Are you collecting or accumulating?

I wholly agree with this. I am new to collecting. When I first started a few years back I had no idea what I was doing. I was buying gold and silver bullion coins. I then read every blog, paper, commentary I could find on collecting. I learned how to grade more or less. I then focused on collecting in a few areas particularly Lincoln wheats, Ikes, and Morgans. Lately, I've been focusing on building a decent set of Liberty nickels. Focusing on one type of coin is difficult because I love the hobby and there is so much cool stuff out there. I definitely enjoy learning about the hobby.

 

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I still really can't focus on one type or theme. I like being able to see, not only U.S., but foreign coins as well. Seeing how a coin has evolved over a countries history or stopped all together. To many really cool designs for me to pick one. Also, than there is toning or condition of the coin as well. Whether it being a mint state, one that has circulated a bit, or one that has been slightly alter (I actually have a 2 cent piece that has two horse bust imprints on it).

 

not doing much of either

 

both

 

Collecting...or so I like to tell myself.

 

Lately I've been accumulating with a plan of building inventory to begin dealing there's so many nice early coins I like its hard to focus. This way I can keep buying coins that don't fit in with a collection yet are beautiful and appealing as I've gone off on too many different tangents and can't afford to collect all. My collecting I'm going to just focus on my type set early dollars and trade dollars and I'll probably keep a few of my favorite toned Morgans too otherwise I just have too much repetition. I have over 20 capped bust halves for example and don't plan on collecting the series yet I like them selling gives me an out and owning other businesses I don't need to make a living at once if I only make a smaller profit I'll be content

 

This is a great post. I think my partner and I started out accumulating rather than collecting. We just bought any lots we could get our hands on. And in the process acquired a lot of the low grade or common coins everyone has and no one wants to pay much for. It's hard not to get some undesirable coins in bulk purchases...

Now we try to be more selective with our purchases or at least factor in the cost of acquiring low grade and common date coins. Unfortunately we are still accumulating more of these coins than we are selling.

~CWS

 

It has always been both. There is my serious collecting of proof and uncirculated sets and coins, but I always love pulling items out of circulation, too! I also happen to be one of those rare people who will bend over to pick-up a dropped penny. Someone has to rescue them.

 

Don't you know? It's bad luck not to.

 

I realize this is an old thread, but since I went to the Raleigh Coin Club show today, I'm in a coin buying kind of mood and feel compelled to add my two cents (pun intended).

I'm a collector, not an accumulator. Every coin I buy is to fill a spot in some kind of collection theme, whether broadly (silver world coins) or more narrowly defined (pre-decimal British pennies).

 

Both, it's almost impossible not to be when you collect ancients.

 

Jeez. A tad harsh, I do say.

I appreciate your experience in the business-end of coins and I think we all benefit from your insights. That said, most people should approach coins as an enjoyable and educational pastime and not a money-making venture. As you know, most people don't make money collecting coins.

Yes, I'm "guilty" of accumulating coins (and not collecting them). I use them as a tool to further my insight into those periods of history that interest me. Foolish? Possibly. Am I left "feeling unfulfilled"? Hardly. I'm willing to say I have gained (with the help of numismatic research) a deeper appreciation and insight into the periods of my historical interest than I would have gained without numismatic research and study.

I am an "accumulator," but a selective one. I'll leave perfecting the coin registries to others, however.


guy

 

Another aspect to consider is some of us are "intelligent accumulators". In ancient coins, hoards hit the market, get dispersed, and then the coin is rare again. I have seen it for years over and over again. So, I bought 14 Cleopatra VII coins when a hoard hit. Today, they go for about 10 times more than what I paid. I don't care since I will not sell, but I saw a patern and acted on it. I enjoy being smart enough to recognize the opportunity, and this hobby is about enjoyment, right? Everyone just enjoys different things, and to me that is great. We all do our own thing having fun. There are those here who collect only one copy of extremely high quality, and I consider them a friend, as well as others who only buy junk silver. Both are extremes, and I love it they both found what they enjoy.

 

That sounds like fun!

 

I think as long as you're buying quality coins what's it matter if they are unrelated to each other. I think buying nice coins is a focus in itself. Why can't we be accumulators/collectors?

 

Guess I don't understand, if you're collecting you're accumulating that's the way I see it. Am I missing something here?

 

I agree with about half of the OP. It's all opinions.
What you accumulate is what's important.