The science of Numismatics VS the simple joy of collecting

braddick · May 15, 2026 4:19PM

Although I do enjoy reading threads here and on other blogs discussing the various varieties within series I realized today that isn't really my personal and inspirational collecting jam.
I am more of a collector seeking interesting coins that appeal probably to my more simplistic approach.

Are you the type of collector who flows with a more general approach to collecting or are you involved in the study and acquisition of coins with particular striking attributes and characteristics that go much deeper than the general collector?
And, if so- what is your field of expertise, so-to-speak and your niche collecting habits? And, what got you there?

lermish · May 15, 2026 4:34PM

Yes.

I collect trade dollars, primarily chopmarked, by hub combination and variety (some well known, others more esoteric). I got there after "completing" a date set and still loving the series. The more I studied and learned, the more I enjoyed. I enjoy them everyday.

I also collect gold, primarily US, in the way that I collect what I like and what's interesting to me but with much more general guidelines and not much focus.

jacrispies · May 15, 2026 4:43PM

Heavily involved with study. My particular interests lie within the Capped Bust half dollar die states, die events, and Mint processes. Because of this, I also study Mint errors that show evidence of the workings within the first Mint. Adding die states, removing what information is incorrect, and finding new theories to known events.

My profession often involves hands-on numismatic research and study, so I have experience with virtually all series except colonials.

I have an engineering brain, so finding how things work and the explanations behind them is where I go.

MasonG · May 15, 2026 4:48PM

I started out putting together sets of US coins but eventually lost interest in filling holes with coins that all looked essentially alike. I never contracted the "variety" bug, probably for the same "coins that all looked essentially alike" reason.

One day, I was in a coin shop looking at the bidboard when a guy came in with a bag of miscellaneous world coins to sell. The owner wasn't interested, but asked me if I was. I ended up buying the coins from the guy. Looking them up got me interested in non-US coins and that's pretty much where I am today.

Currently, my niche is world coins (no US) based on the "I like it and it's not more than I want to spend" metric.

WCC · May 15, 2026 5:26PM

Depending upon definition of series, my primary interest includes up to eight totaling roughly 100 coins dated 1752-1772. I'm looking to buy as many from the two mints I can find in the best quality I can find and afford. I have numerous duplicates with some being different varieties, but I didn't buy it for this reason. Have 74 and missing 26, though intend to upgrade many I currently have.

I also have a few secondary collections but don't buy anything often.

Coinscratch · May 15, 2026 6:06PM

At this point in my life I have very little time to spend on my hobby. I run a small business, have two kids in college and a third one in high school.
By the time I get home, I just need to veg for a couple of hours and the last thing I want to do is read a book. About 99% of my coin knowledge comes from you guys here on this forum. TYVM BTW.

So I’m kinda like this thirsty guy roaming around the desert, looking for water.
Not adhering to any one series/mirage for very long. The oasis for me is the simplistic beauty in the newness of an old coin. It doesn’t matter which series, denomination or even country that it’s from just as long as it possesses all of the attributes that create eye appeal.

The last drink (below) came a few weeks ago, so I’m getting pretty thirsty again.

coinkat · May 15, 2026 6:47PM

The real enjoyment of collecting is that one can not only pursue their interest but that level of interest may define how the collection is assembled. And because there is so much to collect… especially at the world level… interests may change or even become more focused whereby one can write with a straight face that they have expertise in something. I doubt that I will get there as I enjoy casting the big net to see what can be found. Numismatic appreciation is often an acquired taste… sort of like art.

Mr_Spud · May 15, 2026 7:02PM

I sometimes can be either way. I like to obsess about a certain type of coin sometimes, then take breaks and go different directions, often way more casually. But I always go back to Circulated Type Coins for slabbed coins where varieties are a bonus when present but not deliberately going after varieties. I live dwelling into CWT’s, where I go after less rare ones but toned and MS, more raw than slabbed. But I guess my niche is the really old albums and filling them with sets of matching grades of coins, often circulated but all plus or minus a grade or two planned on with the grade of the keys in mind when I start the sets. Or sometimes matching and all MS and toned, that sort of thing. Also sets of oddball things like Boyd’s Batteries and related Quack Galvanic pendants that are treated like tokens, those I like to get varieties and competitors and associated paraphernalia. There’s something about organizing them that’s somehow satisfying to me that keeps me focused when I do it.

