Fun for me comes from studying history and economics. It also comes from sharing knowledge with other collectors.
The savings and money making aspects are secondary for me. I don’t like losing money, but it does not ruin the coin for me. I way over paid for an 1854-D gold dollar, but I still enjoy the coin and story it represents as the only Type II gold dollar struck at the Dahlonega Mint.
The “How much will I make on this coin, and what will I have to pay for it?” attitude gets old for me very quickly. If profit is your only goal, you are not a collector. Furthermore, I have my doubts that you will do well financially.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
@BillJones . That is true about coin collecting. That is true about life. If all you care about is money then you are a very short story I would rather not read. james
My suggestion is to keep it real. I suggest you dont go out maxing credit cards or taking money where it should go. I guess im saying be responsible. There's a couple of coins I would like to buy right now and the dealer has layaway. I haven't pulled the trigger yet. I am self employed and I dont know how things will be month to month.
I've got a collection in my opinion. When its time to buy another one I'll be ready.
Happy collecting!
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
Dantheman984 Toyz4geo SurfinxHI greencopper RWW bigjpst bretsan MWallace logger7
Find something odd and esoteric. Research and read everything you can find. Study images and auction records. Become an expert on it. Buy with care, overspend if you have to. Keep your stuff, don’t try to be a flipper. As a low cost example, the 1982 Lincoln cent is rife with varieties and errors. All can be found in circulation….IF you have the knowledge.
Specializing in one niche of the hobby can be extremely rewarding, but understand that the deeper you dive, the harder it will be to sell the entire collection when you are done. The market is often thinner, as most collectors collect in more general terms.
I became an expert in one area, but I work on a secondary set of completely different material to keep interest while waiting for that next piece to show up.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
@BillJones said:
Fun for me comes from studying history and economics. It also comes from sharing knowledge with other collectors.
The savings and money making aspects are secondary for me. I don’t like losing money, but it does not ruin the coin for me. I way over paid for an 1854-D gold dollar, but I still enjoy the coin and story it represents as the only Type II gold dollar struck at the Dahlonega Mint.
The “How much will I make on this coin, and what will I have to pay for it?” attitude gets old for me very quickly. If profit is your only goal, you are not a collector. Furthermore, I have my doubts that you will do well financially.
Well stated. When building a set there are winners and there are losers. Some Coins I have done amazingly well on, while others; I am buried in, because I overpaid for it by the mere fact that I needed it to fill a hole. NET profit is the key to success. Profit is not my driving force, but I seem to do well by pursuing what I love, doing research and having a good eye.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
If you have one of these roadside Library boxes in your neighborhood for kids or see one somewhere, think about putting something numismatic in it. I put this in a box in my neighborhood.......an old redbook, a Whitman folder and a roll of cents with some wheat's mixed in. I'm just hoping a young kid found it. 🤣 😉
OAKSTAR, I love that idea! I do in fact have several of these in my neighborhood. I also recently came into possession of several of my sister's childhood Whitman folders, which are basically just clutter to me but might start somebody else on an interesting journey. Thanks for a really good idea. At present the one kid in my life who collects is sort of past the Whitman folder stage already.
If you have one of these roadside Library boxes in your neighborhood for kids or see one somewhere, think about putting something numismatic in it. I put this in a box in my neighborhood.......an old redbook, a Whitman folder and a roll of cents with some wheat's mixed in. I'm just hoping a young kid found it. 🤣 😉
OAKSTAR, I love that idea! I do in fact have several of these in my neighborhood. I also recently came into possession of several of my sister's childhood Whitman folders, which are basically just clutter to me but might start somebody else on an interesting journey. Thanks for a really good idea. At present the one kid in my life who collects is sort of past the Whitman folder stage already.
I have a few of these in my neighborhood, as well. Maybe, I will stock it with some old Red books…
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
@BillJones said:
Fun for me comes from studying history and economics. It also comes from sharing knowledge with other collectors.
The savings and money making aspects are secondary for me. I don’t like losing money, but it does not ruin the coin for me. I way over paid for an 1854-D gold dollar, but I still enjoy the coin and story it represents as the only Type II gold dollar struck at the Dahlonega Mint.
The “How much will I make on this coin, and what will I have to pay for it?” attitude gets old for me very quickly. If profit is your only goal, you are not a collector. Furthermore, I have my doubts that you will do well financially.
Well stated. When building a set there are winners and there are losers. Some Coins I have done amazingly well on, while others; I am buried in, because I overpaid for it by the mere fact that I needed it to fill a hole. NET profit is the key to success. Profit is not my driving force, but I seem to do well by pursuing what I love, doing research and having a good eye.
A quote from Malcolm Forbes, “Collectors always buy well.” The context was that he was advising non-collectors not to get involved in coin investing in the late 1970s. As it turned out, he was right. Most anything nice one bought during that speculative period would be a loser for many years.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
@mirabela - I recently posted this one another thread:
It's not just local coin club shows. You wanta get kids interested in coins? Just go to pretty much any local coin club meeting. The kids could walk away with all kinds of free stuff without winning an auction. Between the door prizes and raffles. Plus, there is always a table of free giveaway stuff. (The old guys are always bringing in Magazines, books, old folders, albums, flips, boxes,.. etc, thinning out their collections.) They will always walk away with something and rarely leave empty handed.
