How long do they last?

More than a few come here with a coin they picked up in the parking lot that had been run over a dozen times asking if it is a valuable mint error. I have the patience to help them a couple of times, but if the same one keeps coming back with the same sort thing, I let them know the score. It just gets tiresome, and 99% of them will never be collectors.

 

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unlucky for the coin hobby it's now seen by many as a way to easy street and that is what most new collectors are in this hobby for the $$$$

 

I think there's a couple "types" of people that come here.

one is the ones like you or me, that were in the hobby, and joined the forum to participate learn from other collectors, share their interests, ect.

then there is the, "I found this funny looking coin, am I rich?" hit and split poster.

then there is the, "I'm going to get rich coin roll hunting" they stick around a bit, but have no interest in learning, just looking for that quick payday that never comes instead.

I'm all for encouraging new members, however, the majority of new members come and go, and really aren't collectors, and they are looking for a payday and just a matter of time before they disappear, some immediately after first posting, some in a couple of months of just finding machine doubling or circulation damage.

the truth is there's so much more to coin collecting hobby then just coin roll hunting, or finding an odd coin and checking to see if it has value before pitching it in the coinstar machine, but for some people, that's where their interest ends, they just aren't into the hobby, but maybe they can make a couple bucks, and that's all it is to them.

if they could actually learn something, have interest in the hobby, spend some time, people can be successful with their time cherrypicking and turn some profits on the flip, but for that you have to have put the work in and built up knowledge, it's rare to have the books in front of you when the opportunity appears, and those folks that do show up to coin shows, Cherry Pickers Guide in tow,,,, LOL.

I've been here a couple years, new faces appear all the time, a couple actually enjoy the hobby and stick around, it's rally all that I can ask for, but I don't think we are building new collectors, either you are one, or you aren't.

 

I agree, either a person has the collector bug or not. However, I would say having resources like CT helps those who are predisposed to be collectors to find the hobby and stay in it. I liken it to ancient coin collecting. I was in Iowa, so if I had not found Moneta-L in the 1990s I doubt I would have stayed in the ancient coin hobby. There was just NO ONE locally to talk about ancients with, and I had no idea where to get books about them. Moneta-L literally enabled me to be an ancient collector. I think the internet is responsible for a lot of ancient collectors nowadays, since now its possible.

 

No question the website is a great resource and community, just many people popping in here, have a specific question, or not really a collector and dont' stick around, but I'd say, each year we pick up some more long haulers, maybe not many, but more than just a few, it's not a dwindling community on decline lets say, people go, people come, a few stick around.

 

Do I look like a teacher?

 

Still here, not posting much. Reading much more. Have gotten my 13 year old nephew into the hobby and take him to shows. I won't tell him about this site, nor will I discourage him from looking online for it. Mostly due to the reasons posted previously.

 

I'm in the middle. I read the forums every day, and I have posted in the past. I just wish I'd found this place before I'd bought one of those 'strike it rich' books!

I probably lurked here for the first month before signing up. I think it takes that long for some people (like me) to realize this is the place to get good answers to all things coin related. And even though it might be irritating to regulars to continually answer newbie questions, doing so may keep them around so they can learn more.

I have learned so much here, where to go to get more information, and what to avoid. And I appreciate those who welcome the newbies on their first post. Maybe they will, maybe they won't stick around, but it doesn't hurt to say "Howdy!"

 

CT is the best learning tool I've come across. I have learned so much from all of you, yet I have only posted one coin on CT. Why, because I learn much more by reading and seeing what the best of the best have to offer. Thanks everyone!

 

the coin hobby has changed since i started back in 2003 now with many new collectors they not collecting for fun but for profit and that hurts the hobby , yes one can collect and sell but there must be a balance between the two and i'm not seeing that balance here of late

 

This is the internet generation, and many will be bedazzled by the colorful, comic book-like thumbnails on YouTube shouting: 'this cent is worth thousands!!!'
Easily led by the bogus clickbait, they'll eventually wind up here seeking an informed second opinion of their 'treasures' - some will stick around and learn something, others will insist that their common damaged coin is the real deal and what do you guys know?, you're just being jealous of my big $$ find, etc.
Here is an example of a typical 'comic book' thumbnail at YT:

"Wow, all I need is to find one and I've got college paid for!" - <CLICK> -

 

I didn't know that Coin Talk existed until I had a question and I was told by a local dealer to contact, so I did, and boy have I learned a great deal. I'm an older collector at 73.

 

I started as a newbie on CoinTalk in 2013 and all my circulation find error coins fetched me $380,000.00

Just kidding. I've been learning about and collecting mint errors since I was 16. I'm 50 now and haven't sold 1 coin since I've started

(But very soon I might sell a few )

 

which end?

 

I've seen your boxes of slabs...I'll more believe you've SPENT $380,000.00 !!!

 

I find that I post and read more now that I am retired. This is true of both stamps and coins. However we are finding new members coming to both our stamp club and coin club. A conversation I overheard was that the attendee's prefer educational programs over just auction and trading.
I read posts that mostly educate me as to what I have or thought I have. I also like the generous giveaways from some members.

 

Good for you. I always regret it when I sell a coin. I bought a home with my stamps and never regretted it. I had collected stamps from age 11 so had a nice US Collection.

 

I have been a member for several years, only started posts a couple of times, reply once in a while. I read several threads per day, just hoping to learn more about coin collecting. I love looking for error coins in the change I get, but have only found 2 so far and both were in a 5-gallon bucket of coins I got from my dad. I realize I probably won't get rich, but it is like buying a lottery ticket - some times someone hits the jackpot. The search is the fun part.