|
For me, part of the fun is taking risks. I buy some large estate auctions, knowing I could get gold, or crud. I like doing that, and am lucky enough to be able to afford it. I also don't mind getting a great deal, knowing it, and gladly selling off part at another great deal, just so that I can move on, even though a little time and research might double what I could sell for. Does that make sense? If I buy a huge lot at public auction for $6,000 and find it is worth $12,000. I may take out the stuff I can afford to keep, and then sell of the rest for the same $6,000 I put in, even if, fully attributed and detailed, it may be worth $8,000. Its just the way I collect. Buy a lot, and take my profit out as a few of the coins I want, and sell the rest to keep cash flow moving as needed. I don't educate myself on value, because it does not matter to me, its a hobby, not a way to make a living. Am I crazy? Don't know. Does it engeander cynicism... sure, at times. I have a regular job, and do not look at coins as a way to make money at all. I am fortunate in that I can afford to buy large lots and auctions. I understand enough to determine what my risks appear to be, but I am years away from being perfect on that account. But, I win some and I lose some, and on the whole I have built a significant collection and kept my cash flow about even, without feeling ripped off, or that I have every ripped someone else off. I find that, in coin collecting, better deals do come to those with larger bank rolls. Fair? Don't know, but no different than anywhere esle. If you want to save money on toilet paper, you buy 100 rolls at costco, not 4 rolls at safeway. I buy big, and have continued to find some success, and an ability to sell off the rest at still fair prices. There may be gems I let go of... but is that not the incentive for the next guy to buy my extras? That they can then attribute those coins and work hard on the lot and make money, or increase their collections value? I am a strange mix of collector, and speculator, I suppose.
| 
