@sellitstore said:
U.S. population grew about 10% during this period, so the same numbers actually represent a 10% proportional decline in interest. Not much but the number of collectors needs to keep pace with the growth in population to keep the same number of collectors.
Respectfully, this premise is misguided when considering how much of that population growth is fueled by folks who do not share any sense of a common culture or history, let alone a common language.
Either way, all of our best attempts at prognosticating are irrelevant and unnecessary. The U.S. Mint is in the process of fixing everything with lotteries and privy marks!
I'm sure that's what you meant, right? No common culture or history or language, clannish, keep to themselves and bring over their old world traditions. Can't believe how much they are watering down REAL American culture!
You can continue to lament immigration to the US, as has been your wont (on a Coin forum of all places). Or, just give it a generation and the melting pot works and the differences disappear. Like with every other group of immigrants to America ever. Yes, even your ancestors.
Assume much? Or, do you claim to be a mind reader? Nobody is lamenting anything. It’s common sense that a demographic shift will impact all facets of a society in the near term.
Why do you have such a grudge against Italians? “Those dang Italians.” Very nice. I love it when a bigot and racist exposes themself for who they really are. Disgraceful conduct that will be reported.
And thanks for the history lesson everyone already knows, and nobody needed. Your attempt at insulting me is pathetic. Try harder! Put on your big boy pants next time.
I don't think that he was actually insulting Italians. It seemed like more of a joke to me.
It was funny. Some people just enjoy playing the PC card. What is ironic is Italians are not as sensitive as that guy!
having reread this post I keep thinking of something that happened a few years back. Back then some person posted that "Blondes were going to be extinct in 50 years." Every news service ran it like Moses came down a mountain with that carved on it. Within a few days the entire premise was destroyed with logic and facts.
Here the premise seems to be "The world is going to run out of old white dudes!" Does that premise actually sound logical? James
@seatedlib3991 said:
having reread this post I keep thinking of something that happened a few years back. Back then some person posted that "Blondes were going to be extinct in 50 years." Every news service ran it like Moses came down a mountain with that carved on it. Within a few days the entire premise was destroyed with logic and facts.
Here the premise seems to be "The world is going to run out of old white dudes!" Does that premise actually sound logical? James
No.
God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.
@JimTyler said:
Coin collecting is an old farts hobby (mostly) and with the internet our recliners are the new coin show. Might make more collectors since it’s easier
Really? Then who are all of these YN’s I keep meeting at shows?
Well, no offense, but I keep meeting 95+% oldsters. Have you ever looked at Charmy's reports and who is there or Acousha's YouTube exploits/sales, etc. as examples????? Older than old.
@seatedlib3991 said:
having reread this post I keep thinking of something that happened a few years back. Back then some person posted that "Blondes were going to be extinct in 50 years." Every news service ran it like Moses came down a mountain with that carved on it. Within a few days the entire premise was destroyed with logic and facts.
Here the premise seems to be "The world is going to run out of old white dudes!" Does that premise actually sound logical? James
The demographic headwind is real.
I do NOT think that coin collecting will go the way of stamps because the size of the collector base, the passion for it, the ability to cross-collect and invest in bullion and quasi-bullion, and the pricing of silver and gold as investment metals (you see their price on the stock tickers on the financial channels ALL the time) keeps them distinct from stamps.
When you take into account changing preferences and demographics but also counter that with a larger total population size AND more $$$ from more people who can afford a semi-expensive coin (i.e., GenZ'ers today vs. young people 45 years ago)...it's alot more muddled and not as bearish. Not bullish....but not stamp-like bearish.
@GoldFinger1969 . The more things change the more they stay the same. Case in point. Do you know how many heroin addicts the 1900 census reported in the City of New York? 400 thousand. Do you know how many heroin addicts the 2000 census reported? 400 thousand.
What do you think happened to the ethnic population of New York during that same Century?
Large changes and or increases in the demographics pertaining to new or added ethnic sizes and groups does not mean another population must shrink. Just means more people. james
I'm an older millennial and started collecting as a child in the 80s. From my perspective, the hobby has been stagnating for decades. No offense to anyone here but it has always been an "old person hobby", and this isn't really a new development or anything.
