Can the next generation continue coin hobby?.

time have changed that most youngster were involving with computer and pc games. those old hobbies like model train & airplane, stamps collecting, coin hobby and actual toys might be too old as of this writing. can the next generation continue our most enjoyable hobby and past time?. give your comment and opinion?.

 

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I hope I can.

 

Sure why not? I'm 25 and from what i've seen so far many fellow numismatists are older middle age males (just a general observation when i visited coin shops and flea-markets). Like many people I have started saving up interesting coins since i was in elementary school. Other than that, I actually started collecting stamps before I collected coins.

Even decade or so later, kids are interested in coins too. I was at the flea market just this Saturday hunting for missing key dates at this coin shop, there was this dad taking his son (about 6 or 7) going through a box of pennies filling up a new album with dates. While I was picking my coins quite a few other kids dropped by, browsed and was getting all goo-goo ga-ga over all the "kool" stuff on display.

So yeah this hobby will continue as long as there are enough interesting new designs/variations coming out once in awhile to get people interested. For that I think that's why the Royal Canadian Mint has been so successful, not only in making superior high quality products but also strengthening the numismatic hobby.

 

I was just thinking about how many models I used to make, heh, and wondering if my son (now almost 4) would be as interested. I'm not that old, but there is one difference between my father, me, and my son (aside form video games, etc.) and that's T.V.

We had T.V. when I was younger, though it was b/w and there were what... 3 channels/networks plus PBS. With 100's of channels, T.V./cable is certainly taking up more time.

Programs like the 50 state quarters seem to be really good for what you are talking about though. Quarters are relatively cheap, so even a whole set will only cost $12+ -which might not seem like much to some people, but it is where I work (I teach 2nd grade in a low income area).

The Presidents also seem like a good shot in the arm, though if I recall, those will be $1 coins? Now I can't find any info on it (eek) so I'm not sure...

 

It's a great hobby on any level.

Even if all a "collector" is doing is tossing states quarters into a bucket he can
enjoy the hobby. No matter what level a collector is at, curiousity can always
drive him to a higher level. The guy tossing the quarters in a bucket might won-
der if all the different states are there and start a collection. A kid who just
got the last nickel for the 1961 to date set might wonder if the older set can be
completed or if the coins can be upgraded.

The hobby will survive simply because coins are so uniquely fascinating. It may
have to change dramatically for one reason or another but there will always be
those of us who look at our change and ask, how, when, where, etc.

 

I don't see why not.

The same fascination will exist in the future as it did in the past.

 

Why yeah, look at Speedy, perfect example. He is very knowledgeable.

 

Thanks for the kind words Silver Dollar Man---But I wouldn't know anything if it hadn't been for this forum and many of its members...and I still have lots and lots to learn...I'll never ben done learning about coins!

Speedy

 

next generation

i saw more old people than younsters at the coin shows. to be honest. look at video or pc games amusement places. that's where youngsters really like it.

 

To the show I went to I was the youngest by a long shot...the guy that would have been next was in his 20's or 30's...and he was leaving when I got there...

Speedy

 

part of this is also maybe due to social habits. It may be a very small part, but I think younger people today do not socialize in a physical sense, as much anymore. I think they socialize electronically a lot more, and are more independant.

The other day, I caught my daughter 'chatting' online with the same friend she had on her cell phone... I guess one form of communication just wasn't effecient enough for a 16 year old girl.

 

Rick
That might be true for some but for me and many of the "kids" and young people I know...they will take your leg off on the internet or phone...but they will talk off both of your legs in person...I do the same thing...I've been told many times I talk too much

Speedy

 

I hear you guys talking about coin shows and how no "youngsters" show up there. I don't go to coin shows because I don't have much money. Now, I know you can take home knowledge rather than coins from those shows. I hope to go to one soon. I mainly search rolls-cheap way to get good coins. However-I still use my computer and games. Technology is growing-that's a no-brainer. But to think that kids won't enjoy having a collection of their own is wrong. I think one thing that hurts the hobby is all of those ads you see in the paper. They look awfully convincing-and all a new collector needs is to buy a 'good coin' at a 'cheap' price and then go to a local dealer and find out he/she got ripped off big time. That'll scare most collectors before they even have a decent collection. Kids just need to be pushed in the right direction by their parents or grandparents who collect coins. That will happen-and I'm positive the hobby will stay alive for many decades to come.
Bill

 

Well Bill...I think your right!....when I find out I'm going to a show I save for a few months that way I can maybe buy a coin that I don't see offen and don't see much...I would suggest that you go to any show you can....they are great!

Speedy

 

People like to collect stuff. Always did and always will. And what is the coolest thing to collect...objects of wealth-cars-art-money. Now different coins may fade out of style over time as well as different nations but you know the saying, a classic is always a classic.

not that any of it matters. As long as you are happy with what you collect.

 

I think it will be fine and I'm in my 20's. I think the things that have hurt are:

No older silver coins in circulation because they've been removed. To me it's not as much fun to only be able to get clad dimes, quarters, etc.

No design changes for such a long time. So far the recent variety the mint has produced has been great. I think $1 coins with the presidents on them would be horrible, though. Coins would become not onyl more politicized, but more of a novelty item. To me a certain degree of standardization keeps US money looking real. Plus, I can't imagine some of the, um, lesser Presidents getting their own coin. I think you might find some of those superglued to the porcelain in some bathrooms.

Ugly coins and no "big" silver dollar like coins.

 

I don't think it is a question of "can" the next generation continue the hobby, but are they going to be able to do it without "mama and daddy" footing the cost associated with coin collecting. They can't all own oil wells!

 

Of couse the next generation can continue the hobby. As long as there are a couple of collectors the hobby will endure. What most of you are worried about is "will there be enough new collectors that I will be able to sell my coins at a profit." That's a totally different animal.

But I'm not too worried about the hobby. Most people aren't able to take the long historical perspective view of the hobby They go to a show, see a bunch of "old white guys" and very few young people. This makes them worry that the collectors will all die out. Well I have been going to coin shows on a regular basis every year for 35 years. There have NEVER been very many young people at coin shows. There have NEVER been very many young people coming to coin club meetings. But you know what. The average age of the people at a coin show today, and the average age 35 years ago is almost exactly the same. For the most part this is not a young person hobby. Yes most of us get exposed when we are very young, but most of us do not participate in the hobby between the ages of 16 and 45. We have other things that we consider more important. Cars, girls, college, girls, getting married, a career, raising a family did I mention girls? Then when the kids are getting a little older, often in their early teens, we start coming back to out old coin collecting hobby. If we have more money we might come back a little earlier, or if we are paying to put our kids through college, a little later. But a significant portion does come back. And then we tend to stick around for the next thirty to forty years and become the next generation of "old white guys" that worries the younger collectors.

 

Forgot to mention that some greedy dealers can ruin it for people as well.