Has your collection paid off?

There you go again with that old fellow.....LOL

Yes the Lockheed P-38 was one hell of a all around fighter plane.....one of the greatest of the time.
I had a chance some years back to take a ride in one...but the wearther was bad at the time and i missed my chance since the rides at the show was only for that day....Bummer:so-sad:

 

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I am doing an experiment this year, based on the arguments Doug made to me when I was a new collector and numismatist "stating that coins are a poor investment". This year I have tracked every cent I have spent on coins, coin supplies and anything, including gas that I used to go and purchase coins, against this I have tracked all the profits I have made selling and auctioning coins. Profits are what I actually got in hand after shipping and fees were taken out
I have 5 auctions ending later to day that are going to negate my last $107.60 that I am in the hole for the year and even place me slightly into the profit. But aside from my goal this year to prove that my hobby can and does pay for itself, I have increased the size of my collection and even added dozens of silver coins and one gold coin to my collection. The only area of my calculations not added in is my own personal time, which I have heard it argued would be more valuably spent earning a wage, the reason I do not factor that in is because I love collecting coins, most people spend tons of money to enjoy things, being sports, golf, or what ever. I am happy that my hobby doesn't cost me a dime and at the same time increases the size and value of what I get to keep afterwards by $100's a year!

 

If you start factoring in your time, I personally believe it is no longer a hobby for you. Just my personal opinion though.

 

I have done really well over the past 40 years. That's what I tell the wife. In real time the fees to sell would put me about even or a bit behind. Now for the real truth. I could have put that same money in something making a few percent and been about 100K ahead with no taxes or fees to pay. If not for all the fun I have had over the years I would be calling myself a bit looser. Coins are still just a hobby to me and always will be. Dealers make money and collectors make that happen. Just my thoughts on the topic.

 

My answer would have to be sometimes yes, and sometimes no! My collection is not just about $$$ tho'!!

 

Very very true. I made money selling all my bullion and commemoratives, but if I had waited another year to sell all my gold. As it is my seller is doing good.

 

i pay for my losing trade of buying rare coins (that are fun and interesting to look at) ...
with the profits from my winning trade of buying of bullion coins (which is how i make money)

 

Maybe I am on the fringe when I say this, but I have to believe one day there will no longer be a use to put new coins in circulation, at least in developed countries. I mean it may start wilth pennies. We have heard that before. Then what do you think that will do to all the coins we have accumulated over the years?

 

I disagree. I think there would be an impact in a positive way if you are a collector, albeit psychological.

 

I would disagree on the other side of the argument. Discontinuation of coinage would lead younger generations to not be interested in them, since they never expereinced using coins, and eventually numismatics would die out as many other collecting habits have before.

Doug is right, it is the act of using these in daily commerce which sparks the interest to collect them to begin with.

 

I found a couple war nickels in bank rolls, figured it took me several hours, gas to the bank, etc. Factor in everything and I'm in the red. Factor in my pleasure, happiness and health and I'm way up.

 

I agree with GDJMSP, as a person who never cared for coins before....
one thing sparked my curiosity....when my dad showed me a sketch of
a morgan dollar....that's when I wanted to know everything about it....
how big it is....how much does it cost...and etc...

"new or young collectors have never seen an object before...."

it could be anything that sparks your interest...but I for one
believe that this hobby will not die out....since it has been
going strong for thousands of years=)

-acsf89

 

At this point I think I am ahead...being I paid less than what thy are currently valued at, how ever, I have many Morgans to go as I haven't begun there and the present silver is sky rocketing the prices locally...so the gap will narrow...

 

I bought a bunch of silver when it was thirteen dollars. This past year I made a very good profit selling on ebay. I'm in the black, and also have a few "keepers" I bought with my earnings.