Are you an accumulator, a collector or a numismatist.

We all like to think of ourselves as collecting coins and some people here actually study them. But let's be honest: what are you?

1. An accumulator sets out to acquire as many coins as possible of a country, set or theme.

2. A collector may have as a goal a certain set or theme but is more discriminating and only acquires coins if they have an appeal beyond filling a gap.

3. A numismatist actually studies the coin acquired and hopes to learn from them.

I will be honest. My goal is to acquire at least one of as many German coins as possible. I have almost all the silver issues from 1933 on, am well on the way to completing a set of Empire silver and have lots from German States. I also have a few German gold coins and a lot of German non-PM coins. But I have to admit to being an accumulator. If I see a coin in half way decent condition and it fills a gap I buy it.

 

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I think I fit pretty well into the collector group. I look for more than just a date and mint mark when I am buying a coin. I definitely am looking for one that looks good as well.

 

I think I am 2 and 3. I believe that both accumulators and collectors - as per your definitions - can be students of the coins they acquire.

 

Really unless someone is just stacking metals for metal value everyone learns and studies the coins they buy to at least some extent

 

I'm an accumulator to an extent. When I look at all of the stuff that I've bought over the years I say to myself, "where did I get all of this crap"? That hearkens, "I've got to sell some stuff to make way for the new".

I'm a collector. Commems are my passion.

I don't consider myself an Numismatist. I consider myself a student.

 

I think I fall along similar lines as @green18 - an opportunistic collector and "accidental" accumulator.

I collect Jefferson Nickels. I'm really, really picky about the coins I keep. Most dealers around here get super excited to show me some "really nice" nickel books...and they are AU/low MS/problem coins.

I love world coins, especially world silver. However, I'm not actively assembling any sets. Closest two sets I suppose I could claim are Canadian silver 5 Cent pieces (have a few hundred of them, but not a complete set - missing some of the keys) and a football (soccer) themed collection "in honor of" (because they don't care about collecting now, but when I find them, I put them into the set - maybe they'll enjoy them later.)

As for the rest of the "stuff" - I buy things I think I can make enough money on to fuel the other parts of my collection. If that means a huge box of clad Canadian low value stuff, or 100 pounds of bulk world coins, or $75 face of worn Seated/Barber stuff, or valuable die varieties, I'm in. My current "collection" has all been paid for this way, which is why I am able to hold on to it right now. My first collection of coins I'd purchased as far back as when I was 8 had to be sold because I hadn't learned how to fuel a collection, and I hadn't learned which coins to avoid, and which coins I could make a decent profit on.

Most times, I just enjoy seeing the coins, imaging them, learning about other countries. I like helping people diagnose varieties. In that respect, I'm also a numismatist...but seriously, can we come up with a better word? Every time I say it, I feel like I've just taken a 30-second gulp of an ice-cold slushie...

 

@green18

According to our buddies Merriam and Webster, you being a student of coinage makes you a numismatist.

 

I consider myself a hoarder of US coins. I collect anything when the opportunity presents itself. Since I try mainly to buy entire estate collections when available, I never know what I will be getting until sorting and cataloging the additions.

 

All three
1 - depending what you mean by "as many coins as possible"
2 -okay. I collect coin but I'm never filling a "gap" I don't do albums I only acquire the ones I like which may not be a entire series of a particular coin.
3 - what little I know and learn.

 

When I was working as a bartender, I once had an interview with a couple of guys who were planning to open a bar. It was apparent to me that they didn't know squat about the bar business.

Well, one of them asked me if I was a mixologist. I replied, "No, I'm a bartender." They both looked at me as if they thought I was trying to be a smart-aleck. I continued by explaining that a mixologist spends most of his time trying to impress the female customers while a bartender spends most of his time making money for the house.

You can consider me a coin collector.

Chris

 

But my definition of an Numismatist requires the old son to be an expert, and I'm Lordy far from being an expert in anything regarding life or coins.........I remain the student.

 

I started out as an accumulator years ago but think I have become more of a collector with a little numismatist thrown in. So I think I'm really a collectmatist.

 

That's kind of where I am. I am still accumulating to fill gaps but I am actively looking to upgrade when I can. And I am trying to learn a little more about German numismatic history.

 

I am Ricochet Rabbit with a bunch of SaFlips.

 

Collectmatist, huh?

How ya doin' Bobby?

Chris

 

Doin fine my friend! Tryin to get adjusted in our new home and getting use to West Tx. Lol

 

I'm a collector according to these definitions. I collect Ikes and inexpensive Morgans and that's it. I have been focusing a lot on learning how to grade the past few months.

 

I decided that I didn't care too much for West Texas, the first time we had to make a connection in El Paso from LA to SWFLA. Those dang little hills that you guys call mountains bounced the plane all over the place.

Chris

 

Hello my name is Jason and im an alcoholic.
I like to spend some of my annual income on stuff that holds it value.

So i guess im a collect-oholic

 

Yes