So how does the better half appreciate the hobby?

I think you are missing the point that at least you can actually hold your investment and could possibly make a much better profit. Obviously you could also lose profit, but there is more upside of gaining profit rather than in a joke of a rate savings account.

 

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I understand the reasoning behind it and I am not passing judgement on it's value as an investment. I think every collector at least hopes to turn a profit. But do recognize that what you described is quite literally hoarding money. (Unless, of course, you keep your holdings in uncoined bullion.)

 

:thumb: My wife is the same. Honestly she thinks (and she's probably right) that I would go so far as to be homeless with my coins tucked into my coat.
It would take quite a bit to seperate me from my favorites, that's for sure.

 

I'd never let it get that far. The vast, vast majority of my collection is junk silver. That accounts for probably $15k of my collection. The numismatic stuff is the stuff I'd be very, very hard-pressed to sell. But all that only accounts for maybe $10k or so. Things would have to get really bad for me to dip into that.

When we buy a house, I'll probably sell most of my junk silver for a new kitchen, lol.

 

Very funny!

 

^ +1

A good part of my bullion may go to a new deck and a hot tub, depending on timing next year.

But, pretty much the same here. My wife isn't interested in it, and doesn't care too much about my collecting as long as there's enough money to pay for the "important" things first, like the mortgage, food and clothes for us and the kids. Plus, she does understand that with at least the bullion I'll be able to cash out decently easily if we ever run into a rough spot to carry us over (no comments on how much gain or loss over the term).

 

Mrs. VDB used to be dead set against my "little hobby." Then the first time I bought a 1909-S VDB in 65 Red PCGS -- I remember it was $2,247 -- she went quite ballistic, making it into the upper reaches of the ionosphere without the benefit of propulsion. Just as with our different (SO different!) investing styles, we had a Come To Jesus meeting. After a few weeks of heated repartee we finally Agreed to Disagree. This was 25 years ago.

She has never complained since -- well, not overmuch -- as long as I periodically reassure her that I am paying for my acquisitions with cash, not credit. Then I started dealing rather than just collecting, and she got that worried look in her eye again. The first year I exceeded -- well, a goodly amount -- in sales, she started smiling again. She makes sure that our wills are up to date and even admires an occasional bauble when it comes in the mail.

But I keep her away from the gun cabinet.

Best Regards, :hail:

George

 

She sees it as some weird thing- but when I hit a winner like the 2011 SAE sets she comes around a bit.