In your hand you hold a coin. To you, it’s not just any coin, however, no one else sees this particular coin the same way that you do. There may be thousands just like this one, but this one is yours. It’s time to let go. It’s time to sacrifice this piece in the name of progression. You are mature, and you know that his piece will provide the means to make your current collection more spectacular in every fashion. It’s so hard to let go. You think twice, but it’s a necessary evil. It’s time to sell in order to upgrade your collection. It’s time to turn that VG to an XF, and there’s no other way to do it. Learning to let go and sell a coin is a difficult task for any collector seeing as selling a coin is, by definition, the exact opposite of collecting. I faced this seeming insurmountable task last week. One of only a handful of times; each time becomes more difficult than the last. You wonder constantly where your once favored piece will be venturing off to. Who will own it? Will they store it properly? Will it be given the respect is deserves? The pain is eased as you procure your next piece. The pain is eased, however, not forgotten. I have found myself remember coins I have owned in the past. Coins that I did not want to let go of. Coins I wish I could keep. I look at my collection, and although they are all nestled together, the holes of their fallen comrades will never be filled.
I know if I ever sold an important coin, I would feel like that, but all I have sold is pocket change on eBay, literally. Being a hoarding coin collector, even though I make a set and replace a coin, I still have the old coin, of course if I needed it to pay for a new one, I would sell it, but so far, that has not happened, nothing has been that expensive.
I just think I am a hoarder. I just buy, I never sell. Sounds like it sucks to sell, so I am glad I don't put myself through it. My philosophy is if 1 coin is good, 2 has to be better, right? Maybe trading in for a higher quality example would help? Instead of selling, always trading a lower grade for a higher grade to the dealer will make you feel like you never really sold.
Selling coins from your collection(s) is like smoking cigarettes. Every puff takes you further and further away from where you began until you have finally reached the point of no return. Chris
I put a 1921 Walker in the mail this morning sending it out into the world again. It really tells me how well I have refined my buying habits when I sell the babies. Of course I did buy a better one last month and was looking for a way to spend what I got for it today. Life is a cycle in many ways.
Not sure I get that one. I have no problem letting pieces of my collection go to upgrade. Once someone owns the coin they can do with it what they want - of course I hope they care for it. They could paint it pink and purple - I hope not, but it is their coin now. I just dropped off 4 at the local shop - yep lost a little on them, but came home with some cash and 3 new coins.
LOL - I am with you Letting go can be eye opening! May make you reevaluate many buying habbits! Every collector should do it from time to time! I like to keep everything I have, I'm a coin horder
That is so true. I remember when Mark Feld made that one post and mentioned selling. At that time I said I don't think it is necessary, boy after selling some(well consigning them) I really look harder at some of the things I buy. I no longer buy what I want - I now concentrate on my what I collect. I am slowly cleaning up my collection and narrowing it. Only one coin have I really got killed on - it taught me a good lesson. Know what you are doing with raw coins. The rest of the experience I could live with. Win on some, lose on some - but overall a good experience.
It's not a rant, it's a necessary step in the healing process. You'll be in my prayers tonight, protovodo. God bless.
Protovdo, you write beautifully! I have learned in life to Never Look Back. That's the only successful way I have found of "letting go"... of anything/anyone. Look ahead..
