What's the future of coin collecting?

My original statement was that collector interest would go up if circulating coins were entirely phased out. Since neither stamps nor coins have been phased out, we can't use the decline in the stamp hobby to predict what would happen if coins were phased out.

I think everyone agrees that stamps are in the toilet. But they haven't been around nearly as long and unlike coins, they are entirely lacking in intrinsic value, thus lessening their appeal.

I would be curious to know how much the value of higher end "classic" stamps (let's say $100 and up) has declined relative to the common ones that sell for less than face.

 

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And for that reason I'm going to be concentrating on Pre 33 gold and world gold coins.

 

and this is why you turn to collecting World coins. much more variety in world coins. much more price ranges from cheap to out of reach expensive.

 

I am not sure what he meant by that. the younger generation will learn over time what coins to collect and for what reason they like certain coins. more power to them for what they want to collect. I learned later on that the older coins had better history and much better designs on them. they will learn as they go and what they will enjoy collecting down the road.

 

Do you know of any world coin variety list websites?

 

I don't but others here might know of them.

 

Coins, used or not, do have intrinsic value. Stamps are collected whether used or unused. The used ones have zero value (except for their possible collectability), the unused ones have their collectability value and still have face value so they can be used for postage, regardless of their age. [I do understand the difference between intrinsic value and face value.]

By the way, stamps still have followers and occasionally have fairly large auctions for which sale values are a matter of record. i have a large collection of US stamps and postal stationary which I am trying to sell off. I tried some of the larger dealers and was told they don't even want anything newer than 1940. Most things older than that, other than the really rare stuff, is worth (to them) maybe 10-20% over face value for unused items and, much less for used. I have about 200 items on ebay which I have listed for 1/3 their auction prices and have only sold about 20 things so far. I should have gotten out years ago, but if I'm ultimately stuck with them I can at least use them for postage.

 

A lot of good comments on this thread. As mentioned earlier, I started collecting in my teens and then took a long break from college until my mid 50's. I have found the internet to be huge benefit to jump starting my interest again. Putting together collections is much easier now as I can find most of what I need on Ebay or online auctions. Local coin shops usually have a limited number of coins I'm interested in and their inventory doesn't seem to change quickly enough. Since I live in a less populated area the internet becomes even more valuable. Coin shows within driving distance are few and far between. IMO, the hobby will survive and is stronger than some believe. As mentioned earlier, the majority of Coin talk members are under 30. The gloom and doom articles in some of the major numismatic articles concerning the aging population of our hobby is biased because they tend to base their numbers on the age of ANA membership and dwindling numbers at coin shows. Due to where I live and the cost of travelling to coin shows, I can best add to my collection using the internet. Given the choice of spending several hundred dollars on travelling costs versus spending the said money on coins using the internet is a no brainer.

 

And the same goes for me. I began collecting at a very young age and then lost interest. Presently I am again enthralled by all the coins available both Unites States and abroad. I cannot get enough of it and spend inordinate amounts of time pursuing my hobby. What I see after coming back into the hobby are the extreme magnitude of collectors that are passionate with collecting and the variety of what they are collecting. It also seems that I have lost more coins then I have gained. There is great competition without a doubt.

I have introduced two of my grandchildren to the hobby. One is 10 years old and the other is 8 years of age. Instantly it became magical to them. Almost a year later and the ten year old has a pretty nice portfolio going (mostly inexpensive current coinage) but lately has purchased a nice 2 cent piece and is ecstatic over the coin. They both wear gloves when handling any coins. That shows me a great interest with much respect and happiness.

I think future collectors or investors just have to be made aware of the joys associated and perhaps they will be greatly interested as my grandchildren are. We are happy because it is also a good tool to help keep them focused and busy. That's something a lot of younger adults could use. Very beneficial in many ways in my opinion. Have a great day!

 

I don't know about the history of coin collecting. I found these:

"... Caesar Augustus, the first emperor of Rome is frequently cited as one of the first coin collectors. Augustus ruled from 27 BC to 14 AD and is known to have accumulated coins and given them as gifts..."

"... It was in the 14th century that modern day appreciation and collection of coins began and an active coin market developed. At that time coin collecting was an interest only of the privileged class and in fact it was called the “Hobby of Kings.”..."

"... It was in the 17th and 18th centuries that numismatics (the study of coins) appears as an academic discipline. Collectors became notably more systematic in their approach to building collections, and study of the intricacies of history and coin manufacture became more formalized... "

"... In the 19th century collectors broadened their horizons to include not only ancient coins but exotic coins and foreign currencies as well. Books on collecting were published, making the research accumulated in prior centuries available to the general public... "

"... Throughout the 20th century collecting became more and more systematized. Coin conventions and shows began to appear, and a network of professional dealers emerged... "

"... As with all aspects of modern life, the advent of the Internet has transformed coin collecting. Today’s collectors have access to resources that would have been unimaginable just a few decades ago... "

http://www.coinspot.org/history.html

So, it is not really 20 centuries. If we don't count the kings giving as gifts, hobby of kings, privileged class and academics, the general public started to collect the coin in 19th century. So, its history of coin collecting for the public is only 2 centuries. And, with the internet which helps people reach info and pictures of coins easily without owning the coins, with the increased number of collectors, with the decreased number of collectible coins, there must be a decline in collecting coin field.

 

I don't know about the future of collecting modern coins, but the market for ancients is still pretty solid. I think in the foreseeable future, there will always be the "Oh, wow! That is 2000 years old!" factor.

 

Well I sure hope it stays active as a hobby I'm only 14 I don't know the trends the patterns or anything like that but I know one thing for sure, until I'm on my death bed, there will still be one.

The lone collector...

 

If that's true young man, I hope you're in a buying mood when I'm on my death bed. Be good to my bride!

 

I don't see why it wouldn't be active. I mean even if they got rid of coins I'd say that the value would probably go up more.

 

Haha your collection would be in good hands do I get a cointalk discount? Haha

Thanks,
Jacob

 

As for how long the history of coin collecting is, well, we know for example that the Byzantine empress Theodora (guess that is Theodora Porphyrogenita, not sure though) collected coins. Her favorites were Persian Daric gold coins according to the "Chronographeia" written by Michael Psellos in the 11th century.

When it comes to Western Europe, Francesco Petrarca is usually considered to be one of the first coin collectors. That would be the 14th century. And yes, the "general public" did not collect coins until, well, quite a bit later. But I think that has a lot to do with who could afford putting money aside for that ...

Christian

 

I gave up on following stamps when they went to the self-adhesive with the peel-off backing. Besides, the newer commemoratives aren't nearly as majestic as those from, say 1930 through 1965.

Like the OP, I abandoned coin collecting shortly after I finished high school, but my old 1941 - 1958 Lincoln folder is chocked full of bright coins pulled right out of circulation way back when. I just woke up one day a few months ago and decided I might like to try my hand at IHCs.

No offense to anyone, but those ASEs I have been picking up over the years don't much seem to me as bona fide coin collecting.