Are you a Dabbler or Series Specialist?

OneCent · October 30, 2007 11:13AM

I consider myself a budding series specialist (Lincoln's) and keep the majority of my purchases confined to this series. Admittedly, sometimes it is difficult to stay focused and the temptation to "dabble" in other series rears its ugly head

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Are your collecting habits confined to a particular series or do we have some serious "dabblers" on the board?

Walkerguy21D · October 30, 2007 11:27AM

I'm both! For years I was a series specialist (walkers, of course), but it got to the point where I frequently couldn't find any upgrades to my set (this was pre-internet days). So I started a type set (now called 7070). This let me dabble in just about every series, but eventually lead to my interest in middle date large cents. Then a fellow at the local coin club got me into buff nickels. I got into indian cents because I knew 3 people building sets that wanted help finding better dates/grades. And after buying out a retired dealer's estate, I now dabble in morgans, peace dollars, proof/mint sets, Canada and other "darkside"......
Greg

DJCoinz · October 30, 2007 11:27AM

I like to call myself a morgan specialist, but I must admit there are several other series I can't stay away from.

CarsonCityGold · October 30, 2007 11:29AM

I dabble in Carson City coins.

RareBronzeCollector · October 30, 2007 11:41AM

Although I have a few complete US collections, I wouldn't say that I am a specialist or expert in the field....

However, at the moment, I am concentrating on Great Britain milled copper and bronze (Pennies, Half-Pennies, and Farthings), especially the Victorian era.... In this area, I consider myself fairly well versed, although I too have to call on more informed specialists at various times......

Fairlaneman · October 30, 2007 11:47AM

Not a dabbler anymore. Use to dabble in type and darkside stuff. Building is more fun.

Mint State Mercs and Roosevelts with tone. Raw AU Mercs. Thats it except for one error coin that is a Merc.

Ken

jessewvu · October 30, 2007 11:53AM

Well, I am starting to get "serious" as I just purchased my first "real" collectable coin, a 1909 S VDB. I think i am going to try to do year sets for now, starting with 1909 and then work to a few other dates. I really would like to expand to pre 1900 coins, mainly civil war era. I have no interest to collect a series, except the American Buffalo and First Spouse series for now.

So, I am just a dabbler in true numismatics. I am a specialist in modern commemoratives, but I don't particularly like any of them...

Casey · October 30, 2007 11:56AM

I'm a series specialist (as noted below and to the left), but I like to dabble in anything with super attractive toning.

STONE · October 30, 2007 11:57AM

Both and all. I like all the U.S. coins, although I can't afford all the coins in the series, but I still go for and try to pick up any new dates I can find. I guess I'm an extended 7070 collector. I'm also starting to focus on some Ancient coins. I'm just getting my feet wet in this series, but I think this will be a nice side project to U.S. coins.

fc · October 30, 2007 12:01PM

i only do 1839-1908 liberty coronet half eagles.
everything else is from circ or junk silver.

djdilliodon · October 30, 2007 12:15PM

I am a total franklin Proof collector. Lately though ive been really taking a liking to buffalo nickels and barber halfs but i have gave myself a few wake up slaps in the face. I have to first finish what i started before i move onto the next project.

Prethen · October 30, 2007 12:19PM

3CN specialist with a strong focus also on 2¢, 3CS, and 20¢ pieces.

Barndog · October 30, 2007 1:40PM

98% capped bust half dimes, 1% type set, 1% flipper

MidLifeCrisis · October 30, 2007 1:54PM

I dabble in coins and tokens with ties to early America.

ProofArtworkonCircs · October 31, 2007 12:50AM

Both

Cladiator · October 31, 2007 12:55AM

I'd say I'm a series specialist that tends to dabble in off shoots relatively often. Problem is once I get a handfull of items in the off shoot category I just sell them and buy more half dimes.

messydesk · October 31, 2007 1:06AM

I specialize in Morgan dollar varieties. I also collect other stuff, though, but since I make sure I know what I'm doing first, I don't consider it "dabbling" as much as a secondary specialty. Dabbling sounds like something that could get you in trouble with ill-advised purchases. As Mr. Miyagi said, "Either you karate do 'yes' or karate do 'no.' You karate do 'guess so,' [squish] just like grape."

TwoSides2aCoin · October 31, 2007 1:07AM

I am just me. I like coins made in the United States of America. The guide to coin grading and counterfeit detecting is one book I enjoy reading. I dabble there a lot. When I get coins, I look at them very closely for any anomalies. I look at them for their condition. I always try to find the BEST coins even in circulation. I'm a dweeb.

