How do your other hobbies stack up against coin collecting....return-wise?

DNADave · October 20, 2009 2:26AM

I'm off for a few days of bowhunting in the appalachians. The damage so far:

New boots $89.00
Extra deer stamp $21.00
Bear stamp $10.00
Handwarmers $20.00
Arrows $140.00 (Dang carbon arrows are expensive)
Broadheads $80.00
Food $150.00
Gasoline $100

If I get a deer, $60 to have it cut up.
If I get a bear, how much is a tanned bearskin rug my wife wants?

Return.....memories and a few pounds of venison if its a good week.

Walmann · October 20, 2009 2:30AM

My pet rock collection has been languishing. Prices on them have hit rock bottom.

SmallEagle · October 20, 2009 2:39AM

Poorly. But I don't care.

airplanenut · October 20, 2009 2:42AM

Flying has set me back srom $15-20,000 since June 2007... most all of it coin money

timcoin · October 20, 2009 5:34AM

I tried to start an unopened beer bottle collection once, and that didn't work out. Neither has saving them once they are empty

steelielee · October 20, 2009 5:41AM

They don't call me "cast em where they aint" for nothing....but can't beat getting outdoors for a little fishing....ROI???....awfully good whether you catch anything or not....

crypto79 · October 20, 2009 5:50AM

I have spent just north of $100,000 on cars over the past decade and all I have to show for it is a point heavy license and a new Saab wagon( and a now happy wife) which I will pay on for the next 24months to add to the total.

RYK · October 20, 2009 5:57AM

I have lost far less money with autographed Steelers memorabilia.

ColonialCoinUnion · October 20, 2009 6:01AM

<< I have lost far less money with autographed Steelers memorabilia.

>>

What's with that Patriots helmet in the background?

Longacre · October 20, 2009 6:09AM

The return on my sanity that I get from playing golf far outweighs the cost.

That reminds me-- I need a new set of clubs next season: sticks

PerryHall · October 20, 2009 7:13AM

<< I have lost far less money with autographed Steelers memorabilia. >>

What do you do to make sure they are real? From what I've read autographed sports memorabilia is very heavily counterfeited.

RYK · October 20, 2009 7:23AM

<< 

<< I have lost far less money with autographed Steelers memorabilia.

>>

What's with that Patriots helmet in the background? >>

We crush those for fun.

What do you do to make sure they are real? From what I've read autographed sports memorabilia is very heavily counterfeited.

I purchase from a reputable seller, who guarantees the products will certify, who passes PSA screens (I spot check the items), who photographs the players signing your items and encloses the photos along with your purchases, and is well-known in the industry as a legitimate seller.

BillyKingsley · October 20, 2009 7:25AM

All of my hobbies are long lasting...once I start them, I usually never leave, although I have taken long breaks from some. Since numismatics is new for me at a little over a year, it ranks about last in how much money spent...I don't keep track of money spent...but My #1 hobby, 1/64 diecast cars...I've been collecting them since 1985 and have been seriously collecting since 1992...I have no idea how much I've spent. Lots. Lots and lots.

In that hobby, 95% (or more) of the resell price is lost when you open the cars...and 100% of my cars are opened as soon as I get them, unless it's a spare copy specifically to hang on the wall...So for instance the car I spent $65 on (the most I've spent for a single car), since I opened it the most I could sell it for if I am lucky would be $10 but more likely $5-7. The cars that cost less then $10, which is most of them, would sell for a dollar or less. I know of a dealer who sells loose cars for a quarter.

But I don't care...I will never sell them. Heck, I'll probably be buried with them.

I would have a lot more money for hobbies if food was not so darn expensive.

ElKevvo · October 20, 2009 7:31AM

I know of a dealer who sells loose cars for a quarter. Let me know who that guy is...seriously. I have a son and the price of some of his toy cars hurts! If I could get a bulk buy of some for a quarter each that would last for a couple of years of birthdays and Christmas!

K

rhedden · October 20, 2009 7:41AM

If I had a hobby that was more profitable than coins and just as much fun, I'd spend all my time doing that instead.

Let's see about the others.... I used to like playing sports, but tore an ACL.... that was costly

I like amateur astronomy, and bought a telescope that cost me about $2k including accessories, and I have to drive 50 miles out into the country to use it, which costs gas money. No profit there, except good memories.

