How has your taste in coins changed/evolved?

I'm curious to know how numismatists' tastes have evolved over the years while collecting coins. Mine started out with hunting silver just because it was silver, then I started appreciating great design, which next led me to appreciating the quality of higher grade coins than what you'd typically find in circulated condition. Maybe that's where I'm at now, or maybe I have no idea where I'm at now lol. Maybe there are common phases of numismatics among collectors in some phenomenological manner... anyway, just curious!

 

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How many times have you been married?

Chris

 

My tastes evolve all of the time depending on what series I get interested in. I appreciate a nice silver or gold coin, but usually find myself going back to large coppers most of the time though.

 

I started out trying to collect way too much stuff. I think everyone probably does this, but while it's something you eventually get away from it also helps you determine what you do and do not like and what is and is not realistic to collect based on your budget.

I got away from filling holes, and aside from the two series I ended up focusing on (one by variety) I simply buy what I like. This includes some world coins and tokens.

I used to dislike Morgans but now I like them provided that they are gem or nicely toned, and I also discovered that I really dislike Kennedy halves.

 

When I first started I liked shiny new coins. Then threw in aesthetics and a little art. Now it's historical added in. Love a eye pleasing coin with a good story behind it.

 

funny!

 

Now, that is REALLY good for you!

Chris

 

I try to pay a lot more attention to the state of preservation of coins than I use to, at least when the coins are common. Some area's I collect require me to either accept the coins flaws or go without, but when I have a choice I look for as original as possible.

 

i started with type, and branched into patterns and toned coins

 

I collected way too much as well and have started focusing on buying one very nice coin instead of 10 common dates.

 

I started out as a silver stalker then started putting together a low MS date/mint mark set of Peace dollars and a set of, ultimately, high grade FBL Franklins. Still working on those but not so much lately. I finally moved first into military trade tokens focusing on Air Force issues then I've expanded to other forms of US military forms of pay getting into chits, military payment certificates and AAFES pogs.

Along the way I've added some Romans too.

 

I sold all my completed series date sets and switched to higher quality type sets. I stopped buying modern and mint coins. I only buy one silver mint proof set and the two silver bullion eagles per year. Right now, I am investing in paper currency more than coins. I have stopped buying small size notes. ( I have the pieces I want including the fractional currency) I am now active in collecting the large size notes. I started buying CWT and Colombian Exposition material, but that too has slowed. I no longer buy any commemoratives.

 

I collected anything when I was a kid and stopped collecting in my mid-teens. I am 32 now and started again a couple years ago. I go back into it because I found some silver dimes and quarters in some of my old stuff. I decided to start stacking a little and my stacking turn a little into collecting. It got me into collecting commemorative halves, small gold and older 90% silver coins like Morgan and Peace dollars and Barber and Seated Liberty coins for their numismatic value rather than just the silver content. I only collect 90%+ US silver or small gold coins US or foreign now, but it has changed somewhat from stacking to collecting.

 

I started out in the early 1960s by collecting large cents. Even the newest one was over 100 years old and to an 11 year old kid they were fascinating. Over the next 5 years I acquired all the different varieties that were available on a kid's budget.

By the time I was in high school in the late 60s/early 70s I knew that I had gone as far with them as I could. A newspaper route only paid so much.

Next step? Capped Bust Halves. They were readily available for the 20 to 25 dollars a month that I could afford. I've never looked back.

 

I used to collect Lincoln cents, but i got bored with them
I used to prefer Peace dollars, now i like Morgans better
I used to like the Indian head/St. Gaudens Gold coin designs better, now i like the Liberty head and Classic head designs best

 

When I started, I was more interested in mercury dimes and buffalo nickels, but lately I've found myself interested in high grade clads. Since clads are the coins I've always used, they are more interesting to me than ones I never used. I still like the older stuff though!

 

I used to be crazy about Ikes. I even carried one as a pocket piece for a time (my first was a 1976D Type 1 Bicentennial). Now, after completing my Dansco and amassing a stash of about 120 or so common clad ones in my junk drawer (for toothfairy, birthday, allowance money, etc), the wind has gone out of the sails on this series for me. I continually find the design less and less appealing.
Still going strong on Kennedys; that set will be completed soon (less than 10 left).
Used to be pretty indifferent on SBA & Sac dollars. Now I'm focusing my efforts on them more and more.
I also hated the ATB quarters when I first got back into collecting. Now I have a complete, up-to-date P&D set.

 

I think my tastes have evolved, not changed. I still love Morgan dollars. I prefer silver to gold, but want to get exceptional gold coins for my type set. I now have more of an appreciation for early copper pieces.

I don't fill holes, nor did I ever. I still like proof coins. I've never been a modern collector and I don't think that will change.

I've learned a lot about this hobby and realize I still don't know jack!