Essentially, I'm a numismatic failure.

1jester · March 5, 2006 6:50PM

Yes, it's true. I'll never amount to anything at all in the numismatic community. I'd be seriously deluding myself if I even attempted to claim I was of any significance.

Just recently, a question was posed of me: "What do you collect ( & have you any complete sets )?"

The answer to this is that I've never completed a set of anything in my whole life. Not even the most mundane of all sets imaginable: Lincoln cents. I never even got close: no 1909-S VDB, no 1922, no 1955-S DDO, and the list goes on. I did have some BU keys, but once again, no cigar.

I tried to gather a meager type set of British Commonwealth coins, but the more I got, the more I realized how foolish I was to even attempt such an impossibility.

I've tried to accumulate some semblance of a collection of Polish coins, but again, a futile maneuver; nobody in history, not even the great Polish kings and magnates, were ever able to finish that challenge.

I'm a numismatic failure. I don't even know what I'm doing here. I'm not fit to lick the boots of all you Darkside experts.

IlikeZARcoins · March 5, 2006 7:02PM

You could try collecting ZAR silver - it's actually harder then you think completing this set in high grades.

Believe me - I'm trying hard.

)

Severo · March 5, 2006 8:30PM

Join the club, 1jester!

1jester · March 5, 2006 9:52PM

<< Join the club, 1jester!

>>

Aethelred · March 5, 2006 10:04PM

I don't think I have ever finished a set either. Thanks for making me feel so good about myself this fine Monday Jester!

laurentyvan · March 5, 2006 10:04PM

I'll never amount to anything at all in the numismatic community.

I disagree... your posts are the ones that got me into participating on this forum... your posts which taught me more about a general range of coins than anyone else... your lively and informed responses to others posts that kept me chuckling and coming back.

Do not measure your success or failure by what you collected or how you collected but how you interacted with other numismatists concerning what you/they collected. Besides, I don't want to use the past tense-there's still plenty of life left in your numismatic future.

And... I find date/mint sets essentially boring-I much prefer the type coins from everywhere which you presented to us.

ed for spelling

NJMark1 · March 5, 2006 10:27PM

Hey if your having fun there is no way you can be a failure. I am never going to complete a set of post 1900 world circulating coins but that doesn't mean I'm not having fun trying. As Laurent said I enjoy reading your posts so"Keep on Keeping on"

Mark

TheKidCollector1991 · March 5, 2006 10:34PM

I agree ^
I
I

danglen · March 6, 2006 12:00AM

A wise man once said "There is no right or wrong in collecting, as long as you are collecting what you like".

I can't remember most of my other sayings

Syracusian · March 6, 2006 12:13AM

<< A wise man once said "There is no right or wrong in collecting, as long as you are collecting what you like".

I can't remember most of my other sayings

>>

Was that your saying or the wise man's danglen?

AuldFartte · March 6, 2006 12:31AM

<< Join the club, 1jester!

>>

There's a lot more of us out there than you think

MSD61 · March 6, 2006 12:59AM

<< 

<< Join the club, 1jester!

>>

There's a lot more of us out there than you think

>>

Let me also be on the list

cosmicdebris · March 6, 2006 1:11AM

Geez dude try collecting every single Conder token

satootoko · March 6, 2006 2:53AM

Don't be a failure all your life old friend. I have the perfect solution for you.

Collect examples of every coin issued by the Meng Chaing Bank, organized by the Japanese occupation forces in the Mongolian Borderline area of North China from late December, 1937, to the end of WW II in August, 1945.

Here are pictures of my 100% complete collection

:

Obverse ---- 5 Chiao - 1938 --- Reverse

(size difference is my lousy photo editing skills, not the coin's fault

)

secondrepublic · March 6, 2006 3:05AM

<< I've tried to accumulate some semblance of a collection of Polish coins, but again, a futile maneuver; nobody in history, not even the great Polish kings and magnates, were ever able to finish that challenge. >>

Collecting "Poland - all" is a recipe for disappointment, unless you have huge amounts of money and patience. I don't even try. In fact, even in my little area-of-an-area, I sub-sub specialize.

Just a fancy way of saying, collect what you want. If you find yourself getting burned out by it, by all means sell your stuff or focus on something else or just move on. At the end of the day, this is a hobby that we do for fun.

DBSTrader2 · March 6, 2006 3:13AM

I think this calls for an "I'm a failure at coin collecting" giveaway!!

topstuf · March 6, 2006 3:16AM

Jester, send me your foreign dreck and you'll have a ..complete.. collection of "nothing."

theboz11 · March 6, 2006 4:16AM

Why attribute success or failure to something you enjoy. Ego has warped your consepts me thinks

Fairlaneman · March 6, 2006 6:27AM

Its better to have failed instead of never trying. Now that this is over move on to another futile adventure....

