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Do you really expect to fill all of the holes?
RYK
Posts: 35,801 ✭✭✭✭✭
There are many different kinds of collectors, but we all tend to be obsessive-compulsive. Just the other day, I saw that a forum member was but four commems short of completing his 7070 in three weeks! We set goals and, come hell or high water, try to achieve them.
I learned from my experience assembling the 26 coin Dahlonega $5 set that this was not way I was suited to collect coins. I tended to be buy coins to fill the holes and often compromised on quality to do so. More recently, I have defined my collecting goals in terms such that they can never really be completed, yet I will continue to be able to add interesting coins that suit my fancy (until I run out of discretionary money).
Considering your current coin collecting goals, do you think you will complete them?
I learned from my experience assembling the 26 coin Dahlonega $5 set that this was not way I was suited to collect coins. I tended to be buy coins to fill the holes and often compromised on quality to do so. More recently, I have defined my collecting goals in terms such that they can never really be completed, yet I will continue to be able to add interesting coins that suit my fancy (until I run out of discretionary money).
Considering your current coin collecting goals, do you think you will complete them?
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Ken
All in all, it's a fun ride. The thrill of the hunt makes it a lot more fun, so why not extend it as long as possible!
BS&T
Ebay: + <waitin'> NEG: Chameleoncoins
NonBST/Ebay:
WTB: Toners, BU Darkside, Sovs & 20 Mark, LMU/SMU Gold.
<< <i>I believe it is impossible to finish what I'm doing, but if my set is ever complete it will be a very gratifying accomplishment. And an empty feeling at the same time. >>
You know, when I completed the 26 coin Dahlonega $5 set, not nearly as challenging as what you are likely pursuing, it felt pretty hollow to me, too.
As I get older, I look forward to seeing each one completed (even if it's on my deathbed I add the _Last coin).
<< <i>
<< <i>I believe it is impossible to finish what I'm doing, but if my set is ever complete it will be a very gratifying accomplishment. And an empty feeling at the same time. >>
You know, when I completed the 26 coin Dahlonega $5 set, not nearly as challenging as what you are likely pursuing, it felt pretty hollow to me, too. >>
What is that hollow feeling? What does it stem from? Just curious - I haven't finished a full set yet.
<< <i>What is that hollow feeling? What does it stem from? Just curious >>
It stems from the old 'tis better to become than to be' mindset.
To be serious for a moment, having worked for 50 years I am just tired of the goal setting, reaching objective scenarios. This is rest and relaxation for me. You have to unlearn what the rat race inbred into you.
Since the set contains such coins as the Sommer Islands Threepence, Massachusetts Silver NE Shilling, Higley Copper, 1783 Nova Constellatio Quint "500" silver pattern, and 1714 Gloucester Token...I seriously doubt that I'll ever come close to completing it.
But it's a lot of fun just seeing how close I can get. Currently, of the 368 coins required for the set, I have eight!
<< <i>I've been working on several Gold type sets for about 4 years.. being picky with each addition..
As I get older, I look forward to seeing each one completed (even if it's on my deathbed I add the _Last coin). >>
Well said
Millertime
Complete Dime Set
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/gold/liberty-head-2-1-gold-major-sets/liberty-head-2-1-gold-basic-set-circulation-strikes-1840-1907-cac/alltimeset/268163
March of Time - 27 Centuries in Gold
https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=36590
Now having said that I do have a few G-4 coins in my Type set but only because I already owned them or the G-4 was inexpensive.
–John Adams, 1826
There is one hole in my silver type set (1796 and 1797 half dollars) and thus two holes in my half dollar year set which I will never fill because I simply refuse to commit the amount of money required to a single coin which would be worth nearly as much as the rest of my collection combined.
There are two holes in my 1827 halves by Overton number (O-148 and O-149) which I will only fill if I should cherry one of them.
Hole filling is nice, but realities are realities too.
No, I never expect to fill all the holes in my L-O-N-G term goal of every non-gold US coin.
Just won't live long enough, nor make enough money.
So instead I have short term goals that I do expect to fill all the holes for.
Currently it's my 1936-Present Mint registry set.
Then finish my Nickel set.
Then the small cents.
Then.......
<< <i>Considering your current coin collecting goals, do you think you will complete them? >>
Only after several years and several thousand dollars.
The 7070 is my main focus but I buy more other coins in other areas of interest more often simply to keep me active because those other coins are more affordable and attainable. The coins I have left for my 7070, for the most part, are all the expensive and harder to fill holes. The 4 commemorative were actually filled very early on. It is the Trade Dollar and the Twenty Cent piece and the Large Cents, and the like, that are the road block for me because I just will not be happy and satisfied filling a hole with a fine grade coin. If the coin is not at least XF, preferably AU, or better in some cases, I won't be happy with the set. Worn coins do nothing for me. I can achieve this goal it is going to take years, though.
The answer to your question is an almost no.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Those darn VF early quarters just call to me....
I feel that It will never be complete.. It's just to much fun looking...
So, yes, health permitting I expect to fill the holes.
Who is John Galt?
buying quality pieces with good eye appeal,
it keeps getting more expensive trying to find
the best possible grades...but for now not getting off track....
"Because I can"
myurl The Franklin All Old Green Holder Set
" Attachment is blinding. It lends an imaginary halo to the object of desire." - Sri Yukteswar
No. The various collector projects I'm working on will probably never be completed. I sense that hollow feeling is out there waiting for such a day.
There is one set I can't finish because I can't afford the missing coin, and I have another I can't finish because I can't find ANY genuine example of the coin I need.
Obscurum per obscurius
The pursuit of the coins I need is more exciting than actually, physically filling the holes, I think.