Newcomp103 · October 31, 2007 1:15AM

I used to want a little bit of most everything....then I got really into circulated Buffalo nickels...now Morgan Dollars are the only coins I consider adding to my collection...( but I am trying to find more that I like!)

mgoodm3 · October 31, 2007 1:17AM

i tried to do the series thing, but I am really a dabbler

BigRed · October 31, 2007 3:17AM

My eyes wonder to much, I'm a dabbler for sure.

blu62vette · October 31, 2007 3:31AM

I am a specialist that dabbles.

dorkkarl · October 31, 2007 4:10AM

a specialist in dabbling?

K S

robec · October 31, 2007 4:13AM

I dabble between specialties.

jimmymac · October 31, 2007 4:20AM

unless you a bookworm and have loads patience, I would think that it would get boring specializing/collecting in one series - although, I've been tempted to collect quarter gold Indians and Peace dollars - now concentrating on keys and semi-keys across the board - would like to put together a set of CC Morgans . . . so I guess Im a dabbler for now

ricko · October 31, 2007 4:30AM

I have specialized.... but at this time, I am dabbling - I could specialize again shortly though. Cheers, RickO

FullStepJeffs · October 31, 2007 4:48AM

Definite series specialist... they are all I buy or sell.

Steve

AnkurJ · October 31, 2007 5:05AM

I was very focused on my 7070, but besides that, I am a dabbler. Buy a little bit of everything from gold to large cents to foreign coins.
Primarily, its what strikes my fancy.
Ankur

Arizonadesertrat · October 31, 2007 5:27AM

Used to be a specialist (Barber halves, 25 years ago). I'm a dabbler now (copper and silver coins to 1921, half cents to Morgans).

BECOKA · October 31, 2007 6:12AM

Both,

I am always a sucker for Indian Half Eagles with great color. Otherwise I am a dabbler for other gold with great color.

Dirty gold that is.

GoldenEyeNumismatics · October 31, 2007 6:18AM

Western stuff--pretty focused

Overdate · October 31, 2007 6:21AM

I'm a dabbler specialist. Anything that's cheap and looks nice!

Edited to add: I think the technical term is dabbleist™.

ubercollector · October 31, 2007 6:37AM

I have ADD and can't focus on one thing, so I'm a dabbler.

route66 · October 31, 2007 1:10PM

Was mostly into pcgs red early Lincolns. But after havcing quite a few stolen, I'm kind of disallusioned and am looking for another tro collect instead. Maybe seated Quartrers or Barbers or Indians. Haven't quite made up my mind yet. Every series I look at, I like, until I get to the next series. Gotta commit sometime soon, tho. Steve

Swampboy · October 31, 2007 1:21PM

Kennedy proofs and Lincolns are the two series I avidly collect.

Ancient and Darkside silver dabbler.

Oh, and occasional modern mint products dabbler.

PrivateCoinCollector · October 31, 2007 1:27PM

I basically stick to the round metal and rectangular paper. Everything else is just details.

Zoins · October 31, 2007 3:30PM

I dabbled a lot early on. Now I'm a specialist. I tend to spend more on fewer items but I find them more rewarding.

Unknown · October 31, 2007 4:48PM

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alpha480v · October 31, 2007 6:57PM

I specialize in the Lincoln cent. When I complete that, I will move on to something else. Getting close to completing my set now.

Tyler1924S · October 31, 2007 7:13PM

I go to a coin shop with Lincolns & Buffalo's as my primary focus. When I can't make that "happen" (i.e. no problem free, original coins in the grades I'm looking for), all bets are off. I then turn my attention to UNC Franklins & Morgans. Though most of my coins are early date Lincolns, I can't collect those to the exclusion of everything else. I'm not going to pass on other coins when all the right elements are there; conservatively graded & priced, problem free, eye appeal, etc. I just can't pass on a Franklin with "BU" written on the 2x2 that PCGS later grades MS65. Just picked up another one marked "MS60" for $13.50, a nice frosty solid 64. Also came home with a GSA 1884CC, last thing on my mind, but I really liked the coin and the price. Short answer = When I can't specialize, I dabble.

keoj · October 31, 2007 8:11PM

Specialist...Trade Dollars (how's that for arcane!?)

keoj

Mowgli · November 1, 2007 2:43AM

I never dabble but periodically I change my area of focus. I am never a specialist but I do throw myself into whatever series I am collecting. I read the books, join the clubs and collect the coins until I have the set completed then I move on to another series. I get too bored to spend enough time to be an expert on any one series but I do enough to be moderately knowledgeable.

kryptonitecomics · November 1, 2007 6:13AM

Dabbler by trade......I do specialize in Toned coins but it doesn't mater what series, denomination, Country........so.....dabbler and proud of it !

Colorfulcoins · November 1, 2007 6:59AM

Specialist......learned by trial and error.

Are you a Dabbler or Series Specialist?

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