BillJones · May 15, 2026 7:18PM

History and economics are my main draws to the hobby. I’ve around long enough to know about die varieties and stuff like doubled dies which now to be all the rage. One guy at my local clubs brags about he cherry picks die varieties at the local shows for a couple dollars and sells them for huge profits.

Good for him, but I find that material incredibly boring. If you need a 10x to see a doubled die coin, I have zero interest. I have a 1955 and a 1972 doubled die cent. I used to have the 1983 doubled did reverse cent, but I got an offer I couldn’t refuse for it when I was a dealer.

I would much rather buy a coin with a good story surrounding it than the lasted doubled did discovery.

I used to collect half cents by die variety. Been there, done that. I ran into an impenetrable wall with that collection which caused me to lose interest.

Maywood · May 16, 2026 8:07AM

I have moved away from collecting “coins” almost totally over the past 5-10 years. I find collecting the same design with a different date/mm to be increasingly boring so I do the same as the OP, I collect things that interest me. My mainstream involvement in Numismatics has served me well, taught me much and from a financial standpoint I am way ahead of the game.

Now I collect what interest me as @braddick mentioned.

pursuitofliberty · May 16, 2026 9:01AM

While I certainly appreciate (and participate in) the study of Die Marriages and Die States for CBH's (and other early Federal coinage), I am glad I can also take a more generalist approach to the beauty, history and pageantry of many coins, not just those within my specialty.

I think my tastes and desires have evolved over time, and I expect they will continue to do so. I just wish my wallet could keep up!

.
Here's one of the nicer CBH's I am privileged to own ...

mirabela · May 16, 2026 9:04AM

I'm basically a generalist type collector with a little streak of asset manager. I like how coins are tangible invitations to learn more about the history of their times and places, and I admire the artistry of the ones that have any (!). I like learning about the things I collect and try to do that as much as I can before I collect them, but with more focus on the context they came from and what constitutes quality and value in that issue today, and not so much on the minutiae of the minting process.

johnny9434 · May 16, 2026 9:18AM

I like the joy of collecting although if theres a special interest that's different

coinbuf · May 16, 2026 9:23AM

I am a little of both today, once I finished my Lincoln 09-58 set I mostly drift, buying only something that I find really interesting and mostly window shopping. On the other hand, I very much enjoy learning about the minting process and things like varieties and errors. But I have zero interest in owning such items, as I see them as damaged and unimportant to me. If I cherrypicked one or paid no premium when buying I would not mind owning them, but the ridiculous amounts some of these go for is insane to me. Especially so the ones that you know were not by accident.

normmalin · May 16, 2026 10:51AM

I'm a casual collector - nothing for resale and I don't care about top pop quality. I am past completing US "modern" sets (within my budget) and have been looking for interesting mini sets. I recently completed a Hawaiian 1847/1883 set and I'm now working on the 1903 Philippines set.

oldabeintx · May 16, 2026 11:34AM

I’ve collected many things over the last 70+ years, from butterflies to beer cans. Coins have been the only constant. I get pleasure from researching things that interest me, mostly related to history (these days), setting a collecting goal, The Hunt, and (last and least) ownership. I only do a deep dive with coins when there are examples that I would find interesting as a non-collector. (I like to share with my family.) This means no series, few varieties, lots of type coins and currency. I like to think of myself as a numismatist as well as a collector. The former because I collect far and wide with an emphasis on history in general and the history of money. No interest whatever in holders as collectibles or coins as an investment vehicle.

ARCO · May 16, 2026 12:33PM

Almost zero interest in varieties, VAMS, Overtons, overdates, etc etc.

I love die cracks and some major varieties but only if they have the same eye appeal as the general busines strike coins. I used to collect by date and mintmark, but really disliked it. There is too much emphasis on buying for the date/mintmark instead of the eye appeal.

