List the factors that contribute to collectors' malaise

IGWT · September 10, 2007 6:37AM

I'm not trying to diagnose our friend RYK, but it seems that he has come down with an ailment that affects us all in varying degrees from time to time. Have you suffered from a sense of malaise in your coin collecting? Have you experienced a general sense of dissatisfaction that leads you to pull back from the hobby? What is it about the hobby -- or how we choose to pursue the hobby -- that causes this feeling?

MidLifeCrisis · September 10, 2007 6:40AM

All the really cool coins are waaaayyyy too expensive.

coinsomniac · September 10, 2007 6:41AM

The coins are all small and round. We do not collect oil paintings or vintage cars, which offer more of a variety. Often one needs to walk away for a month or more. I know that I do.

wayneherndon · September 10, 2007 6:41AM

Two I see a lot:

Completing a set.

Inability to add coins to the set due to cost of remaining pieces.

WH

Russ · September 10, 2007 6:44AM

The frustratingly long time between finding upgrades for my set.

Russ, NCNE

coinsomniac · September 10, 2007 6:53AM

It is an interesting hobby. Everyone will oooooh and ahhh over an 1893-S MS64 Morgan. Except for rarity, mintmark and date, the coin is virtually identical to an 1887 MS 64 Morgan, worth about $50.

TwoSides2aCoin · September 10, 2007 6:54AM

<< All the really cool coins are waaaayyyy too expensive.

>>

Hey, My Nebraska Statehoods are cool.

clarkbar04 · September 10, 2007 6:54AM

It is very easy to get burnt out on anything, whether it be your job, a personal hobby ie a sport or a musical instrument, or a collecting hobby.

For the poster above that mentioned cars, I also collect/restore vintage cars, and I got so frustrated with one for various reasons that I didn't turn a wrench on it for a year. I now have 2 more than are awaiting my attention and frustration.

People that collect cars also sell their pride and joys off, only to come back usually in a different make, model, or era in mind.

InYHWHWeTrust · September 10, 2007 7:08AM

The first two that came to my mind were habituation and a creeping perfectionism, which can lead to some dissatisfaction and malaise.

Don

Fletcher · September 10, 2007 7:15AM

All of the coin industry bu11$h1t, ie thieves, coin doctors, charlatans, ANA politics, TPG games, etc ... and that is all I have to say about that.

291fifth · September 10, 2007 7:21AM

Finding out that you have been "buried" in a coin by a supposedly trusted dealer (or collector.)

Bear · September 10, 2007 7:21AM

The constant revelations of doctored coins, over graded coins,

artificial toning especially of slabbed coins, have made a lot of folks

lighten up on purchases and coin holdings. Combine this with a somewhat

ominous economic future and one has to consider ,that for the time being, the

bloom may be off the roses.

dtkk49a · September 10, 2007 7:34AM

The only "malaise" I suffer from is caused by the fact that I can't afford some of the coins I really want. 8-)

atom48coin · September 10, 2007 7:39AM

<< The frustratingly long time between finding upgrades for my set.

Russ, NCNE >>

Plus what Ricko and Wayne said. I've really cooled down on purchasing. The coins I need now (even common ones, to some folks) are priced too high, or they don't seem to be available, perhaps because of the market conditions. It's even frustrating to just "google" for a particular coin and strike out. Maybe RYK has the right idea: move away from it for awhile, so that if (or when...) you come back to it it will be fresh and exciting again.

IGWT · September 10, 2007 7:40AM

-- "All of the coin industry bu11$h1t, ie thieves, coin doctors, charlatans, ANA politics, TPG games, etc ... and that is all I have to say about that." --

They do make one want to crawl into a corner and count denticles (or, for you contrarians, dentils). But that's OK, because there's a lot to be discovered there, and the thieves, coin doctors, charlatans, and TPGs don't matter so much.

--"The first two that came to my mind were habituation and a creeping perfectionism . . . ." --

That's interesting because many collectors would say that creeping perfectionism is a good thing. I tend to agree with you, though. It's the sense that nothing in a collection is "good enough" unless it makes other collectors swoon.

