I am sure that most have had this problem but I thought it might make for a little decent discussion. I have several coin and paper interests that I am currently working on, such as a complete PF/MS set of: modern commemoratives and ASE's, Peace Dollars, Confederate and fractional currency, just to name a few. The issue I run into is, well, money. Now, I normally may run across an extra $40-60 every month or two and I am always stuck with the same quandary: What to buy? I know most will suggest "Focus" on one goal at a time, but, it always seems I find several good deals on different items when I am looking and find so many that I just have to have. So, I fret and contemplate over what do I want more? I always answer "I want it all!". Alas, I always make the tough choice and stand by it. So, how many of you come across this same dilemma?
I tend to obsess over one collection at a time and hunt like an over the top OCD patient until I complete the set. I am currently working on a set of proof liberty nickels. I started the set about six months ago and still have only twelve pieces of the set. A long way to go, but I love the hunt. My previous collection was proof three cent silvers and it took nearly three years to complete. In the end though, I have a beautifully matched set. I don't just buy the first coin that I can find of the dates that I need, I buy the coin that matches the set. I'm a bit strange that way. I hate it because I am already looking forward to doing the next set (proof braided hair half cents), but I have to do one set at a time. Somebody break this curse that proof coins have on me please!
If the woods are numismatics, than I take a number of different paths. Each one is fun and different. Franklins is familiar territory, Colonial coinage is a very interesting journey, and I'm still looking for my flashlight for the world of Ancients. If I were on a budget of 50 dollars per month I'd look for toned Mercury Dimes. Maybe save up for a few months and buy a nice large cent. Just me.
I Guess I should have added my Mint subscriptions and purchases at tax time, but I do average $40-60, some months more. I do try and stay real and focused, but with many interests it gets tough.
The way I see it, if you had enough money to go around buying every coin that you come across then the coins would not mean as much to you, it's all a matter of perspective. (or, this is just the mindset that I use to console myself for being poor ) I know what you mean. My first interest in coin collecting were wheaties, then I became interested in buffalo nickels, then I started buying ancient roman coins, before I knew it I was trying to fill slots in 5-6 different date (or emperor) collections. With such diverse interests, I found myself having to make significant concessions on coin grade just to fill slots. In the end, all I was ending up with was a pile of junky coins that I didn't really appreciate. The best move that I have made to deal with this condition was to become a type collector. Now I don't need "all" of the wheaties, buffalos, etc; I only need one of each. So that one example can be a really nice one, and keydates don't really matter. Works for me anyway.
I understand exactly how it feels. There was a time I was thinking about getting into paper currency too. But after looking at all the stuff I collect already I quickly dismissed it, it was just too much to handle. I try to prioritize my collectibles. Sports and non-sports Cards, coins, statues and comics, specifically in that order too, and in each category I have sub priorities in what I want to buy. It helps to keep me sane and it also helps when budgeting my spending.
I do end up doing just that when it comes to decision time. I don't just settle for anything, I chose from the highest possible grades, or I should say I only look in my price range for what I need to fill my needs. But I try and keep some priorities in mind but as I said it gets tough when decision time comes.
