Dreaded Calculation

I love ancient coin collecting and I love ancient coins, but when I look at my number I can't help but to feel foolish, my mother would turn in her grave if she knew what I had spent on bits of metal.

 

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I keep a database of purchased coins but have not, and do not plan to, tally the money spent. Ignorance is bliss .

 

Some years ago I have spent ten times what I spent this year for coins, thanks to my kids at the university, but the joy of giving them back what I've got 30 years from my own parents is even bigger.

I keep records of what the coins cost me (I don't count fees and shipping though, admitedly this evaporates in the limbs...), and, as I've also sold some this year, in the end I find myself very reasonnable

Q

 

I personally avoid thinking too specifically about arbitrary windows of time. The seasonal nature of auctions makes spending occur in buckets rather than smoothly spread over the year. Perhaps a twelve month rolling window from Triton to Triton would be more indicative of spend with it being the start of the year from an auction perspective (and it is January-January anyway )

I haven't added up my spend for the year but my back-of-the-envelope guess is that it was about normal for me. I'm thinking the next calendar year will be around the same as well, but it is purely dependent upon what comes up. I went months without buying anything this year and then suddenly wound up with a dozen new coins in as many days. Who knows what next year will bring!

 

They look like excellent purchases for an excellent price. I am terribly undereducated about ancients but I have been trying to boost my background knowledge. I am current reading an old Ancient European Civilization text book that was written over a hundred years ago, just to learn the geography and timeline of things better. I am also not very close to the market, rarely having sold an ancient to another dealers. That leavers me at a disadvantage as far as knowing what is a good value and what is not.

 

The year's not done; I'm still spending!

 

yeah, i said i was done....but i don't believe myself.

 

As for records, I always include the cost of shipping or fees. If I spent $4 on shipping for two coins, each one get's bumped up two dollars. If it's twelve coins...well each one get's a little.

I don't think I'm done buying for the year either.

 

Some people spend as much as you did for your coin on a haircut, or a massage. The difference being that once its done, the joy and pleasures you got from the haircut or the massage quickly fade, but the enjoyment you get from your coin remains and you can continue to enjoy it for the rest of your life if you wished it so. Not to mention your coin will retain some value, unlike the former.

 

Think you're preaching to the choir here Sallent

I've come to terms long ago that small chunks of material can bring me unusual amounts of pleasure. You should see my "military money" collection: I have tokens made from aluminum, brass, nickel, and plastic; POGs from styrene; chits from paper and cardboard; and notes on paper...If I could find my old Eagle Card then it would also include that.

 

Totally right. I know a guy, a retired jaiali player who made his fortune not in the game but on Beenie Babies when they were hot. We occasionally talk about ancient coins and he always tells me, there is a fortune to be had in anything, but at least with the coins the money is in theory still there. He always says, "at least its not a fad, people have loved ancient coins in centuries past and will love them in centuries to come." What he doesn't realize is that I collect coins that 10 years ago you could not give away, maybe that is changing.

 

I agree, Sallent!

I'll be enjoying my coins for a long time.

I spent about $1300 on coins this year. This is probably a one off thing though because I bought the shekel, which was $875.

I'm really happy with all that I bought.

Next year will be a lot different, though. But, that's ok.

Erin

 

2K only Bing....I am suprised...I spent 10 times more..)

 

Wow. I can't even imagine.

 

This is mostly an educated guess based on my monthly budget + extra cash I spent after getting my tax return, but I spent about $3500 out of pocket give or take a hundred or two this year on coins and building my library. For the most part I'm done buying for the year, though I may buy one or two more books. I'm not personally worried much about it though. I've very much enjoyed the amount I've learned as well as the people I've met over the past year and I haven't been neglecting putting money into savings or my retirement to buy coins. I'd say next year will be about the same amount, maybe 20% more, but who knows.

 

Even on books I spent a lot, see a bunch...what is everybody fav. coin book?

 

@Bing your Solidus and Troas are fantastic... I am going to copy your captures... And, I have always looked to your purchases for quality and inspiration...all at a GREAT purchase value and great representatives of History! Thanks for your stream of comments and postings...I have been watching and learning.

I owe database project work to @Pishpash , and regret that I have made no progress of yet due to many life events occuring this year.

HOWEVER, my search and destroy missions for coins have not abated, rather they have gotten more educated and, wellllll..... A little more esoteric in investment. Some friends here have guided me into some great captures! Unfortunately, I can only guess what my totals are. However, I know that when I finally database everything, I will be at the "Holy Sh$$" level of purchases. Probably not at the @AncientJoe levels due to the awesome quality he captures... However, I have purchased MANY in the past couple years, and my average spend has really increased as I gain knowledge and the need to satisfy my insatiable desire to hold some history... I share @Ancientnoob 's sentiments... LOL, And some of it is his fault too... (Thank you AN )

Lastly, even with the stratosphere purchasing, I love each and every one of them as they are awesome placemarkers in history that I can touch and share. I like the partially worn and gently used coins as they have been touched and used by Ancients for their intended use: trade and transactions. I cannot put a price on that.

 

Congrats Bing, for keeping costs down while still accumulating so many impressive coins.

I probably purchased as many as you state but spent a bit more.....and next year I'll probably buy less yet still spend a bit more...

Ah well, the cemetery is full of rich people... Hmmm, Guess I wont be one of them LOL

 

Well, I may not be able to take my money with me, but as I get older, or if I die before my wife, I would like to maintain the lifestyle to which we're accustomed. Her income will be cut nearly in half if I predecease her, so maintaining a good bank account is essential. I enjoy collecting my coins and I set a limit each month. This year I surpassed my limit and I probably will again next year. Just not by much.

 

I congratulate Cyrrhus on spending money on books. Books lead to knowledge (if you read them) and knowledge makes coins more interesting.