Where are the replacements???

I saw this picture of the lines of people for the Long Beach show. Except for one man, everyone appears to be over 60. I have loved coins and horse races for many decades, but I know both interests don't have half the base of 20 years ago (JMO). Oh there will always be a some coin collectors and horse racing fans. Truth is both activities fan base is dying off , there aren't enough replacements. Of course there are some YN's and 30 year old collectors, but vis-a-vis two decades ago there seems to be a huge decline (JMO). What are your thoughts? I hope some non biased dealers would chime in, also.

http://www.coinnews.net/home/inside-perspective/

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

My numbers may be slightly off but I think ANA membership is about the same as it was 20 years ago.

The US Mint (at the direction of Congress) created a LOT of new coin collectors with the 50 State Quarters program. Admittedly, the vast majority of these new collectors are not and will never be serious coin collectors but some of the new collectors who started with the State Quarters will stick with the hobby and become serious collectors.

 

Looking at that photo, I would guess that all of the older people are collectors, but I do see more than a few younger people, too. If those had been elderly couples, I'd hasten a guess that they were looking to buy or sell gold. The only major show that I attend is FUN (FL) in January, and I have been going for 6 years. One thing that I have often noticed when the price of gold has risen is that elderly couples are looking to sell their gold thinking that the current price is what they will get, but when gold drops in price, the elderly couples are surprised because they think the dealers are charging too much.

The thing that has always given me the biggest kick is when I see a pre-teen telling his dad that a particular coin is overgraded.

Chris

 

You dont have to start this hobby as a child to someday be in it for 50 years to enjoy it. I think that it is entirly possible for something to click in a person at an older age to have a strong interest in coins that wasn't there at an earlier age. There could possible be a huge wave of boomers entering the hobby as we speak. Young people don't typically have the disposable income to travel to major shows and buy great coins. JMO

 

The youngsters may not be able to make shows, but they can certainly visit and participate in this forum. I was pleasantly surprised at the results of this poll.

 

It goes to show how layered this hobby is. The forum is stacked with younger people that connect through forums and the like. Posting a thousand times on coin talk still doesn't represent the hobby as a whole. I mean, just because younger people are present here doesnt mean they are in the trenches actively trading coins day in and out. I'm 38 and feel like the youngest guy at some of these events. I get to three or four major shows a year and I must say that there I dont bump into a lot of people younger than me. That is what the OP sugested, and I agree.

 

Thats what I am trying to say, that the replacements are the next guy turning 50. Thanks GDJ for helping me spit it out. No worries, this hobby is here to stay and getting bigger every day. Populations(people) are getting larger with fewer coins to satisfy demand. Like too little butter for the bread, it makes a perfect storm. I have never met a person that quit the hobby (have you? maybe happens now and then over a savage burn) and competition if fierce. Coin collecting accomodates each persons desire accordingly and doesnt have to be manufactured by hype or advertising (bullion commercials aside). JMO off to work for the day, peace out

 

Did you do it cold turkey? Did you have withdrawls? Whenever I attempt to cut back on my purchases, I find myself buying more.

 

Also, no offense... "younguns" generally are on the computer more... Like me!

 

It's also possible that the younger collectors are more inclined to do their buying and selling electronically, since they may be more familiar with the technology, and thus less likely to attend the shows.

 

Kick the Bucket Brigade

Just my thoughts~

But as the "Kick the Bucket Brigade" moves on the younguns will find our stash.

Some will wonder "What IS this?"

What does it mean?

Why did they keep THIS one?

Then they may notice~

It's kinnda pretty.

Wonder what it is worth?

Then the fatal step........"Wonder if I can find a better one?":hatch:
Don't worry. We all know it can be contagious.

 

Question: how did you do profit/loss wise? No need to give specific numbers. But, as a percent of your initial investment, did you lose/gain 20%, 50%, etc.? If you don't answer, I will understand.

 

Did you sell them as complete collections? Breaking them apart is almost a surefire way to make a profit on them, especially if you've been collecting for nearly half a century.

 

I see several of these same questions every week if not every day here.

Jim