The Pursuit or the Accomplishment?

A poll question for collectors.

 

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It's not in the having, it's in the getting.

 

What is better - owning or pursuing a coin?

I voted owning. The hunt isn't that much fun for me because I chase things that were not made in the millions (I'm not talking about ancients but military trade tokens). I cannot pick and choose tokens in the highest grade possible.

 

I think you can make a case either way for both common and uncommon items. I think it really just comes down to the person. Some like the search more while others prefer possessing more.

Although the search can be fun at times, I too prefer finding and owning (as a result I voted "owning"). It's the climactic part of the whole collecting thing (for me). Admittedly however, the joy of owning sometimes wears off.

 

I probably shouldn't have included a third option of "both equally". Seems like an easy out when a little uncertain and not forced to decide.

 

Have to say "owning" also. The hunt consumes time & money. Some coins can take up a lot of both.
While you can brag or tell stories of the hunt or how much money you spent or didnt spend on any given coin. Owning it you can admire your accomplishment at your choosing, as well as showing off your accomplishments.

 

If I didn't love to own coins, I wouldn't do it. But I also love the hunt, the bidding, the negotiating. The hunts have given me the privilege of doing business with some fine dealers and experts.

 

For me it's both. I enjoy the pursuit, and I revel in the accomplishment..........

 

Absolutely, and sharing!

I will be making a presentation of my Peace Dollar registry set in the fall coin show here in town. The pictures aren't finished - but the set is. My obsession over the last few years with Peace Dollars now sits on page 1 of NGC's registry sets.

http://coins.www.collectors-society...etListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=174970&Ranking=ngc

 

I have a friend who says, "A collection is like a shark; it must move forward or die." I have another friend who collected in a particular area for a long time, got most of what he wanted and could get, wrote a book on it, and sold out. They apparently agree, owning is not enough. If the collection cannot move forward, it is time to sell out.

 

Reaping the rewards of the work!

 

Obviously 'A' type personalities.......and then there is someone dull (clueless and happy), like me.

 

I'd say both with an exception, I love metal detecting, its the hunt, digging for the unknown. To pull a nice condition silver dime deep from the ground; well you cant beat it

 

There is nothing like the feeling of finding a gem in the rough when nobody else could - Condition Census VAMs in a Heritage auction, a Prooflike 1921 from Ebay in a lot of 3 for $40 when they were $15 each, a Gem Lincoln from images that made it look circulated. Few coins give me nearly as much enjoyment with ownership as they did in the process of finding them.

 

It's all about the thrill of the hunt!!

 

I love the hunt, and the joy of adding to the collection.

 

So, did you start buying books?