2010 was a nice pump of younger people getting into the hobby because of skyrocketing silver prices. Lockdowns forcing everyone inside and the subsequent panic buying and now metals running again has drawn more people in.
Younger collectors occupy different spaces and enjoy different things. Modern bullion and commems are wildly popular. If anyone here is sitting on foreign commems and wants to unload them, now is probably a good time to get them graded and sell them. Counterfeits are such a problem that people want to pay the premium for bullion just to know for sure it is real.
I don't know where it's headed but I don't think it's dying. I did certainly feel relieved that all my $0.50 and $3 purchases from the 90s were suddenly worth 20 dollars out of nowhere. Though I'll miss them, it was very relieving to finally sell. A lot of that stuff stayed the same price for like 30 years.
I read a story years back that for every 10 collectors that pass, 1 takes their place. I found it hard to believe then as I do now. Any show I go to has a fairly robust range of people young to old. Coin collecting has morphed into collectors and investors with some crossing between the two. At least coin collecting/investing has not, and will never go the way of the dinosaur like stamp collecting.
@JimTyler said:
Coin collecting is an old farts hobby (mostly) and with the internet our recliners are the new coin show. Might make more collectors since it’s easier
Really? Then who are all of these YN’s I keep meeting at shows?
Well, no offense, but I keep meeting 95+% oldsters. Have you ever looked at Charmy's reports and who is there or Acousha's YouTube exploits/sales, etc. as examples????? Older than old.
You think Acousha exploits people?
/ˈekˌsploit/
1.
a bold or daring feat.
"the most heroic and secretive exploits of the war"
Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram
@JimTyler said:
Coin collecting is an old farts hobby (mostly) and with the internet our recliners are the new coin show. Might make more collectors since it’s easier
Really? Then who are all of these YN’s I keep meeting at shows?
Well, no offense, but I keep meeting 95+% oldsters. Have you ever looked at Charmy's reports and who is there or Acousha's YouTube exploits/sales, etc. as examples????? Older than old.
You think Acousha exploits people?
/ˈekˌsploit/
1.
a bold or daring feat.
"the most heroic and secretive exploits of the war"
@skamieniecki said:
I read a story years back that for every 10 collectors that pass, 1 takes their place. I found it hard to believe then as I do now. Any show I go to has a fairly robust range of people young to old. Coin collecting has morphed into collectors and investors with some crossing between the two. At least coin collecting/investing has not, and will never go the way of the dinosaur like stamp collecting.
Never say never. I mean, I'm sure you'll be able to get melt value for your 18th century gold...
@JimTyler said:
Coin collecting is an old farts hobby (mostly) and with the internet our recliners are the new coin show. Might make more collectors since it’s easier
Really? Then who are all of these YN’s I keep meeting at shows?
Well, no offense, but I keep meeting 95+% oldsters. Have you ever looked at Charmy's reports and who is there or Acousha's YouTube exploits/sales, etc. as examples????? Older than old.
You think Acousha exploits people?
/ˈekˌsploit/
1.
a bold or daring feat.
"the most heroic and secretive exploits of the war"
That's the noun not the verb...
The original comment with "exploit" used it as a noun, the commenter that I replied to had thought of the verb definition.
Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram
@JimTyler said:
Coin collecting is an old farts hobby (mostly) and with the internet our recliners are the new coin show. Might make more collectors since it’s easier
Really? Then who are all of these YN’s I keep meeting at shows?
Well, no offense, but I keep meeting 95+% oldsters. Have you ever looked at Charmy's reports and who is there or Acousha's YouTube exploits/sales, etc. as examples????? Older than old.
You think Acousha exploits people?
/ˈekˌsploit/
1.
a bold or daring feat.
"the most heroic and secretive exploits of the war"
That's the noun not the verb...
The original comment with "exploit" used it as a noun, the commenter that I replied to had thought of the verb definition.
