found you to be a consistently level headed poster whose opinions I have always found interesting, logical and enlightening.
I, as many here, will surely miss you posts and especially seeing some of the outstanding coins you have shared with us.
I have no doubt you are doing what is best for you and wish you much success and happiness in any new path you go down.
Best to you!

joeykoins · June 20, 2014 4:15AM

Yes, I think I know where your coming from? We all get this feeling. I too felt this way and end up selling quite a big chunk of my collection as you did. We all must admit that coins aren't the only things that matter in this world. There are far more relevant and more important matters. I know what's worth concentrating on and I'm sure you do also. Since I sold most of my collection and came to the point that coins are not filling my happiness. What I'm spending my valuable time on now is much, much pleasing and peace of mind. Less stress and worried about If I should buy this and that next coin. I hope you too find the peace and real joy in your life! Just expressing my feelings on your major decision. -joey

RYK · June 20, 2014 4:19AM

PS. Seek therapy for your Steelers obsession.

Interestingly, I am simultaneously cycling out of this interest, too.

bronco2078 · June 20, 2014 4:24AM

<< PS. Seek therapy for your Steelers obsession.

Interestingly, I am simultaneously cycling out of this interest, too.

>>

Well , so are the steelers themselves

leothelyon · June 20, 2014 4:29AM

With me, I find that I have too much on the table at times and have trouble keeping them all in perspective. Like when I went to pay my property taxes, I used the wrong checkbook for the bank that had the funds. There were $76 in penalty fees that really p-ssed me off. I still need to finish remodeling the upstairs. I still have stuff at the old place and my 3 bay garage is full and nobody wants to sort it all out. I did get the truck going again that involved new oil pan gasket, clutch set and transmission, the type of work I've never been trained in but so far, it's running. I have several lawns to mow weekly but with all the rain? Just finished painting one set of step railings for a customer with one set to go. I have this plugged floor drain in the basement next to the washer with a soft brass clean out plug that does not want to come out. I've tried everything from a crescent to a pipe wrench to a chisel and hammer. Maybe a cutting torch will do the trick that I don't have. My brother wants to be a coin dealer so add doing coin shows to the mess. I'm suppose to eventually add a few hundred coins with pics to my website. The cats now have fleas again and I have this barking dog next door which by the way belongs to my son and my water gun is broke. Bela...........shut the heII up, will ya as I yell out my window. And here I am sitting in front of my computer. Well, it's time to get busy again. Sigh

Leo

joebb21 · June 20, 2014 4:36AM

This is RYK's secret way of saying he is downsizing to make some big purchases in the Pogue sale

DIMEMAN · June 20, 2014 4:37AM

Don't go SHANE.......COME BACK SHANE......PLEASE SHANE DON'T GO!!!!!

Seriously it won't be the same without ya.......but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.

MsMorrisine · June 20, 2014 4:39AM

marriages evolve

relationships evolve

perhaps this is normal evolution?

perhaps all you need is a break to re-situate yourself....

Patches · June 20, 2014 4:44AM

I've seen it in many a message board good-bye posts...those who announce that they have no interest inevitably return after a break. The thrill is never really gone until one just turns off the light and doesn't look back. I hope some day the dirty gold fever excites you again, you have a great eye for quality material.

RYK · June 20, 2014 5:08AM

To be honest, I am so deeply committed to #3 (transitioning into a new career path, or off the path entirely

) that any expenditure on coins is currently viewed as a step in the wrong direction.

dbcoin · June 20, 2014 5:12AM

<< To be honest, I am so deeply committed to #3 (transitioning into a new career path, or off the path entirely

) that any expenditure on coins is currently viewed as a step in the wrong direction. >>

you have a good eye for coins. I can't believe that the coins you have bought have lost you money unless you view opportunity cost.

guitarwes · June 20, 2014 5:12AM

I've recently delved into the world of Aquaponics (growing vegetables with fish poo) and it has given me a well-needed break from coins.

I miss dealing in coins on a day to day or week to week basis so it'll probably always be a part of who I am and what I want to dabble in....that is if I don't get into the commercial aspect of aquaponics, then I won't have the time for the little round shiny discs.

