I don't collect anything!

Veridicus · November 18, 2003 3:15PM

Well, I've collected nearly everything in the past. Circumstances have required me to sell off my holdings over the past 1-2 years and now I'm starting from scratch. I thought about collecting regal half pennies of the 1672-1775 colonial era since that's an area I haven't done before, not to mention they are really cheap compared to US coins. Any thoughts? What do you collect and why? Any suggestions for me to start a new collection?

originalisbest · November 18, 2003 3:46PM

Must be exciting to start from scratch! You can take the collection away, it seems - but it's not so easy to lose the collecting bug. I would say your idea is as good as any, if they aren't so scarce that acquisitions would be too far and few between - this could lead to boredom - depending on your need to see "completion." Bottom line you need to do what makes you happy.

Placid · November 18, 2003 4:07PM

Whatever you are interested in. Sorry to hear you had to sell out

XpipedreamR · November 18, 2003 10:46PM

<< Sorry to hear you had to sell out >>

<< Must be exciting to start from scratch >>

Interesting...two ways to view the same situation. I certainly can't give you suggestions on what to collect because I'm all over the map myself. I guess you could do one of two things, or both--

1) Collect something you've never collected before

2) Collect something you have before, but in a different way and with the benefit of your past experience. I'm sure you look back and see things you could do differently.

I sure that really clears things up for you

Shamika · November 19, 2003 1:23AM

It must be great starting from scratch considering how much knowledge you have now accumulated.

Just imagine if you knew then what you know now.

coachleonard · November 19, 2003 3:19AM

I love those old british halfpennies of 1672-1775. I'm amazed at how hard it is to find a Charles II halfpenny! Maybe you could also go for the 1672-1775 farthings as well-- those include a few scarce
tin types.

AquilaRose · November 19, 2003 4:29AM

Sounds like you've seen a bunch of coins! I can't think of anything new! Maybe you can pick a theme then make you own type coin collection about it. Good luck!

billboat · November 19, 2003 4:32AM

Put together a type set, 1800 to present--I guarantee you'll have fun!!!

Veridicus · November 19, 2003 4:39AM

<< Put together a type set, 1800 to present--I guarantee you'll have fun!!! >>

I've done that previously, via the Dansco route. I do like type sets but I hate the standard albums for them. They always contain "types" that I don't particularly consider "types" and/or omit types that I'd like to include. I could wing it and go with my own 2x2 album but I've always thought that looked cheap and would prefer to collect something that has a nice album available. Or, if I decide to collect something "out of the album", I've always preferred to collect a series, like early copper, by die variety. Thanks for the suggestion, any others are appreciated. I still haven't made up my mind what to start collecting.

Russ · November 19, 2003 4:45AM

<< What do you collect and why? >>

Dust. Because I spend too much time sitting on my ass.

Russ, NCNE

1jester · November 19, 2003 6:18AM

Veridicus, I think you already know what you want to start collecting! Go with it. You can always change directions at any point in the future. Or add to your specialization. I think British coins are a great choice because they're much cheaper than American coins, AND they are rising in value pretty rapidly.

Just have a lot of fun with it. I think I don't have to tell you about that though, as you're an avid collector already.

Cam40 · November 19, 2003 6:36AM

just curious as to what coins you owned and what you got for them.

did you collect a long time?
did you turn a nice profit or break even, or did you take a loss on your collection?

Veridicus · November 19, 2003 6:58AM

<< just curious as to what coins you owned and what you got for them.

did you collect a long time?
did you turn a nice profit or break even, or did you take a loss on your collection? >>

I've collected nearly everything, ancients to modern, US and world, over the past 25 years. I didn't necessarily have all of that over the past year or so when I sold everything. My collections came and went over the years. Overall, I'd say I broke about even, or perhaps suffered a small loss. My problem is that I like everything! Except SBA's and a few other things that I can't stomach. Sorry all you SBA collectors.

I've always appreciated the scholarship of studying die varieties and historical context but also the satisfaction of plugging holes in an album and the accomplishment that comes with completing a set. I'm thinking about regal copper from 1672-1775 because it's something I've never done, and it's something that seems to be under researched, not to mention relatively cheap. However, I can get just as excited searching out nice MS63-65 Washingtons and plugging holes in a dansco album. One of my favorite collections was Dahlonega gold, although I only had 4 pieces. I lived in Georgia for 3 years and visited the site of the mint. Reading "The Neighborhood Mint" can really sweep you into the era and make the coins come alive. Ahhh, I'm babbling. Anyway, it is sort of liberating not to own ANYTHING and have an entire smorgasboard available to choose from. I do just want to focus on one thing however, for financial considerations, and so that I can do more in depth research. I think I'll maintain a presence on the forum, check things out, take suggestions, and perhaps make a decision after the first of the year. I do enjoy corresponding with everyone here, and look forward to more discussions.

Cam40 · November 19, 2003 7:06AM

you sound like a very knowledgable person and would be a great asset to this forum.

we always need more guys like you here.

maybe instead of collecting coins, you might just `collect` coin knowledge for your own self and to maybe pass on to others here?

glad to have you onboard Veridicus.

lordmarcovan · November 19, 2003 7:32AM

18th century British and French copper is certainly undervalued and cheap, especially so in comparison to US coins.

Another colonial-era pursuit which is downright dirt cheap is circulated Spanish colonial silver, especially the smaller denominations. Folks might call those "foreign" coins, but they aren't- after all, they were the money our forefathers used, and based our own dollar on. The Krause catalog values on 1/2-, 1-, and 2-real coins in the lower to middle grades are ridiculously cheap.

Veridicus · November 19, 2003 7:33AM

Thanks.

One of my sons (12 yrs old) has become a coin person and I'm helping him build an AU-BU Peace Dollar set, which is even more fun that building my own set. Perhaps I'll just collect vicariously through him!

billboat · November 19, 2003 8:26AM

How about numismatic literature? You could then become the forum "Reference Guy"! Or if you like varieties, do a Redbook Bust Half collection.

Veridicus · November 19, 2003 9:01AM

<< How about numismatic literature? You could then become the forum "Reference Guy"! Or if you like varieties, do a Redbook Bust Half collection. >>

I used to have a 50+ reference library but those are gone too. I've done the red book bust half thing also and I must admit they are one of my favorites. I'll never get the 17/4 though!

I don't collect anything!

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