Why do You collect coins?
Aspie_Rocco
Posts: 3,672 ✭✭✭✭✭
Why do You collect coins?
I collect coins for a variety of reasons that neatly fit together.
History:
I am fascinated with antiquities, history, and dilapidated properties and structures. With coins the mystery of their history can be fuel for the imagination... who held it previously, why, how long, etcetera. Or knowing its history can add meaning and sentimentality.
Collector:
I have always collected things since a young child. Lining up toys and organizing sets of things, reading-researching on topics of interest as soon as I was old enough to read.
By 5th grade I had read most of the classics in literature, and a few encyclopedias 
. Then the desire to own things I had learned of assumed the financial requirements of more serious collections.
Meditation:
I spend hours perseverating with my coins and Variety hunting. It is so calming and enjoyable for me. When I am angry, upset, or feeling extremely unpleasant, simply sitting down and surfing the net for unattributed varieties, needed coins, or reorganizing my coins by various association, just kind of erases everything and I super get super focused
Perseverate:
Defined as; to repeat something insistently, incessantly, or redundantly: the uncontrollable repetition of a particular response, such as a word, phrase, or gesture, despite the absence or cessation of a stimulus, usually caused by brain injury or other organic disorder.
It's better to do this reading or coining than with words or actions. Lol that weirds people out. When the wife and kids are out I sometimes clean the table and bar counter and neatly line up/cover flat surfaces with PCGS slabs to admire.
Being an Aspie:
I was diagnosed as having level one autism/ Aspergers/ high functioning autistic. I seem and look like a normal average person and can usually go undetected as being "different" or an aspie. My only easy tells are eye contact and always looking about 7-10 years younger than I actually am.
This unique neurological condition makes some things in life super easy and others absurdly difficult. Casual socializing is hard.
Talking about a Special Interest is generally easy for verbal auties, and this is where I get to shine in life. I love numismatics and related reading/topics. This is cause for the prolific posting I do here at times. I kind of get to let it all hang out and get my "geek on."
The mental and emotional benefits of numismatics is simply amazing for me. If you know an Aspie in real life or level one or two autistic person
This is also why I dream to transition to working somehow in the coin industry in some professional capacity. There is so much fun with coins for me. And my normal career is not a good fit for me, lol.
Coins are just awesome:
They are or you wouldn't be in this forum. 
and the financial return is better than most of my previous collections
Thanks for reading, best wishes,
Rocco
Why do You collect?
Comments
So my wife won't be able to keep track of my other spending. lol
Escapism.
Let's see .... nostalgia for the coins of my youth. (I'm turning 63 in the very near future.) A reminder of my grandfather Whit Hart who got me started with a Whitman folder for Lincolns. The transparency of a collecting field in which the date of manufacture, the number manufactured, and (in some cases) survival rates are fairly well known. (I enjoy looking at early colonial furniture, but to collect it would scare the hell out of me.) I also like the portability of coins. (I have a friend who collects antique cars. His wife says that they are not very good at running, but they are aces at leaking.) And, certainly, their history and the history that surrounds them. American history through the lens of various presidential administrations. FDR, Truman, Lincoln, Jefferson. I can't behold a coin of their eras without thinking of them and their times.
I do not collect coins in hopes of a profit. I dabble elsewhere for that.
Whit
Interesting that it helps your head stuff, @Aspie_Rocco. I'm manic depressive bipolar with a slew of other maladies, and when I'm at my worst just sit me down in front of some copper cents and a loop and it goes away. Same with mushroom picking.
Ease of storage, compared to my car hobby anyway.
For me it is the thrill of the hunt, finding a nice one, submitting and seeing grades.
Insanity.
On a more serious note, artistry and history.
There's something... primal? about choosing the better items from the average ones in any population. This is a family forum, so I'll leave it at that.
I'm sure I used to know, but I am now too old to remember. So I guess my current reason is "because I can".
Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia
Findley Ridge Collection
About Findley Ridge
The beauty of pure goodness. Searching and learning. I could go on ....
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
Because I can
And because I want to
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
This 99% of the reason...
History
Interest in chemistry and metallurgy
OCD-packrat disorder-I have other collections too
My other main hobby takes more time: hiking/canyoneering
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
History, artistic beauty, condition/absolute rarity and value/investment potential.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
It is difficult to identify one facet.... it all started as a kid, when I saw a 'different' coin... especially on my paper route. No one else in the family is a coin collector (Well, my Dad did have a few Morgans and German silver coins - but it was in no way a hobby). I enjoy the history, particularly like coin artistry - though U.S. coinage has lost almost all appreciable art.... Cheers, RickO
I'm a masochist. That's why I collect coins.
It's my goal to eventually have a Dansco album complete with a toned coin from every denomination/date/mint. Gives me something to complete.
@basetsb_coins on Instagram
Unlike most of the dreck that we buy, coins are immortal. At least to the extent that they are virtually guaranteed to outlive us.
All of the above are good answers but don't forget some like the competition and to say mine is shinier than yours.
This is good, the competition part. Only in the last year did I develop a competitive aspect to collecting, when I got serious about registry participation.
While I am not driven to upstage someone with superior financial strength, there is a benefit to working towards higher quality. Setting higher standards.
Seeing how @Traz / Jesh collects has influenced my selections and upgrades. I see in the Jesh coins, a patience for high quality that I am working towards presently.
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
I saw on a TV show that one can become FABULOUSLY wealthy by investing in coins. Those bags of pennies and '80s Proof Sets are my retirement plan!
Or dirtier than yours if you collect old stained gold.