Curiosity

Draco · September 10, 2005 9:34AM

In all, I only know two other coin collectors personally. Both people are very similar in education and financial "ability" to myself. Sometimes I wonder. . .what kind of person collects coins? At times, it seems that people of all ages and backgrounds collect them. At other times, it seems to me that because of the costs involved, it takes someone with a bit more disposable income. I know some of you are investors that *may* have made money on coins (like Adrian), but others seem more like myself. I find a series I like and buy, buy, buy. I almost never sell what I buy and I only buy what I like and what I consider reasonable. I'm by far no expert on any one series, but I enjoy the tiny tidbits of history when I can find it.

Finally, my question: How many of you are college grads? For myself, I hold a masters in electrical engineering and a bachelors in information technology.

Russ · September 10, 2005 9:39AM

I didn't even graduate from the eighth grade.

Russ, NCNE

airplanenut · September 10, 2005 10:01AM

I've got 4 years before college graduation... started classes on wednesday

Draco · September 10, 2005 10:02AM

That explains why you collect Kennedy's, Russ

Russ is part of the "Bill Gates" group. . .can't be that many of you our there.

Conder101 · September 10, 2005 3:30PM

Well, I've got a degree in electronics, most of a degree in computer science, and I earned a degree in chemistry under contract for someone else. Although I have a decent education I've never had what most people would call a lot of disposable income. (Until about four years ago I had never earned over $9,000 a year.) I live very simply though, have no family and no life, so my expenses are low (no vices other than numismatics), so a significant portion of my income still goes for my collection.

Fletcher · September 10, 2005 3:53PM

BA, JD, LLM, + Post Doctoral Research Fellowship ... anything to keep from actually having to get a job :-)

Man · September 10, 2005 4:41PM

I' a college student got my A.S. and I am less then 40 credits from my bachelors and decided to go for a master in Civil Engineering, any engineering degree is fine with me the work is all the same to me.

sumnom · September 10, 2005 6:18PM

There are clearly a wide variety of people who collect for very different reasons. I am mostly interested in the history of the coins I collect. While I do care about condition and eye appeal and all of those good things, the coin itself and its background interest me the most. On a more abstract level, I am fascinated by the idea that at one time a coin can be a medium of exchange and at another time not. Coins are mysterious to me in that people can ascribe value to them, or not, depending on all sorts of social and political conditions. Coins that don't make it, like the 20-cent piece and the small dollars fascinate me in the same way.

As for educational background, I am a perpetual student with a number of meaningless letters after my name. I am working now to get even more letters.

I don't have much money to spend on coins so most of what i have is commonplace. I paid the equivalent of about US$180 for a coin a few weeks ago but that was the first time in my life I ever paid more than about $35.00 for a coin. I am slowly putting more money into better coins but I still get a lot of pleasure from collecting cheap stuff.

WTCG · September 10, 2005 6:32PM

I have found that the spectrum of coin collectors covers all wealth groups with various levels of education. I've learned that it's impossible to judge what type of a collector someone is just by their looks alone.

As for myself, I've taken time off from college to dedicate more time to trading in numismatics and real estate. I attended a very famous and respected private university in Palo Alto, CA, which I am still on "sabbatical". Most of my friends have graduated from college already, and I have a better life than most, if not all of them combined. I have more free time, my daily routine is less repetitive, I get to travel more, and I make a lot more money than most people in their early to mid 20's.

I've promised myself that I will finish up school eventually.

ms70 · September 10, 2005 6:41PM

A.S.

ER · September 10, 2005 9:31PM

Just check out the thread titled What do you do for a living? by jmwarren. There are people from all sorts of background.

MrSpud · September 10, 2005 11:29PM

I have a BS in Environmental Science. It was the funnest 7 years of my life

USCGCraig · September 11, 2005 12:45AM

I have a BA in Environmental Studies and am working on a Masters in Environmental Policy and Management. I've done both while on active duty in the Coast Guard in my off duty time.

Now that I am a Lieutenant, I've got a bit more allowance money. I'm putting together my XF45 Barber Half set for the sheer complexity and challenge of the series in that grade.

PerryHall · September 11, 2005 1:17AM

Master of Science in Engineering
Professional Engineer license

taxbuster1040 · September 11, 2005 2:34AM

I am a certified public accountant. I have a masters degree and own my accounting business. Up until a year ago i had never paid more than $125 for a coin. Now that i have gotten reinterested in coins as an older man, I have been buying some coins that cost thousands of dollars. I prefer to acquire only MS coins and gold now. I am starting to sell off some of the older stuff i had acquired 30 years ago, that are in circulated condition.

Man · September 11, 2005 5:25AM

You took the icon that I took from jester!

Oh wait you've been around longer

LOL

arlea1957 · September 11, 2005 5:36AM

grade 6 was the hardest 3 years of my life....

fullerfun4 · September 11, 2005 5:47AM

BA in political science and JD
Gary

michael · September 11, 2005 6:23AM

Sometimes I wonder. . .what kind of person collects coins?

in general...........really odd strange personality people

or the short answer ........... nut cases

lordmarcovan · September 11, 2005 6:26AM

High school diploma and almost three years of college, but never finished a degree in anything. (Except a Master's in Hard Knocks).

Myqqy · September 11, 2005 7:08AM

in general...........really odd strange personality people

Interesting observation......

Personally, I picked up a BA in psychology, and an MA in counseling psychology.....

sellsatan · September 11, 2005 9:29AM

As David Hall says "I attend the School of Hard Knocks and I'm still learning." I took about two weeks of college classes in 2003, but dropped out when I got a promotion which granted me "college money" without actually having to get the education. Since then I've thought about going back, but I think I'll just become my town's biggest landlord instead. Probably a better investment since I don't want to move.

JustGotRipped · September 11, 2005 10:01AM

As Black Adder (rowan atkinson) said ""I have a Ph D. from the university of life, a diploma from the high school of hard knocks, and three gold stars from the kindergarten of getting the $hit kicked out of me.""

Curiosity

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