I like metal detecting, and that one turns a profit, but should it be included as a sub-category of coins?

I like playing cards, but usually don't play for money, so no significant gain or loss there.

jhdfla · October 20, 2009 7:51AM

<< If I had a hobby that was more profitable than coins and just as much fun, I'd spend all my time doing that instead.

I like amateur astronomy, and bought a telescope that cost me about $2k including accessories, and I have to drive 50 miles out into the country to use it, which costs gas money. No profit there, except good memories. >>

Light pollution sux... do you still do it? GPS and go-to? Just curious to hear from a fellow stargazer...

Orchids and seashells have limited returns.

rld14 · October 20, 2009 8:26AM

I have a few hobbies...

Old cars... done quite well on them I have.

Motorcycles... well... umm, you see...

Yamaha R1: Bought new, sold for loss a year later.
Ducati 916: Bought it a year old, put $7000 in mods into it, laid it down on the FL turnpike due to a jerk with no insurance... lost my shirt.
Ducati 996S: Stopped riding it because then girlfriend threw a fit, then I got sick, been sitting in a friend's garage in FL for years. Needs $3K+ worth fo work to ride it again, worth 1/3 of what I paid if that.
Ducati 750 Supersport: Paid $3100, probably worth $4k

I'm batting .250....

Let's see...

Coins? Stuff I have bought recently I suppose I could sell for overall, break even or better, stuff that I have is otherwise bullion type stuff I bought in 01/02 so, well..

yellowkid · October 20, 2009 8:29AM

I can make a lot more money chasing down and selling antiques, I really don't expect to make any money in the coin world.

ambro51 · October 20, 2009 9:22AM

Ive been in and out of amateur astronomy since about age 10. Really got serious about it as a teen...and put together a 6 inch reflector using an F 10 mirror, and an Edmund mount. I used that in 1972 for the Mars opposition and got some REALLY good detailed drawings. That scope showed more detail than I ever thoght possible. Of course, the dream was a Refractor....and many a lawnmowing afternoon was spend dreaming of the day I would save enough money up to build an F 15 6" refractor. That never did happen though, but several years ago I worked a trade with one of the customers in my business for my product traded him for his purchase of a Meade LXD 55 6 inch F8 refractor...delivered to my doorstep. A marvel of low priced Chinese engineering and optics, it uses a lot of pieces that are "good enough" in quality. However, after spending more time trying to get the go to mount set up correctly, and less time spent behind the eyepiece...together with the monster weight of the leviathan....interest waned rather quickly. It was just TOO much scope for me, and plus not having a permanant location for it...I had to bring it out of storage, put it together, get it all aligned etc etc....just a LOT of work.

Then I got the notion to drag the remains of my old 6 inch reflector out from the tangled mass of vines etc that had overgrown it...where I had pretty much thrown it a decade before. Of course, the aluminizing was just about gone from the mirror, but the mount cleaned and repainted very well, and I had no trouble making new legs for the mount. THEN, managed to score a brand new Edmund Optics 6 inch F10 mirror on ebay for the pittance of $47. NO ONE had bid! That thing retails for $300...so it was a good deal. After repainting the tube, put it all together and suddenly I was back in 1972 again...a 51 year old 14 year old kid.....and the optical quality of this put that Meade to shame.

Still, it was too much scope for me...and I didnt use it too much. Then, one day, I was looking at the website of Surplus Shed...and they had old A. Jaegers 3 inch F 15 refractor objectives...for all of $20! Needless to say, I jumped on this, and two days after I got it had a pretty serviceable telescope made from large cardboard packing tubes, a pipe fitting mount and a tripod I made here...

And wowzer that thing kicks butt. Talk about optical quality, and its just so ez to use, nice and light, no fuss no muss, just point and look. I use it nearly every clear evening (if the mood strikes) and have star hopped to find my favorite two targets, Uranus and Neptune. A. Jaegers made some splendid glass and to find that lens for only $20 was a real gift.

So..........I guess as far as my other hobby (besides the old cars)...amateur astronomy has been around for as long as coins with me, and after all those scopes, all that money, my main one now cost me all of about $35. Quite a return for the dollar!

TomB · October 20, 2009 9:28AM

<< I have lost far less money with autographed Steelers memorabilia.