Russ · September 10, 2007 8:23AM

<< The coins I need now (even common ones, to some folks) are priced too high, or they don't seem to be available >>

In my case, it's both. Even if I had the money to spend, upgrades rarely come to market and when they do they are all too often only label upgrades - with a POS inside the plastic. For example, my 1965 is an MS65DCAM. About a year ago, an MS66DCAM came to market through Heritage and sold for over about $2500, (the same coin had sold about a year before for over $3k). It was a loud barking dog, and I mean LOUD. I wouldn't own it for free. (Well, maybe I would but then I'd flip it to some label buying chump).

Russ, NCNE

Colorfulcoins · September 10, 2007 8:57AM

Interesting.........several posters have indicated that the disparity in their market, ie costs of good coins going up and economic indicators going down is a reason to stop (or be especially choosy) adding new coins. The first I certainly understand (same here) but the second one is a bit more interesting and suggests that some % of collectors are also investors. Whereas a dealer makes money when coins are going up or down (they don't stay in business if they don't), some collectors are out of the "market" when economic indicators go down. Is this solely due to ecomonic indicators or because of both indicators and over priced coins? Further, would collectors that fall into this group consider or plan to sell their collection while prices are perceived as high and ecomonic indication are down? Might such collectors really be more investors rather than collectors? What do you think?

Russ · September 10, 2007 9:03AM

<< but the second one is a bit more interesting and suggests that some % of collectors are also investors. >>

Not necessarily. It may simply suggest that because of the uncertainty in the economy they may be concerned about their own employment / income situation and have made the prudent decision to scale back on discretionary purchases.

Russ, NCNE

cladking · September 10, 2007 9:06AM

My interest doesn't wax and wane very much but in my experience burn-out tends
to be caused by putting more into something than we have. We put in the blood,
sweat, and tears and at some point realize that we are putting too much in and get-
ting too little back. It can be triggered by just about anything. In all of our pursuits
we'll get a comeuppance once in a while to show us just how unimportant we all real-
ly are.

We need to try to keep it light but it's just human nature to strive for perfection and
the impossible.

notlogical · September 10, 2007 9:18AM

I didn't know what "malaise" meant so I looked it up. It's a sense of being unwell. So I started to think about when I feel that way about collecting. I know the times I feel like that is when I try to do or be something that I'm not. I'm a kid so I shouldn't feel like I have to collect coins that adults do because I can't. It happens when I concentrate on on getting a coin or thinking I have to have a certain coin and I forget about coin collecting. I feel bad about coin collecting when all I do is think about "my" collection and not think about numismatics in general. Maybe it's a good thing I don't have a lot of money because I can't concentrate on "getting" certain coins but I can learn about any coin I want too. And that keeps me excited.

That probably sounds dumb but those are the things that I notice make me feel bad about coin collecting.

RYK · September 10, 2007 9:20AM

I will list several reasons for me:

1. I completed my set (good call, Wayne).

2. Coins had become too high a priority in my life. I was making decisions, both time and financial, that put my selfish interests ahead of my family. I needed to get my priorities back to where they should be.

3. It was becoming increasingly difficult (read: expensive) to satisfy the coin hunger. I felt like an addict.

4. Without considering it, I lost interest in coins. I stopped reading CW (QDB's column, the editorials, the letters to the editor), I stopped searching ebay and dealer websites, I only visited Doug Winter's site once or twice per day to check for newps or new articles

, I stopped looking at auction catalogs, etc. This happened rather quickly.

5. I lost focus and was buying expensive coins willy-nilly.

6. I became tired of the shenanigans: the coin docs, the other guy always getting the upgrade, the deceit, the plastic, and frankly, many of the personalities. On the other hand, I have made many friends along the way and am saddened that some may not stick as a result of my indefinite departure.

