Are you embarrassed to admit that you collect coins?

A few times in my life I've let "normal" (i.e., non-coin) people know that I might, on occasion, not too much, but once in a while, when I have nothing else to do, of course, etc., etc., I may, might, possibly, perhaps purchase a coin of purely numismatic value. In such moments, when I've let my guard down, some people have replied with comments such as "wow, you're far nerdier than I thought" or something sarcastic such as "you must be a blast at parties." After a few of those experiences I decided to not mention my coin habit to anyone who didn't already show some leaning in that direction. I know my family doesn't really understand it, so it never comes up there, either. For some people, a strange stigma seems to linger around collecting things such as coins or stamps. Some seem to think that only lonely deranged people who can't get dates collect coins. I'm not sure where this comes from, but it seems somewhat prevalent. Coin collecting doesn't seem to make one popular.

Has anyone else had such experiences? Is this all in my imagination? Or did I let a few isolated experiences shame me into unjustified silence? Well, one was a cute woman I once fancied rather fervently, so perhaps that hit harder than normal.

So share your shame!

 

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I am quite proud to be a collector. If someone thinks that's nerdy on my part, I live two miles from the Mississippi River which they are free to go jump in.

I have other ways of expressing that but this is a family friendly site....

 

Never ran across it - But if I ever met you at a party I'd discuss coins with you all night!! I don't mention the fact because now a days you probably will have some jackass planning to steal your collection - I have thief deterrents all over my house if you know what I mean!!!!

 

Well one thing - leave the "cute" women alone cause she knows she's cute and plays guys - find yourself a good average looking country woman and you'll be happy the rest of your life!

 

Know whutchamean! It even hacks me off to get mail envelopes emblazoned with coin related stuff. My postman might be OK, but that goes through lots of other hands, and my postman could have "loose lips"!

 

I never talk about my collection. It is nobody's business but my spouse's and she doesn't talk about it. Figure it's a good way to keep bad guys out of the house.

I will pass something else on: when returning home from a coin show, I don't turn onto my street until all cars that might be following are out of the mirror.

I have my coins sent to a post office box.

 

Yes - I have received "empty" envelopes when expecting a coin!! And of course USPS knows nothing!

 

Damn - you are more paranoid than I am - I like it!!
That's why I have my "concealed carry permit"

 

The dealers I use, I have noticed, use fake names on the return address. My favorite is a Florida company that uses something like "J&J Plumbing Supply."

 

That's funny as hell - but I never said anything about ugly - Jesus, I'm still laughing!!!!!

 

Good idea!!

 

I don't typically talk about my coin collection to people because of paranoia regarding theft. But those I trust, when I mention coins, I never had any sort of issue. I'm at the age I don't care what people think of my hobbies and I typically don't associate with people who aren't open minded about things I like.

 

My grandfather used to say, "if you want to have a long happy marriage, don't marry the bombshell".

Or something to that effect.

 

Not at all.... if something doesn't like what my hobbies are, the hell with them

 

I prefer to not talk about my collection/business. Too tempting for would be thieves. I live in a small town, and word gets around too fast. More people know about my ebay business than I would like already.

 

The last time I was talking about my coin collecting hobby the people called me a party poopser......I felt like the neird older brother of E.T.
Since then my lips are closed.......

 

I only tell a few people I trust. then I just say yea it might be nerdy, but I love it. they're ok with it.

 

Wow this is the perfect post to vent a little I get ridiculed quite often for going through coins by friends, as of recently one of my "friends" gave me so much crap over the 99 wam that I explained to him was worth more than 50 bucks every time we went and did something he said pay for it with a penny its worth 50 bucks. I tolerate him because he is a very good friend but he has no clue about Numismatics and I wanna strangle him because he is one of those who would spend a Morgan to get a Pepsi. We all cant collect coins I suppose

 

Anyone who is serious about something tends to be a little nerdy about the activity. There's hunting nerds, fishing nerds, car nerds, computer nerds, gamer nerds...it goes on. I've taken ownership of my nerdiness and call out others on their nerdy hobbies, but it's all in good fun.

I also understand the need for secrecy. I collected for a couple years before I really told anyone because I didn't want to target myself. I always emphasize how worthless my collection is.

Bottom line, I am not embarrassed about my collection or collecting habits. Neither should you. Find new friends.