From observing the crowd at the last coin show I was at, collecting isn’t so much dying. But of the few hundred walking around, there were very few under 50; zero under 21.
I'm fairly new, and most of what I have is a pile of modern business strikes that I hang onto because I like the device, the condition, the mintmark (2019-W, for ex), or the year itself has some relevance to me. I've learned a bit and have dropped into shops or shows to buy something I'll NEVER simply stumble across.
Naturally I'd love to find like minded people, but I don't. Most people think of any coin itself as either being super rare or super common, and why bother with anything in-between.
If numismatics became a tick tock challenge, and was also available via door dash or the like, maybe fewer people would give us a glazed stare.
There has to be instant gratification and what constitutes that differs from one person to another. Advising ME to at least keep a jar of change but sort through it before it's spent was not something my Dad was able to convince me for a ridiculously long time.
I have no idea how to impart to anyone else that instant gratification and a forward looking commitment can be answered by the essentially the same thing.
What's cool today won't be tomorrow, but it's more expensive now than it will be. I try to explain to people why money, something EVERYBODY wants, can work oppositely doesn't stave off, "But I'll be dead by then..."
I think the key is seeing something that locks your attention and you can easily acquire it (and more) and you feel better simply for having it.
I'm acquainted with a woman in her 70s, runs a laundromat (I'm jealous) and the only thing she's ever kept is every Bicentennial Quarter she's ever found since 1976. That's gotta be a considerably substantial change jar. Her kids will probably Coinstar it.
I’ve been collecting and going to coin shows for >55 years now wondering if the age of the crowd in the 1960’s was substantially younger than it is today. I’m still concerned as I recently joined a large coin club in Richmond, VA and at age 65 I’m one of the younger fellas.
@woenickel . Every time I see this question a reverse question pops up in my mind. Does something have to be immensly popular for you to enjoy it? James
I’ve seen strength in the hobby/industry/investment or whatever it means to you that I haven’t seen in decades. With a lot of younger folks getting involved, both buying and selling. It Is also a good hedge against inflation in these turbulent times. David Albanese and I spoke about this many years ago and he was right on in his thinking. Everything he told me and predicted has come to fruition.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
No, James. As I said, I keep a lot of regular pocket change. The 2023 Bessie Coleman quarter is (thus far), my favorite of the series. I keep every one of them I find, tho I sort them by condition. I don't care if they're ever worth more than face until long after I'm dead, every time I find one, I feel tickled, blessed, a little less broke and filling a jar makes me feel better for having finally done it (I rarely get whole rolls of the same coin). It's my change, it works for me. I'm fascinated by what grabs other people's attention. Stamps, cards, even currency...I understand there's a draw to it... I'm always worried about too much 1, Fire; 2, Water. Other than that, cool $9 bill, or whatever. I occasionally get $1 Silver Certificates as change, I give them away. For pocket change.
And for what Walkerfan said, that sounds right. Younger kids eyes brighten up, I presume they still see treasure in it as much as they want magic to be real. I'm not quite old enough to have a pocket full of butterscotches, but I have handed people simple but silver coin...just to see what they do. The kids are the ones who appear to see promise, and look hopeful. A good place to start.
Yes, the hobby is declining, as it has when looking at the long term back sixty years. It is not in free fall though. In as much as coin collecting is a hobby for me, how many others may or may not have an interest is of no never mind. When I go into the local coin shop, if there is a crowd of any size, they are there to buy or sell bullion, and bullion is not coin collecting nor a hobby in my book. On the rare occasion I go to a show, everyone sitting down, for hours on end, is older than me (I am 63). Given that I may go to one locally a year, that is a limited observation, but has held steady for many years. Coin collecting is for personal enjoyment and that is what makes it special.
Something that I have noticed is a lot of the youth in the hobby are leaning towards the dealing side of the hobby. At my local show there are several YN dealers.
i just know that in my own life i have had the personal experience of having said at a family gathering, "The dime you are looking at cost me just under $400." Based on the looks on their faces what they heard was "The doctors say if I just keep taking my meds i should be no danger to myself or others."
