So does everyone want "new blood" in numismatics or not?
Billet7
Posts: 4,923 ✭✭✭
It seems to always be a contradiction on these forums. Some think "out with the old, in with the new." Others think "tried and true is best."
I see threads all the time that talk about the "aging numismatic population." Additionally I see other threads (recently) that belittle young "dealers with laptops." So my question is this, does the general forum population want a constant flow of new collectors and dealers, or not? Why?
***I want to start a real discussion, please leave your snide "ageism" remarks on another thread.***
I would think new collectors and competition would be healthy for collecting as a whole.
I see threads all the time that talk about the "aging numismatic population." Additionally I see other threads (recently) that belittle young "dealers with laptops." So my question is this, does the general forum population want a constant flow of new collectors and dealers, or not? Why?
***I want to start a real discussion, please leave your snide "ageism" remarks on another thread.***
I would think new collectors and competition would be healthy for collecting as a whole.
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But new collectors aren't necessarilly young, but are generally in their 40s and 50s. I've seen a lot of new collectors come along in that age group. The kids are getting older and starting to move out, the bills and house are mostly paid for, they've been successful in their career and now it's time to play around a little bit. Some are people that collected when they were kids and drifted away, some have just recently been introduced to the idea. It seems that there are few people that actually start collecting at a young age and continously collect throughout their life.
If we do not welcome and encourage younger folks to get involved in Coin collecting the hobby will fade away over time... this hobby has been handed down, generation to generation for as long as it has existed. Like with all "gaps" between generations... there will always be that hesitance when young folks show up and "change" things...
Being a somewhat Obsessive/Compulsive bunch, many of us have trouble with change... yet the hobby needs and should always have "new blood" to keep it vibrant and alive...
Besides... if no new folks come into the hobby, who are you (or your heirs) gonna sell your collection to down the road?
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Robert.
New collectors, regardless of age, are needed to keep the hobby strong and vibrant.
To me, what would be ideal is the following:
A large increase in the number of people (around the world) who have an interest in history, politics, art, religion, government, industry, economics, finance, investing and who desire to study same. Curiosity and a thirst for knowledge, plus a desire to acquire and own objects (including coins) that were created at various times throughout history. Having substantial numbers of persons like the above (instead of persons who have no interest in anything other than satisfying their daily needs and wants) would cause an increase in those who participate in the hobby. Greater participation across the globe by educated and curious individuals would mean greater demand for coins, greater chance for having more fun in the hobby and greater chance for making money in the hobby.
just pump in some more plasma.
and maybe a root beer float or two.
Camelot
<< <i>Without new collectors their will be no collectors at all. Eventually it will disintegrate into a memory. Most older collectors, like myself, enjoy teaching and advising YN's just entering this world of numismatics. Hopefully, they will continue to enter the field--the more the better--JMO
Jim >>
I agree with this wholeheartedly. On the other hand, for those whose only concern seems to be "Who will buy my coins when I'm gone if no one else enters the hobby?" I honestly couldn't care less who my heirs sell them to. I don't collect for their benefit; I collect for my own.
In my many years, I have always fostered those entering our hobby and will continue to do so until my last breath.
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
that can provide a more complete overall education than numismatics.
Most of we old-timers are going to be out of the hobby in twenty years
and it will be left to the younger folks. Well guess what. This hobby
will die as a past time for the masses if we don't attract and maintain
the interest of a new generation of collectors. It will become a tool for
scientists and a hobby of kings but it will be dead as door nail for the
masses.
We collectively have the choice.
<insert laugh, here>
Seeking nice woman without baggage for coin collecting hobby.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
<< <i>There is a Regional show I attend 4 times a year...in White Plains, NY. There is a section of the bourse set aside for Stamp dealers... the (in poor taste) joke is "they should set up a paramedic unit there for all the oldtimers"...
If we do not welcome and encourage younger folks to get involved in Coin collecting the hobby will fade away over time... this hobby has been handed down, generation to generation for as long as it has existed. Like with all "gaps" between generations... there will always be that hesitance when young folks show up and "change" things...
Being a somewhat Obsessive/Compulsive bunch, many of us have trouble with change... yet the hobby needs and should always have "new blood" to keep it vibrant and alive...
Besides... if no new folks come into the hobby, who are you (or your heirs) gonna sell your collection to down the road?