>>

Is that a green bean sticker or gold bean sticker on the "5" of "58"?

Bear · October 20, 2009 9:33AM

BEAR! Your gonna shoot a bear?

How uncivilized and deplorable.

I am shocked that this is still allowed.

SkyMan · October 20, 2009 9:33AM

Collecting fine art has been financially remunerative.

Skiing has been a financial drain, but a lot of fun, even throwing in the torn ACL.

Fishing has been a fairly small financial drain, but a lot of fun.

Astronomy/stargazing has been a minimal financial drain, but a lot of fun.

Collecting space memorabilia is too early in the acquisition phase (I only started in 10/07) to have had any major change one way or another. The good Lord willing I'll hopefully be collecting it for another ~25 years and I expect that I'll do alright with my purchases.

WaterSport · October 20, 2009 9:46AM

Never paid more than $1,000 for a good surfboard yet. I have been fortunate to live 3 miles or less from the beach. Surfing makes up in lost exercise from sitting on my A$$ looking at coins. Thus its cheaper and healthier.

WS

PerryHall · October 20, 2009 9:46AM

<< BEAR! Your gonna shoot a bear?

How uncivilized and deplorable.

I am shocked that this is still allowed. >>

He doesn't just shoot them. He skins them and eats them!!

bfjohnson · October 20, 2009 9:48AM

<< I'm off for a few days of bowhunting in the appalachians. The damage so far:

New boots $89.00
Extra deer stamp $21.00
Bear stamp $10.00
Handwarmers $20.00
Arrows $140.00 (Dang carbon arrows are expensive)
Broadheads $80.00
Food $150.00
Gasoline $100

If I get a deer, $60 to have it cut up.
If I get a bear, how much is a tanned bearskin rug my wife wants?

Return.....memories and a few pounds of venison if its a good week. >>

Return on hunting whitetail is priceless.

mr3holesinone · October 20, 2009 10:07AM

Longacre: <<That reminds me-- I need a new set of clubs next season: sticks >>

I hope you are a very good golfer (breaking 80?) and get to play a lot if those are your weapons of choice. I would look at game improvement irons. They will be much easier to hit. Look at putting a couple of hybrids in your bag if you don't already have them. The pros are starting to use hybrids over long irons much more often now; almost no pro uses a two iron any more.

CollectorMan · October 20, 2009 10:14AM

Photography is my other hobby. I am just an amateur at it, but I thoroughly enjoy it. I would say it is "neck and neck" to my coin collecting.

Fairlaneman · October 20, 2009 10:16AM

Car parts, Fairlane and Falcon, over the years has let me buy coins. Heck even once in awhile coins lets me buy car parts. Both have been decent to me.

Ken

Fairlaneman · October 20, 2009 10:20AM

"almost no pro uses a two iron any more."

I love long irons. The 2 is a sweet little club.

Ken

TwoSides2aCoin · October 20, 2009 10:41AM

I keep a guitar handy in case I get too bored with coins, but I don't know Jack, otherwise.

Nic · October 20, 2009 11:06AM

Return wise ... GREAT!
Money wise ... not as good.

K

Dropdaflag · October 20, 2009 1:26PM

I always figured Longacre for a PING man.

RYK · October 20, 2009 1:28PM

<< 

<< I have lost far less money with autographed Steelers memorabilia.

>>

Is that a green bean sticker or gold bean sticker on the "5" of "58"?

>>

Actually, Tom, since you asked, for several years, Jack Lambert has been placing his own gold hologram sticker on any items he autographs. It also means that it is a lock upgrade to a Dick Butkus jersey.

KentuckyJ · October 20, 2009 1:57PM

:::sigh:::

demand for TN Titans sports memorabilia has dropped noticeably this year

66Tbird · October 20, 2009 2:08PM

I've been into RC aircraft for 30yrs. The price has fallen to unbelievable lows and the power output of modern batteries and equipment is always getting better. Recently the Chinese have been doing the cloning thing with modern high-end stuff bringing what once was a $1k project down to $200 new and $50 from desperate sellers. That opened up the world of RC electric helicopters back into my range. I started cheap and learned on less than $100, repairs included. Sold that trainer for cheap and jumped up a class or two. The amount of adrenalin in the system after ringing one out is hard to explain. I have trouble just talking for a few minutes afterward and a buzz that goes on for a week. I fly each day so I'm pretty well lit and have been all summer.

