Whatever you collect, it's possible...
MrEureka
Posts: 24,419 ✭✭✭✭✭
...to do it better than it's ever been done before. Even if it's s set of VF Peace Dollars.
Are you trying?
Andy Lustig
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
6
Comments
I try but my wallet is too thin.
I am.
I have had certain standards for a long time. My standards do vary depending upon the era, price and rarity. I love to collect the early U.S. super coins that TDN does, for example, but they are out of my reach. Once you get to the mid 19th century and later, I have largely collected 64 and 65 graded Mint State and Proof pieces.
Yep - the most comprehensive set of PCGS Samples ever assembled.
Er, ah, why would I care if what I do is better than what is 'ever been done before'? I care that I collect the way I enjoy collecting.
Best, SH
Well now. That's gonna drive a spike into the heart of the "next new gimmick" in coins.
I am always trying to do better... in everything I do... home maintenance, coins, shooting, writing, training and many other things. One of my motto's - I do have a few - is 'relentless, continuous improvement' in everything I am involved with. Cheers, RickO
I am. Adding to my collection, although my collecting of late is all over the place...
Agree with Ricko, I'm a Carpenter by trade. I try hard to learn new techniques every day to be a better Carpenter.
POST NUBILA PHOEBUS / AFTER CLOUDS, SUN
Love for Music / Collector of Dreck
Yes, finding myself only buying choice pieces period (in my budget of course) . I no longer buy anything to keep less than ch au any longer either, even if scarce date. Was only a key date collector for many years, but seem to be migrating to choice type more and more .
I try and learn through physical engagement with the coins and never stop trying to make it better. I have added to the collective knowledge of my series and inspired/mentored a few like minded (and one crazy) collectors into the fold who have brought in their own points of view same as people did for me.
I am a big believer that you put in more than you take form anything worth while in life or it quickly goes away.
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
O
FWIW, I care because I like the challenge, I like the ego gratification, and I want to build something that other people will appreciate and maybe even refer to as a reference in future generations. And with respect to that last thought, it's possible to build such a collection for five figures. It's also possible to build a completely forgettable collection for 9 figures.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
I am still learning to flip coins....thats head vs.tails not profit vs. loss
I am saving all my resources for the 2020 Hindsight, commemorative set.
Anything worth doing is worth doing right!
I've purchased and then replaced a number of dates in my Buffalo Nickel collection that are the same grade simply because I'd find an example that I believed was superior to the one I already had in my collection. I did this a number of times when I was younger and have since learned that patience is the key to a high quality collection. But I'm still never opposed to buying superior examples if/when I find them.
That's good for you, I just find it weird to compete. I also am not part of any registry. Not my thing as I just care about building a set I want, not what someone else has built before and bettering it.
Best, SH
I had a really nice set of clad Roosies and sold them off yrs ago. I'm re-collecting them and I'm going about it completely different. Attempting to assemble it cheaper and better than before. I have a long way to go, but what I have so far is equal too or better than what I had.
Later, Paul.
A set of VF Peace Dollars (for example) - perfectly matched - would be a real nice looking set.
I believe the point is to collect what you want, within your means, and then dedicate yourself to completing it.
This is the essence of coin collecting - the thrill of the hunt - the joy in locating something.
I totally agree with the premise.
Pete
@spacehayduke said: "Er, ah, why would I care if what I do is better than what is 'ever been done before'? I care that I collect the way I enjoy collecting."
Well said! You shouldn't care one bit. Collect whatever you wish as it is all about collecting. Some may consider that internal drive to have the best to be a character flaw. It does not matter at all that those collectors have set virtually impossible goals for their collections. It's their personal choice.
I like your "who cares" attitude. Mediocrity does not count with a true collector. Why drive yourself crazy by becoming obsessed with some sort of competition - even if it is improving your own coins!
Not really. I just try to acquire coins which I am looking for that in my opinion are nice for the grade and reasonably priced. I've always done this. Unless you're in the deep end of the pool, upgrading coins is playing a loser's game, because at a minimum, a collector is out 10-15% on the buy and the same on the sell. Add the 10-15% on the new coin. Do the math.
