I’m done pursuing US coins

Back at you son!

 

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I think he's saying that he will take advantage of Capitalism in regards to the U.S. coin market, even though he got disheartened by the way it affected him personally, as U.S. coin collector.

 

Being ironic should hurt.

 

Yes, being a coin dealer is extremely discouraging to me because I have to think of coins as a commodity. But it is a means to an end.

 

It sounds like what you’re saying is it is more lucrative to treat Us coins as a commodity than to collect them. I respect you and am glad you choose to continue collecting. I also share your frustrations about most coins being treated as commodities vs historical artifacts. Having said that, this whole thread is rather ironic and doesn’t seem to be anything but an excuse for turning into a coin dealer. You don’t need to justify yourself, but if you want to, I don’t think this post did you any service. Just my two cents. I’m okay with agreeing to disagree.

 

Draw a (time) line.

Collect only up to 1900 or 1940 or 1960 or whatever pleases you. For one of my collections, it is February 11, 1861 at 8am Central time.

You don't OWE the mint one red (brown) cent to buy their modern garbage, nor NGC or PCGS to buy the garbage labels.

 

The progression I followed was filling all of the folders from change until only the expensive coins remained. I used a portion of my 401k savings to complete all of my sets. I still like and seek varieties from change but having more than one of each does nothing for me. Now I gather trade tokens from my state and counter stamped coins from everywhere. If they switch to a hundred point grading system it would make more sense but I still won't support that practice with my dollars. I've never wasted money having a coin graded by TPGs. I have a type set of countries around the world. I've learned that any collecting interest dies if you add nothing for long periods of time.

 

The progression I followed was filling all of the folders from change until only the expensive coins remained. I used a portion of my 401k savings to complete all of my sets. I still like and seek varieties from change but having more than one of each does nothing for me. Now I gather trade tokens from my state and counter stamped coins from everywhere. If they switch to a hundred point grading system it would make more sense but I still won't support that practice with my dollars. I've never wasted money having a coin graded by TPGs. I have a type set of countries around the world. I've learned that any collecting interest dies if you add nothing for long periods of time.

 

The Baboo finger wave.

 

I agree that too much importance is placed on a plastic holder with a number on it. I wonder why people feel that having a (often low value common date) coin in a piece of plastic with a label makes it any better.

What makes this hobby great is that you can choose what you want to collect. You don't have to collect US coins if you don't like them - just move on to ancients, world coins, etc.! Personally, I started out with collecting US coins, and I am going to continue collecting them. I like collecting them, as I am familiar with the designs, varieties, and things to watch out for like counterfeits and altered coins. Most importantly, however, it is because I like to collect them.

Now back to identifying that VAM number for that Morgan dollar...

 

You sold most of your coins at a profit, yet your post is a complaint. Sorry, but I don't get that at all. If you want to collect something else that's your business, but knocking someone else because you don't approve of how or why we collect is a bit arrogant, don't you think?

 

It was a tounge-in-cheek comment for GDJSMP. Also I was not complaining how well my purchases did during resale. I am just fed up with the US coin market in general.

 

I can’t tell you how many times I have wanted to just give up collecting coins completely. But I have isolated my frustrations to the US coin market, so I hope by eliminating it from my life that I will become more optimistic about the hobby.

 

@TypeCoin971793, curious as to where you sold the bulk of your US coins.

Steve

 

Ebay and facebook

 

Do you even know what the word irony means?

 

No one has to eliminate any hobby during their life except for survival needs or to start or engage in another one. I would ban myself if coins were the only hobby that I had or enjoyed.
Why be a one trick donkey with hobbies. I believe it is mental boredom which enhances the decline into dementia and senility for many. Someday I too may mistake a roadrash cent for a candy M&M, but I am sure not going to do so by not engaging my mind. You can make anything in your life a HOBBY if you enjoy it and switch often during the years if you like, I know one very happy person who collects old pop top tabs?????? Not me !!, but they research them, buy/sell trade them, look for defective ones; there are even discussion groups and publications??, But they are happy and learning. Go for it!!

I hope someday Peter can get a moderator that can be a coin Ann Landers for these types of threads, they are sad. Maybe could be someone's New Hobby!

 

Both are applicable to some degree

 

Goodness sakes. Arrogance? Irony?

I see where TypeCoin is coming from. Though I do not particularly agree with him, I have felt a similar way, about 4 years ago. Give him a break. He came here to voice his frustration and discuss it. No need to shame him or talk down to the guy.

TypeCoin, do what makes you happy.