Time to refocus my collection

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I have never really had a "goal" in mind since I started collecting as a teenager. I do like AV coinage, and high quality, other then that I collect everything that I can afford. I have NEVER bought a coin that I would want to sell, I just love them all the same. I did unload my banknote collection to Heritage in January, to allow me more funds for coins. That was a tough decision. Also doing same with my butterfly/moth collection (Sallent is cheering me on for that) another heartbreaking move. At present I am going 50/50 between coinage from 600BC-1200AD/ 1200 to present. Lately, I have also started into Roman AR Denari....
John

 

She is cute, right?

 

Right.

Good to see you around again @Sallent !

 

Thanks for the clue. I had no idea. The ANA should pay whatever it costs to bring her to a convention. Her and an IKEA designer with a huge display of organizers. "The Future of the Hobby" would take a new direction.

 

Thanks for the perspective. I never considered it that way. You enjoy a hobby on your own terms and your post gave me an insight into the ways that other people engage numismatics.

 

I've been starting to re-focus my collection on coins of Roman Egypt. I've pretty much abandoned my collecting of 4th century LRBs of which I have a lot. I'm not ready to sell them yet but I need to thin out my Falling Horseman types at some point in the future. I'd say do what whatever you feel like. Coin collecting does not have to be a static hobby but reflects our changing passions over time. In my other hobby I collect telescopes - I have five of them of various sizes, from an 18" Dobsonian reflector to a 6" refractor which is currently my favorite scope. It's really quite a chore to haul out the 18" on clear nights (which are few and far between!)

 

(If I may ask, what is your goal with the "12 Caesars"? Do you want one of each as a denarius or a complete set of all issues in all metals? Are you interested in rare reverses or do you want all Concordias? )

 

I noticed you seemed to focus more on minute detail differences as of late on coins, @Orfew, maybe in a couple of yours you will leave ancients and become a Morgon Dollar VAM Collector

All kidding aside, we all change gears. I find myself less and less looking at Imperials unless it's an emperor I need still. I really prefer tetradrachms and medievals. But there is no way I can sell my imperials at this time.

I only part with coins when it's an upgrade or have too many of whomever and use that to fund something else.

As long as you find it enjoyable, that's all that matters.

 

This sums it up nicely .

 

About 4 years ago I made a major change in how I collect. Before I had ambitions to give my coins to a museum and so I tended to buy a large number of coins to bulk it up. (Like I had over 200 coins of Constantine I) When the organization that I had intended to support did not even replace their key staff positions, I came to the conclusion my collection would just sit in a drawer. So I changed direction. I went through the collection pulling out the coins I deemed to be in some way important. I then sold the rest in auctions, private treaty, to dealers and I do support another organization which has an active numismatic entity with a few donated coins. With the money received, I purchase coins which I feel will add something to the collection. I guess the one thing I have learned is that I will make some money on some and lose on others. However I really do enjoy the new coins. Here are 4 which I purchased at the NYINC 1. Kingdom of Macedon Alexander I Oktodrachm 2. Metapontion Nomos c 400B.C. 3. Lokris Stater c 380 B.C. 4. Pecennius Niger Denarius

 

All four are absolute winners - congratulations on some excellent additions!

 

Yep. I'm in the midst of doing it now. Roman Republic has become my obsession. I sold my English hammereds via FORVM consignment several years ago. I've been gradually deaccessioning my Roman Imperials and Greeks for the past two years, both through auction and retail sales. I sold a large group of Roman Imperial in the last Triton and associated Triton eSale. I sold some Greek at wholesale at NYINC and consigned others for an upcoming auction.

I find focus helps build a quality collection within the focus because (limited) financial resources are also focused. I have, so far, kept my collection of Roman Alexandria and Romano-British (Carausius and Allectus) intact. My personal standard is: if I've not added to a collection segment within the past two years, then that segment should probably go!

 

I would recommend starting a European medieval collection.

 

This has been a great thread. It seems most participants in this discussion have refocused their collecting interests at some time - some multiple times. I have. I started off collecting Julio-Claudian coins of all denominations; shifted in a few years to collecting Julio-Claudian Sestertii exclusively; changed my collecting interests to mostly Carausius/Allectus coins; made a major change to collecting mostly Tetrarchic coins produced by the London Mint; and recently back to collecting Julio-Claudians.

I have stated my collecting criteria numerous times here: Coins that to me have significant historical association and exhibit everyday use and wear during their lifetime (so that I can handle them without experiencing undue apprehension), reasonably well centered and with (as far as practical) complete and legible inscriptions. As they say: “That is what floats my boat”.

Like many here I have had to dispose of a lot of coins in order to refocus. In that regard I have made many mistakes, especially in selling off coins that were really special to me (with the thought I could always replace them later - that may never happen for all kinds of reasons). I have particular remorse in selling a Claudius IMPER RECEPT denarius and a Caligula “three sisters” sestertius - I never have been able to replace them. That is why I advise to think long and hard before selling coins that are really close to your heart.

But as many others have said, it all comes down to what YOU really enjoy at any period of your collecting lifetime:

 

I love Medieval coinage

 

Enjoy your pivot @Orfew ! You will always end up following your passions as you pursue the hunt!

My first Ancient coins were an Alexander III AR Drachm and 4 Athena Owl Tets. Then deep dived into the Roman Republic, which is my passion in History.

My only “refocus” is to chase down those entities that interacted with The Republic, including Carthage, Samnium, Etruria, Punic Occupation, Italia, Capua during the War with Hannibal, Marsic Confederation, Mercenary War, Makedon, etc. still having fun after 25+ years.

The Celts are on my radar screen, but I need to research...

In a rough “pause mode” right now, but my passion has not abated!


Samnium Aesernia 263-240 BC AE 20 Vulcan Pilos Tongs Jupiter Biga

 

For Celtic Coinage, I would get, this book.

 

Thank you. Being of Celtic and German blood, I am very interested in their Ancient Histories. Be fun to pursue their coinage and other placemarkers in their rich history...

This is an intimate and personal item that targets a basic Human need... a razor from the Celts.... cool.


Ancient Celtic Shaving Razor 8th-6th c BCE Rare Bronze Age Hallstatt Type 48mm x 40mm