Hi Gang, Just wanted to ask around and get other opinions (and vent). I have been into numismatics for nearly 45 years and have loved it. I have amassed a moderate collection and have enjoyed it over the years. Unfortunately, l think I have reached the end of this hobby. First, neither my Godson nor niece have any interest in the collection and will most likely just sell it off for whatever they can get for it after I give up the ghost and, secondly, the HUGE number of inexperienced (and just plain dumb) people trying to sell junk or argue about how “rare and valuable” their crap coins are is just taking its toll. Between idiots who think every scratched, worn, and/or dented coin is a “one of a kind error” to the kids who think every coin older then them is worth $1000 is just taking so much out of the hobby. When you see common Sacajawea coins listing for $25000.00 and the seller has no clue as to why they are asking that much or some uneducated mugwump lists an “error” coin for $500 but can’t explain the error but people actually bid on it, you pretty much just give up hope. Anywho, thanks for letting me rant. I found a scratched penny in the parking lot so I think I will list it on Ebay for $16,000,000.00 plus $99.00 shipping.
I have been lamenting the very same thing. But then when I look at the demographics of our CT community, I get hope that better days lie ahead. We have quite the enthusiastic group of young collectors on here..... But I too have days from time to time where I feel that my best option at this point in life would be to simply cash out.... Then I see a beautiful coin that I gotta have and I am hooked again.... Keep the faith. The hobby needs you.
There's a healthy group of YNs at my local club. One of them is quite the entrepreneur. From what his grandfather tells me, he does two or three thousand revenue a week selling coins at the flea markets. Don't know what his profit his but the young man seems pretty savvy about coins and business. I wouldn't give up just yet. BTW, I've been collecting for four years and I'm now 70 so there's some older kids getting involved in the hobby as well.
If I listen to me heart, it says, “Ignore the idiots.” But, if I listen to me dark n twisted soul, it says, “Beat them insensible with rocks n sticks”.
Coins are in our blood. Don't listen to the idiots. Coin collecting is a personal thing. You can enjoy your own coins while sharing them with others. I enjoy looking at them, researching them, and sharing them with as many coin collectors out there. If you stop collecting them...you could always just enjoy learning about them or admire other peoples collections.
To me, collecting is about enjoying the beauty and history of the coins, so I collect what I like. As for idiots that don't know a hole in a coin from PMD, I just try to ignore them. I too, get tired of the newbies here that post every coin that they are sure is worth a fortune, they don't last long, so I just wait them out. LOL Good luck in the future and maybe you can nurture one of your relatives to get interested in the hobby. I'm grooming my 3 year old granddaughter now. I started her off with a birth year proof and each birthday, I send her a coin or two. By the time she is a bit older, I hope she will have "caught the bug." LOL
Raise the price and forego the shipping fee. Most are millennials they won't care and besides thier parents will pay.
Cash out lol..... you coin junkie would last an hour....1st coin star machine you walked by.... would fear you! LoL
I feel like every serious collector should have some sort of an exit strategy. The "exit" may be after death for some of us! Lots of options for you right now, OP, while the market is up and you're still kicking.
Anyone planing an Exit..... #1 We like at least a two week notice. #2 Line 1 of "your will" where it sez I leave my estate to.... you type in Paddy54 #3 Please before you "check out " secure any debt. #4 Lastly please leave an envelope with account #'s and safe combination. Rest in peace just knowing that dumb son is no longer buying baseball cards with your 32 D quarter.
It is uneducated morons like this fool that just insults numismatics to its core. Check out the completely idiotic and ridiculous crap he posts on Ebay. Too bad there is no way to get jacka$$ like this banned from selling.
If you love and enjoy coins then by all means continue to pursue the hobby and forget what will happen to your collection after you leave this world. After all, you can’t take them with you but you can enjoy them now. So what if your relatives sell them? Or leave them to a museum or a local coin club. Just don’t give up because if you do, who’s going to be the miserable one?
I’m going to give my book collection to a local library. None very valuable but much to choose from. Yes I read every one maybe twice.
At 78 years old, I talked to my daughter whose 9-year old is somewhat interested in coins. She said she would put them in a safe deposit box, which is better than selling them. I give my granddaughter coins for her birthday and X-mas. I enjoy coin talk and adding a few coins now. I am usually trading for stuff, but get some coins or series I like from the US mint. I am thinking about an exit strategy.
And I as well, for the similar reasons in part of few "collectors" today other than those mostly youth/younger and beginners who think numis is nothing but errors and one-in-a-million junk...they think/want us to be doing all the work (it's the instant answer/gratification thing)...no real interest in reading, learning, researching and appreciating much else. But indeed a few exceptions...if too few...here on CT.