Someone on here said "We all have to find our own risk level." I am sometimes stunned when I see people paying more for a coin than I can get for my house, cars, business and wife thrown in. There is a fiduciary obligation that goes with coin collecting but, I at least, can not let that be the primary rule. I just think a lot of people are worried that in twenty years people will be saying, "Geeze Bob was an idiot! Hear what he lost on coins?" It is just natural that you want to be thought of as insightful. Who doesn't want to hear, Now why didn't I buy CC Trade Dollars?" James
@JimTyler said:
Coin collecting is an old farts hobby (mostly) and with the internet our recliners are the new coin show. Might make more collectors since it’s easier
Really? Then who are all of these YN’s I keep meeting at shows?
@woenickel . If your question pertains to CC Trade Dollars. 30 years ago i was buying VF-XF Carson City Dollars for under $500 dollars. Covid forced me to sell the few coins i managed to put aside but I couldn't replace a single coin at this time. I refuse to look at current prices. selling coins always give me a stumach ache and puts me in a bad mood for days. i prefer to move on and pretend i was bored with those old things. James
@woenickel said:
I'm acquainted with a woman in her 70s, runs a laundromat (I'm jealous) and the only thing she's ever kept is every Bicentennial Quarter she's ever found since 1976. That's gotta be a considerably substantial change jar. Her kids will probably Coinstar it.
There are hoards of 18-25 year olds on social media buying, selling and collecting. I think the base for a whole new generation of collectors is definitely there. They’re also many that are very knowledgeable already.
I am worried that with all these YN's being dealers, there won't be any collectors and coin collecting will just be another investment vehicle instead of a hobby.
Is the HOBBY declining? Short answer...probably, at least to some extent. Back in the day, it was mostly driven by older collectors, with a fair amount of younger people involved who were either carrying on the family collection or starting their own. Today, it's still largely driven by older collectors- but the number of new YNs is not the same thanks largely to a culture of instant gratification and high-tech trinkets that make the hobby seem dull by comparison... and there's also a generation that doesn't value "stuff" the way others did previously- so the family's passed-down collection is more likely to be liquidated.
Is the coin BUSINESS declining? No.
@gorebels said:
I’ve been collecting and going to coin shows for >55 years now wondering if the age of the crowd in the 1960’s was substantially younger than it is today. I’m still concerned as I recently joined a large coin club in Richmond, VA and at age 65 I’m one of the younger fellas.
I started going to shows in 1976 and there were a few other young people and lots of 40 and 50 year olds. Yes, almost half were 60 or older but in modern times until the last five years most people were 60 or older. Now I'm seeing more and more young people.
What we're not seeing is many millions of 20 to 40 year olds who lack the need and the time to attend shows. There are a lot of young people now days collecting coins who will probably become more financially secure and active in the hobby in their 50's and 60's.
Back in the '70's our elders would wax poetic about the spectacular coins they had seen in "old collections" but these are all gone now. All that's left are collections that baby boomers have formed mostly in the last quarter century. It will be a very different world and hobby in ten years but I believe it will be more dynamic. more robust, and more viable.
Look around the room at any coin show….usually not many young collectors or dealers wandering around. Lots of silver hair.
Maybe the younger folks buy online, and we aren’t seeing them at shows? I hope that’s the case, as I think it’s a great hobby. If it is dying, I think it will be a very slow death, and nothing to be concerned about.
Keep collecting!
Dave
Always looking for original, better date VF20-VF35 Barber quarters and halves, and a quality beer.
Stepping back in to comment again 10months later, or whatever it’s been…
The hobby has always skewed towards old guys and people are living longer than they used to, so there are more old guys than ever to keep the hobby alive, and more being made every day.
The old guys from the 60s aren’t around anymore, but somehow there’s new old guys stepping up to replace them. (And those young guys lots of folks have mentioned)
Look around the room at any coin show….usually not many young collectors or dealers wandering around. Lots of silver hair.
That's the way it was in the 1960s when I first started getting serious about buying rare coins.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Look around the room at any coin show….usually not many young collectors or dealers wandering around. Lots of silver hair.