Ken

laurentyvan · March 6, 2006 6:47AM

Look Jester, I hate to use the big stick, but it's my birthday (57

) and what I want for my birthday is that a sense of well-being and satisfaction infuse you and transform you. Now, are you going to turn me down?

If this is relevant, this morning I had 7 shipments of books going out to eBay customers and as I started the process of printing invoices from the paypal site the system went down. Pages I needed to see weren't available (eBay messages their problem) and I began frothing and foaming at the mouth. I found my mouse selecting PCGS and was whisked to your post. As I read it I found the tone of your missive so despairing that I found my own concerns were inconsequential. The rest of the day went a whole lot better and I have you (I believe) to thank for it.

You know, as well as I do, that everything happens for a reason.

1jester · March 6, 2006 6:49AM

<< Its better to have failed instead of never trying. Now that this is over move on to another futile adventure....

Ken >>

You're right. How about old Fords?

DBSTrader, I think you've hit upon something!

Laurent, thanks for the kind words!! You're a great man.

Cosmic, I love Conders! That's the problem.

Satootoko has a brilliant idea!

Topstuf, how about a trade of all my dreck for yours?

Somehow I think I could come to like mountains of bullion.

All, I feel grateful to be a part of such a distinguished group of failures.

1jester · March 6, 2006 6:52AM

<< Look Jester, I hate to use the big stick, but it's my birthday (57

) and what I want for my birthday is that a sense of well-being and satisfaction infuse you and transform you. Now, are you going to turn me down?

If this is relevant, this morning I had 7 shipments of books going out to eBay customers and as I started the process of printing invoices from the paypal site the system went down. Pages I needed to see weren't available (eBay messages their problem) and I began frothing and foaming at the mouth. I found my mouse selecting PCGS and was whisked to your post. As I read it I found the tone of your missive so despairing that I found my own concerns were inconsequential. The rest of the day went a whole lot better and I have you (I believe) to thank for it.

You know, as well as I do, that everything happens for a reason.

>>

Happy Birthday, young man!!!!

You know, you are one of the truly bright spots in this Dark world. I'm glad to have been able to help make a better day for you, and likewise your first post improved my mood too.

Syracusian · March 6, 2006 7:00AM

Happy Birthday Laurent. You're a pisces like my brother.

Jester, good luck with your sales and enjoy your fresh new start, armed with all the knowledge you have acquired so far.

Eitherway, I take your essential presence here as a given.

Fairlaneman · March 6, 2006 7:15AM

<< 

<< Its better to have failed instead of never trying. Now that this is over move on to another futile adventure....

Ken >>

<< You're right. How about old Fords?

>>

Take it from me DO NOT DO THAT ! They are never finished....

Failure beckons before you start.... Its been 15 years since I bought mine and parts are still being hunted down. If you had 2 or 3 of those Old Fords it would be a nightmare. Pick something easy.....Stamps ?

Ken

coinkat · March 6, 2006 9:08AM

1jester:

Have fun collecting... and it is not always about the completeness of what is assembled, but what is learned and shared in undertaking the challenge...

wildjag · March 6, 2006 11:34AM

I have a complete set of lightside PCGS proof Roosevelt dimes, and its was in the top 7 of the registry sets for awhile. But the same coin over and over got old, so now I am mostly Darkside and I am getting focused.

GDJMSP · March 6, 2006 11:52AM

<< 

Just recently, a question was posed of me: "What do you collect ( & have you any complete sets )?"

The answer to this is that I've never completed a set of anything in my whole life.

>>

I'm delighted to see that I'm in such good company jester

wybrit · March 6, 2006 11:54AM

If I were to complete my sets, I would have a hollow feeling. Where do you go from there?

Of course, I'll never have to worry about that problem, even for one denomination.

coinkat · March 6, 2006 11:56AM

I have a complete set of lightside PCGS proof Roosevelt dimes, and its was in the top 7 of the registry sets for awhile. But the same coin over and over got old, so now I am mostly Darkside and I am getting focused.

It is great to read that getting focused can mean different things... It may not be about completing anything, but being focused can mean developing the ability to recognize and buy quality and rarity when the opportunity arises...

MrEureka · March 6, 2006 12:01PM

The answer to this is that I've never completed a set of anything in my whole life.

Same here. I came close with circ Peace Dollars and Jefferson Nickels. I was a pre-teen at the time. Since then, it has been straight downhill.

cladking · March 6, 2006 2:18PM

I began as a success but have been fast sliding down hill. My first set started in 1957
was eventually completed but I've not come close since. Probably staying away from
things like clad quarter varieties and merchant tokens would help but then I'd have to
worry about what to collect next.

XXX · March 6, 2006 2:25PM

Is a set EVER really finished? Will they make a Sacagawea in MS70? (Pop 3)
They did this year....so No........I don't believe a set is ever really finished.
You just run out of patience or money or both. And a top Pop is always around the corner
if you keep trying.

