Home› U.S. Coin Forum

Why do we collect?

lavalava Posts: 3,286 ✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
If you are like me you have collected things your entire life, but I have no idea why. So that's my question -- why do we collect?

My hope is the answers may help me figure out how to focus my collecting, since my Morgan collection is complete and seems to be in a long-lasting holding pattern.
I brake for ear bars.

Comments

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The need for cumulative acquisitions stems from a basic, psychological insecurity - the causes of which may be legion. Cheers, RickO
  • pharmerpharmer Posts: 8,355 ✭
    I've always thought it was our hunting/gathering instincts. We chase them down, and then put them away for another time.
    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
  • LucyBopLucyBop Posts: 14,001 ✭✭✭


    << <i>The need for cumulative acquisitions stems from a basic, psychological insecurity - the causes of which may be legion. Cheers, RickO >>



    Man I don't know about that mumbo jumbo...

    But we collect because its way cool daddy-o!
    imageBe Bop A Lula!!
    "Senorita HepKitty"
    "I want a real cool Kitty from Hepcat City, to stay in step with me" - Bill Carter
  • gyocomgdgyocomgd Posts: 2,582 ✭✭✭


    << <i>The need for cumulative acquisitions stems from a basic, psychological insecurity - the causes of which may be legion. Cheers, RickO >>



    You can't put it much better than that. I'm a pack rat, basically. It's hard for me to throw stuff away. Not to a desperate, pathetic extent, but it's there with me nevertheless.
    image
  • gyocomgdgyocomgd Posts: 2,582 ✭✭✭


    << <i>
    But we collect because its way cool daddy-o! >>



    I meant to add that, too--it's way cool, daddy-o.
    image
  • COINB0YCOINB0Y Posts: 4,505
    Collecting is nothing more than untreated, but borderline, obsessive-compulsive behavior.
  • pharmerpharmer Posts: 8,355 ✭


    << <i>Collecting is nothing more than untreated, but borderline, obsessive-compulsive behavior. >>



    Sorry, try again. Animals collect also. Ravens/magpies/crows are well known for collecting bright things, for example.
    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
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    I blame my mother.


    Steve
    Good for you.
  • seateddimeseateddime Posts: 6,180 ✭✭✭
    seated dimes
    I seldom check PM's but do check emails often jason@seated.org

    Buying top quality Seated Dimes in Gem BU and Proof.

    Buying great coins - monster eye appeal only.
  • JcarneyJcarney Posts: 3,154 ✭
    OCD
    “When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.” — Benjamin Franklin


    My icon IS my coin. It is a gem 1949 FBL Franklin.
  • MilesWaitsMilesWaits Posts: 5,435 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Easy.
    Relief from anxiety, as in to avoid anxiety of not collecting! It's Karma baby.......

    Miles
    Now riding the swell in PM's and surf.
  • LincolnCentManLincolnCentMan Posts: 5,347 ✭✭✭✭
    1. For the connection to history
    2. For the lure of treasure
    3. For the excitement of completing a difficult task
    4. For the comrardery of fellow collectors
    5. A weird form of savings
    6. Investment
    7. Psychosis

    -David
    Lincolncentman Toned Lincolns
  • Type2Type2 Posts: 13,985 ✭✭✭✭✭
    image but you forgot crazy


    Hoard the keys.
  • OmegaOmega Posts: 1,587 ✭✭✭


    << <i>1. For the connection to history
    2. For the lure of treasure
    3. For the excitement of completing a difficult task
    4. For the comrardery of fellow collectors
    5. A weird form of savings
    6. Investment >>



    I agree with you 6 out of 7.

    Psych 101 and real life are not the same!
    Reindeer Mountain Collectibles
  • GemineyeGemineye Posts: 5,374 ✭
    ...............image.........
    .......................image
    ......Larry........image
  • oldcameoproofsguyoldcameoproofsguy Posts: 3,174 ✭
    "Why do we collect?"

    I collect coins because the part of my brain that makes rational- sound decisions was killed by a micro-stroke. Normal healthy brains come to the conclusion that spending $10,000 on a little chunk of metal is crazy.
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,884 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It's all Bush's fault.image

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • BECOKABECOKA Posts: 16,961 ✭✭✭
    OCD, one I got the first one I can't sleep unless I am trying to get them all. image
  • thisnamztakenthisnamztaken Posts: 4,101 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>It's all Bush's fault.image >>


    I knew someone was gonna say that-just knew it! image
    I never thought that growing old would happen so fast.
    - Jim
  • thisnamztakenthisnamztaken Posts: 4,101 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>If you are like me you have collected things your entire life, but I have no idea why. So that's my question -- why do we collect? >>



    I think ricko nailed it pretty well, but to dull my conscience with a bit of self-delusion, I kind of enjoy thinking of it as a little "light escapism" or non-exhausting recreation of sorts. image
    I never thought that growing old would happen so fast.
    - Jim
  • pb2ypb2y Posts: 1,461 ✭
    Why does it feel good to sneeze?? It is just another un-answerable question
    image

  • BigRedBigRed Posts: 716
    I think I could have collected about anything that was old, it was coins that was introduced to me at a young age though. I love the connection to history and of days long ago. History always seems more interesting then the present for some reason. Also its a connection to our younger years and for me that was a very happy and carefree time. Even when I was young I got really excited when I heard a conversation about something old.
  • srkjkdsrkjkd Posts: 47
    coins....shiny...pretty.....must stare at it (with magnification, no less!)....i'm inclined to agree that it is a mental disorder.........
    "you can judge the character of an individual by how they treat those who can do nothing to, or for them."
  • blueifalconblueifalcon Posts: 963 ✭
    Why do we collect? Because we can.image
    Ilikacoinsawholebuncha
  • PreussenPreussen Posts: 2,307 ✭✭✭


    << <i>...But we collect because its way cool daddy-o! >>

    imageimage -Preussen
    "Illegitimis non carborundum" -General Joseph Stilwell. See my auctions
  • TorreroTorrero Posts: 205
    A good article on the subject:

    WHY WE COLLECT
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,884 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I collect since coin collectors get all the hot chicks. image

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • 410a410a Posts: 1,325 ✭
    because we are sick, sick, you got that. We lack something from our childhood and we seek it everywhere from pop tops to rare coins. We are sick and we feed this diseased mind with more and more coins and collectibles. Believe me Casino operators know addiction more than gambling. Coin dealers know addiction more than they know coins.

    On the other hand this is an enjoyable relaxing hobby filled with comaraderie, banter and fun. So relax enjoy the hobby and forget wondering why? Otherwise someone is liable to give you that stupid rant up above.image
  • lkrarecoinslkrarecoins Posts: 2,137 ✭✭✭
    For the same reason squirrels hide their nuts....they are looking to put together a world class registry set (of acorns)

    image
    In Loving Memory of my Dad......My best friend, My inspiration, and My Coin Collecting Partner

    "La Vostra Nonna Ha Faccia Del Fungo"

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Format
SpoilerCodeQuote
Heading 2Heading 1
Emoji
:):D:(;):/:o:s:p:'(:|B):#:*<3o:)>:)
Url
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file
Home • U.S. Coin ForumComment As ...