Maybe that's what drives us. The hunt, the search, the opportunity to finish; but not actually finishing...
"Bongo hurtles along the rain soaked highway of life on underinflated bald retread tires."
~Wayne
So...Yes...that "hole" is filled on a regular basis... I continue to enjoy myself. Yet I will never run out of new coins to choose from... there are more neat coins in this world than would be practical for me to own... regardless of how much money I may or may not have...
I began collecting the 7070 set and have completed four sets.
My collecting goal now is to improve type and I am 24 away on gold dollars.
RYK what are your collecting goals?
I have been collecting for over a year now and still have yet to figure out what type of collection to do.
I have just been buying whatever I find intresting and enjoy looking at time and time again.
I need direction..LOL
Wil
coinsarefun, marmac, LindeDad, andree, robkool, TwoSides2aCoin, waterzooey, agentjim007
All were A++++ Transactions- Thank you !
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
My goal is to get enough gold coins (rare or not) that they weigh as much as my cat.
Then, my next goal is to get enough gold coins that they weigh as much as both of my cats.
Then it's time for another cat.
My opinion:
Buying whatever appeals to you = freedom
Filling those last terribly difficult holes "just because" = slavery
I guess I like the concept of an open-ended free form collection without limits.
That's a question that begs for a response that I dare not give.
On that same note, my half cents might stay incomplete for a similar reason, that pesky 1796 is rediculous...much less expensive than the quarter, but possibly a set stopper in it's own right. I did end up with the 1793...it's a filler... problem free, but very low grade.
For some reason I collect series that are impossible to finish...what can I say?
1. every die marriage and die remarriage of capped bust half dimes
2. all coins problem-free
3. R-5 and easier coins graded XF or better
4. R-6 to R-8 coins graded VF-30 or better
Not a chance
Problem is, even when you "fill all the holes" these days you're wise not to literally fill all the holes. When (after the kids are all finished with college) I buy a trio of S-VDBs to finish my three sets of Lincolns, those three coins will be in PCGS plastic and won't quite fit into the holes in the Dansco or Whitman albums.
If I were really obsessive, I'd crack them out and stick them into the holes for that "complete" look. But I'm apparently more frugal than obsessive, because there's no way I'll throw away the value of the slabbing just to fill the key holes.
I do, however, really appreciate the look of a complete album with nicely matched pieces.
(dammit, glare. I need to reshoot this one)
(Just a touch of die crackage on the reverse in the "five")
(I find eagles to be not-so-repulsive in edgeview holders)
I suppose it depends on the collection and relative rarity.
Lance.
A couple people have asked me publicly and via PM what I am collecting. I have four main areas, which I will list in order of highest to lowest current priority:
1. US classic gold: This is my most active area, and I am presently focusing on better date Liberty $10's and $20's, but have a legacy collection of other specialty gold areas and reserve the right to buy any gold coin I choose.
2. Colonial type coins (for the masses): A mostly inexpensive set of interesting colonial types, foreign coins that circulated in the US in the 17th and 18th centuries, and assorted medals of the era.
3. Patterns: My least active area. I will occasionally add a coin to fill a denomination slot. I have patterned my collection (no pun intended) on Boiler78's denomination type set.
4. Early US silver types: Mostly draped bust, large eagle, but some flowing hair and half eagle, too.
What I like about my current mix is that there is no strict set criteria, and if I get bored in one area, I can easily shift to another.
<< <i>Considering your current coin collecting goals, do you think you will complete them? >>
Definitely. I have completed many sets of US coins. I pick a grade or range of grades I like and can afford and then begin the hunt. Having a specific goal and grade range keeps me focused and within my financial limits. Secondly, I do not upgrade once I buy a coin - it is unneccesary because the set was assembled in a particular grade range and I have no desire to compete for Registry status. If I upgraded, the set could never be completed because there is always something out there better. It might seem like it wouldn't be fun but it is and very satisfying. There are too many different series of coin and corresponding Dansco albums for me to feel bad after completing a series as there is something else to start. It rare;y takes more than two years to complete any of my Danscos but I went/go to major shows and work with dealers who specialize in the series.
As my sig line indicates, I don't collect early gold.
Just any series that began or ended in the 20th century.
I'm retired and have maybe 20 or so years left so when I decided to replace the
3 sets of coins I had to sell in 1961 or '62, I also completed the rest and upgraded
most of the coins I had in them.
The only sets that were off limits were my Walkers and Buffalos.
They were both sets I completed from circulation in the 1950s and the
Walkers, especially, because they only took 6 weeks from start to finish.
My Buffalos were special to me and conditionally, were in great circulated condition.
There was just to much sentimental feeling to touch them except to add the major
varieties to the Buffalos except for the 3 legged 37-D which I found two of in 4 days.
I bought a complete set of Morgans off ebay and replaced the COPY 1895-P with
one of the real thing, PR62. I also upgraded over 20 with DMPLs.
I also bought some others that I never thought I would
own like the 1907 high relief double eagle and an 1879 flow hair Stella plus a few more.
I don't miss the hunt and just enjoy showing my collections to friends, family and neighbors.
I also just enjoy looking at them by myself. My wife isn't interested in them.
BTW, when I bought the Stella, I also bought a half ton gun safe and used the option
of screwing it to the floor from the inside. I don't worry about them and our other
valuables and documents, etc. We emptied our safe deposit box at the bank.
Hope this wasn't more than you wanted to hear.
JT
I collect all 20th century series except gold including those series that ended there.
It will be a challenge to complete even one, but I have a decent shot at it. Of course, that's the difficulty level I chose. If I wanted easy, I would have chosen different series.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.