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Message:: [QUOTE="Lawtoad, post: 7844349, member: 31685"]I have been collecting for about 50 years (I started pretty young). I have always been pulled toward “obsolete “ U.S. and Canadian coinage. I also go for the circulated coins. I do have a part of my collection that is uncirculated and proof(mostly in sets) modern issues. I have seen the hobby change as Randy has described.  The emergence of TPGs made the hobby a bit more secure as far as rarity verification and grading standards (although those vary). TPG grading and slabbing made it easier for people to deal with coins more as a commodity and investment. I see collectors searching for the best and most pristine coins all wrapped up in a neat slabbed package. Maybe that is the way the hobby is going, but it is great to see people still looking at their change seeking treasures. I guess I fall into the old school collector group. I find circulated coins have more character and history (thinking of all the hands they have gone though). As noted above, the mint production of new highly desired issues is good, but I see that many many people are getting them just to flip them on eBay at exorbitant prices. Coin Collecting became more of an industry in the 1950’s and 1960’s and has just expanded over the years to cater to money profit incentives.[/QUOTE]