Here's a flight from a master with an electric heli pulling a couple thousand watts at times. The damage at the end was maybe $80.
Trex 600 at 22v-3600ma-30C

To answer the Op's ?, Nothing has brought the financial returns that coins have, and with that income I've pursued the real fun (imho) for free.

Lakesammman · October 20, 2009 2:30PM

Golf?? That's exercise, not a hobby.

My current craze is stoneware - check back in 20 yrs and I'll let you know how I did.

Justacommeman · October 20, 2009 2:38PM

I've collected vintage sportscards for 25 years and I'm 6 cards away from completing my HOF collection. I have a R.O.R on these as I bought a lot of these raw pre-slab days and they graded PSA/SGC pretty high. Plus, I've had time on my side. Coins I've only been doing three years.....ask again in twenty : )

MJ

morgandollar1878 · October 20, 2009 2:39PM

Right now my coins are, however in about 4 weeks that is going to change drastically. It will start with Missouri Deer season, into Pheasant season, Iowa Deer season with family, and maybe even waterfowl in early 2010. I really don't care if I get anything or not. I don't mind If I come home empty handed, and I consider it a bonus of the outing to come home with something. The enjoyment this fall and winter I am sure will be priceless as it has been every year prior.

Elcontador · October 20, 2009 4:19PM

Not to slam numismatics, but the learning experiences, people I have met, and things I've seen while travelling are more precious to me than the enjoyment I have gotten out of coin collecting.

AgBlox · October 20, 2009 4:30PM

<< I'm off for a few days of bowhunting in the appalachians. The damage so far:

New boots $89.00
Extra deer stamp $21.00
Bear stamp $10.00
Handwarmers $20.00
Arrows $140.00 (Dang carbon arrows are expensive)
Broadheads $80.00
Food $150.00
Gasoline $100

If I get a deer, $60 to have it cut up.
If I get a bear, how much is a tanned bearskin rug my wife wants?

Return.....memories and a few pounds of venison if its a good week. >>

What type of arrows & broadheads are you using? Why don't you just cut the deer up yourself and save $60? Its not hard and makes it taste that much better

. Don't you eat no matter where you are? That shouldn't be counted.

ricko · October 21, 2009 12:05AM

It seems to me that when a hobby is about making money, it becomes a business - no longer a hobby. I never sell coins.. I enjoy them. My firearms collection would bring in an incredible sum of money, however, I do not sell them either. My marble collection is the envy of other collectors and have been offered thousands of dollars for just a couple of them... I don't sell them either. Cheers, RickO

PTVETTER · October 21, 2009 12:12AM

I Statement I would like to make is this:

Hobbies are Hobbies .

That's it.

Finance is and should not be a hobbie.

RYK · October 21, 2009 12:16AM

<< It seems to me that when a hobby is about making money, it becomes a business - no longer a hobby. I never sell coins.. I enjoy them. My firearms collection would bring in an incredible sum of money, however, I do not sell them either. My marble collection is the envy of other collectors and have been offered thousands of dollars for just a couple of them... I don't sell them either. Cheers, RickO >>

Rick, if you won't sell the marbles for thousands of dollars, I think you lost your marbles.

JedPlanchet · October 21, 2009 12:21AM

Is it dangerous to keep marbles and firearms in the same room?

garsmith · October 21, 2009 12:26AM

<< How do your other hobbies stack up against coin collecting....return-wise? >>

PerryHall · October 21, 2009 12:29AM

<< 

<< It seems to me that when a hobby is about making money, it becomes a business - no longer a hobby. I never sell coins.. I enjoy them. My firearms collection would bring in an incredible sum of money, however, I do not sell them either. My marble collection is the envy of other collectors and have been offered thousands of dollars for just a couple of them... I don't sell them either. Cheers, RickO >>

Rick, if you won't sell the marbles for thousands of dollars, I think you lost your marbles.

