Childhood collecting vs your collection now - have you evolved?

I remember collecting coins as a kid. Mostly it consisted of filling holes in Whitman folders of Lincoln Cents and other clad coins. (I wouldn’t collect Nickels until my adulthood)

When I returned to collecting as an adult, I started collecting type coins, as completing a set no longer appealed to me.

I find that I am still largely a type collector which allows me to sample a piece here and there from any series that I like. It also allows me the latitude to include the occasional gold coin, or other more obscure coin like a civil war token.

My collection, knowledge and interests is far more diverse because of this.

For me, this has been a perfect fit, but I know that we as collectors vary like the colors of a rainbow, each of us pursuing a different goal in our own way.

How has your journey been different? Have you evolved to collect different coins? Have you completed the sets you tried to assemble as a young collector? Have you gone in a completely different direction?

Has your direction changed due to interests primarily, or disposable income?

What’s your story?

 

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I didn't collect as a kid, just started in the beginning of 2016. My collection is still pretty modest as it consists of a few coins here and there. I did get into collecting Ikes and I have 3 coins left to go including the 72 type 2. My goals for this year are to collect what I like and after reading books on Morgans I am after the 1879S-1882S series. I have no interest in collecting all Morgans as i couldn't afford it. I like that mint mark with those dates. Besides those coins I would like to get some Barber Halves. Probably will read some books on them before. I'm a guy that likes common date Morgans and Ikes, so that tells you I am not spending a lot per coin.

 

Same here.

Also same.

3/3

The main difference is that back then I was much more partial to "details" coins because they were what I could afford. Now that I have a larger budget, fewer of my coins are damaged.

 

Ya can't go wrong there.

 

I got into collecting like most, with the Whitman cent boards. I mainly focused on u.s. coins. As a kid, I could only afford common stuff and problem coins.

When I got back into collecting in 2008 I focused on a U.S. type set but got bored within 2 years.

Bought my first ancient coin here on cointalk and I was hooked. I have now focused on ancients.

I also collect medievals and various moderns, especially France and Britain.

I don't pay much attention to U.S. anymore other than viewing other peoples purchases on here.

I do enjoy Seated, Busts, & Half/Large Cents. I still own mine.

 

Nope. Haven't changed. I'm still all over the board, picking up whatever comes my way that is "cheap", lol. Of course, now it is more than just what I find in pocket change.

 

Well may collection is the same and I have the same interest. Because I am the same age "Ba-Dum-Crash"


Thanks,
Jacob

 

1. I no longer pick out state quarters out of change.

2. I no longer buy those colourized coins that looks pretty.

3. I no longer beg my mom to over pay for coins from Littleton.

 

In the beginning I was all over the place. Now I am much more focused on which coins I want in my collection. yes coin Goals from a want list. with the occasional misc. gold coin if money allows it. quality over quantity. I very much prefer 18th and 19th century world coins over 20th century coins. collecting for 19 years now.

 

Gold is good. Pre-33 or modern?

 

world gold. pre-33 mostly.

 

You need to report this to Dave Harper at NN. He never got the memo.

 

I started out with a family small crock of dif coins, every once in a while mom or dad would take it out and we would look at them . 1960's since then if I see something that appeals to me I will save it no money spent on numeristics here. I have collected anything silver that comes my way since the early 90's I guess.

 

I started in '63 with Whitman blues and proof sets. About in 1990 or so, I ditched all the blues for Dansco albums, putting only the nicest stuff in there and dumping everything else into 2x2's. There are a couple of series where I have everything in Eagle brand 2x2's instead, because they are closed series - Walkers, Franklins, Ikes, Susies. I am now into serious nickel and commemorative collecting. Those, and nice pre-war proofs of anything.

 

I still remember that square tequila bottle with the glass "cork" type lid on it that housed my circulated nickel collection when I was a kid. A shame it grew legs as someone needed it obviously worse than I did. But I liked that bottle of nickels the same way i do a MS67 Washington Quarter in retrospect.

The 1932-1964 Washington series appeals to me so well because owning a MS full set is a realistic goal over the long term. I'm probably a perfectionist. I have got to the point where very few circulated pieces are allowed into the collection anymore, but I can't help it for some reason. I don't do well at all filling holes because I have to match grades and lose interest. I also like Seated Liberty Halves and War Nickels.

 

I started with Lincoln Cents in a Whitman folder as a kid and my tastes over the years have taken me through several series, sets, and whatever shiny thing catches my eye. Lately I have spent time working to finish my 7070 and working on proof sets and older commemorative coins.

 

I enjoy making sets about a theme. For example, how WW2 changed coins. I started with a set 1943 ms67 set P, D, S pennies, plus a 1943 blank and a planchet (still need), a nice planchet webbing strip with 15 holes, an MS65 1943 D/D, and hopefully one that is off center.

Then a set of full step set of war nickels plus the 3 big errors (the 43/2 nickel, doubled eye 1943, and the doubled die 1945.) Plus to keep with the silver Jefferson theme, I have a proof and uncirculated 1993 Jefferson silver commemorative dollar. And to Also keep with the war nickel theme, I Also have a nice two-coin set of 1944 Henning counterfiets.

Then a set of popular 20th century errors (3 legged Buffalo, 1943/2 mercury dimes, 1955, 1972 and 1983 Lincoln double die, 1922 No D cent, 1934 double die quarter, 1955 Bugs Bunny Franklin, and kennedy accent hair)

Then a set of every single 90% silver, 40% silver, or gold Kenndy half ever and set minted including anything with Bobby Kennedy minted that's silver.

Then a set of every silver coin Eisenhower is on (2 commemoratives, 71-74 proofs and uncirculated and the 76 proof/uncirculated.)

I have an MS complete set of Franklins. Complete MS set of silver dimes. Mostly MS set of Washington Quarters.

Next, I would like to do a Native American theme. I have the uncirculated amd proof Buffalo, am Ms69 Gold Buffalo, then I would like an MS65 Buffalo Nickel, MS65 Red Indian Head Penny, a 2.5 gold indian, and any 20th Century commemorative with an Indian on the obverse, a proof sacajawea. And anything else I missed.

 

I started in 1957 with buffalo nickels. I discovered girls and sold my collection in '68.

When I came back after getting a real job I just dabbled a bit until I heard the FED and mint were going to start rotating their stocks in 1972. From this point on I collected clad but also cycled through most US series including Morgan dollars which I sold in '79.

Since 1976 I've also collected world coins (mostly moderns) as well as tokens and medals.

 

Nearly 50 years passed between my two coin collecting stages. As a kid, my father and I had Whitman folders for cents, nickels, dimes, quarters and halves. Many, many spaces were filled through roll hunting and examining pocket change. Good stuff!

These days it’s Morgan and Peace dollars, old proofs, and old gold for the most part. Still good stuff!

 

I never did collect coins as a child. Instead I collected stamps and was particularly interested in those of Nepal. After 50 years I don't remember why I chose Nepal, but I still have them all. I came to coin collecting a little over 10 years ago as an evolution from buying silver bullion first and silver and gold coins later. Now I buy more coins for their numismatic interest (not necessarily their value) than for their bullion value.