So there was a thread in the coin chat forum last year about goals for 2016, but since I spend most of my time with the Ancient folk, I thought I'd move things here. Here is what I said were my goals for 2016: As for how I did this year: Medieval - got 2 11th-12th century English hammered (Stephen and John), before vearing off into a French Feudal tangent (and my English Henry VII). Some of the French coins are Anglo-Gallic, so they could count... British Decimal - got one expensive set, and one not-so expensive set. This year was mostly keeping up with the Royal Mint who issued an insane number of pieces. Hopefully they calm down next year, but if this trend continues I may need to give up on my goal of collecting each Decimal British coin... US - gave up on the idea of Cataloguing since its all just date and mintmark. No new US coins (except the annual sets), but have begun changing how I store my collection Ancients - found a goal! only got a couple of ancients this year, but tried to keep things cheap. As for my 2017 goals: Medieval - finish my French Feudal 'set' I've had in mind (about 2-3 coins remaining), then buy either a facing bust Edward the Confessor, Tealby Henry II, or an Irish King John (preferably 2 of the 3). British Decimal - keep up with the royal mint and complete my new storage plan. Maybe grab an annual set I missed US - Purchase the annual sets, and complete my new storage plan for the Pennies and Nickels Ancients - purchase at least one sharp portrait Coin of Caracalla in a year I don't have. An interesting reverse is also desirable Anyone else have collecting goals for next year?
My goals are always rather vague--because I never know what will be in an upcoming auction, but here are some: I have an uncleaned lot of LRBC--almost all Gloria Exercitus reverse types--from various Constantine descendants and various mints that I've been working on. I'd like to get them all cleaned and attributed and sell the duplicates. I'd like an Otacilia Severa denarius with a hippopotamus reverse at a decent price. I'd like more imperial bronze coins of the Severan dynasty, particularly the later women: Soaemias, Maesa, Plautilla, Julia Paula, Aquileia Severa, Mamaea, and Orbiana. I'd like to get more provincials with reverse types portraying more obscure characters from mythology. I'd like to find a copy of Lindgren I for less than $200. Much less, if possible.
Don't have a lot of goals, would LOVE to have a Otacilia Severa Antioch Tet. for way under $100. I also wouldn't mind replacing my Otho denarius for a better example, but I doubt it for the price I paid for my current one. Continue buying Ancient, Medieval, & World moderns that appeal to me.
My Goals for 2017: 1) Enjoy my Family now that I am only 30 mins to an hour from virtually all of them for the first time in my lifetime. 2) Successfully set up and execute my new business. 3) Historical Ancients continued focus: a) Roman Republic b) Those entities that interacted with the Roman Republic c) Diadochi / Alexandrine d) Historical Scarabs - Royal e) Significant historical coins from critical junctures in Human History f) Fun items
Your Caracalla goal seems doable. Your French Feudal obsession seems admirable enough. I have never owned an Owl either, though I could've long ago had a lesser- to marginally-acceptable specimen by now. However, my taste in Athenian Owl tetradrachms far outpaces my budget. When I do get my first Owl, I want it to be a nice one. And so far all the ones I've really liked, I couldn't afford. There have been a few times my taste/budget continuum has nearly intersected on an Owl, but not quite. One time I almost bought a nice AU-ish New Style Owl tet (yes, I like those, too), but ended up buying this, instead. I have not regretted that decision in the least. For 2017, I have some vague goals. I'd like to add a Spanish colonial era piece to my Box of 20. Either a piece of toned gold (a 1/2-, 1- or 2-escudo), or a Pillar dollar with some attractive, contrasting grey toning. In the US stuff, I want a VF-XF Draped Bust half dollar with similarly attractive, contrasting grey toning. I want a Persian gold toman or half-toman from the 19th century for reasons I'll explain later. I just found one. It might very well end up being my last purchase of 2016. My Box of 20 needs at least one or two non-Western coins in it. Admittedly my tastes are a bit Eurocentric/American. To be truly "eclectic", I need to branch out some. As to the rest of my numismatic goals... well... I'll know 'em when I see 'em.
I've learned not to set goals, because at the end of the day I can't predict what coins will cross my path and strike my fancy. One too many times I've said something like "I'm only buying Ancient Asian silver coins for the next two months", only to have a strikingly beautiful RR denarius present itself at a price I'd be stupid to pass up, and the same can be said of any other goal I've set...something else shows up that I just can't pass up.
What's your plan for French feudal? I enjoy many of these coins but find collecting them quite ambitious due to the extensive scope of feudal coinage. So many types and covers quite a large period of time.
For the most part my goal is just a general one of expanding the size of my collection and library but staying within the scope of the Roman Republic and related provincials and imitative types. I do have a couple of specific goals though: I'd like to add at least 3 more victoriati to my collection with at least one being a fully-anonymous type, one being a type with a symbol(i.e. torque, staff, etc.) and one being a "letters" type(VB, CROT, etc.). I purchased 6 victoriati with at least one in each of these categories in 2016 so I feel this is possible. I want to check off more of Andrew McCabe's 10 most important RR auction catalogs. Within the last month I checked off Lanz 88 "Leo Benz", NFA XXVII(R. Russo coll, but not noted in the catalog) and Leu 17 "Nicolas" coll but I still need NAC 7-9, Cahn-Hess 1933 "Haeberlin" and Ratto 1930 "Martini". I doubt I'll complete the list as some of them are harder to find and expensive, but I'm going to try.
Goal: always be aware, and don't miss an opportunity to obtain something that catches your eye. Have you every been to a coin show, saw a great numsmatic ietem, and didn't buy it, and then kicked yourself in the nether regions? If you have that feeling, run, don't walk and get it. At the first ANA convention I went to I saw a local bankers note from Hong Kong that was issued in 1910. I was fascinated by the hand painted issuers signature. I didn't buy it. It drove me crazy as we left the show for the freeway south. The person I was with said "dumb ass, turn around and go get it." I did, and it was still there. Listen to the little voice, opportunity isn't like the postman, it doesn't ring twice. Cheers everyone.
2017 Goals: - stay warm & safe - treat my wife like a queen - keep happily surprising myself with my unpredictable coin-direction - eat, drink and be merry
I'm being vague as I would like to see people's reaction when I finally post it. Like most of my medieval collection, it has to do with the history rather than the beauty of the coins.
1) Falling Horseman (surprise) Particularly larger FH. A few I'd like to upgrade. I also would like more from Arles and a nice on From Antioch. 2) Fill some spots with emperors I don't have. Maybe go for complete set of 12 Caesars. 9/12 now. Try and find a decent budget denarius of Nerva and Maximinus. 3) Most of the favorite coins I had not planned on buying, so more like those hopefully.
No goal here apart from having fun with my family, at work and leisure. Coin collecting being one of the latter I wish to myself good time here at CT with my coinfriends and some unexpected finds. I feel having goals a bit dangerous (well not dangerous but you know what I mean) as while focusing on something you might either overpay or miss some opportunity popping up around. I try to stay open minded (not easy). Q
1) Bronze Prutah of John Hyrcanus that is as centered and well struck as I can find 2) Early Republic Roman unattributed denarius. 3) Silver Tetradrachm of Ptolemy I Soter. 4) 1804-1814 Napoleon Bonaparte 20 Franc
...and also like many others have said spend time with friends and family. I also plan to get married in 2017 so it should be an interesting and rewarding year all around!
