<< <i>Complaining kids aren't in "our" world is about as useless as them attempting to wrap us old pharts up into those video games THEY are addicted to. >>
BINGO!
That's where their interest lies. No matter how many YNs on here post, they are NOT representative of their generation as a bloc.
We also have to contend now with what DESTROYED antique toy collecting....... TERRIFIC FAKES!
As far as ....starting.... a collection now, too expensive for most and the keys would simply be unattainable. Ergo, interest dead due to inability to complete.
I'm 73. I love looking at present offerings of gems from the gemster dealers but have no interest in acquiring them to put in a box and keep an image on my computer to look at.
I'm also pretty much of an expert on guns and same thing there. I've owned and sold some amazing guns. Do I miss them? Sure, at times. But is there any incentive to buy some more? Nope.
And I guess that age factor reminds me of what's probably the ....greatest.... threat to collectibles of ALL areas. The demographic bomb. My contemporaries are ALL looking to .................... SELL .......................... all the "treasures" they sought in the glory days.
I still contend that the trend is down and accelerating in that direction.
(to those who "collect not invest" I would bet some pretty substantial money that those collections are quite thin on 4 and 5 figure coins and up)
JMHO >>
Pretty much my collection IS quite thin on 4 and 5 figure coins and up, you are quite correct on that point -- which is why I do indeed collect, I do not "invest." I thought that was pretty self-evident, as is apparently, your belief that anything numismatic not going into the 4 to 5 figure range (and up) isn't worthy of collecting or respecting? OK.
Every single solitary numismatic oldster I've come across in person, has very little "good" to say about "the kids of today." There are probably exceptions, QDB seems to be one, but I've never met him in person.
Perhaps the ones I've met are just annoyed at their own mortality, I dunno. But they sure are buzzkills. I wonder sometimes if they were always that way, or if it happens to you gradually as the decades wear on you.
<< <i>No matter how many YNs on here post, they are NOT representative of their generation as a bloc. >>
And old numismatists are not representative of their generation as a bloc either. So what?
<< <i>We also have to contend now with what DESTROYED antique toy collecting....... TERRIFIC FAKES! >>
Indeed, this is a big thing that fortunately is not that bad in coin collecting. Sure there are fake coins and fake slabs, but the vast majority of slabbed coins are safe to buy. No other collectibles market that I can think of comes close. For toys, almost as problematic is changing trends in toy giving. Again, why would a young collector want to collect toys from the 40s? There is no personal connection to this. The classic quality wooden German toys from 200 years ago will always have value.
<< <i>As far as ....starting.... a collection now, too expensive for most and the keys would simply be unattainable. Ergo, interest dead due to inability to complete. >>
This is a serious problem. If our hobby takes a decline it will be because of this. But then prices will adjust and this will bring in new collectors. Think about this: Should a 1909-s VDB cent be worth >1k in low circulated grades? Especially now when there are less people trying to fill their penny boards than 50 years ago?
<< <i>I'm 73. I love looking at present offerings of gems from the gemster dealers but have no interest in acquiring them to put in a box and keep an image on my computer to look at. >>
There are plenty of kids who also look at cool old rare things (like coins) and may pin them on pintrest or read about them on wikipedia, but have no interest in owning them. Coveting and owning is a matter of having disposable income. Interest in history is not.
<< <i>And I guess that age factor reminds me of what's probably the ....greatest.... threat to collectibles of ALL areas. The demographic bomb. My contemporaries are ALL looking to .................... SELL .......................... all the "treasures" they sought in the glory days. >>
Your generation is no better than mine. Probably worse. As you age, you will eventually sell, or leave it to someone else to sell. As one ages, worldly possessions become less important.
<< <i>I still contend that the trend is down and accelerating in that direction. >>
Collectibles will be ok regardless of whether "kids these days" appreciate them. If the market for rare coins "crashes" it will bring new collectors in with adjusted low prices. It's not the worst thing that could happen..
So kids like video games? So what, you would have liked them too if they were around when you were younger.
What I'm sure nobody would like to talk about is the real reason all collectibles are or will be in great decline, it has nothing to do with kids changing interests, or interest in history, rather it's all economics, it is the widening disparity between rich and poor, the shrinking of the middle class, and the reality of not having the kind of money to blow on luxury items like coins. Like with stamps, we'll end up with kings and robber barons chasing the finest and rarest, while the rest of the market sinks.
<< <i>Every single solitary numismatic oldster I've come across in person, has very little "good" to say about "the kids of today." There are probably exceptions, QDB seems to be one, but I've never met him in person.
Perhaps the ones I've met are just annoyed at their own mortality, I dunno. But they sure are buzzkills. I wonder sometimes if they were always that way, or if it happens to you gradually as the decades wear on you. >>
<< <i>Every single solitary numismatic oldster I've come across in person, has very little "good" to say about "the kids of today." There are probably exceptions, QDB seems to be one, but I've never met him in person.