Broadstruck · June 20, 2014 5:24AM

<< I've recently delved into the world of Aquaponics (growing vegetables with fish poo) >>

Although sad to see RYK having lost his desire to collect.... Between this post & "Steelers thong underwear" I think I've broken a rib from laughter

DrPete · June 20, 2014 5:37AM

Good luck RYK. I have enjoyed my in-person meetings with you at shows, as well as discussions on the board. Hope your career changes work well for you. I changed jobs at the beginning of the year, but still in the same state, but at a different hospital. Mostly a similar practice, but a change nevertheless. I haven't lost the love of coins, but buying a second home means I now am collecting houses!

MsMorrisine · June 20, 2014 5:37AM

<< To be honest, I am so deeply committed to #3 (transitioning into a new career path, or off the path entirely

) that any expenditure on coins is currently viewed as a step in the wrong direction. >>

what is your area of medical expertise?

BAJJERFAN · June 20, 2014 5:43AM

<< 

<< To be honest, I am so deeply committed to #3 (transitioning into a new career path, or off the path entirely

) that any expenditure on coins is currently viewed as a step in the wrong direction. >>

what is your area of medical expertise? >>

Radiology.

Speakin a which, I had a MRI the other day and dang near fell asleep in the thing. They got done JIT.

bosco5041 · June 20, 2014 5:48AM

I'm glad to hear you are staying on the forum. I have learned some reading your post and looking at your great coins although I can't really afford that type of coins.

derryb · June 20, 2014 5:50AM

Well, you can always start collecting wives.

blu62vette · June 20, 2014 5:52AM

<< Well, you can always start collecting wives. >>

talk about expensive....

littlebear · June 20, 2014 6:01AM

Wishing you the very best in your new endeavors! Sometimes it is really difficult to give up something you love so much, but must, in pursuit of new dreams. The older I get, the more I realize that I really don't regret what I have done, but rather what I did not do.

In "If I Had My Life To Live Over" the late Erma Bombeck wrote: "But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it...live it...and never give it back."

Best of luck.

Larry L.

bidask · June 20, 2014 6:10AM

<< To be honest, I am so deeply committed to #3 (transitioning into a new career path, or off the path entirely

) that any expenditure on coins is currently viewed as a step in the wrong direction. >>

So what is act II going to be? What are you transitioning into ?

AUandAG · June 20, 2014 6:14AM

Summer doldrums......I hope!

bob

magikbilly · June 20, 2014 6:23AM

Best of luck with your new directions.

Eric

MsMorrisine · June 20, 2014 6:27AM

sounds like the thrill is gone from work, too.

the other half is not worried, I hope?

KentuckyJ · June 20, 2014 6:30AM

Totally understand, or almost totally. Definitely wish you the best of luck. I know my own collection and interests have many times been influenced by your numismatic presence from afar

mariner67 · June 20, 2014 6:31AM

Sounds like the fat lady is warming up!

BAJJERFAN · June 20, 2014 6:38AM

<< To be honest, I am so deeply committed to #3 (transitioning into a new career path, or off the path entirely

) that any expenditure on coins is currently viewed as a step in the wrong direction. >>

So this prolly means that you aint gonna be a coin dealer?

steveben · June 20, 2014 6:46AM

bummer.

kaz · June 20, 2014 6:47AM

I have always enjoyed your posts and sense of humor, and hope you will continue to participate on the forum. Best of luck with whatever course your career takes, I hope it is satisfying on multiple levels.

3stars · June 20, 2014 6:55AM

Best of luck! I did the same thing about six months ago, decided that investing in stocks was the new interest. Plus, it pays better than coins...

291fifth · June 20, 2014 7:16AM

You are now transitioning from collector to numismatist.

291fifth · June 20, 2014 7:18AM

<< Best of luck! I did the same thing about six months ago, decided that investing in stocks was the new interest. Plus, it pays better than coins... >>

In today's investment world you do not "invest" in stocks, you speculate in them. Pray you are not holding them when the institutions decide it is time to dump them.

MsMorrisine · June 20, 2014 7:23AM

<< 

<< To be honest, I am so deeply committed to #3 (transitioning into a new career path, or off the path entirely

) that any expenditure on coins is currently viewed as a step in the wrong direction. >>

So this prolly means that you aint gonna be a coin dealer? >>

I heard he's got a new app going called radiograph your kin.

The Thrill is Gone...

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