My collection was growing again- and outgrowing my safe deposit box- so this weekend I made the decision to purge about 1/3 of it and go back to a fixed-size collection, under “Box of 20” rules. (One has to go out if I want to bring a new coin in). Except it’s a “Box of 100” in this case. By keeping the collection to a fixed total of 100 coins, it’ll be more manageable and easier to organize. But also more challenging to cope with the decisions of what I have to drop each time I want to add one. That takes some detachment and discipline, and ain’t always easy. Still, it’s a healthy way to focus on quality over quantity. I now call my collection “The Eclectic Hundred”. https://www.colleconline.com/en/collection-items/20286/coins-the-eclectic-hundred
I was inspired by your initial box of 20 years ago to do my own. It is difficult to stick to that number and I'm also closer to an eclectic hundred than 20. I could do some downsizing too but then I went out and picked off one of your beautiful pieces this weekend. So what was I saying about downsizing?
Amazing collection LordM and a great looking hat as well! I always wondered about your hat and now I realize, some of your holey coins are attached, great idea!
If I tried to limit my collection to 20 coins per box, it would take up a LOT more space. Now, maybe if I adopt the rule "no more than 20 boxes"... would refrigerator boxes count?
There is no way I could do this but it is impressive for sure. If coin collecting were manufacturing this would be brilliant.
I have been thinking of taking this approach with my non-U.S. coin collection. It is currently at about 100 coins, but I only really like (find interesting) about 20 of them. I've stopped adding modern U.S. coins to my albums (i.e. I've stopped buying holes for them to go into), so now I am concentrating on older U.S. Type coins and U.S. gold. This also leaves me with time to branch out and perhaps acquire some interesting non-U.S. coins. Hmmm, where's my small 20-coin-sized box at?
Well, I did it. I've whittled my non-U.S. coin collection down to 42 coins - the meaning of life. I haven't taken any pictures yet but here's a list. Austria 1 Schilling 1966 Australia 1 Cent 1967 Bahamas 1 Cent 1984 British 3 Pence 1943 1 Shilling 1954 Scottish Crest 1962 English Crest 2 Shilling 1966 Chile 2 Centesimos 1968 5 Centesimos 1965 10 Centesimos 1966 Croatia 2 Kune 2007 Czech Republic 10 Korun 1993 Denmark 5 Kroner 1990 Ecuador 50 Centavos 2000 Finland 1 Penni (Cu) 1969 Germany 1 Deutsche Mark 1990 Hong Kong 10 Cents 1961 Hungary 50 Forint 2001 Ireland 1 Pingin 1968 Ireland (decimalized) 2 Pence 1975 (Bronze) 5 Pence 1970 (Large Type) 1992 (Small Type) Ireland (Euro) 5 Cent Euro 2020 10 Cent Euro 2020 20 Cent Euro 2008 Japan 5 Yen 1991 (Heisei 3) Mexico 1 Centavo 1933 5 Centavos 1965 10 Centavos 1936 20 Centavos 1943 1 Peso 1961 Mexico (New Peso) 10 Pesos 1997 Norway 1 Krone 1957 Panama 1 Decimo 2008 Philippines 1 Centavos 1944 (U.S. Administration) 10 Centavos 1958 Russia 100 Ruble 1993 Somalia 5 Shillings 2000 South Africa 1 Rand 1994 Switzerland 2 Rappen 1954 Tanzania 5 Senti 1966 Thailand 1 Baht 1962 (2505) Well formatting didn't translate. I'll try to improve it. There...good enough for me.
I broke the "100" rule with my first purchase this year (I purchased 111 coins from large lots). Back in 2012 I sold about 2/3 of my collection (approx. 250 coins). I finally have the resources (time + money + desire) to rebuild my collection. I've more than meet my goals for this year and have replaced all of them, plus some.
I always say I'm going to focus on a certain thing but then I get distracted, oh look something shiny
Well, that didn't last long. It's now a "Box of 43". I guess I'll make it a Box of 50 before I start enforcing the laws against overpopulation. I found a 1958 Canadian Commemorative Silver Dollar that I forgot I had. It's also known as the Death Dollar, among other monikers. Tis a story for another thread. Pics from the web, not my coin.