I was going to write a few paragraphs in response to the OP question, but I found that Larry's post almost reflected exactly what I was about to say regarding the subject.
It is true that this genre is made up mostly of the older conservative types, and change is definitely a scary thought for them. However, in order to bring in new life and ideas to this community a change in demographics and philosophies are essential. Doing things "the way we've always done it" just doesn't cut it anymore.
Anybody who has been involved with coin clubs at all in the last decade or so is fully aware of how many of them are quickly dissapearing, not because of any loss of interest by their current members but mostly due to attrition causes such as death or illness and the inability to "replace" those departed members with new ones. Many coin clubs today are down to a few members and many more have gradually dissapeared over time. If there isn't enough new interest in numismatics the entire business and hobby could go the way that the coin clubs have, and that is not a good thing.
Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
Of course there are those in this that don't care if its new or old blood that they are drawing, just as long as there is ample supply.
This is where the "old blooders" have the responsibility of imparting their knowledge and wisdom upon the "new blooders", to ensure the old ways have a chance of staying alive.
Beyond that, how the hobby evolves, is pretty much determined by the hobbyists themselves. If the "old ones" live up to their responsibilities to the "new ones", and help the new ones understand and value the old ones' ways, the old values will be sustained. It then falls on today's new ones (once they become "old ones") to impart their knowledge and wisdom on their next generation to sustain the hobby.
Steve
<< <i>"New Blood" is essential to the sustainment/growth of any hobby, as without it, the hobby will die when the last "old blood" dies.
This is where the "old blooders" have the responsibility of imparting their knowledge and wisdom upon the "new blooders", to ensure the old ways have a chance of staying alive.
Beyond that, how the hobby evolves, is pretty much determined by the hobbyists themselves. If the "old ones" live up to their responsibilities to the "new ones", and help the new ones understand and value the old ones' ways, the old values will be sustained. It then falls on today's new ones (once they become "old ones") to impart their knowledge and wisdom on their next generation to sustain the hobby.
Steve >>
I Agree with you.
Coins are fun on so many levels...great history and art attached to them, they're real money, they feel good to the touch and are interesting to inspect, they're durable (unlike stamps or comic books, let's say), and they're a source of unimaginable games!
Think of the really risky collectibles...do you think coins are among them?
Lance.
<< <i>New blood is great.
Of course there are those in this that don't care if its new or old blood that they are drawing, just as long as there is ample supply. >>
Are you talking about vampires or coin dealers?
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
<< <i>It seems to always be a contradiction on these forums. Some think "out with the old, in with the new." Others think "tried and true is best."
I see threads all the time that talk about the "aging numismatic population." Additionally I see other threads (recently) that belittle young "dealers with laptops." So my question is this, does the general forum population want a constant flow of new collectors and dealers, or not? Why?
***I want to start a real discussion, please leave your snide "ageism" remarks on another thread.***
I would think new collectors and competition would be healthy for collecting as a whole. >>
I want new collectors and dealers regardless of their age. I think a dealer who has the gift of gab has a better chance of selling me a coin than someone who asks can I help you and just stares you down while you look (it's very unnerving to me). Talk to me, try to sell me something! The last person I had treat me rudely in any situation was in fact a coin dealer. He flipped because I moved a chair from near his display to another even though there was no other person in the entire row and the show was in a hotel, so the dealer didn not actually own the chair but when he was done with me the entire room was aware that it was HIS chair. Other dealers quickly offered me their chairs and apologized for this A-hole. The kicker was when I was leaving, that dealer was using the same chair I was offered to view the coins I was after!
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
Young Notables
This is a ten week group I have run as an after school program for the last two years. It takes 3rd-5th graders and gives them an introduction to numismatic collecting. Search Young Notables on the Currency Board for the weekly updates from this years class.
This class covers coins and currency and is possible because of donations from board members and the support of PCGS Currency.
Thanks again for all who have helped! Just seeing the fire lit in a YN is worth all of the time and effort. It reminds me what this hobby should be about.
K S
<< <i>At the coin show sponsored by our club last weekend, three new collectors (dipping their toes into the state quarters pool) asked me about joining our club or finding one closer to where they live. Each of them is over 65 years old. Still, they are "new blood." >>
what, after a blood transfusion?
K S