Perhaps the ones I've met are just annoyed at their own mortality, I dunno. But they sure are buzzkills. I wonder sometimes if they were always that way, or if it happens to you gradually as the decades wear on you. >>
<< <i>Every single solitary numismatic oldster I've come across in person, has very little "good" to say about "the kids of today." There are probably exceptions, QDB seems to be one, but I've never met him in person.
Perhaps the ones I've met are just annoyed at their own mortality, I dunno. But they sure are buzzkills. I wonder sometimes if they were always that way, or if it happens to you gradually as the decades wear on you. >>
Curmudgeons You've defined them well. >>
Lol I think some are richards all there life and some you can put up with i hope i dont get like this. But my wife tells me some times stop acting like a crabby old man so i know i'm not there yet. I wonder when it will take place
<< <i> And old numismatists are not representative of their generation as a bloc either. So what? >>
Words of wisdom.
There are lots of good solid citizens still growing up even if they are a little different (on average) than the older generations. There are lots of intelligent and well educated young adults even though the schools have failed.
People who collect coins tend to have two characteristics that set them apart in most cases; they are more "intelligent" and they have the collecting bug. More intelligent people are more likely to be self motivated enough to extract an education from the failed school system and people who collect are likely to collect something no matter how they are raised, trained, or come of age.
There are other characteristics that coin collectors tend to share but nothing really precludes anyone from collecting other than abject poverty and even this won't entirely curtail coin collecting, but merely affects the (acquisition) value of coins collected.
Most collectors won't admit this, even those with million dollar collections, but the opportunity to make large profits is at least a small part of most collectors' motivation.
Many things simply never change even as everything does. The clock is always ticking and all things will run their course in due time. The new generation of collectors will someday be the curmudgeons.
I have had the same question for the last several years. Who is going to replace the collectors as they "move on"? Our youth today is very different from the youth of 20, 30, or even 40 years ago. If you are interested in learning a little bit more about the "youth of today," I would suggest a great book, "Generation iY" by Tim Elmore. It gives you a pretty good viewpoint of this generation of young people. I have been in education for the last 35+ years, and I can assure you that young people have a very different viewpoint about life. My opinion is not that they are better or worse, just different. I am unsure if they will mature and make more disposable income to the point where they will buy our treasures in the five, six, and seven figures in the future. I tend to think that inflation will never go away and that gold and silver will have a place in the future. Silver and gold has been a store of value since the earliest times and I would guess that it will be in the future. Of course, gold and silver is hard to eat , drink , or keep you warm in the winter. I have a paltry collection of widgets(compared to most of you, I'm sure), but I do have hope that my widgets will hold their value or even increase in the future. I see my coins as portfolio diversification and a hobby that I enjoy. I hope these young people grow up, make a lot of money, and buy my coins, my stocks, and fund my social security, but I am not going to count on it 100%. When I look back at the great investors/entrepreneurs of our lifetime(Buffett, et.al.) it seems to me that one thing they have in common is an optimistic belief that things will get better in the future. I am going to attempt to have the same belief.
"Our youth now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for their elders and love chatter in place of exercise; they no longer rise when elders enter the room; they contradict their parents, chatter before company; gobble up their food and tyrannize their teachers." Socrates 469-399 B.C.
Comments
<< <i>
<< <i>Complaining kids aren't in "our" world is about as useless as them attempting to wrap us old pharts up into those video games THEY are addicted to. >>
BINGO!
That's where their interest lies. No matter how many YNs on here post, they are NOT representative of their generation as a bloc.
We also have to contend now with what DESTROYED antique toy collecting....... TERRIFIC FAKES!
As far as ....starting.... a collection now, too expensive for most and the keys would simply be unattainable. Ergo, interest dead due to inability to complete.
I'm 73. I love looking at present offerings of gems from the gemster dealers but have no interest in acquiring them to put in a box and keep an image on my computer to look at.
I'm also pretty much of an expert on guns and same thing there. I've owned and sold some amazing guns. Do I miss them? Sure, at times.
But is there any incentive to buy some more? Nope.
And I guess that age factor reminds me of what's probably the ....greatest.... threat to collectibles of ALL areas.
The demographic bomb.
My contemporaries are ALL looking to .................... SELL .......................... all the "treasures" they sought in the glory days.
I still contend that the trend is down and accelerating in that direction.
(to those who "collect not invest" I would bet some pretty substantial money that those collections are quite thin on 4 and 5 figure coins and up)
JMHO >>
Pretty much my collection IS quite thin on 4 and 5 figure coins and up, you are quite correct on that point -- which is why I do indeed collect, I do not "invest."
I thought that was pretty self-evident, as is apparently, your belief that anything numismatic not going into the 4 to 5 figure range (and up) isn't worthy of collecting or respecting? OK.
Perhaps the ones I've met are just annoyed at their own mortality, I dunno. But they sure are buzzkills. I wonder sometimes if they were always that way, or if it happens to you gradually as the decades wear on you.
