...to be a coin collector? We all know that I'll have to have some coins. (duh!) But other than that, what are some of the necessities that every coin collector ought to have? Even if you can only name one thing, it would help me out. Any ideas?
What it takes to be a collector? Now that is an interesting question. My first thought is an appreciation for the coins. Whether that is historical or artistically. I have met people that collect every single type of coin. Most have different reasons bordering on one of the two reasons I mentioned. Some collect for other reasons. Example would be the loss of a loved one that had collected. They continue out of the love. Others may collect for the reasons you mentioned about your special dime that survived your house fire. Some have told me that they like to collect because of the old logic of the hobby of kings. To be able to collect "money". For myself, the collecting bug bit me for the love of history. Although it was the coin that made me love history. The ability to hold a coin that passed through the hands of countless people in our countries early history. I personally own two coins. (never to be offered by the company). The first coin ever given to me 1864 Two Cent Piece, and an 1803 Large Cent. Both circulated coins were carried in times of great importance in this country. The first seen use during the Civil War. If it could tell the story of its life, what would it be? The second could have been carried by a founding father. It may have made the journey with Louis and Clark. As you can tell, coins are still an exciting part of my life, although I cannot technically be considered a collector any longer. It is this love, that makes me share what I know to others. This is what I wish to inspire.
It was coins that got me interested in history too, now i'm doing a degree in it! This is what does it for me, more oft than not. I collect US coins cos i like the designs (artistic merit of some of them, $20 Libs for instance, gorgeous coins), others cos i like the silver content, especially the old 90% silver coins, Washington Quarters and Merc dimes, i love em. I collect UK coins for a different reason, not because of the artistic merit exactly, but because of the history. The fact i can hold a 12th century coin in my hands and think back to the days of castles, Wars with France, plagues, civil strife, poverty, extremely rich nobles, a totally different way of life. But what really does it are two things. 1) some coins have moneyors names on them, thus a name recorded in history of a man that made his living from making coins, i wonder what he looked like, how long he did the job for, if he had a family, was ha an honest moneyor, or was he minting substandeard coins and if so did he get punished for it by having his ears removed? (fascinating eh?) Secondly, how did this coin survive from then, to now and in such great condition?
An inquisitive nature and an enjoyment of the never ending learning process. I collect for the history and for the artisitic beauty. But let's not overlook the importance of the fellowship of other collectors and enthusiasts.
I can only name one thing? um. ok. A loupe. No wait...books. um. Passion for history. ok I'll cheat and mention those three things
I still don't own a loupe, i've been collecting for 14 years and i've never had a loupe. I just look at them with the naked eye, it shows most of what i need to see.
Now you got me scared. I would not leave the house without a loupe around my neck. But for collectors I guess the loupe wouldn't be as important. If you are pleased with the coin, that is all that matters in collecting. A couple of hair lines shouldn't stop an average collector.
There are many different types of collectors and not all of them share the same interests or reasons. The vast majority collect because they love the hobby be it the historical aspect or the beauty of the coins themsleves, or just because they love collecting things. Still others collect because of the potential for profit - like it or not they do. But before you can ask if you have what it takes to be a coin collector you must first ask yourself WHY you wish to be a collector. Only with that answer in hand can you decide if you have what it takes or not. There are also varying degrees when it comes to being a collector. For some it is enough just to accumulate the coins be that in a complete set, a type set or just an accumulation. And then there are those who do it because they love the study of numismatics in all its aspects. So you need to know where you fit into this collage before you can ask what you need. Then you will know if you have what it takes.
Well i can see how you might need one if you are looking for minor errors, or hairlines on surfaces, but when you are dealing with 17th century coins it's not so much about getting a coin in a certain grade, like MS64 rather than a pitiful MS63, it's more about being able to actually find the coin at all! And with hammered it's more of a case of 1) with the rarer coins actually just finding one in any grade, or 2) with a common one, finding one that's well centred, not chipped, not clipped, and in a good state of preservation for the issue. Now if it was a Queen Mary groat, that would probably be the grades Gfair - GF, So as you can see loupes aren't really a necessity in these areas.
More important than having coins and money is having information and knowledge. Metal Detecting got me into coins and researching. If you want to become a top notch expert, there are scores of books for each coin out there to read. I suggest picking up a few that covers the basics...and then learning about individuals along the way. Before you buy any...I suggest learning about counterfeits and how to detect them. This is something I need since I lost about $100 by buying a fake.
Hey rolltide, first let me thank you for the pics. They will be of so much help. I think one of the greatest things about this hobby, is the people involved. You can meet everyone from the young child just getting started to the legends in the numismatic community. These little works of art that we collect can build friendships that will last a lifetime.
Never owned one, I am gifted with excellent eye sight, I can spot a split band or full step nickel rather easily... A collector should have one thing in my opinion.... Passion! a Passion for whatever it is one chooses to collect! Thats how I am with my collections, my 1950s DooWop/Rockabilly music collection especially, its one of the largest in the Country...
here are the necessities: the red book (and other coin books) plexiglass or other coin holders loupe or magnifier albums or folders (if you're gonna collect a whole series) love of history love of coin asthetics spare time
1)well i got coin books, and i've just got my first ever Redbook! 2)don't have coin holders though 3) don't have a magnifier 4) did have an album somewhere, but my good coins are all in the cabinet, all sat in their nice little velvet lined drawers (this was my best ever buy! proper storage facilites). 5) yep i love history 6) hmm some appreciation of coin aesthetics, but a good deal of the coins i have are not that visually appealing, they are more historically appealing. 7) got lots of this!
Sylvester - A comment on coin cabinets. Although coin cabinets were at one time all the rage and are again becoming popular I would hope that you are going about it the right way. Collectors of yesteryear suffered a problem that we don't hear of much anymore - cabinet friction. You see their cabinets were lined with the best velvet as well. But while velvet may feel quite soft to human skin - it can really do a number on the surfaces of coins. It scratches them. Over time - by taking the coin in & out of it place in the cabinet it creates wear - minor - but noticeable. And with valuable coins it can drop the value considereably. So - if you are using a coin cabinet - I sincerely hope you are also using some type of holder to protect the coin. Otherwise you will suffer the same problems the collectors of yesteryear did. There is another problem with coin cabinets as well. While the wood and the material used to line the cabinets may be beautiful - the wood itself, the glue used to hold it together, the finish on the wood, and the chemicals used to make the fabric or material of the liner - all these things can damage your coins. It can often cause very unsightly toning. And to a collector as yourself who does not like toned coins for the most part - this may not be a proper storage facility at all.
