Consider yourself very lucky. To be forty and have such valuable coins is a blessing. I have avoided the burnout by collecting many, many different things. For example. Purchase a meteorite at a gem show, buy one or two books and you are on the way to a meteorite type set and a better understanding/appreciation of the things. Only down side to this is if I would have concentrated on coins for these fifty years, I would be ignorant on a bunch of different collectibles BUT I should have a coin collection as nice as yours! You can also write for numismatic trade publications. There is enough nonsense on the forums to give you topics for the next forty years! Perhaps you could find something your girlfriend likes and collect something the whole family (including the little one) likes. I'll suggest gold coins with cats in the design.
If you put any coins in your girls hands, just make sure that she understands that a 20 cent quarter is not strictly worth 20 cents. and a ONE DOLLAR gold piece is not worth just $1.
I have several ares of collectables. It's not uncommon to leave one and concentrate on the other. I haven't purchased anything in currency for awhile, one exception is paper currency. Right now I would concentrate on the right girl if you have sincere intentions. Both are life time commitments or desires, but she is the greatest of them all. I now have 51 years of marriage with my girl and wish you the best, however it turns out.
Sell all your coins, and start a box of 20 or 25 coins with a mix of world / ancient / US coins , gold silver and bronze with patina / colour will make a perfect showcase even for non collectors once you have 20 or 25 coins in your box, you have to sell one before you buy a new one. keeps collecting affordable not my idear , but member LordMarcovan (Rob) on the PCGS forum I did it with banknotes , works fine for me.
Take a break from things Kirk. Chill out, settle into the new digs and enjoy the new relationship. We'll still be here when ya get back..........hope it's before Christmas.
My collection goes back to my great great grandfather who started the family collection somewhere in the 1870s. I'm pretty sure that I would be disowned by my family if I liquidated them all. The last time that any quantity was sold, it was to give some pocket cash and hotel rooms to family members when our houses went underwater during Katrina. I have possession of the collection, but it really belongs to a bunch of my cousins and such should they ever need anything.
I'm not going anywhere and I will certainly host the secret Santa again if you guys want it to happen again.
It ebbs and flows. Just put your collection and books away until the fire burns again. DON'T SELL! You'll regret it later!