Add to this that a disturbing number of nice coins I own are worth half of what I paid for them three to five years ago. So unless a coin speaks to me, I'm not interested in buying it right now. Couple this with the fact that I'm not selling anything I have because I won't be able to replace it at a reasonable price, if I could find such a replacement in the first place.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
It
I agree with most of what you said but I was sheltered in the trade up game from 2005-2015 by the raising market as were many otheres. Also many coins with multiple degrees of interest, genuine rarity and are aligned with current market tastes for quality haven't lost a penny in the downturn. It has been the thin markets with limited collectors and coins that don't match the current definition of quality that have suffered.
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
@Elcontador said: "Add to this that a disturbing number of nice coins I own are worth half of what I paid for them three to five years ago."
I heard that this past Thursday. A dealer was complaining that when gold was in the 800-900's he sold his customers $20 Saints at one price, but now with gold much higher his customer has lost money as the coins he bought previously are worth much less. He said a large coin firm has ruined the gold market and his customers are not interested in purchasing more coins.
I collect for personal fulfillment. I know I can not compete with "the big boys" in my specialties but I am relentless in attempting to fulfill my own expectations. If my final product impresses other collectors, great! If collectors with higher grade coins scoff at my measly attempt then it is their loss.
I feel like you are actually advocating to do the best job one can in forming their collection even if it can not be better than anyone else. Right?
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.
I would certainly advocate that, but I didn't mean to advocate anything with this thread. I was just curious to hear how people think. (FWIW, this thread was "inspired" by a passing thought. When I saw the thread title "The Next Eliasberg", it got me wondering about the relative merits of doing something that has been done before, versus doing something that has not been done before. Which is not to pass judgment on anyone's collection. Like I said, just a passing thought.)
That said, I have tried the "casual and sprawling" collecting method on many occasions, filling in albums and lots more. It was fun. but it did not work for me. For example, when I started collecting world coins in the late 80's, my stated plan - no kidding - was to buy "one of each". I figured I had enough time and I'd find the money somehow. LOL! Anyway, most of what I bought would get sold immediately when I needed the money for something more important. And it's not like I could actually complete a collection that had no boundaries. You might say that because I couldn't expect to get everything, I didn't really need anything!
Today, I'm much happier with a very narrowly defined and highly challenging collection, in the finest possible grades. Purchases are few and far between, at least most of the time. Far less temptation, far less stress resisting temptation, and (for the competitive folks out there) a far better chance at success.
Naturally, YMMV.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
I'm what Archie Bunker would call a 'sperm of the moment' collector.
I have no sets near completion, I purchase what I like.
$20.00 Gold, then down to $1.00 gold.
Morgan and Peace dollars, and everything in between.
I like what I collect and it makes me happy looking at what I have.
Striving is my other middle name.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
It's easy to make a collection better than it's done before when no one else cares to do it.
Some of my fun, cheap token short sets are like that
If you collect something esoteric enough you have the best set by definition.
I collect print engravings by Christian Gobrecht. Don't have a complete set but I'm sure I have the most complete set. One could easily do the same for the other early engravers, most of them worked in multiple media.
Well heck -- I have a collection of photos of invisible people such as the Invisible Man, Harvey the Rabbit, the Emperor's New Clothes, Harry Potter in his Cloak of Invisibility, and so forth. It's a nice grouping but difficult to show to others.....
I'll trade you a George and Marian for your Harvey.
An attractive set of well-matched Peace dollars in VF is tougher than you might think. I tried it for a while. I found out it was easier (but more expensive) to find the coins in the MS64-66 range.
I believe it's still possible. Purchasing issues in the optimal grade and hand selecting for quality thus getting the biggest bang for my buck has always been my strategy.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
I'd like to start a "Collection" of Crytocurrencies. Only problem is, what would it look like? Who would I send my money to? Does anyone sell an album for this? Is anyone else collecting this garbage........ errrrr I mean..... stuff? Are there Clubs in places like Old Folks Homes? Prisons?
Mosques? Luny Bins? Crack Houses?