general question to some of the folks around here: I have been collecting now for about 5 or 6 years. Mostly I collect darkside stuff (probably around 90% or so). Anywho, I have noticed recently, now that I just cracked my fourth binder, that my collection seems to have NO reason... It seems over the past years, I have just picked up whatever coin strikes my fancy. Now I will always do that, because that's me - it's what I do... What I ask to you - is this an amatuer quality in a collector?
IMO, The collector is an amature. He/she is purly in the hobby for their own individual enjoyment. On the other hand, a professional investor/speculator must buy and sell material based on market demands. The difference is very clear. I have always heard, "collect what you like" and, "there is no wrong way to collect". That sounds like good advice to me.
Rick, I agree with Jody in saying "collect what you like" and "there's no wrong way to collect". Just a curiosity question: Have you looked at your collection as a whole? Maybe it's not as willy-nilly as you think. I think you may be surprised to find that there actually is some common trait that many of your coins share - whether it is a nationality, a design type, a range of years, etc. Just a thought.
Yes and no. There's nothing wrong with the way you're doing it. I started out much the same way myself with a little bit of everything. But themes and patterns did start emerging and I started specializing a little. There's certainly nothing wrong with buying one of everything but at some point the impossibility of success becomes pretty apparent too. While I'm still a generalist, I have several specialties also.
thanks for the feedback! cladking, can you expand on your last comment? what sort of specialties did you develop?
Transportation tokens, amusement tokens, telephone tokens, Medals of famous people, advertising tokens and medals, British Pennies, CN modern European and African coinage, US clad quarters and many others.
That is the best type of collection and the one with the best purpose. Just because someone else doesn't understand the logic behind the collection doesn't mean it doesn't have one. I am a huge supporter of "collect what appeals to you". Don't follow trends or markets. While I believe every collection must have a purpose, that purpose can simply be because "you" like the coins. The collection should appeal to you first and foremost.
Well rick, I've been collecting coins since 1960. And since day one I have done it just the way you described that you do it. Now for the first 42 yrs or so it was 99% US. Today - it is 100% world coinage. But never once have I bought a coin just to fill a hole in an album. As a matter of fact - I haven't used an album since I was about 10. I don't really collect sets and have no desire to do so - with one exception. I hope someday to complete a date set of Netherlands ducats. And that's primarily because to the best of my knowledge it has never been done. Besides - it's one of my favorite designs I am also very fond of French Royal coinage - in particular the gold. I also collect a nice ECU (silver) if I find one that appeals to me. But I have no intention of trying to complete a set - now or ever. And if I find a gold coin from just about any nation that appeals to me - I buy it. I may own only one from that country and may never buy another. Then again I might - if it strikes my fancy to do so So if that makes me an amateur then I am one. I reckon I'm in good company
I'm right there with yer GD, i collect purely for my own pleasure, i am not in it for a profit, if i was i'd be upset now. I often pay more than book price for my coins. Unlike GD's my collection does have two prime focuses a type set and a date run set, but on top of those i do buy quite a few things i just like the look of. So if i'm an amateur then i'm glad to be counted with the rest of you!
thanks everyone! I appreciate the comments from everybody - especially since it seems like I'm doing things just fine.
