I'm wondering if you guys divide things like I do or am I in the minority. I have what I consider to be "my collection" and then I also have a bunch of other coins. Some are collectible but don't fit into "my collection" and others, like rolls of common date wheat cents in circulated condition I don't consider collectible but I'm keeping them anyway. Is your collection like a hot rod- you show off the beautiful car but it's supported by a garage full of junk nobody needs to see. Even though it's your junk and you love it. Just curious how others think.
Eclectic--I have a bunch of different series, but the common denominator is that they are mostly large silver coins--dollars and halves.
Hard to say what mine is, probably eclectic. I have my U.S. coins, my ancients which I care about more, then some world coins I like. Past 2 years I have been unloading "the junk" & mistake purchases and just focusing on pieces I know I will be happy to have for years to come, not months like some. I have trouble keeping coins just cause they are coins I.E. like wheatbacks, junk silver, slick or damaged coins.
Don't let anyone tell ya you got a messy garage........ You show off them beauties, and the rest take up the sidelines, so somewhere along the line you chose these pieces to be included in your collection. Perhaps they hold sentimental value? I've got a lot of 'junk' in my garage that I'm loath to part with. That junk and me go way back and I don't give a hang what anyone says........it's part of my collection. What others think is of no concern to me. Quite possibly, I'd like to think that certain individuals would think 'my junk' interesting.......
Started out mostly bullion and when I reached 100 ozs my priority began to shift. I'm less interested in junk silver right now and more focused on some bullion, modern commems and three silver series I'm working on. I've also mixed in a few things in older copper but am not yet ready to substantially move into anything non-silver.
My collection can be defined as round & metallic, big & small, cheap & expensive, organized & disorganized, front row seating & nosebleed section and finally..............all mine! Chris
Yeah, that pretty much sums up my collection, including the part about the circulated wheats. I dont even consider myself a cent collector, and I have rolls of circulated wheats the kids and I find. I have random coins in flips from coins show (free bison nickels, free V-nickels), circulated silver, etc, but I dont really consider this stuff part of my primary "collection". Too good to get rid of, not good enough to slab or show off. I mostly have 1 series I have focused on, and now that it's pretty much finished I am kinda of lost. Recently I bought a TPG roosevelt dime, TPG mercury dime, TPG nickel, TPG blandly toned morgan. NONE of them really satisfied my hunger. I am totally lost! I really really want a stunning rainbow toned Morgan, been thinking about that one for about 6 years. I almost had the coin of my dreams (one that I could actually afford), and then...it slipped away to someone that could click faster. So, I guess I will save up until the next rainbow moster Morgan calls to me.
I am the curator or our family collection started by my Great Great Grandfather in the 1860/1870 range. Some coins are considered part of the permanent collection and duplicates are considered tradeable for coins that are not yet in the collection. I once traded 400 circulated Morgan dollars for one penny, a chain cent.
I am pretty much like you. I have my collection, I have my curiousities, then I have my hoards. I love it all, and in the large sense, it all makes up my 'coin collection', but only certain stuff is labeled as such.
I've always been a collector, and have collected a variety of different things. I've come to realize that sticking to fewer quality items is much better than accumulating a bunch of junk. If you have no quality restrictions on your collection then things tend to get out of hand and your collection loses focus. Every once in a while I will go through my collection, cull out and sell the rags, and buy something better. Last thing that I need is a closet full of common wheats, state quarters, and dateless buffalo nickels. This is one of the reasons that I switched to type coin collecting. My entire collection will consist of one example of each type. I am in the process of selling everything that doesn't fit, and will sell the old coin anytime I upgrade. The total size of my collection will be restricted to ~125 coins or so, thereby enforcing quality.
I would say my collection is simply tools I have used to learn about history and economics. I buy coins from areas or times I am interested in, to force myself to learn about that period more. I find nothing makes a culture or timeframe as interesting as owning a tangible piece of the history.
I find definitions rather limiting, and try not to use them. That said, my collection is best described as a hodge-podge of type, large cents, and modern pocket change.
My collection is... Well.. Uncontrollable. It seems to keep growing even though I don't buy any for a while.
My collection fits into two primary categories... 1. Coins with a story. This category includes coins with a family connection, certain pedigreed coins, coins that were obtained in an unusual manner, coins with special physical characteristics such as remarkable toning or quirky minor errors (i.e. 1954 SJ Lincoln), and the very first coin I ever purchased as a child. In many cases, the stories behind the coins are more valuable than the coins themselves. 2. Trading stock This category consists of everything that does not meet the qualifications to fit in Category #1. I own complete date and mint sets of several series that are' Trading Stock'. Acquiring and owning these coins is enjoyable, but if a nice 'Coin With a Story' catches my eye, I'll sell 'em in a heartbeat. There is a certain amount of crossover between the two categories. Error coins, Daniel Carr overstrikes, Coins of 'questionable authenticity', some love tokens, cherry picks, etc. These are 'Coins With A Story', but available to trade for 'Coins with a Better Story'. I encourage all collectors to seek out 'Coins With A Story'. Did you know that the flip of an 1835 Large Cent determined the name of Oregon's largest city? Had the coin landed on its opposite side, Portland would have been named Boston. If you own an 1835 Large Cent, that's a 'Coin With A Story'. -The Coin Trader
Your Collection- A group of objects or works meant to be seen, studied, or kept together that belong to or are associated with the person or people that the speaker is addressing.
I like to describe my collection as; Peaceful. I've been collection since I was a boy. It was one of the first things that allowed me to bond with my father closely. When I miss my Dad (he has since passed), I thumb through the pieces he helped me collect. On another lever, I enjoy simply looking though my pieces, and realizing that I own a small piece of Americana that is solely mine. Helps me feel like a bigger part of the grand scheme of things.
Bullion Coins to flip Type Set Morgans Merc dimes Eagle sets Grandmas stuff to be gone through World/ancient Proof Sets/Mint Sets Buy and holds
It is my opinion that any old coin is one that should be kept. It seems many are investing not collecting and i think the fun has been removed when this happens. Its ok if you have the time and money for it but i feel it takes the fun out of the hobby and iv seen it posted many times that coins shouldnt be collected as an investment. I myself am happy with junk silver and the thought of value to any coin i own never cross my mind. I never take the time to price the coins i find i just enjoy haveing the history i can hold in my hand and to know i didnt pay anything for them except the time and gas it took to go find them. If you have never unearth a coin you have no idea how enjoyable it is and what a relaxing hobby it is when its just you your machine and nature. Makes me want to go now.