The reason you can't see it might be because it's smack up against your nose...

Slabs, stars, stickers. There's a coin in there, someplace. Are we collecting status symbols, now? What do you think?

We're in the groove, now, gang. And, there's no turning back. FWIW, that's what I think.

 

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So you still think we're just collecting coins, huh? I don't know about that.

 

Well, then, now my world is right-side-up, again. Thanks for saying that, Doug. I'll plead guilty to having been a little "slow" (as in, I knew better). :smile

 

The way I look at it, there are at least 2 distinct types of collectors (more so for U.S. Coins). Dealers and bullion guys not included.

1. There are those who are in it for the slabs, the registry sets, the bragging rights, top pops, etc..blah blah

2. Then there are those like me. Just enjoy collecting without caring about any of that stuff. Not in it for investment or popularity. In it for the sheer enjoyment.

You smelling the flowers i'm delivering here?

short version: I agree Eddie! It's all about that piece of metal.

 

Count me as in the #2 type. I do it as the enjoyment of a hobby, nothing more or less.

 

Gbroke, I think that sets out the two types very succinctly. Do you see? My sniffer is working just fine. :smile

 

Yes, most of us are.

Exactly. The only reason I like to collect coins is the fascination, the history, and the artwork on the coin. Anything else isn't important to me

 

Wait, there is a coin in those slabs?

Some collectors only see the grade given to a coin. I guess its the feeling of owning something expensive.
Me? I'm just happy to add a nice looking coin to my collection.

 

I thought only PCGS had a coin sniffer.

Personally, I like to cover most of the slab in black tape, allowing only the label to show. The glare from the coin hinders the eye appeal of beautiful label and CAC sticker. I then immediately add the coins to my registry, where I allow the whole world to view all my glorious slab numbers (because of course I don't include pictures or descriptions of the coins).
Going by gbroke's classification I believe I fall into # 2 as well .

 

I personally collect coins for what they are. I specialize in a certain series, and I like to collect them in PCGS slabs or put them in PCGS slabs. I have turned down multiples of PCGS coins. The slab does not make me buy a coin. All TPG's slab dogs.

 

I don't know what type I am. I have folders filled with cents, buffalo and Jefferson nickels, Mercury and Roosevelt dimes, Peace and Morgan dollars and I play the Registry with MPL's and a Type set. I like having both in the highest grade I can afford. The only time I sell is to upgrade these Registry sets, which is very seldom.

I don't plan to live forever. I want my wife to take advantage of any help she can have when the time comes to sell the coins. For that reason I like having my MPL set CAC'd. If this makes me a non collector in your eyes, so be it. I see no disadvantage in having a couple of opinions.

 

How many times have you heard a collector say. I'll keep this until I find a better coin to replace it with. Should you avoid slabbed coins trying to do so? I don't think so. Then eventually you will have slabbed coins with stars and stickers in your collection, and pay a fair price, besides. So I propose a third type of collector exists as well. I'll go with number three. A fair mix of both worlds.

 

I collect for relaxation. Grade and rarity is not important. Resale I could care less about. My family won't need the money from it when I'm gone. I can understand the different expectations and goals other collectors have, and know there are probably far more types than just two. That diversity is just one of the many things that make this a great hobby. I enjoy hearing the viewpoints from all types of collectors.
Guy

 

I don't see what "Slabs, stars, stickers.There's a coin in there, someplace." has to do with the thread title ("The reason you can't see it might be because it's smack up against your nose").

Based on the title, I thought the thread was going to be about people looking at coins too close up and thereby not seeing the forest through the trees.

 

Well I think you got it half right, Mark. It was about not seeing the forest through the trees, with of course the forest being the coin and the trees the slab label and stickers. I think he meant it seems a lot of collectors today only care about the plastic and stickers. There could be no coin at all, but so long as a piece of plastic says MS something and it sports a green sticker, there will be hoards of so-called collectors chomping at the bit to overpay for it. I don't agree to that lever, but I believe that was what he was saying.
Guy

 

There is in most of my slabs because I try to get my slabs undamaged. I do have some slabs that have had the coin removed.

 

I think for a third type, you have to include the 'bullion guys' who do stack metal but also collect other coins just for the enjoyment of them. Maybe a hybrid type? I fall into this category and I think many others do as well.

 

As Doug said, there has always been "bragging rights" between collectors. You will not ever change this, as a subset of collectors are simply competitive and wish to pursue this aspect of the hobby. This is why the registry business was started.

To me, most collectors who participate on boards such as this are more wishing to learn and get the most of this hobby. I would say of just the collectors(excluding bullion guys for a sec), probably 90% of this board would be in camp two. However, all of us are both camps really. Can you REALLY say that you would not prefer an AU version of a coin you only own in VG? You don't think you would feel better about owning better coins? Of course, we all would, its all a matter of what degree we pursue that over other aspects of the hobby, (and our bank account of course).