You don't even have to be a kid, to walk away with something.
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
Lol. I should clarify. Everyone's suggestions for "fun" are going to be the things that work for them. That will suck more fun out of the hobby than add it. Look at the suggestions we've gotten: ignore price, find a niche, study varieties, study history, don't get caught up in rankings of sets (which assumes that you collect sets and register them), etc.
I bought one of the first FIji Coke bottle cap dollars. Why? It made me laugh and it still makes me laugh. I don't collect Fiji or bottle caps or study the history of Fiji or have looked for varieties or put it in a registry. That doesn't even translate into advice. (Only buy coins that make you laugh?)
Now, it's okay to accept advice on grading, slabbing, variety designation etc. But, advice on how to have fun...fuhget about it.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Forget about that auction bid that stresses you, don’t worry that the post office is a month late with a key date, ignore the clad commemoratives in OGP that you thought were a good investment; and Just have fun.
@coinkat said:
I am not exactly sure how exploring what exists to determine what might be of interest to collect can suck the fun out of collecting...
That's not what I said. My advice was to not take advice on how to have fun. That's not the same as "exploring what exists". It's about forging your own path. "Two roads diverged...I took the one less traveled by..."
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
@coinkat said:
I am not exactly sure how exploring what exists to determine what might be of interest to collect can suck the fun out of collecting...
That's not what I said. My advice was to not take advice on how to have fun. That's not the same as "exploring what exists". It's about forging your own path. "Two roads diverged...I took the one less traveled by..."
For whatever coins you collect or think about collecting, use some of your funds for books and learn as much as you can about your coins/coin series. Knowledge will give you a much better appreciation of coin collecting.
So I ask myself, have I ever bought something I didn't like?
So I ask myself ..have I ever passed on a coin, even though I liked it and it was reasonably priced?
When you come to a fork in the road, take it. 🤣 😉
When I was building my walker set, I passed on a lot of coins that I liked, because they weren’t walkers that I needed. That took a tremendous amount of discipline. Now That my Walker set is complete, it’s good to be able to buy what I want across different series.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
If you have one of these roadside Library boxes in your neighborhood for kids or see one somewhere, think about putting something numismatic in it. I put this in a box in my neighborhood.......an old redbook, a Whitman folder and a roll of cents with some wheat's mixed in. I'm just hoping a young kid found it. 🤣 😉
share with a child does not mean us having other childhoods, just saying
That doesn't change the fact that "For: An Adolescents Child." is unintelligible.
I'm not perfect. Did you understand my point?
No. That's why I used the word unintelligible; it means impossible to understand.
If I randomly found that in one of those library boxes I would have been mystified and extremely amused. I might have guessed your point, but guessing isn’t the same as understanding.
I only understood your intention here because you made a post explaining it.
No. That's why I used the word unintelligible; it means impossible to understand.
If I randomly found that in one of those library boxes I would have been mystified and extremely amused. I might have guessed your point, but guessing isn’t the same as understanding.
I only understood your intention here because you made a post explaining it.
Impossible to understand? You're a pretty smart guy, you actually figured it out on your own without any help.
It doesn't take much to amuse you. Plus, you're an easily mystified guy.
You must be an official member of the:
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
Comments
I hear that's how Eliasberg put together his collection...
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Fun for me comes from studying history and economics. It also comes from sharing knowledge with other collectors.
The savings and money making aspects are secondary for me. I don’t like losing money, but it does not ruin the coin for me. I way over paid for an 1854-D gold dollar, but I still enjoy the coin and story it represents as the only Type II gold dollar struck at the Dahlonega Mint.
The “How much will I make on this coin, and what will I have to pay for it?” attitude gets old for me very quickly. If profit is your only goal, you are not a collector. Furthermore, I have my doubts that you will do well financially.
Make more 6 7s.
@BillJones . That is true about coin collecting. That is true about life. If all you care about is money then you are a very short story I would rather not read. james
My suggestion is to keep it real. I suggest you dont go out maxing credit cards or taking money where it should go. I guess im saying be responsible. There's a couple of coins I would like to buy right now and the dealer has layaway. I haven't pulled the trigger yet. I am self employed and I dont know how things will be month to month.
I've got a collection in my opinion. When its time to buy another one I'll be ready.
Happy collecting!
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
Dantheman984 Toyz4geo SurfinxHI greencopper RWW bigjpst bretsan MWallace logger7
Find something odd and esoteric. Research and read everything you can find. Study images and auction records. Become an expert on it. Buy with care, overspend if you have to. Keep your stuff, don’t try to be a flipper. As a low cost example, the 1982 Lincoln cent is rife with varieties and errors. All can be found in circulation….IF you have the knowledge.
Great thread, Mark.
