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What does a coin collector look like?

Hello fellow collectors. I've been reading the threads for a few months and decided to join and join in, so howdy!

Several months ago, a fellow who worked at my company retired. I'd seen him in the halls on occasion, said Hi, how you doing? the like. In his retirement announcement, he said he was just going to enjoy not working, his wife, and his second love - collecting coins. Imagine - 8 years saying Hi, and now I find we have a world of coins in common to share - and he's leaving. Which bring me to the question - what does a coin collector look like? I've been collecting over 30 years, and I don't look like one. The fellow I worked with didn't. Do you look like one?

Point is - we come in all shapes and sizes, from all walks of life, all backgrounds, all corners of the world; yet we share the same love, the same joy and passion. Whether we do it for fun or profit, deep down, you have to admit we do it just because - most of us don't need a reason, but we probably have many. Whatever it is - keep doing it for why you do it. And keep an eye out for other collectors...if you can find them.

Great topics and loads of good information and advice on this forum. I have a few questions myself for another time. Until then, keep the silver side up! Craig.image
--Craig

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    mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    Welcome™

    Edit: I'm about 5-11 kinda big, if you see me say hi.
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
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    pharmerpharmer Posts: 8,355
    Look like? Well, I've been called a handsome, bon-vivant swashbuckler, and I collect coins.

    Oh, imageinteresting first post. Keep it up.
    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."

    image
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    RYKRYK Posts: 35,800 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Welcome to the forums. May your participation be pleasant, enlightening, and fulfilling.

    image
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    shirohniichanshirohniichan Posts: 4,992 ✭✭✭
    They look like Milton in "Office Space".
    image
    Obscurum per obscurius
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    PistareenPistareen Posts: 1,506 ✭✭✭
    When I worked in a coin shop in Colorado, I was often amazed at how people that looked like they had nothing in common at all would become chummy over coins.

    One example: a frequent customer had a long graying ponytail and a scar on his stomach he liked to show off from when he was shot by the cops (really!) back in the day. Seeing him chatting with a perfectly upright decorated WWII veteran was always a stitch -- the vet in question was the most elegant guy I'd ever seen, and he looked like he could beat me (when I was 21) in a boxing match or a half-mile run. Seeing a guy who looked like an extra from a Cheech and Chong movie laughing about coins with a buttoned-down war hero was a sociological experiment non pareil.

    Despite this, and despite the exceptions, you can usually bet that a coin collector is an old white guy. Obviously not all of us are (I'm a little younger than most, and my mother is one of the growing numbers of female numismatists), but it's still a generalization that mostly holds true.
    John Kraljevich, Director of Numismatic Americana, Stack's Bowers Galleries
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    CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,343 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Welcome to the forums. May your participation be pleasant, enlightening, and fulfilling.

    image >>

    Good lord. I have the feeling that if Russ jumped off a bridge we'd lose about half our members here.
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    BochimanBochiman Posts: 25,790 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I prefer the coin collectors that look like they have nice curves.....where's Lucy???

    image


    Welcome to the boards image

    I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment

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    ERER Posts: 7,345
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    nwcsnwcs Posts: 13,386 ✭✭✭


    << <i>They look like Melvin in "Office Space". >>

    All too true, but crankier.
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    BlindedByEgoBlindedByEgo Posts: 10,754 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hi Howdy!

    We look like... People.

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    I know someone on this forum that when you look at him, he just screams "COMPUTER NERD" "D&D FREAK" and "COIN DWEEB" all at once image Anyone guess who that would be? He's on the left coast, though I met him at FUN image
    -George
    42/92
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    Where's Marty with his chicken ??
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    RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭
    Bite me, RYK.

    Russ, NCNE
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    Dave99BDave99B Posts: 8,913 ✭✭✭✭✭
    FRESH MEAT! Welcome!

    Dave
    Always looking for original, better date VF20-VF35 Barber quarters and halves, and a quality beer.
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    image
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    EWWWW !
    image
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    TorinoCobra71TorinoCobra71 Posts: 8,094 ✭✭✭
    image To The Forums!

    TC71

    image
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    mrearlygoldmrearlygold Posts: 17,858 ✭✭✭
    Most have cowlicks and wear glassesimage
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    RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭
    Who's the homo?

    Russ, NCNE
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    xbobxbob Posts: 1,979
    Welcome!

    Here's what many coin collectors look like. I'm not saying which one is me image.
    image

    and to answer Russ... I think he's the one on the left. image



    Just a humor post. Playing along. No offense intended.
    -Bob
    collections: Maryland related coins & exonumia, 7070 Type set, and Video Arcade Tokens.
    The Low Budget Y2K Registry Set
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    I believe I read in CW one time, or was it the Numismatist?, that this guy had a significant collection.

    image
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    cladkingcladking Posts: 29,942 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Welcome aboard.
    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
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    shirohniichanshirohniichan Posts: 4,992 ✭✭✭
    image

    "I was going to keep my collection in cardboard 2x2's, but they made my stapler bind up..."
    image
    Obscurum per obscurius
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    GemineyeGemineye Posts: 5,374
    ......image
    image
    ......Larry........image
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    image
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    robertprrobertpr Posts: 6,862 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Who's the homo?

    Russ, NCNE >>



    Perhaps you should consider removing your standard signature from that one, Russ.
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    MercfanMercfan Posts: 701 ✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Who's the homo?

    Russ, NCNE >>



    Perhaps you should consider removing your standard signature from that one, Russ. >>



    image
    "Coin collecting problem"? What "coin collecting problem"?
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    CoinHuskerCoinHusker Posts: 5,034 ✭✭✭
    What does a coin collector look like? image Well, let's see, how can I say this...Have you ever seen "Revenge of the Nerds"? image




    image




    edit to add: xbob beat me to it. image
    Collecting coins, medals and currency featuring "The Sower"
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    TyrockTyrock Posts: 312 ✭✭✭
    Amusing post! image
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    TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 45,012 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I never look, and I am usually holding my nose, too.

    Then every once in a while, I come here and laugh for hours on one liners that Russ types image
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    Welcome to the boardsimage Enjoy all the fun and Expertise that is out here waiting to be shared.

    I'm on the road at the moment so the attachment shows me at a FUNtime, enjoying the Sun.
    Mike.image
    Enjoying time at home with the family now is my full time passion.

    rabbitracks toned showcase set
    myurl
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    JRoccoJRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Welcome Craig. You will love it here.
    Us collectors come in all shapes and sizes.
    There is a strange, but funny, little group of creatures that go by the name of lemmings that mill around here at times though. They live in the corners of their buildings and wait anxiously for a chance to ... well how do I say this..... come out and show their love ... from time to time. You will get to know them and who they are and find them to be harmless funny little creatures. You can always count on them for a laugh or two. Otherwise --- the majority here are really helpful, incredibly smart coin collectors and dealers who are always willing to help.
    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
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    kiyotekiyote Posts: 5,612 ✭✭✭✭✭
    image

    Me and my first girlfriend. Alas, it didn't last!
    "I'll split the atom! I am the fifth dimension! I am the eighth wonder of the world!" -Gef the talking mongoose.
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    Go to any major coin show and you'll be surprise by the assortment of people.

    I think the only one thing you can say safely, coin collectors are overwhelmingly male.

    Often the image of graying, blue blazered, signet pink ring and ascot are creations of advertisers looking to add 'class' to the hobby.

    Years ago I met a fellow at FUN who was 50ish, 40-50# overweight, beard/must., dressed in jeans ALL the time and had a food stain on his white short sleve shirts 90% of time. I bought a few seated halves from him and as I got to know him better I discovered he had an incredible collection of Seated coins from Dollars down to half dimes, all raw and all original. He was a walking encyclopedia on coins. When not attending shows he was the owner of a recreational boat brokerage firm and worth millions I am certain, he never ever let on.

    Had you seen him walk into your coin shop you would have thought, oh no, another guy coming to pick my proof sets!

    Stereotypes are never true in real life!
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    jdsinvajdsinva Posts: 1,508
    I still say if you put long hair on coincop, he would look like antonio banderas. . .
    Jeff

    image

    Semper ubi sub ubi
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    FatManFatMan Posts: 8,977
    Here's a Big FatMan Welcome to Ya!image


    Way to go Russ. Finally out of the closet after all these years. Let's have a coming out party.image

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