Why do you collect?

Initially I was just stacking bullion, trying to protect the value of my money. Then I began taking an interest in other kinds of coins, some which I had seen my whole life but had never paid any attention to. Now I like older coins and coins from other countries and learning about the history behind them as you do research on them. Still stacking bullion, but with a much broader interest in the whole hobby as well as learning from others about the things they are interested in. CoinTalk is a great place for that.

 

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I collect for a few reasons: I enjoy the history and learning. It's a nice way for me connect with my father as he collects. I really enjoy the "tangible" history aspect, holding and looking at coinage from a different era, say the mid-late 1800's and imagining the stories it could tell.
But mostly I enjoy the hunt. Hunting through my change, or coin shows, dealers, auctions, whatever. It totally makes my day to fill a hole in my binders. Even if it's just a low end circulation piece.

 

Its kinda like chasing after girls...

 

I collect because I love coins, I can learn something new, and it gives me enjoyment as a hobby.

 

'cause it keeps me out of the casino.

 

I collect silver art bars because 1.) It makes me happy to look at some of the beautiful art work , 2.) It's silver and I like silver, 3.) It allowed me to meet other people (online and offline) who share the same interest in silver art bar collecting, and 4.) It gives me a sense of accomplishment to be able to find a rare silver art bar and especially one that was minted in the 1970's.

This silver art bar hobby got me to write about it and to share my knowledge on forums and to learn from others as well. This is the best thing that has happened to me in a long time.

 

Yah because you never get the ones you rrreeeaaalllyyy want hahaha jkjk

 

Hehe....

 

Keeps me out of Best Buy.

Seriously, all of the above and the fact I am learning something other that the TV guide listings

 

I collect because I love history and coins are a great piece of history. They also have stories to tell.

 

Being homeschooled, I rarely get to talk to people my age.
So coin collecting has led me into some really interesting conversations with people older
than me who have been doing this for years! I really love it
I've learned more about history from coins, than I have from school.
I love the fact that I can be proud of my collection and show it to people.
Plus, like others have said, hunting is always fun!
Its a really fun hobby for MANY reasons!

 

It began for me as I had the thought that some of MY coins could have been spent by relatives during WWII, or by MacArthur, Patton, FDR, etc. Maybe one of my wheats was among the 3 cents used for the postage to pay for the letter a mother or wife received in exchange for their loved one. Now, it's all done electronically. *spits* Not the usual opinion of a 25 year old but whatever. I yam what i yam.

 

sorry I havent been online, but I love all of your reasons and I think I love the great spirtit we all have here at cointalk.

 

I am not a very big coin collector right now (I was more when I was a kid). But the reason why I collect coins or anything for that matter is because I like to own as many different specimens and examples as possible. This is true of many things that I collect. I have a desire to own at least 1 of every "edition", "manufactuer" (mint in this case ), size, ect. I have a few weird collections too..

 

I like wierd things!!!

 

I collect because of the beautiful, artistic designs...there's something about them that cannot be mimmicked on any material, canvas, paper, etc.

 

Most people have covered reasons why I collect (history, who touched it, design, etc), but another reason is because they are easy to organize. Lots of items that people collect have so many different types, it's like hoarding everyone you find (which is boring to me). Coins narrow down the field, making it more fun as I like to keep track of my coins easily.

 

Like jcakcoin stated most has been covered. I would like to add that I am a sponge for knowledge. Coins give me everlasting opportunity to keep learning. Whether its the history, survival statistics, die varieties, etc. I am always eager to find something to feed my mind and coins do that.

 

What I did'nt mention earlier is that coins have gave me so much more knowledge than just about the coins themselves, you have no idea how many times I've completely researched a figure/character on a coin or the country that it came from. One thing that I really enjoy learning about are the sculptors themselves who design the coin, for instance did you know that James Barton Longacre was originally apprenticed as a bookstore assistant, but was recommended as a artist by the owner??? I did'nt either, until I read his biography....

 

"Why" is a hard question to answer. I thoroughly enjoy coins and currency for all the reasons previously mentioned plus I have made a few discoveries and written a few articles. I have been quite obsessed for decades. But "why" did it start?

THe only thing I can think of is that my aunt gave me a dateless silver 3 cent piece when I was very young - say 3 to 5 range. So I gradually added to my collection. I have collected other things, but never like the passion for coins.