Specializing in one niche of the hobby can be extremely rewarding, but understand that the deeper you dive, the harder it will be to sell the entire collection when you are done. The market is often thinner, as most collectors collect in more general terms.
I became an expert in one area, but I work on a secondary set of completely different material to keep interest while waiting for that next piece to show up.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Well stated. When building a set there are winners and there are losers. Some Coins I have done amazingly well on, while others; I am buried in, because I overpaid for it by the mere fact that I needed it to fill a hole. NET profit is the key to success. Profit is not my driving force, but I seem to do well by pursuing what I love, doing research and having a good eye.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
...
OAKSTAR, I love that idea! I do in fact have several of these in my neighborhood. I also recently came into possession of several of my sister's childhood Whitman folders, which are basically just clutter to me but might start somebody else on an interesting journey. Thanks for a really good idea. At present the one kid in my life who collects is sort of past the Whitman folder stage already.
I have a few of these in my neighborhood, as well. Maybe, I will stock it with some old Red books…
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
A quote from Malcolm Forbes, “Collectors always buy well.” The context was that he was advising non-collectors not to get involved in coin investing in the late 1970s. As it turned out, he was right. Most anything nice one bought during that speculative period would be a loser for many years.
@mirabela - I recently posted this one another thread:
It's not just local coin club shows. You wanta get kids interested in coins? Just go to pretty much any local coin club meeting. The kids could walk away with all kinds of free stuff without winning an auction. Between the door prizes and raffles. Plus, there is always a table of free giveaway stuff. (The old guys are always bringing in Magazines, books, old folders, albums, flips, boxes,.. etc, thinning out their collections.) They will always walk away with something and rarely leave empty handed.
You don't even have to be a kid, to walk away with something.
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
Lot view and look at a lot of coins, not just ones you are interested in bidding on. Take notes on your impressions.
And don’t be afraid to ask for the coins that are not in the boxes.
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
Lol. I should clarify. Everyone's suggestions for "fun" are going to be the things that work for them. That will suck more fun out of the hobby than add it. Look at the suggestions we've gotten: ignore price, find a niche, study varieties, study history, don't get caught up in rankings of sets (which assumes that you collect sets and register them), etc.
I bought one of the first FIji Coke bottle cap dollars. Why? It made me laugh and it still makes me laugh. I don't collect Fiji or bottle caps or study the history of Fiji or have looked for varieties or put it in a registry. That doesn't even translate into advice. (Only buy coins that make you laugh?)
Now, it's okay to accept advice on grading, slabbing, variety designation etc. But, advice on how to have fun...fuhget about it.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Forget about that auction bid that stresses you, don’t worry that the post office is a month late with a key date, ignore the clad commemoratives in OGP that you thought were a good investment; and Just have fun.
I am not exactly sure how exploring what exists to determine what might be of interest to collect can suck the fun out of collecting...
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
That's not what I said. My advice was to not take advice on how to have fun. That's not the same as "exploring what exists". It's about forging your own path. "Two roads diverged...I took the one less traveled by..."
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
So I ask myself, have I ever bought something I didn't like?
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
So I ask myself ..have I ever passed on a coin, even though I liked it and it was reasonably priced?
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
When you come to a fork in the road, take it. 🤣 😉
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
@MFeld Hey professor, a nickel ain't worth a dime anymore.
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
For whatever coins you collect or think about collecting, use some of your funds for books and learn as much as you can about your coins/coin series. Knowledge will give you a much better appreciation of coin collecting.
When I was building my walker set, I passed on a lot of coins that I liked, because they weren’t walkers that I needed. That took a tremendous amount of discipline. Now That my Walker set is complete, it’s good to be able to buy what I want across different series.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
share with a child does not mean us having other childhoods, just saying
No, I don't know what you're saying. Translate it for me.
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
Probably teasing you about this awful syntax and/or grammar.
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
We can have other childhoods 👍
Get rich.
Okay, I get it. Anything the tear-down some good will. Thanks!
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
No, no bad will please 🙂
Your gift is a wonderful and thoughtful gesture and a great way to support your community and the numismatic hobby.
That doesn't change the fact that "For: An Adolescents Child." is unintelligible.
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
I'm not perfect. Did you understand the point I was trying to make?
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
No. That's why I used the word unintelligible; it means impossible to understand.
If I randomly found that in one of those library boxes I would have been mystified and extremely amused. I might have guessed your point, but guessing isn’t the same as understanding.
I only understood your intention here because you made a post explaining it.
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
@OAKSTAR and @lermish
Y'all act like the unhappy married couple four drinks into the office Christmas Party.
BST: KindaNewish (3/21/21), WQuarterFreddie (3/30/21), Meltdown (4/6/21), DBSTrader2 (5/5/21) AKA- unclemonkey on Blow Out
I'm sorry, I had intentions of this.
Such an odd couple indeed.
Impossible to understand? You're a pretty smart guy, you actually figured it out on your own without any help.
It doesn't take much to amuse you. Plus, you're an easily mystified guy.
You must be an official member of the:
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )