Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Larry, I think that we all go through these phases, right now I absolutely HATE the car business, but you know me and know that I do generally love my job.
I want to make it clear, if it wasnt for YOU and YOUR efforts and support and YOU teaching ME about Barbers that I would have never started the Barber Half set, more coins in that set came from you than anyone else, by a long shot.
Guess who got me into crusty Seated halves? You did. Who sold me my absolute FAVORITE coin? Yep, you. Maybe you need to take a step back for a little bit, take a break per se, I dunno. But you do need to know that those of us, certainly myself included, who do business with you and know you in person all have a deep respect for you and your ethics, and I also consider you to be a good friend of mine.
Don't leave us!
I'll bring cookies if need be.
Bill
Bear's "Growl of Approval" award 10/09 & 3/10 | "YOU SUCK" - PonyExpress8|"F the doctors!" - homerunhall | I hate my car
When you become a full time dealer the work involved can take the romance out of coins and leave you burned out every once in a while. Go take a short break and perhaps a vacation to clear your head and you'll feel refreshed.
Follow me on Twitter @wtcgroup Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
<< <i>That's sad to hear, but there are a lot of other exciting hobbies out there such as basket-weaving and collecting butterflies. >>
Re: Slabbed coins - There are some coins that LIVE within clear plastic and wear their labels with pride... while there are others that HIDE behind scratched plastic and are simply dragged along by a label. Then there are those coins that simply hang out, naked and free
Very good post. It is good to take a break every once in a while. Golf season is almost upon us.
Always took candy from strangers Didn't wanna get me no trade Never want to be like papa Working for the boss every night and day --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Except on rare occasion, I never post a grade (or identify the grading service) when posting a picture of a coin. Why do you suppose that is? Take the good and leave the bad for the chumps.
<< <i>Except on rare occasion, I never post a grade (or identify the grading service) when posting a picture of a coin. Why do you suppose that is? Take the good and leave the bad for the chumps. >>
Good advise and good info. I thought it was because you were ashamed. My bad.
8 years ago when i started i went wild, i loved everything i saw and bought and bought and bought not knowing anything. I probably spent 200k in 2 years.
A few years back i found this forum, and realized all i had was dreck. I wanted to play with the big boys but could not pull the trigger. I sold 90 percent of the dreck 2 years ago and came out really well. I GOT SO LUCKY, i am forever grateful.
The economy went to the gutter and then i was afraid to buy, not because of money but what i thought was value or non value
Decided i like ms63 Liberty v-nickels are realistic prices. When i find one i buy it. Found 17 slabbed in the last 6 months. I like them and could care less if anyone else does.
Went to the ANA Fort worth show with ZERO intent to buy anything. I just enjoyed looking at the coins. 50 percent of the dealers were great about letting me look. The other 50 percent was not that way. It was stressful just trying to relax around them and enjoy the coins.
Cut back and enjoy coins. No matter what you do every profession has a percent of yahoo's
Mark NGC registry V-Nickel proof #6!!!! working on proof shield nickels # 8 with a bullet!!!!
Back when I first started collecting (around 1971 or so) there were high rollers and there were beginners, like me. There were old timers who still just collected inexpensive circulated stuff and there were young professionals who were only going after the really nice stuff. Everyone was equally welcomed.
Now, anyone who buys less expensive raw stuff, just for the fun of it, is made to feel like they have to explain why on earth they would want to do that. You must not be serious about collecting if you don't own any top tier slabs or have your collection listed in a "registry set". (I've never actually heard it said, but that's how I "feel".)
It seems like any more you're not really buying a neat coin, but a slabbed share of stock in a big company.
I've been feeling the same way for a few months, and it's not getting any better yet. So far I haven't sold my core collection, but will wait to see if the bug bites again, or if I feel this way at the end of the year. The ones I still need aren't in the foreseeable budget, as things have gotten tight. It's a shame when money rules the hobby. I so enjoy a nice crusty AU50, even some nice VF's appeal to me... to feel the weight of an old coin in my palm, hand it to a grandchild for a good look at something he's never seen - it's a good feeling. The kids don't understand why coins are in slabs, maybe they have it right. Maybe in a few months we'll feel differently; I'm old enough to wait and see without rushing into something I may regret.
Have bought and sold on BST, many references available when asked.
I'm quite new in this hobby. I've been collecting Indian Head Half Eagles for about 2 to 3 years. Like some of you in this forum, I started to lose interest in this hobby because I came to realise that I have been collecting "drecks" all along and that all I can afford is a set of beat up PCGS graded AU58 and MS61 coins. I may have to take a break from the hobby too so I can remind myself that I started collecting these coins because I like its design and I really enjoy collecting them. No matter if they are beat up MS61's or AU58's.
