What kind of collector are you?

No problem. Civil War Store Cards by George and Melvin Fuld available here: https://cwtsociety.com/. Whitman publishing also publishes books on Hard Times and Civil War Tokens. Lastly, there is: Hard Times Tokens 1832-1844 Third Edition Russell Rulau. I actually am awaiting the last title. No doubt other CT folks can add to my suggestions.

 

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I take this to mean that you still have the coins you got as a beginning collector. Also, I like the statement, If my dog doesn't like you, I probably won't either. People who have never had a pet are not the kind of people I think I would like.

 

Yeah, Mike I am a certified, card carrying coin hoarder. No kidding…. I got three safes in the house, a lock box at work and a safe deposit box. Wife told me “one more safe and I am out”….. Funny thing is I don’t mind giving coins away at all. Especially if it is to a young person burning with coin fever. But selling coins just don’t come natural to me. And yes I do have boxes and boxes of worn old coins I collected as a kid. It may be a sickness, I don’t know…

 

I did have to sell most of my coin collection back in 2002 due to losing my job, long story (office politics). Year and a half later when I was back on my feet I started collecting again went back to the basics pulling US coins out of circulation.

 

Collect and hoard. I haven't sold any even from collecting as a kid.

 

My man, UnsensibleSal! We must be related! I have no desire to sell my coin hoard nor my Morgan graded treasures. I do not buy junk gold nor silver nor sell but seriously need to trade to add to my US Morgan dollar collection. I have thought about meeting with my LCS to do some trading though. Sadly they are located about an hour across town in traffic. Need to set up appointments so as to not waste time.

 

I have to admit, I've been blessed to get coins from relatives, friends, contest prizes and Members here . I have just a small amount that I've purchased.
I also admit to never being in a coin shop or to a coin show.
Maybe this year perhaps. We'll see.

 

When I first started collecting it was Morgan’s and Liberty nickels. After completing those sets I dabbled in currency a bit and classic commems. I’m working on a grading set of 81-S Morgan’s now.

I’ve sold some coins along the way, which made me have a better understanding of what is easy to sell and what is harder to sell.

 

This is my 1st graded Morgan....

 

I started almost 60 years ago when one of my uncles moved into our house. He was ill with no place to stay. We became good friends and he put me to work sorting a bag of wheat cents. We had a blast and I was hooked for life.

Not long after that my dad started taking me to work with him. I was too young to be left at home alone. He ran a large department store called S. H. Kress & Co. Dad would park me in the cash office and the ladies there would watch after me. My job was to count and roll all the cents. They would not allow me to use the counting machines.

My pay was a dollar per day in wheat cents and thought I was rich. I built almost two complete sets in folders and still own them today.

When I was about 13, I would ride my bike to the local coin shop and search the junk silver. About 2X face was the going price at the time. I was making good money mowing yards, paperboy and being given pop bottles to haul off. They brought 3 cents each. Fun times.

Fast forward 50 something years. I let my collection get out of control. I'm paying for that now in the time it takes to break down and sell the collection. I'm using that money to put into just a few really cool coins.

 

I mainly accumulate but have sold a handful over the years. Have a few things passed down from my grandparents. Many have fond memories behind them and won't be sold.

 

That is an awesome story. Thanks for sharing!

 

In the past when I collected premium coin up to Gem, I kept all of my collected PM coins slowly determining the appetite of collectors by listing quality coinage regularly at bargain prices to establish market/buyer interest, generate cash!

I eventually liquidated all stock/bonds/contracts.

I still locate a coin "sweet spot", and buy what's available, with abundant cash, selling some coins that currently aren't properly appreciated (e.g.: XF-BU full fasces mint-marked Mercury dimes).

I've duplicated our despised leaders' tactics in advance of his latest efforts, in locations/actions not understood by the "masses".

It's worked beautifully, and I have buyers that watch for my posts, knowing
that my offerings are supreme!

The normal seller today has out-priced the buyers' interest, so certified coin
"deals" are virtually unavailable in todays' bait/switch market, verified by advanced research where there was only 1 certified VF+ coin was sold in recent
reports!

I'm waiting for a market adjustment before again offering major discounts!

JMHO