Jest I too have yet to complete a set, yet many are complete............if you get my drift.

ajaan · March 6, 2006 10:51PM

To each his own.

MacCrimmon · March 7, 2006 12:05AM

<< The answer to this is that I've never completed a set of anything in my whole life. >>

Now you tell me. I'm not even saving for an UNA.

Whatever will I do?

Stork · March 7, 2006 2:56AM

My first instinct was to say "Thank goodness I'm normal"...

then I realized what group I was comparing myself to

.

1jester · March 11, 2007 6:33AM

TTT and happy birthday, Laurent!

TwoKopeiki · March 11, 2007 7:22AM

Happy b-day, Laurent!

And Jester - sounds like you have a pretty interesting and robust numismatic life, so who cares about a complete set of anything compared to that?

BS · March 11, 2007 7:49AM

Jester, I never knew you were a numismatic failure before now. Please leave and never come back.

Happy Birthday, Laurent.

1jester · March 11, 2007 8:10AM

<< Jester, I never knew you were a numismatic failure before now. Please leave and never come back.

Happy Birthday, Laurent. >>

Yes, I'm sorry you have to share the same bandwidth as me...

BS · March 11, 2007 8:55AM

<< 

<< Jester, I never knew you were a numismatic failure before now. Please leave and never come back.

Happy Birthday, Laurent. >>

Yes, I'm sorry you have to share the same bandwidth as me...

>>

I guess I'll just have to learn to live with it.

DesertRat · March 11, 2007 9:01AM

Set? what's a set?

wybrit · March 11, 2007 9:17AM

Coin collecting can be summed up as an act of futility.

Jester, I think both you and I have come to that realization at around the same point in time, only it took me longer to figure it out than you.

laurentyvan · March 11, 2007 10:14AM

Why thank you gents.

Jesters a puzzle,
a wit beyond reason
whose melancholy mood
doesn't jibe with the season.

Spring is renewal,
not a time to reflect
on misbegotten purchases
and unfinished sets.

So cheer up my lad
'cause the best is to come
as we race to completion
twixt moon and the sun.

razzle · March 11, 2007 1:36PM

Jester,

Regrettably, I'm too new on this site to know you. I've enjoyed reading all of these reassurances to you, though. I hate to tell you, but I think you've failed at failing. Or, at least, your failing is incomplete. Oh, and thanks for posting the Scripture, too, I love that.

I'll add a happy birthday to Laurent, whom I also don't know, but enjoyed the spirit of his posts.

Oh, yes, and about incomplete sets and things

raz

lordmarcovan · March 11, 2007 8:09PM

I long ago gave up on being the richest, smartest, best looking, etc.

That's what the Holey Coin Vest schtick is all about. If you can't be the best or brightest, and least you can be the goofiest.

ajaan · March 11, 2007 9:17PM

<< If you can't be the best or brightest, and least you can be the goofiest. >>

Aethelred · March 11, 2007 10:49PM

<< If you can't be the best or brightest, and least you can be the goofiest.

>>

I did that without any effort at all!

Aethelred · March 11, 2007 11:00PM

I think Jester and Wybrit have it right. There is really little purpose in paying huge sums of money for little discs of metal, unless ones goal is to make more money. When you die it means nothing at all.

Solomon said:
"Vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh."

That applies to collecting coins as well as anything else. We gather coins together all our lives only to have them sold and seperated after we die

Having said that, I still do it. I get pleasure (if vain pleasure) in owning artifacts from the past.

nicholasz219 · March 12, 2007 12:18PM

Yes I think there is much more fun to be had in the journey of collecting than in trying in vain to really ever think you will complete a collection. I think that enjoying a collection and the assembling of it takes precedence over anyone elses' ideas about a collection's 'completeness'.

I have never finished a collection in my life, and have no intention of ever doing so. Considering my collections focus on Russian Empirical issues (all coins pre-1918), I would have to be high to think I will ever finish it, even with a lotto win. I really enjoy adding to the collection though, and especially when I can find rare pieces or get a lot of coins at a bargain to fill several holes at once.

My daughter's birthyear collection (2003) is a fun collection and if there is any collection I would like to see complete, it is that one. That is only because I would like to have something personal and nice to give to her on maybe her 21st birthday.

And think about it: if completeness was the only benchmark of success as a collector, my coin club would not exist because I don't think any one of the members has a complete set. We do have a lot of fun giving presentations on the things we find interesting and giving other people a little knowledge and inspiration to explore the world of collecting.

Just my thoughts.

Nick

Aethelred · March 12, 2007 12:30PM

Great post Nick!

Justhavingfun · March 12, 2007 6:56PM

No way, 1Jester. Your posts have illuminated many lives, bringing people wisdom and (yes) strength. My own life included.

Thank you,

Just Having Fun!

Essentially, I'm a numismatic failure.

Comments

Categories