What drew you to having an interest in your area of collecting coins?
TopographicOceans
Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭
As a type collector my answer is easy.
It's because each coin is different (except of the multiples of Seated Liberty coins).
It's a challenge to find the best you can afford from each series and I think having one example of each coin minted is interesting.
But I doubt I'll ever finish it.
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Comments
I like big gold and I cannot lie...
As a kid, and a paperboy, old coins intrigued me.... no idea why, but I was fascinated by them. By old, at that time, I mean IHC's, Barbers, Columbian halves and the occasional Morgan. Cheers, RickO
I had pretty well gone as far as I could on a teenager's budget with my large cent by marriage collection when I realized that bust halves were affordable.
Later I began to specialize in the year 1827 mostly because people kept telling me that a die marriage collection was impossible.
Double dimes - there was very little information on the series and nobody had done a serious study of die marriages.
Capped bust halves - the coins are beautiful and remarkably inexpensive (at the time). It was also the challenge of completing a die marriage set (just 14 more to go!).
Old slabs - no idea ... it just happened.
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
Better date seated material in 1974. I had been seeing some articles and dealers ads mentioning how scarce some of the coins with higher mintages really were. In particular, I recall Jim Halperin at NERCG in 1974 promoting things like 1843-0 quarters as being "vastly underrated." That caught my attention. I distinctly remember NERCG listing a F-VF of that date for around $50 in 1974 (vs. Coin World trends value of $15). I bought that coin! And I'm sure I lost money on it eventually....lol. But, I was hooked and began doing my own rarity research and scouring the country for the top 30 or so underrated seated coins. Back then, you could cherry pick better date seated at CW Trends and double or triple up quite easily.
I am a set builder, I know that not everyone is into the constructs and limitations of building a set, but that's how I collect. I will not start a collection of something if I do not think it can be completed (without winning the lottery).
For capped bust halves- big silver, old, relatively affordable.
For capped bust half dimes- little silver, old, frequently seen with pretty colors, relatively affordable.
For Northumbrian sceats and stycas- old, underappreciated, only "completable" set of British Anglo-Saxon that can be collected on a budget.
A little over 20 years ago I set up a personal agenda based on several factors. One of these was storage. I purchased 5 eagle brand coin books. 2 5 page to store seated halves. 1 4 page to hold a type set of dollars based on 1 coin from each mint for each decade. 1 3 page to store type coins and 1 3 page to store copper coins. The largest set is the seated half because I think the portrait on the half dollar is far superior to the liberty featured on any of the other denominations. I also love the larger size coins. I am Dutch enough that I feel I am getting more bang for my buck. Thank you for asking. James
Because VAMming is fun and addictive and you are adding to the knowledge base for future collectors
Ancients: I started in circulation US coinage, then moved to early gold, then to Colonials, and one day looked to build a set of one coin per century. After starting on the ancient side at 600BC, I was hooked and haven't been able to break away no matter how enticing some of the recently CRO Early Bird emails are.
I am a Type collector because looking at the same coin design that can encompass decades gets old, IMHO. I have expanded in Variety Type collecting. I can certainly agree with CascadeChris about adding to the education of not only future collectors, but those who have been collecting for some time.
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
My interest in American history brought me to collect early commemorative half dollars.
Trying to adhere to a "less is more" collecting strategy, concentrating on a few WOW (to me) toned pieces, mostly U.S. type. This current approach was reached because I want diversity in design/theme and because I need to concentrate available dollars to meet the premium associated with acquiring good eye appeal coins.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
It took me over 50 years to finish it according to the NGC registry. I'm still not done according to the PCGS registry, but some of the coins they include, like the $4 gold piece, are patterns that are not part of the set in my opinion. Some of the others, like the 1838 type for the first Liberty $10 gold piece, probably belong in it.
I got into numismatics as an alternative to fiat money, in appreciation of US history wanting an honest alternative to wall street, etc..
My dad got me started as a kid with classic coins in Whitman folders. I particularly liked the beauty, history and SCARCITY of the Walker....especially the 1916-1933 coins.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
My friends in grade school were collecting and I had an income from two paper routes (one morning and one evening) so I could participate. Enjoyed going to the bank with them on Saturdays and buying rolls of pennies and searching right then and there and turning back in for more. Bankers didn't care and we had a blast!
Got me hooked.
I've always like wheats and Indian heads. I know why too.
My family has always owned retail stores. My grand father used to save all the Indian head and wheat cents he found in circulation and put them in glass jugs. Then when my father took over the stores he also got the 40 or so then snapple tea bottle full of cents. When I would go to the store with my dad when I was young he would always let me look threw a bottle of them. I vividly remember one day finding a 1906 indian head cent in the jars and thought I struck gold and that I was going to be rich! So since then and looking threw the 75 years worth of wheats out of circulation my grand father and father collected I grew a love of wheats and Indians
HAPPY COLLECTING
First it was pennies, of course. Then, one day when I was around eight or nine years old, I found a capped bust dime that was in one of my grandfather's books. Maybe it was used as a page marker. Who knows. Anyway, that coin just fascinated me and I've been hooked on capped bust coins ever since. For the longest time though it's just half dollars that I collect. I also began collecting Jefferson nickels when I was around fourteen years old. They are cheap,fun, and they keep me busy between my capped bust half purchases. I still have that old dime. I think. It's around here somewhere. It'll turn up.