Coin collecting has always been my primary hobby. I tried stamps, but they are really not the same - and try and find avid stamp collectors these days. I have always had other backup hobbies though, model railroading and I have a mini Soviet airforce in model aircraft. A few months ago we purchased a much larger home where I have a dedicated room(man cave) where I can set up my model railroad on a two large table layout and all of a sudden it has gotten much more interesting and I find myself dedicating more time to that than the coins. I collect a lot of model railroad stuff that hasn't been made in years, namely Wabash RR because of a family connection and it really becomes an interesting pursuit to find stuff. Never before have I considered putting in buildings and a town - but now I want to do that because it is actually fun.
Tir nam beann, nan gleann, s'nan gaisgeach ~ Saorstat Albanaich a nis!
Great post--and one most of us obviously relate to at some level. When I re-entered the hobby four years ago, I had more money to play with than I did as a kid, so I started building what was (for me) a higher end collection of proofs. And while I'm glad I've been able to do that, my real pleasure has been just looking through nickel, dime, and quarter rolls with my kids. Like many of you, I just don't get that warm fuzzy feeling buying and holding a "perfect" coin encased in plastic. Breaking open a roll and pulling out a buffalo nickel worn smooth by thousands of hands--maybe even my grandfather's!--now, THAT gets me excited. To keep our love for the hobby going, perhaps most of us need to partition our investment and our pure hobby sides.
The bigger the money gets, the more numismatics becomes a business and an investment rather than a hobby, and the less fun it becomes for me. You have expert fakes on one hand, stickers on slabs on the other, and well -- sometimes I feel like just packing it in, except that I love the coins too much.
Comments
You're a good man. MJ
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Larry, I think that we all go through these phases, right now I absolutely HATE the car business, but you know me and know that I do generally love my job.
I want to make it clear, if it wasnt for YOU and YOUR efforts and support and YOU teaching ME about Barbers that I would have never started the Barber Half set, more coins in that set came from you than anyone else, by a long shot.
Guess who got me into crusty Seated halves? You did. Who sold me my absolute FAVORITE coin? Yep, you. Maybe you need to take a step back for a little bit, take a break per se, I dunno. But you do need to know that those of us, certainly myself included, who do business with you and know you in person all have a deep respect for you and your ethics, and I also consider you to be a good friend of mine.
Don't leave us!
I'll bring cookies if need be.
Bill
Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
<< <i>That's sad to hear, but there are a lot of other exciting hobbies out there such as basket-weaving and collecting butterflies.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
EAC 6024
Coins should be a diversion, not a burden.
Good luck figuring it all out; I'm sure you'll reach a moment of clarity eventually.
Let us know when you do.
"Bongo hurtles along the rain soaked highway of life on underinflated bald retread tires."
~Wayne
<< <i>Except on rare occasion, I never post a grade (or identify the grading service) when posting a picture of a coin. Why do you suppose that is? Take the good and leave the bad for the chumps. >>
Good advise and good info. I thought it was because you were ashamed. My bad.
Edited for my terribul spelling.
If you felt GOOD about losing interest in this hobby then it would be time to pack it in.
Since you do NOT feel good about it then it is only time for a nice short break.
I will see you after the 15th of April!
A few years back i found this forum, and realized all i had was dreck. I wanted to play with the big boys but could not pull the trigger. I sold 90 percent of the dreck 2 years ago and came out really well. I GOT SO LUCKY, i am forever grateful.
The economy went to the gutter and then i was afraid to buy, not because of money but what i thought was value or non value
Decided i like ms63 Liberty v-nickels are realistic prices. When i find one i buy it. Found 17 slabbed in the last 6 months. I like them and could care less if anyone else does.
Went to the ANA Fort worth show with ZERO intent to buy anything. I just enjoyed looking at the coins. 50 percent of the dealers were great about letting me look. The other 50 percent was not that way. It was stressful just trying to relax around them and enjoy the coins.
Cut back and enjoy coins. No matter what you do every profession has a percent of yahoo's
NGC registry V-Nickel proof #6!!!!
working on proof shield nickels # 8 with a bullet!!!!
RIP "BEAR"
Back when I first started collecting (around 1971 or so) there were high rollers and there were beginners, like me. There were old timers who still just collected inexpensive circulated stuff and there were young professionals who were only going after the really nice stuff. Everyone was equally welcomed.
Now, anyone who buys less expensive raw stuff, just for the fun of it, is made to feel like they have to explain why on earth they would want to do that. You must not be serious about collecting if you don't own any top tier slabs or have your collection listed in a "registry set". (I've never actually heard it said, but that's how I "feel".)
It seems like any more you're not really buying a neat coin, but a slabbed share of stock in a big company.
I'm glad to hear it's not just me.
I'm quite new in this hobby. I've been collecting Indian Head Half Eagles for about 2 to 3 years. Like some of you in this forum, I started to lose interest in this hobby because I came to realise that I have been collecting "drecks" all along and that all I can afford is a set of beat up PCGS graded AU58 and MS61 coins. I may have to take a break from the hobby too so I can remind myself that I started collecting these coins because I like its design and I really enjoy collecting them. No matter if they are beat up MS61's or AU58's.
Cheers!
Buying top quality Seated Dimes in Gem BU and Proof.
Buying great coins - monster eye appeal only.