>>

Antique marbles are quite collectible and there are numerous books on the subject. Some are worth the price of a new car. Believe it or not there are marble shows where dealers and collectors get together and marble collector organizations and clubs. There are also marble doctors that will remove small nicks in marbles to enhance their values.

jhdfla · October 21, 2009 7:18AM

<< Ive been in and out of amateur astronomy since about age 10. Really got serious about it as a teen...and put together a 6 inch reflector using an F 10 mirror, and an Edmund mount. I used that in 1972 for the Mars opposition and got some REALLY good detailed drawings. That scope showed more detail than I ever thoght possible. Of course, the dream was a Refractor....and many a lawnmowing afternoon was spend dreaming of the day I would save enough money up to build an F 15 6" refractor. That never did happen though, but several years ago I worked a trade with one of the customers in my business for my product traded him for his purchase of a Meade LXD 55 6 inch F8 refractor...delivered to my doorstep. A marvel of low priced Chinese engineering and optics, it uses a lot of pieces that are "good enough" in quality. However, after spending more time trying to get the go to mount set up correctly, and less time spent behind the eyepiece...together with the monster weight of the leviathan....interest waned rather quickly. It was just TOO much scope for me, and plus not having a permanant location for it...I had to bring it out of storage, put it together, get it all aligned etc etc....just a LOT of work.

Then I got the notion to drag the remains of my old 6 inch reflector out from the tangled mass of vines etc that had overgrown it...where I had pretty much thrown it a decade before. Of course, the aluminizing was just about gone from the mirror, but the mount cleaned and repainted very well, and I had no trouble making new legs for the mount. THEN, managed to score a brand new Edmund Optics 6 inch F10 mirror on ebay for the pittance of $47. NO ONE had bid! That thing retails for $300...so it was a good deal. After repainting the tube, put it all together and suddenly I was back in 1972 again...a 51 year old 14 year old kid.....and the optical quality of this put that Meade to shame.

Still, it was too much scope for me...and I didnt use it too much. Then, one day, I was looking at the website of Surplus Shed...and they had old A. Jaegers 3 inch F 15 refractor objectives...for all of $20! Needless to say, I jumped on this, and two days after I got it had a pretty serviceable telescope made from large cardboard packing tubes, a pipe fitting mount and a tripod I made here...

And wowzer that thing kicks butt. Talk about optical quality, and its just so ez to use, nice and light, no fuss no muss, just point and look. I use it nearly every clear evening (if the mood strikes) and have star hopped to find my favorite two targets, Uranus and Neptune. A. Jaegers made some splendid glass and to find that lens for only $20 was a real gift.

So..........I guess as far as my other hobby (besides the old cars)...amateur astronomy has been around for as long as coins with me, and after all those scopes, all that money, my main one now cost me all of about $35. Quite a return for the dollar! >>

When I was a kid I built a 6" reflector... I was fortunate, I was raised in Bellmawr, which was the next town over from Barrington, where Edmunds was. Friends and I would often bike over there, at that time they had a back room filled with all kinds of military surplus optics and other neat stuff that was a blast to go through. There's a guy Paul Rini who still builds and sells eyepieces from surplus Edmunds lenses, he's still in Barrington as well as far as I know, they aren't Nagler's but very nice wide field eyepieces for a fraction of the price.

I don't get out as much with them as I like to, but now the cooler dryer weather is upon us down here I expect to get out more. Have a 9.25 Celestron GPS and a Markes Ludes 6" refractor on a Celestron go-to equatorial. Both are a pleasure to use and continue to give lots of enjoyment. I never tire of looking at the usual suspects like M42 and M17, and one of the great joys about living this far south is being able to see the globular cluster Omega Centauri (NGC 5139)!

BillJones · October 21, 2009 7:24AM

They are all proably in the tank.

I have a HO railrad set that I mess with in the backroom. Every dollar I put into it is down the drain, but it's fun ...

My political button collection of pinbacks .. I have no idea what they worth since the "Red Book" for this hobby has been updated since 2004. Once more they are just fun ...

MikeInFL · October 21, 2009 7:34AM

ROI is not a calculation that I do with hobbies. Enjoyment has no quantifiable value.

WillieBoyd2 · October 21, 2009 8:12AM

I go hiking in the woods and hills.

The major cost is boots and pants.

PerryHall · October 21, 2009 8:37AM

<< I go hiking in the woods and hills.

The major cost is boots and pants.

>>

You forgot the cost of bug repellent.

How do your other hobbies stack up against coin collecting....return-wise?

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