I started into numismatics when my wife's grandpa gave us his collection before he died. Mostly junk silver but it peaked my interest. I tend to go in periods of collecting this or that but I have found it a good hobby that has increased in value instead of decreasing like a lot of other hobbies. I still consider myself a big novice but have learned a lot from you all in this board
Mostly I just wanted a field to myself but the fact that all the coins were in circulation was icing on the cake.
I started with Mercury dimes. I liked the design and when they changed to the Roosevelt, I started saving them. That of course, led to other coin interests. Like Kennedy halves and Franklins. Then as life progressed, I got into the AGE's. No specific reason.
From my Dad, I guess. We sorted thousands upon thousands of wheat cents as kids. It stuck with it.
Currently just colllect type coins for a 7070 and bullion.
I'm confused. Was this thread supposed to be about how we got into coin collecting or how we chose what we are collecting presently?
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
What we are collecting presently, I believe.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Half Dimes.... Over a decade ago I started a U.S. Type Set but I included examples from each mint. I don't know what you'd call that... Anyway, I sold that collection but always remained intrigued with the amazing detail that was imparted on the tiny half dime. I thought it was amazing how it was accomplished for that time. When I decided to get back into collecting I went straight to half dimes.
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
I like all coins...
Copper/silver/gold
I like regular issues, love key dates.
I love the hunt and desirability...
However they only coins my wife shows interest or thought about are the error coins... off metal/wrong planchet/double denomination
I collect Buffalo nickels for the simply reason that I love the design.
I began as a youngster when my parents bought me a couple Whitman folders to get me to sit down and shut up for a few moments. It worked!
Jefferson nickel set was the first to be completed followed by Roosevelt dimes then the BIG leap completing the Lincolns with the purchase of the S VDB when I was 13.
Next I was hooked on a type set as I was intrigued with the earlier designs. Soon became very interested in half cents for a short time and contemplated a die marriage set but did not like the look of the majority of the coins I found. Soon was exposed to an Overton book and became totally engrossed with the Capped series by marriage. That was 1978 and have been collecting them ever since obtaining 442 of the 453 possibilities.
Some time ago it became difficult to add to the collection so I began the Draped bust series along with Capped half dimes then recently have begun the dimes and quarters, just for something to do.
Along the way numismatic literature became very important to me and I have accumulated a sizable library of working volumes as well as some antique numismatic references and some deluxe bindings. I can almost smell the leather now.........
There, a lifetime of enjoyment that stemmed from a 50 cent investment by my parents. Yes, Whitman folders were a quarter each back in the Stone Age! (19 cents on sale
A: The year they spend more on their library than their coin collection.
A numismatist is judged more on the content of their library than the content of their cabinet.
Sometimes, they are one in the same. Besides, details into why are more interesting than a few word answer.
I started out buying "junk" silver at the local coin shop. Little by little, the coins in 2x2's became more interesting. A couple years later, life happened, luckily while silver was high. Sold off all the junk.
Walked back into the shop maybe four years later, and began a 20th century type set. I'll never forget buying the silver Roosevelt. I thought to myself, "I can really buy this nice a coin with sweet toning for eight bucks?" Still have the coin, and still hunting for more toned gems
I started with buffalos and they are the best US coin design. Indeed, they are at or near the top of the list of all coin designs.
I have really gotten into toned gold, because it is so rare. Gold itself is just fun to collect, but since you hardly ever see toned pieces, it makes it even more fun to try to find and collect them.
My dad got me started collecting when I was 7 years old in 1963 by giving me a Whitman Roosevelt dime album. He also bought proof sets from the mint in the early 60s so I collect in the area of 50-70 proof and SMS sets because of the connection to my dad.
My gram gave me a wheat cent and explained those were what they used before the memorial cents I was used to seeing. I quickly polished it to a gleaming new copper color. She explained I ruined it by cleaning it. The next wheat cent I came in contact with was a 1910 and it went into a book without cleaning or polishing it. I've been hooked since then.
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
I've been working on a US type set for 40 years (except for that break from 1982-1995) starting with the 20th century and generally working backwards. Back then, there was no internet, so it was mostly the local coin shops (learned fast not to buy mail order, I want to see it first) and a couple of small local shows.
