coin addiction
privaterarecoincollector
Posts: 629 ✭✭✭✭✭
Have any of you experience with finishing a collection and for that reason not to buy any coins anymore ?
This would mean also not to start a new collection.
Im trying to do that and it feels weird to just watch and not to play anymore.
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Impossible you are just born with it and have to accept your inner nerdy self. I bought a bag of 1,000 world coins and spent 3 hours separating them into piles of metal and denomination. Its a real thing and you have to just realize your not hurting anyone so just go with it.
Take a walks in between and you be fine.
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member
I'm taking a break. Started (back) on toys. Used to be a toy DEALER when toys were valuable.
Had 4 page ads in Antique Toy World and all... but... I digress.....
NOW... I'm just getting foot long or so toy CARS!
Having a buncha fun.
BUT.... got a COIN inbound also. ......
once the coin bug has bitten you there is no cure
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Lu7hEuQDcc95URgz6
I've been without a focus now for a couple years... I'm not actively working on much other than junk 90% albums.
I still buy random coins pretty often just for fun... not really searching for anything in particular is a good way to slow down and appreciate what you've built.
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
Only you can answer that for yourself.
I've noticed that I will drag my feet when getting close to accomplishing something that I enjoy because I know I'll miss putting in the effort.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
love the cars topstuff. its all important to keep that stuff as well. just saying
It can be unhealthy, if you are too obsessive and put it in front of everything and everyone else.
It has ruined marriages.
You must find a balance and remember that people are more important than things---that is the key to life.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
What is this "finishing" thing of which you speak???
Thank you for being one of the few who avoid ending that sentence with a preposition!
To the OP, there are many other types of coin to collect. Take a walk over to the dark side. We're friendly ;-)
You can collect medals and tokens and ancients and world... I find it WAY more interesting at my stage of collecting and more affordable at the same time.
I have completed many sets but never finished any. There are always improvements to be made. I may slow down but am never out of the game.
Lance.
It's not about the result, it's about the journey
addiction is well, an addiction after all, isn't they why we are here on these boards?
Exonumia is cool, because it's relatively cheap, can be quite rare, and has a hook which allows the creation of a back-story. Of all the things I collect I have a tiny red box of tokens in paper envelopes that would probably be the last thing I sell, simply because the contexts stuffed into that small box are so rich. Plus it's so much easier to move the slabbed product and the bulli-yon.
Buy a book on coins and read it -that helps. Am enjoying the book on Eric Newman (Truth Seeker) by three excellent authors, two of which wander by here.
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
It would be weird if it wasn't weird. Consider the high from a really satisfying piece of work, and its accelerating completion with so many of the "Greatest Hits" being acquired so recently.
You're going thru a period of post coitum triste.
Have you ever considered a "Poor Man's" or "Low Ball" set (1795-up) of US gold by type.
Consider the hunt for a wholesome circ 1808 $2 1/2.
Check the pops and auction appearances. I'm almost not kidding.
If it's in your blood you will never stop. And I know you a bit - you won't stop. Pick something to keep your mind in the game until your passion reignites. 1804$1s by die variety? Lol
I just finished my main series in BU, and the more I scrutinize them the less I'm satisfied with them.
Go figure.
Now what? What the heck should I do! Upgrade? Different series? Slow down? Breath?
The thing is, the more I look at my not so bad coins (actually pretty darn good coins), the more I want to upgrade.
Am I really sick or just sort of sick?
Terminal.
Condolences.
Whatcha selling?
I have thankfully been able to quell the coin addiction I had by about 98%. The medicine required was an almighty awful skrewing by major auction company. It has left such a foul taste in my mouth I cannot imagine spending anything more than face value at this point. Walking away feels good...
There are many ways to enjoy and contribute to numismatics, without spending fortunes. Write article on your experiences, research and write on a US Mint officer that has not been done before, get involved with local and national clubs.
Look at what Eric Newman has contributed to numismatics, without buying a coin for years - and at age 106, he ain't done yet!
edit - in all fairness to Mr. Newman, he won't turn 106 until May 25.
I had set my sights on an early date MS Lincoln cent set back in I think 2003. There are 70 coins in that set to 1933. I completed the set with the purchases of a 26 d and a 14 s. I chuckle thinking about those being the last two. So I thought I'd hang in there buying type or whatnot and foreign, which I did, but haven't bought any coins accept bullion 90% here and there in the last several years. I got a little afraid I was moving on entirely and frankly I've now accepted the fact that I have. It's crazy how intense I was about it at one point. Willing to go to great lengths to add to that set.
So now I've transitioned my collecting gene into a couple of VW buses. A 77 camper and a 65 transporter. It's been 25 years since my last bus and a real neat one came available so I bought it. I started working on it and it took me over. Basically overtaking my free thoughts and time. Finding parts is hard and competitive at times and takes some money but coins has primed me into thinking its a lot less expensive than I'm used to spending. All the same things and behaviors are happening though. Going to shows, calling dealers and seeking out experts, using translator tool to buy things overseas, etc. things I wouldn't normally do. The only thing different is my eBay searches. Basically immersing myself into that culture.
