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What makes a collector a collector?

Does it mean how much money you spend? How much you have in your collection? Is it the enjoyment of getting that one/lot of special coin(s) ? Is it the study and documentation of coins that makes it ( like Sheldon or Breen )? So, what makes a collector a collector? So far, I can`t come up with an answer.

Comments

  • ARCOARCO Posts: 4,444 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Not the money, it is the passion!

    Tyler
  • A collector is a collector when they go out of the way to save something.
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    What makes a collector a collector?

    a collection.

    al h.image
  • airplanenutairplanenut Posts: 22,665 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think a collector is someone who partakes in the hobby to enjoy it. A numismatist is in the hobby to learn and spread knowledge. On these boards, I think we are all, to an extent, both.

    Then, I think a snob is someone who is out soley for himself and is willing to leave any other collector behind. I don't think you can be a collector if you aren't passionate enough about the hobby to spread its joy, whether to someone young and starting new, or to someone knowledgeable, yet still in pursuit of learning more.

    Jeremy
    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
  • imageVery well said Jeremy!
  • I agree, well said.image
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Then, I think a snob is someone who is out soley for himself and is willing to leave any other collector behind. I don't think you can be a collector if you aren't passionate enough about the hobby to spread its joy, whether to someone young and starting new, or to someone knowledgeable, yet still in pursuit of learning more.

    Actually, a snob is someone who looks down on others. Selfishness and competitiveness are separate issues. And as for collectors being required to "spread its joy", well, no, that's not how it works. But it's nice when it happens.
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • LincolnCentManLincolnCentMan Posts: 5,347 ✭✭✭✭
    If you go to Pizza Hutt and think, "I can get a pizza, or a $10 coin," then you're a collector....
  • airplanenutairplanenut Posts: 22,665 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>If you go to Pizza Hutt and think, "I can get a pizza, or a $10 coin," then you're a collector.... >>

    Or, when you see a give a penny/take a penny tray, you search it for wheaties... then you search the rest of your change image
    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
  • BigMooseBigMoose Posts: 1,469 ✭✭✭
    I believe that true collectors are someone who appreciate the objects they collect as footprints of history, things of artistic beauty, and talismans of times long gone by. These items are prized by collectors far more than the money they ponied up to purchase them.
    TomT-1794

    Check out some of my 1794 Large Cents on www.coingallery.org
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
    These items are prized by collectors far more than the money they ponied up to purchase them.

    But perhaps less than a pan pizza?
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • A collector is a person that aquires certain things to save and not get rid of. OH kind of missed the question didn't I. What makes a collector a collector?, A frame of mind and a certain way of looking at things.
    COINHUNTER
  • nwcsnwcs Posts: 13,386 ✭✭✭
    >What makes a collector a collector?

    A collection. Things preserved for their own sake and not for any other beneficial purpose.

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