No one ever had draped bust or large sized capped quarters to even look at, much less buy in my price range (AG-Fine) so when the internet was invented and the selection of coins (with pictures) became available, I filled those spots and then upgraded them a little, learned that coins of the same date had slight differences in the arrangement of stars and letters, bought the book and learned about Browning die varieties and found out how even for a given die, there are distinct stages of wear and breakage which shows up on the coins as cracks and cuds and other features, which I find fascinating,
So, as the coins started to approach and pass 200 years old, decided that I wanted to specialize in these early quarters and attempt to collect most of the different identifiable die pairs and die stages for each variety, and someday not so soon (once retired) sell some duplicates of other coin types, and bullion, and finally complete both the quarters set and type set by acquiring the 1804 (x2 die pairs) and 1796 (also x 2) quarters, that small eagle quarter has been a dream since that first 1976 red book.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Small eagles are my favorites since they represent the early minted coins.
Like Chris says-that's my primary reason for collecting these, too, but also that the date wear, many varieties, and huge problems with strike and die state add a huge challenge to collecting them.
I found some coins and I like to know the relation ship, this made me search the web and I hope to uncover the secret
"As a type collector my answer is easy.
It's because each coin is different (except of the multiples of Seated Liberty coins).
It's a challenge to find the best you can afford from each series and I think having one example of each coin minted is interesting.
But I doubt I'll ever finish it."
^^ I'm like you. I've done a few series before, but I like the one-nice-example-of-each approach. Like you, I doubt I'll ever finish -- like, I just don't care enough to ever spend what I'd have to for certain things, i.e. 1796 quarter or a chain cent, in any grade. Acquisitions lately are slow, like one nice addition in gold annually, but I scratch the itch to acquire random neat things by doing a little bit of vestpocket / flea market / ebay dealing & flipping.
17 years ago I bought Albert R. Frey's book about dated European coinage before 1501 A.D.
At the time it was a start for a new direction for collecting. As most of you know, when you
show a non-collector some of your collection the first two questions are, "How old is it?" or
"How much is it worth?". Their only other comments might be are "That's nice" or "Cool".
At this point in time I am enjoying my rather "narrow focused" collection.
@coromandel ...Welcome aboard... Join in the fun... tell us what you collect.... Cheers, RickO
When my family used to cross the border into Mexico from Texas ( 1960s ) mom would give us a $20 bill and exchange it in a Mexican bank for 20 Morgans/Peace dollars as the bank was very willing to get rid of the coins. One of the Morgans was worth $15 per the Redbook. Not a bad deal when we cut a large yard for $5.00. From there we went to local banks and got large numbers of pennies to go through. We found a 1931 S cent. We also went through rolls of Nichols and found a 1950 D and kept all the "War Nichols". After that I assembled a complete set of Buffalos by going to local coin shows and one coin shop. Many years passed and I always wanted a few truly rare coins so I have a few type one $20 O mints in AU. My wife and I are putting a $1 1795 to 1799 dollar set together. We are going to stay in the AU range if we are lucky enough to find good examples. After that we will pick up a few eighteenth century gold coins up. I just hope for my kids sake they appreciate like the 18/17 EF Buffalo I bought for $525. It was a nice full horn coin. I got the bug early and it still grows.
I rediscovered the hobby after finally getting a real job. I picked up a bit of junk silver and some silver dollars. I started learning a bit about Peace dollars and the bug bit HARD. The history, design, and relative availability were interesting. The odd circumstance of condition rarity often flying counter to overall mintages still interests me. The Peace dollar is the little sister to the Morgan, but as in real life, the younger one is often prettier and nicer.
My oldest son started collecting bust dimes after meeting Brad Karoleff. He just happened to stop by Brad's table and asked if he had any bust or seated coins he could look at. Brad took out some coins he had hidden behind his table and then spent a good 2 hours at the Central States show explaining the ins and outs of bust coins. He let my son pick out any of the coins he wanted for ridiculously low prices and my son was hooked. Then his little brother got the bug and he started collecting bust halves. They both made me promise I wouldn't collect the series they were collecting so I chose bust quarters since we were starting this journey together. Brad also convinced my boys they needed to buy the bust dime and half book so they could really know what they were doing. He found them copies (also at ridiculously low prices) and introduced them to variety collecting. I cannot begin to explain how great a mentor Brad was for both my boys. He walked them around the bourse multiple times looking at coins and helping them understand what original coins look like. He spent a long time discussing the importance of buying a nice coin versus just buying any coin. He also would take them around and introduce them to all the other dealers at the show and get their red books signed by contributing authors that were at the shows. He really gave them the royal treatment. Great guy.
@hchcoin....Wow .. great story and what a nice guy... big help for YN's.....Thanks for telling us... Cheers, RickO
The date: 13 July 1962, as a kid, coming home after my paper route collection day with so much silver (The sight and sound of real silver coins, well 90% silver anyway) in my pockets my pants would be falling down.
Wonderful, feelgood story. We certainly need more men like Brad Karoleff in this hobby. Kudos to him!
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/