Collector depression

i always think about my coins even during school

 

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Hey it comes and goes. That's why it's a hobby for most of us and not an occupation where you HAVE to work at it every day. Man, my roll searching drops off in August until January due to the NFL season. Some things that you need to work at, just preempt the coins.

 

I agree with others its just boredom. What gets me moving again in coins, (if I want to), is learn about something new. I get very bored with date and MM, then I got bored with type coins. Read about 19th century Mexican, or early 20th century Brazil, or any of thousands of different numismatic areas. Its amazing how a new sub collection can reinvigorate your passion. Once I got into ancients there literally is not end to knowledge to be gained. It feels as if I have received half a classical education just reading and researching these things.

If not, just hold on to the coins and see what you are in to in a decade. Rarely do I meet collectors or former collectors who are happy they sold off in the past. If nothing else, leave them to your wife or kids to cash in.

Chris

 

Man, if I were to do that, I would make myself crazy. I have sold $750 gold for $300 and $20 Silver for $7. Silver proof sets for much less than today's melt, etc. Hey, once the deal is done, it's finished ! Over ! Done ! Keep records for the tax man, and maybe to see what mistakes you have made......but NEVER look backward with regret ! The way I see it is: You make the best possible decision based on the knowledge of circumstances you have. If it works, you win, and sometimes you are gonna lose. But the past has gone, today is happening now and tomorrow is not guaranteed. Let that go.

Psychologically, the brain tells you a "loss" is a mistake. Our brains are configured to correct our mistakes. That's why people "chase" their losses. They are trying to correct the mistake that caused them to lose money. The Casino giants feed on this. Losers continue to make bets, hanging on to the past as a reference. Get out of that loop. IMHO

gary

 

Actually, I made money on them, --its the idea that they are so hard to replace even if I had the money to replace them.

 

Yep. Every era of collectors look back on the "golden age" where they could buy good material. Collectors in the 50's thought about what they could have bought in the 20's, in the 80's they dreamt of the 60's, today they look at the early 90's and dream about those prices and availability of coins.

Hate to tell you, but TODAY is probably better than the rest of your life to get coins. Every year fewer and fewer are for sale. Just like Princeofwaldo, I would not bemoan the price nearly as much as I would not easily be able to replace it.

I wish I bought more 20 and even 10 years ago. I bought some, but my time machine is broken now, so all I can do is buy today, but I sure am glad I bought what I could back then.

Chris

 

Yes, I've experienced some of those feelings. Usually lack of time or lack of money have something to do with it. Lack of time and money simultaneously is really a killer. Just hang in there. If you truly had a passion for collecting, it will come back.

 

About 90% or more of the people who start collecting young go through what you are experiencing. You are 15 and at this age school, cars, members of the opposite sex, college, career, and raising a family take most of them out of collecting until their forties or even fifties. So it is VERY common. Even if you feel you have lost the interest now, do not sell your coins (most everyone who does, when they come back in comments on how they regret having done so. And if they had better coins they marvel at what they would be worth today if they had only kept them.) If you truly have the bug, you will be back someday and you will be glad you kept them.

 

+1 well said.