100% eye appeal for me now. Do I love the look of the coin or not? I collect across most series, but prefer the classic era more.

Shurke · May 16, 2026 12:40PM

I’ve been working on a set of Mercury dimes for a while. Several years ago, I decided to see if I could cherrypick a few of the minor doubled dies, partially just to find out how successful I’d be, partially to train myself to look at minute surface details before making a purchase. I had no idea how much fun the hunt would be.

So anyway, I’m still working on the set, but I’m deep into the varieties at this point.

When it comes to other series, I’m much more a broad-stroke generalist.

braddick · May 16, 2026 3:47PM

There have been moments I will seek a scarce or rare variety, especially when it has been featured on this board. My enthusiasm peeks and when I do, if I do, locate the coin I realize the fun I had was in the hunt and chase and not so much in the ownership of the coin.
An example. A couple of years ago a member showed off a variety of a 1921 Morgan dollar. It was a type of die break that once you knew what to look for was somewhat then easy to spot in listings. I scoured and looked without much success (as to be expected- it's the reason these obscure varieties are considered scarce). I did happen upon such a coin by happenstance with a BIN that matched the Morgan itself and the XF grade.
It arrived and sure enough my eyes had not deceived me and it was truly that sought after variety. Fast forward a few weeks and this particular Morgan ended up on an album and I subsequently forgot about it. A few months later I ended up selling that partial type set having forgot the Morgan was a "special" coin.
So off it went having sold and it wasn't until much later realized what I had done. Sure, I was bummed out at first and then it struck me.
I don't care. The price difference, sure. That was sad but otherwise it just didn't mean that much to me.
)If you have read this far, thank you. )

My point, go for what excites you and exit out of the game when it involves such novelties or coins that don't provide you with that spark.

Walkerfan · May 16, 2026 6:00PM

I am a completist who likes to collect complete date and mint mark sets. Or at least complete one per date sets. I like to delve into the characteristics of a series. I like earlier scarcer dates. I also like Coins with a good strike, good luster and nice originality. High-quality strike rarities turn me on. Eye appeal and nice color is also important to me. I will allow for some contact marks, but distracting marks that ruined the surface preservation are a no-go for me. I don’t really care for esoteric varieties, either. I like choice mint state Coins the best.

jedm · May 17, 2026 7:56AM

I consider myself to be firstly a collector and secondly an amateur numismatist. I do like the study of coins, but the collector in me finds the hunt and acquisition to be more rewarding. I've been through a few phases over the years, starting with set making, and to a degree that's still a motivator for me. As I've matured in age, my taste in what I like to add to my collection has definitely become more eclectic to be sure. As mentioned by @Walkerfan "Eye appeal and nice color is also important to me." Much more than early on when filling the hole seemed to override the aesthetics and the thinking that "I'll just upgrade later on" was always in my mind. Now there's none of that .

USMarine6 · May 17, 2026 1:26PM

Coin collecting is like everything else in life. Its always evolving. You may not like it but you have to accept it. If we get stuck in the past as collectors we will never learn to be better and more educated

jacrispies · May 18, 2026 5:50PM

@jedm said:
...the collector in me finds the hunt and acquisition to be more rewarding....

I resonate with this a lot. Holding a $1,000,000 coin has lost its pizzazz. But, helping a friend clear his safe and discovering a roll of worn 90% in the back remains exciting. The thrill of the hunt transcends the boundaries of value.

silverpop · May 18, 2026 6:48PM

just a simple collector who when a coin gets his notice it's bought

PeakRarities · May 19, 2026 6:14AM

I don’t find the minutia of coin manufacture to be particularly interesting, I’m more geared towards the history, stories, and finding the best eye appeal with as original surfaces and best eye appeal. Im not sure where the line is between numismatics/collecting, but I figure Im a hybrid of sorts, probably collector first. It’s difficult me to get excited about minor die varieties and what not. Maybe that will change in the future, but for now I have @Davidk7 for CBH Overton attribution 😉.

The science of Numismatics VS the simple joy of collecting

Comments

Leave a Comment