That's the way it was in the 1960s when I first started getting serious about buying rare coins.
When I was a kid almost all my friends were coin collectors. We were encouraged by our elders and they would show us their collections sometimes. We don't see or encourage them now days but they are still out there.
Last show I was at I was helping a dealer friend at his table. This youngster probably about 10 or 12 kept running up to us, asking us questions and showing us Coins that he bought on the floor. I loved seeing the sparkle in his eye and excitement on his face. Rest assured that they (the next generation) are out there….
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
I don't think coin collecting is going away... I also see younger populations involved, though not necessarily at coin shows.
I do think... there will be a rude awakening at some point for some collectors... when they go to sell their collections of US Mint 'rarities'' and gimmicky overpriced products. Also, the 'rare' mintage premium silver products (non US Mint) such as 'zombie' rounds (and many other themes) and only get melt if they are lucky. I remember the shock many Franklin Mint collectors had when they went to sell those rarities they accumulated years ago! I suspect a repeat of history in that regard. what is in vogue can quickly change for the worse.
I think the issue will be more prevalent when the current under 25 age range folks hit their high earning years. They don't have the same exposure to coins like the current 60-80 yr old generation and don't have the same attachment. I suspect the same with be true for classic cars, gold, etc.
When a current 20-year-old is 60 and has the available funds, will they want the dream car of their youth, or an early model corvette/mustang/charger...?
What may need to be done to get kids involved with coins is to do a complete overhaul of the designs of each denomination. It’s for the most part the same coin over multiple generations. State quarters made it fun for kids to start searching through their parents change again, but that ship has sailed. They should get a Red Book which doesn’t need to be the current pricy one. They can study it and hopefully from there, start out with Lincoln’s and Buffalo nickels then graduate to collecting low end type coins such as large cents, two and three cents pieces, etc. They can learn about the history of the coins, important events that happened during those years, learn how to grade, determine if a coin has been tampered with, etc.
Coin collectors should spend time at a show/or shop with their kids, nieces, and/or nephews and let them look at coins and ask questions. It’s their day.
When I was a kid, I used to ride my bike to a couple shops by me. One was a kind man and one was a jerk. The shop with the mean person fortunately had an employee that leant me a numismatic book that changed my life. I studied it everyday after I was done with my homework.
Trends seems to always influence social behavior.
Apparently now its cool to read physical books and play board games even knitting and having babies! That's " cool" now supposedly.
Cool like collecting tattoos! Haha
Non- crypto Coins may be rediscovered yet among trend setters.
Cool!
Comments
I don’t think coin collecting is declining (PCGS 3000) - My compare vs a year ago. Steady would be the best word.
However the number of people coming in the bourse room with over $500 to spend can vary based on locale.
It was funny. Some people just enjoy playing the PC card. What is ironic is Italians are not as sensitive as that guy!
having reread this post I keep thinking of something that happened a few years back. Back then some person posted that "Blondes were going to be extinct in 50 years." Every news service ran it like Moses came down a mountain with that carved on it. Within a few days the entire premise was destroyed with logic and facts.
Here the premise seems to be "The world is going to run out of old white dudes!" Does that premise actually sound logical? James
No
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
No.
God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.
You think Acousha exploits people?
The demographic headwind is real.
I do NOT think that coin collecting will go the way of stamps because the size of the collector base, the passion for it, the ability to cross-collect and invest in bullion and quasi-bullion, and the pricing of silver and gold as investment metals (you see their price on the stock tickers on the financial channels ALL the time) keeps them distinct from stamps.
When you take into account changing preferences and demographics but also counter that with a larger total population size AND more $$$ from more people who can afford a semi-expensive coin (i.e., GenZ'ers today vs. young people 45 years ago)...it's alot more muddled and not as bearish. Not bullish....but not stamp-like bearish.
@GoldFinger1969 . The more things change the more they stay the same. Case in point. Do you know how many heroin addicts the 1900 census reported in the City of New York? 400 thousand. Do you know how many heroin addicts the 2000 census reported? 400 thousand.
What do you think happened to the ethnic population of New York during that same Century?
Large changes and or increases in the demographics pertaining to new or added ethnic sizes and groups does not mean another population must shrink. Just means more people. james
My advice to those who worry about hobby survival. Sell!
I'm ready to buy your quality cast offs!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
I'm an older millennial and started collecting as a child in the 80s. From my perspective, the hobby has been stagnating for decades. No offense to anyone here but it has always been an "old person hobby", and this isn't really a new development or anything.
2010 was a nice pump of younger people getting into the hobby because of skyrocketing silver prices. Lockdowns forcing everyone inside and the subsequent panic buying and now metals running again has drawn more people in.
Younger collectors occupy different spaces and enjoy different things. Modern bullion and commems are wildly popular. If anyone here is sitting on foreign commems and wants to unload them, now is probably a good time to get them graded and sell them. Counterfeits are such a problem that people want to pay the premium for bullion just to know for sure it is real.
I don't know where it's headed but I don't think it's dying. I did certainly feel relieved that all my $0.50 and $3 purchases from the 90s were suddenly worth 20 dollars out of nowhere. Though I'll miss them, it was very relieving to finally sell. A lot of that stuff stayed the same price for like 30 years.
I read a story years back that for every 10 collectors that pass, 1 takes their place. I found it hard to believe then as I do now. Any show I go to has a fairly robust range of people young to old. Coin collecting has morphed into collectors and investors with some crossing between the two. At least coin collecting/investing has not, and will never go the way of the dinosaur like stamp collecting.
/ˈekˌsploit/
1.
a bold or daring feat.
"the most heroic and secretive exploits of the war"
Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram
That's the noun not the verb...
Never say never. I mean, I'm sure you'll be able to get melt value for your 18th century gold...
The original comment with "exploit" used it as a noun, the commenter that I replied to had thought of the verb definition.
Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram
Fair
From observing the crowd at the last coin show I was at, collecting isn’t so much dying. But of the few hundred walking around, there were very few under 50; zero under 21.
The hobby ebbs and flows with the economy me thinks.
I'm fairly new, and most of what I have is a pile of modern business strikes that I hang onto because I like the device, the condition, the mintmark (2019-W, for ex), or the year itself has some relevance to me. I've learned a bit and have dropped into shops or shows to buy something I'll NEVER simply stumble across.
Naturally I'd love to find like minded people, but I don't. Most people think of any coin itself as either being super rare or super common, and why bother with anything in-between.
If numismatics became a tick tock challenge, and was also available via door dash or the like, maybe fewer people would give us a glazed stare.
There has to be instant gratification and what constitutes that differs from one person to another. Advising ME to at least keep a jar of change but sort through it before it's spent was not something my Dad was able to convince me for a ridiculously long time.
I have no idea how to impart to anyone else that instant gratification and a forward looking commitment can be answered by the essentially the same thing.
What's cool today won't be tomorrow, but it's more expensive now than it will be. I try to explain to people why money, something EVERYBODY wants, can work oppositely doesn't stave off, "But I'll be dead by then..."
I think the key is seeing something that locks your attention and you can easily acquire it (and more) and you feel better simply for having it.
I'm acquainted with a woman in her 70s, runs a laundromat (I'm jealous) and the only thing she's ever kept is every Bicentennial Quarter she's ever found since 1976. That's gotta be a considerably substantial change jar. Her kids will probably Coinstar it.
I’ve been collecting and going to coin shows for >55 years now wondering if the age of the crowd in the 1960’s was substantially younger than it is today. I’m still concerned as I recently joined a large coin club in Richmond, VA and at age 65 I’m one of the younger fellas.
@woenickel . Every time I see this question a reverse question pops up in my mind. Does something have to be immensly popular for you to enjoy it? James
I’ve seen strength in the hobby/industry/investment or whatever it means to you that I haven’t seen in decades. With a lot of younger folks getting involved, both buying and selling. It Is also a good hedge against inflation in these turbulent times. David Albanese and I spoke about this many years ago and he was right on in his thinking. Everything he told me and predicted has come to fruition.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
No, James. As I said, I keep a lot of regular pocket change. The 2023 Bessie Coleman quarter is (thus far), my favorite of the series. I keep every one of them I find, tho I sort them by condition. I don't care if they're ever worth more than face until long after I'm dead, every time I find one, I feel tickled, blessed, a little less broke and filling a jar makes me feel better for having finally done it (I rarely get whole rolls of the same coin). It's my change, it works for me. I'm fascinated by what grabs other people's attention. Stamps, cards, even currency...I understand there's a draw to it... I'm always worried about too much 1, Fire; 2, Water. Other than that, cool $9 bill, or whatever. I occasionally get $1 Silver Certificates as change, I give them away. For pocket change.
And for what Walkerfan said, that sounds right. Younger kids eyes brighten up, I presume they still see treasure in it as much as they want magic to be real. I'm not quite old enough to have a pocket full of butterscotches, but I have handed people simple but silver coin...just to see what they do. The kids are the ones who appear to see promise, and look hopeful. A good place to start.
Yes, the hobby is declining, as it has when looking at the long term back sixty years. It is not in free fall though. In as much as coin collecting is a hobby for me, how many others may or may not have an interest is of no never mind. When I go into the local coin shop, if there is a crowd of any size, they are there to buy or sell bullion, and bullion is not coin collecting nor a hobby in my book. On the rare occasion I go to a show, everyone sitting down, for hours on end, is older than me (I am 63). Given that I may go to one locally a year, that is a limited observation, but has held steady for many years. Coin collecting is for personal enjoyment and that is what makes it special.
Bullion has to be weird, like Zombucks, or something like that.
Something that I have noticed is a lot of the youth in the hobby are leaning towards the dealing side of the hobby. At my local show there are several YN dealers.
i just know that in my own life i have had the personal experience of having said at a family gathering, "The dime you are looking at cost me just under $400." Based on the looks on their faces what they heard was "The doctors say if I just keep taking my meds i should be no danger to myself or others."
Someone on here said "We all have to find our own risk level." I am sometimes stunned when I see people paying more for a coin than I can get for my house, cars, business and wife thrown in. There is a fiduciary obligation that goes with coin collecting but, I at least, can not let that be the primary rule. I just think a lot of people are worried that in twenty years people will be saying, "Geeze Bob was an idiot! Hear what he lost on coins?" It is just natural that you want to be thought of as insightful. Who doesn't want to hear, Now why didn't I buy CC Trade Dollars?" James
How much is one of those?
crack kills
@woenickel . If your question pertains to CC Trade Dollars. 30 years ago i was buying VF-XF Carson City Dollars for under $500 dollars. Covid forced me to sell the few coins i managed to put aside but I couldn't replace a single coin at this time. I refuse to look at current prices. selling coins always give me a stumach ache and puts me in a bad mood for days. i prefer to move on and pretend i was bored with those old things. James
Hopefully she kept the silver coins too!
I don't have a trade dollar yet. In my limited experience, them that know much are more than willing to run over them trying to learn.
Thank you, Jesus.
If market demand is an indicator of hobby engagement, I’d say no.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
There are hoards of 18-25 year olds on social media buying, selling and collecting. I think the base for a whole new generation of collectors is definitely there. They’re also many that are very knowledgeable already.
BHNC #248 … 130 and counting.
I pray they don't turn pessimist.
I am worried that with all these YN's being dealers, there won't be any collectors and coin collecting will just be another investment vehicle instead of a hobby.
Is the HOBBY declining? Short answer...probably, at least to some extent. Back in the day, it was mostly driven by older collectors, with a fair amount of younger people involved who were either carrying on the family collection or starting their own. Today, it's still largely driven by older collectors- but the number of new YNs is not the same thanks largely to a culture of instant gratification and high-tech trinkets that make the hobby seem dull by comparison... and there's also a generation that doesn't value "stuff" the way others did previously- so the family's passed-down collection is more likely to be liquidated.
Is the coin BUSINESS declining? No.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
I started going to shows in 1976 and there were a few other young people and lots of 40 and 50 year olds. Yes, almost half were 60 or older but in modern times until the last five years most people were 60 or older. Now I'm seeing more and more young people.
What we're not seeing is many millions of 20 to 40 year olds who lack the need and the time to attend shows. There are a lot of young people now days collecting coins who will probably become more financially secure and active in the hobby in their 50's and 60's.
Back in the '70's our elders would wax poetic about the spectacular coins they had seen in "old collections" but these are all gone now. All that's left are collections that baby boomers have formed mostly in the last quarter century. It will be a very different world and hobby in ten years but I believe it will be more dynamic. more robust, and more viable.
Fixed it for you (IMHO).
The speculating is true for every demographic. There are some
Really knowledgeable youngsters especially on instagram.
BHNC #248 … 130 and counting.
My 2 cents:
Look around the room at any coin show….usually not many young collectors or dealers wandering around. Lots of silver hair.
Maybe the younger folks buy online, and we aren’t seeing them at shows? I hope that’s the case, as I think it’s a great hobby. If it is dying, I think it will be a very slow death, and nothing to be concerned about.
Keep collecting!
Dave
Stepping back in to comment again 10months later, or whatever it’s been…
The hobby has always skewed towards old guys and people are living longer than they used to, so there are more old guys than ever to keep the hobby alive, and more being made every day.
The old guys from the 60s aren’t around anymore, but somehow there’s new old guys stepping up to replace them. (And those young guys lots of folks have mentioned)
That's the way it was in the 1960s when I first started getting serious about buying rare coins.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
When I was a kid almost all my friends were coin collectors. We were encouraged by our elders and they would show us their collections sometimes. We don't see or encourage them now days but they are still out there.
Last show I was at I was helping a dealer friend at his table. This youngster probably about 10 or 12 kept running up to us, asking us questions and showing us Coins that he bought on the floor. I loved seeing the sparkle in his eye and excitement on his face. Rest assured that they (the next generation) are out there….
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 don't think coin collecting is going away... I also see younger populations involved, though not necessarily at coin shows.
I do think... there will be a rude awakening at some point for some collectors... when they go to sell their collections of US Mint 'rarities'' and gimmicky overpriced products. Also, the 'rare' mintage premium silver products (non US Mint) such as 'zombie' rounds (and many other themes) and only get melt if they are lucky. I remember the shock many Franklin Mint collectors had when they went to sell those rarities they accumulated years ago! I suspect a repeat of history in that regard. what is in vogue can quickly change for the worse.
I think the issue will be more prevalent when the current under 25 age range folks hit their high earning years. They don't have the same exposure to coins like the current 60-80 yr old generation and don't have the same attachment. I suspect the same with be true for classic cars, gold, etc.
When a current 20-year-old is 60 and has the available funds, will they want the dream car of their youth, or an early model corvette/mustang/charger...?
What may need to be done to get kids involved with coins is to do a complete overhaul of the designs of each denomination. It’s for the most part the same coin over multiple generations. State quarters made it fun for kids to start searching through their parents change again, but that ship has sailed. They should get a Red Book which doesn’t need to be the current pricy one. They can study it and hopefully from there, start out with Lincoln’s and Buffalo nickels then graduate to collecting low end type coins such as large cents, two and three cents pieces, etc. They can learn about the history of the coins, important events that happened during those years, learn how to grade, determine if a coin has been tampered with, etc.
Coin collectors should spend time at a show/or shop with their kids, nieces, and/or nephews and let them look at coins and ask questions. It’s their day.
When I was a kid, I used to ride my bike to a couple shops by me. One was a kind man and one was a jerk. The shop with the mean person fortunately had an employee that leant me a numismatic book that changed my life. I studied it everyday after I was done with my homework.
Trends seems to always influence social behavior.
Apparently now its cool to read physical books and play board games even knitting and having babies! That's " cool" now supposedly.
Cool like collecting tattoos! Haha
Non- crypto Coins may be rediscovered yet among trend setters.
Cool!