The lost generation

Thank God Bruce posted! As I was reading this I was starting to feel like it was Saturday morning and I had just woken up to find out the kids had been in the den watching cartoons for hours! When did I get this old?

Richard

 

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I think there are a lot of "closet" collectors out there who don't come out about it. I mean, just look at all the newbies posting on this forum that they are new and introducing themselves. I also see no shortage of people and in my local coin shop. This Saturday when I was there a father was in there with his son. I thought that was cool. He was helping his son evaluate coins and know what to look for. I wish my dad would have done that with me. That boy will probably look back one day with fondness at the times him and Pop spent together for this hobby.

 

Proto

Good on you for persisting! I too was 13 when I started collecting coins, in England. Seems like a good age to start! I'm still at it three decades later.

My brother and I are also very passionate about Lego (building with it, and [believe it or not], investing in it!), and that can get the same kind of response! But as many have said - collect what *you* like.

 

[video=youtube;7j5Be5a86uA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j5Be5a86uA[/video]

 

Ha

I am 27 and have been collecting for a few years as well. When my wife gives me that "blank stare" I just tell her she's too hot to understand.

 

Look on the bright side...can you imagine how much competition you'd have at your local dealer if all your friends were serious collectors. Most people don't even understand the difference between an asset and a liability, and spend all their money on junk that depreciates as fast as a stone sinks. Yeah, you're different...but in a GOOD way.

 

Yeah I started collecting small stuff like world coins and cool coins from your pocket change around 8 or 9. I am 14 now and about two years ago I found all my coins in my closet and it got me very interested again. My collection has grew alot since I was 12 and I enjoy collecting coins more then ever now! I don't have any coin shops anywhere near me. I think the closest one is like 2 hours away but I find stuff at like flea markets and some of the people look at me like "kid get away these aren't toys" but some are really nice and I know most of them now!

 

The idea of lost generations have been around coin collecting for eons. I was encouraged when I was a kid in the 70's because, "kids just aren't collecting coins anymore, its good to see one starting". Every couple of years since then I would read an article on how to encourage youngsters more. I think becoming interested in coins when young is great, but I also believe most serious collectors either come back to the hobby or start in their late 20's. Too many things going on in high school and college, things more important than hobbies most likely.

 

I'm just calling it how I see it.

I frequent my local shop 1-2x a week. Just to browse, and say hello. Of the many times I have visited, I can count the times I met someone my age on one hand.

 

Guilty.

 

Ah! Guilty twice! (Dimeguy hangs head in shame and walks away.)

 

That is the ONLY thing I miss from my job at the paint store. I found so much good stuff in cash drawer. Probably got at least 4 silver dimes, 10 wheats, and even a full date 1923 buffalo. Plus I was the on they always made go on runs to the bank for change, so I would add a few extra rolls to the order for myself to look through later

I'm 21 and yea I get the whole (0_o) look when I tell people I collect coins. From some people its like "people still do that?". And yes...I even got the "dude thats so gay" from some of my friends as they laugh at me when I get excited about searching a roll of wheats/Indian head cents. But ahhh whatever. Doesn't bother me any lol. Luckily I have had no problems or discrimination whatsoever from the 4-5 dealers I've done business with so far. All were very understanding, patient, and excited to see someone my age starting to collect. Even got a few newbie discounts off some coin purchases for it. Being a newbie sometimes pays off

 

Not saying you are wrong, I was just saying the death of coin colelcting has been predicted by too few young collectors forever. To me, guys like you are very important, since many collectors start collecting around your age in earnest, regardless of whether they collected when young or not. Real life got to me some in high school and college, but I came back in my mid twenties.

While I value and love teaching YN, I am simply saying that there should be outreach to post college, 20 somethings too. Pickup in that age range can have long term effects of our hobby just as much as only targeting preteens and teenagers.

Chris

 

I think we should go the KGB route and indoctrinate them when they are in the 2-6 year old range. We could have a booming buisness in 20 years!

 

On a more serious note, I think all of us should defiantly network with each other and stay in touch. There is no doubt in my mind that I will be a full time dealer one day. That may or may not be a reality but in my mind it is already a done deal. I know of at least two other dealers who are in their late 20 that have already made a name for their self’s in their respective fields. We will be the old timers one day and more than likely we will cross each other’s paths in the future.

 

You sir have one GREAT girlfriend.

 

Q. David Bowers was a respected dealer in his teens in coin collecting. Age is never a barrier, knowledge and determination are.

 

you forgot the main barrier... start-up capital... That is why I am in afghanistan right now... Need capital

 

Why yes, yes I do Its not so much that she's interested in collecting though. She just likes finding stuff for me lol (thats what she says anyways). She has a couple morgans and some other small stuff me/others have given her. She LOVES mercury dimes. She's hijacked most of the few I have.