I already know in five years there will be 3-4 cherry busses sitting around collecting dust because I've moved in to some other thing. They will be added to the long list of interests I've transition through. It's just the type of personal trait I have. Maybe a coin will come along 25 years from now that sucks me back in? I'm open to that. But hey, live is short, why get stuck on one thing forever.
Yes, you should slow down, breathe, then upgrade little by little, if/when necessary.
I am the opposite. I am 95% complete with my MS Walker set. I carefully selected each coin, so I am very happy with each example.
Once, I finally finish; I will sit back, relax and possibly work on a less challenging, less demanding series, such as Washington Quarters from 1932-1964 or Franklin Halves 1948-1963. I also like GSA Morgans, SLQs and Mercury dimes, so any of those are worth a look and only have a few 'show stoppers' but I will be taking it SLOW.
As breakdown mentioned----you can never go wrong with reading and I intend to do much more of that, as I truly enjoy it.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
after one set complete then on to the next and the next and the next- opps upgraded another coin in the first set then another set. - it doesn't stop - its an addiction.
My boss told me today after coming back from my po box late from break with 3 merc dimes, that he is surprised I get any work done at all. I'm only here cause the lights are on, the coffee is free and it's close to my po box for my coins!
Is that addicted?
Only 35%ish complete with mercury dime sets and have new plans already for my next sets, so NO to OP question.
Bst transactions with: dimeman, oih82w8, mercurydimeguy, dunerlaw, Lakesammman, 2ltdjorn, MattTheRiley, dpvilla, drddm, CommemKing, Relaxn, Yorkshireman, Cucamongacoin, jtlee321, greencopper, coin22lover, coinfolio, lindedad, spummybum, Leeroybrown, flackthat, BryceM, Surfinxhi, VanHalen, astrorat, robkool, Wingsrule, PennyGuy, al410, Ilikecolor, Southcounty, Namvet69, Commemdude, oreville, Leebone, Rob41281, clarkbar04, cactusjack55, Collectorcoins, sniocsu, coin finder
Amazing post! i for one, feel that collectors are born, not groomed. no matter what it is, collectors will collect.
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
I love your enthusiasm!!
I understand what you mean about your job. Mine gives me a lot of liberties and enough cash flow to pursue my passions, as well.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
What is this "avoid ending that sentence with a preposition" thing which you speak of??? Is there a place to goto where this can be looked into?
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And to the original poster, there are a lot good points and suggestions here. I think it would be interesting to see a customized type set of world coins from whatever various countries you choose that correspond to the time frame and comparable denomination US coins to show what else was going on around the globe at the same time.
Also like ColonelJessup's idea of circulated type. Not just the gold and not necessarily a "lowball" set, but a mid to low range like below VF where possible, which would show a different part of the spectrum of how the coins represented in your set can range.
Or do both, or neither, or a variation of either. In spite of pressure to the contrary, collectors can make up any or no rules for whatever grabs their interest (or doesn't) and then go in any direction and change it at anytime.
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"To Be Esteemed Be Useful" - 1792 Birch Cent --- "I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin
I was getting burned out on us coins. Now I enjoy world coins.
I do love all coins, but how the heck can one get burned out on US coins?
Have you completed all of the series? Are you easily bored?
Is it the Liberty thing? Does she have to many faces? Not enough leg or cleavage?
OR....do you have so much income that you can buy whatever you want?
At a minimum there is always filling in around the edges. Also, there are all sorts of collecting fields you can try while you wait to get your second wind.
For me, given that my main collecting passion is collecting early space memorabilia, the kicker was winning the (flown) Apollo 12 Flight Plan (FP) in a private auction a couple of years ago. The FP is in essence the log for the second manned Moon landing. The only thing that could have beaten it would be to get the Apollo 11 Flight Plan, which is quite literally impossible, as it has been broken down in to it's constituent pages. Since winning the FP there have been ~ 8 major space auctions, and for the most part I haven't bid on much of anything. Still, I do fill in around the edges getting a fun item here or there, and for the first time in roughly a decade I've been spending more on collecting coins than on collecting space memorabilia.
U.S. Type Set
Seems to me a proper US type set should include colonials, pioneer gold and patterns. So let's revisit this thread when you're really done.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
I have never become 'burned out' on coins. Perhaps that is due, in part, to my several hobbies and interests. I have been retired for nine years... and have not had a boring day - or hour. Thanks to coins, my firearm interests - both use and training, several other activities and interests. Although, I must admit, often when down in a cave, the thought of coins has crossed my mind...
.... and a few times on firing ranges, some of my students have mentioned they collect coins. So, the lines do cross. As to coins, I am not focused on series now... Now I look for - and on occasion - pursue - specific coins. It is not wrong to mix hobbies... Cheers, RickO
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