<< <i>No matter how many YNs on here post, they are NOT representative of their generation as a bloc. >>
And old numismatists are not representative of their generation as a bloc either. So what?
<< <i>We also have to contend now with what DESTROYED antique toy collecting....... TERRIFIC FAKES! >>
Indeed, this is a big thing that fortunately is not that bad in coin collecting. Sure there are fake coins and fake slabs, but the vast majority of slabbed coins are safe to buy. No other collectibles market that I can think of comes close.
For toys, almost as problematic is changing trends in toy giving. Again, why would a young collector want to collect toys from the 40s? There is no personal connection to this. The classic quality wooden German toys from 200 years ago will always have value.
<< <i>As far as ....starting.... a collection now, too expensive for most and the keys would simply be unattainable. Ergo, interest dead due to inability to complete. >>
This is a serious problem. If our hobby takes a decline it will be because of this. But then prices will adjust and this will bring in new collectors.
Think about this: Should a 1909-s VDB cent be worth >1k in low circulated grades? Especially now when there are less people trying to fill their penny boards than 50 years ago?
<< <i>I'm 73. I love looking at present offerings of gems from the gemster dealers but have no interest in acquiring them to put in a box and keep an image on my computer to look at. >>
There are plenty of kids who also look at cool old rare things (like coins) and may pin them on pintrest or read about them on wikipedia, but have no interest in owning them. Coveting and owning is a matter of having disposable income. Interest in history is not.
<< <i>And I guess that age factor reminds me of what's probably the ....greatest.... threat to collectibles of ALL areas.
The demographic bomb.
My contemporaries are ALL looking to .................... SELL .......................... all the "treasures" they sought in the glory days. >>
Your generation is no better than mine. Probably worse. As you age, you will eventually sell, or leave it to someone else to sell. As one ages, worldly possessions become less important.
<< <i>I still contend that the trend is down and accelerating in that direction. >>
Collectibles will be ok regardless of whether "kids these days" appreciate them. If the market for rare coins "crashes" it will bring new collectors in with adjusted low prices. It's not the worst thing that could happen..
So kids like video games? So what, you would have liked them too if they were around when you were younger.
What I'm sure nobody would like to talk about is the real reason all collectibles are or will be in great decline, it has nothing to do with kids changing interests, or interest in history, rather it's all economics, it is the widening disparity between rich and poor, the shrinking of the middle class, and the reality of not having the kind of money to blow on luxury items like coins.
Like with stamps, we'll end up with kings and robber barons chasing the finest and rarest, while the rest of the market sinks.
<< <i>Every single solitary numismatic oldster I've come across in person, has very little "good" to say about "the kids of today." There are probably exceptions, QDB seems to be one, but I've never met him in person.
Perhaps the ones I've met are just annoyed at their own mortality, I dunno. But they sure are buzzkills. I wonder sometimes if they were always that way, or if it happens to you gradually as the decades wear on you. >>
Curmudgeons
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
<< <i>Every single solitary numismatic oldster I've come across in person, has very little "good" to say about "the kids of today." There are probably exceptions, QDB seems to be one, but I've never met him in person.
Perhaps the ones I've met are just annoyed at their own mortality, I dunno. But they sure are buzzkills. I wonder sometimes if they were always that way, or if it happens to you gradually as the decades wear on you. >>
Yup.
<< <i>
<< <i>Every single solitary numismatic oldster I've come across in person, has very little "good" to say about "the kids of today." There are probably exceptions, QDB seems to be one, but I've never met him in person.
Perhaps the ones I've met are just annoyed at their own mortality, I dunno. But they sure are buzzkills. I wonder sometimes if they were always that way, or if it happens to you gradually as the decades wear on you. >>
Curmudgeons
Lol
Hoard the keys.
<< <i>
And old numismatists are not representative of their generation as a bloc either. So what?
>>
Words of wisdom.
There are lots of good solid citizens still growing up even if they are a little different (on average)
than the older generations. There are lots of intelligent and well educated young adults even though
the schools have failed.
People who collect coins tend to have two characteristics that set them apart in most cases; they are
more "intelligent" and they have the collecting bug. More intelligent people are more likely to be self
motivated enough to extract an education from the failed school system and people who collect are
likely to collect something no matter how they are raised, trained, or come of age.
There are other characteristics that coin collectors tend to share but nothing really precludes anyone
from collecting other than abject poverty and even this won't entirely curtail coin collecting, but merely
affects the (acquisition) value of coins collected.
Most collectors won't admit this, even those with million dollar collections, but the opportunity to make
large profits is at least a small part of most collectors' motivation.
Many things simply never change even as everything does. The clock is always ticking and all things
will run their course in due time. The new generation of collectors will someday be the curmudgeons.
"Our youth now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for their elders and love chatter in place of exercise; they no longer rise when elders enter the room; they contradict their parents, chatter before company; gobble up their food and tyrannize their teachers." Socrates 469-399 B.C.