IGWT · September 10, 2007 10:21AM

-- "That probably sounds dumb . . . ." --

Hardly.

lkenefic · September 10, 2007 10:25AM

<< All of the coin industry bu11$h1t, ie thieves, coin doctors, charlatans, ANA politics, TPG games, etc ... and that is all I have to say about that. >>

...hate to say it...but............

jdimmick · September 10, 2007 10:44AM

What happen to me is that I grew a taste /passion for coins that were no longer in my financial grasp. It was to the point where I was buying an occasional coin that cost me half what I earned in a years time. But, more than that I wanted several that cost two - three times that. Just could't do it anymore.

I began dealing in coins locally to help offset the costs of adding to my collection and really began to enjoy it more than I ever did as a collector. Now I opened a local coin business and love it!

If I were to come in to some major funds such a few million, I would probably go back to collecting, but no chance of that so I will continue on my current track becuase it is profitable and fun!!!!!

jim

Russ · September 10, 2007 10:59AM

<< I didn't know what "malaise" meant so I looked it up. >>

It's a synonym for "Jimmy Carter Presidency".

Russ, NCNE

Fletcher · September 10, 2007 11:03AM

<< It was a loud barking dog, and I mean LOUD. I wouldn't own it for free. (Well, maybe I would but then I'd flip it to some label buying chump).

Russ, NCNE >>

I would like to add that attitudes like this also contribute to collectors' malaise and ruin the industry ... I, and many others, find it despicable.

Russ · September 10, 2007 11:05AM

<< << It was a loud barking dog, and I mean LOUD. I wouldn't own it for free. (Well, maybe I would but then I'd flip it to some label buying chump).

Russ, NCNE >>

I would like to add that attitudes like this also contribute to collectors' malaise and ruin the industry ... I, and many others, find it despicable. >>

Ah, a comment from a label buying chump.

Russ, NCNE

Fairlaneman · September 10, 2007 11:10AM

<< Finding out that you have been "buried" in a coin by a supposedly trusted dealer (or collector.) >>

No Way.

Ken

BAJJERFAN · September 10, 2007 11:15AM

lakkamunny

Fletcher · September 10, 2007 11:20AM

<< 

<< << It was a loud barking dog, and I mean LOUD. I wouldn't own it for free. (Well, maybe I would but then I'd flip it to some label buying chump).

Russ, NCNE >>

I would like to add that attitudes like this also contribute to collectors' malaise and ruin the industry ... I, and many others, find it despicable. >>

Ah, a comment from a label buying chump.

Russ, NCNE >>

You really are a pathetic turd ... name one coin that I currently own that makes me a "label buying chump". Put up or shut up ...

... and thank you for under-scoring my point

TwoSides2aCoin · September 10, 2007 11:23AM

it's a trick question and an oxymoron Samuel.

"Collector's Malaise" is like "Pretty Ugly"

Both seem to be unwell, don't they ?

IGWT · September 10, 2007 11:27AM

-- "it's a trick question and an oxymoron Samuel." --

No, it's not! And now you're going to have him looking up "oxymoron," too.

pharmer · September 10, 2007 11:29AM

Beat me to it. Joe, he's trying to learn. You're doing more harm than good. Collector's is not the antithesis of malaise, thus it is not an oxymoron.

TwoSides2aCoin · September 10, 2007 11:37AM

Hey, I'm helping... seriously you guys

.. Thank you both. Trying to lighten it up a little...

But still , collectors don't get the feeling of being unwell, do we ?
If we really love collecting, it stays with us no matter the decision we make.

Pretty and Ugly are antithesis, it's true... and collector's/malaise is not. It was a bit tongue in cheek. But I don't want the kid to learn some of what we're reading, and I know he likes to study. So if I can steer him away from some other thought processes, it won't be pretty ugly here, will it ?

Unknown · September 10, 2007 12:05PM

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DMWJR · September 10, 2007 12:19PM

<< Two I see a lot:

Completing a set.

Inability to add coins to the set due to cost of remaining pieces.

WH >>

Wayne, you could spice up your life a little by selling me a few coins out of your set ....

keets · September 10, 2007 12:24PM

List the factors that contribute to collectors' malaise

a more interesting Thread Topic might be listing factors which keep interest high and the hobby fun.

bidask · September 10, 2007 12:54PM

What's with all this malaise talk.....any true coin collector/addict will find something to buy.

ColonialCoinUnion · September 10, 2007 1:25PM

<< List the factors that contribute to collectors' malaise

a more interesting Thread Topic might be listing factors which keep interest high and the hobby fun. >>

Hey, I agree with Keets!

IGWT · September 10, 2007 1:56PM

<< 

<< List the factors that contribute to collectors' malaise

a more interesting Thread Topic might be listing factors which keep interest high and the hobby fun. >>

Hey, I agree with Keets! >>

I'm glad to be the one to bring you together.

Learning about what goes wrong can help us keep things right.

Zoins · September 10, 2007 2:18PM

Realizing that you've spent your past few vacations at coin shows

WaterSport · September 10, 2007 9:14PM

ALL of the above. Plus, the only reason I am still poking along is a side challenge of putting a grading set together of 1922 cents, But I getting burned out...why?, because of the consistent BB of my cents by PCGS., the resubmission for the wrong labels, and the general hassle of getting the stuff INTO plastic. As a side note I am back to were I started 8 years ago, I was trying to upgrade my capital plastic cent boards. I kept getting burned by doctored stuff so I went to slabs. Slabs are now the problem. So I am going back to raw with the learned knowledge of 8 additional years of collecting. I also have a furious spot in my gut about the LACK of ANY communication from PCGS over the Satin, Vs BS issue. It’s a real problem for me as to why a company like PCGS can't do this one thing. Now NGC has resolved the debate. If I was loaded, I would submit my whole collection to NGC just to make a statement of how P$$$ I am about being treated like crap. So, I guess what I am saying is, I might not be around much longer after telling Ron G what I REALLY think.

WS

Michigan · September 10, 2007 9:38PM

Sometimes a hobby can become too much of a "same old same old" thing especially if your interests are very narrow focused and you need to take a break from it.

Longacre · September 10, 2007 9:47PM

Well managed promotions
Expense of coins
The general shenanigans in the market (coin doctors, etc.)

fc · September 10, 2007 10:54PM

maybe because some people find this hobby boring after a few years.
other people have dedicated their lives to finding out new stuff about
the coins, the mint, the people.

what is left for newbies to find? VAMs? give me a break.

bidask · September 10, 2007 11:50PM

<< Well managed promotions
Expense of coins
The general shenanigans in the market (coin doctors, etc.) >>

you don't find any of that in the foreign market

AnkurJ · September 10, 2007 11:59PM

Un trustworthy and slime ball dealers. There are good dealers, but they are far and few.

mgoodm3 · September 11, 2007 12:05AM

when money becomes too big of a factor. (unless you're in the business).

mcmxi · September 11, 2007 12:26AM

Realizing you are spending too much of your time on a hobby. Living your life on a forum and neglecting the other things in life. I'm not trying to offend anyone here but collecting can become all consuming and sometimes you just need to step back and put it into proper perspective. You are collecting small metal disks. Yes they are neat but should never consume your entire life.

Zoins · September 11, 2007 2:17PM

<< You are collecting small metal disks. Yes they are neat but should never consume your entire life. >>

Some coins are big metal disks, like the $1m face value Canadian coin

Coxe · September 11, 2007 2:26PM

Eggs and oil.

Never mind. When the sense of commmunity dies down, malaise sets in. It was much different before the internet and this forum as we all mostly know. I know it seems like a lonely hobby around holidays or those stretches when it seems nobody is posting anything of any substance or interest. If this forum went away entirely, I thnk the inertia of the hobby might suffer some areas. Not that most of the collecting community is represented here, but a lot of the serious folks are here, at least lurking. If I had a hard time finding people focused on and intensely interestedin my subspecialties, I think I would lose interest rapidly.

List the factors that contribute to collectors' malaise

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