Like the title says, how do you long term collect? What I'm trying to ask is do you tend to specialize or do most of you have varied interests? I've bounced around with several different sets. I suppose because the local dealers tend to have a little of everything but no real depth. I'm happiest at a store where I can spend an hour or so but I generally spend enough so I'm not wasting the owners time. Do most of you feel it's better to be really knowledgable [assuming my learning curve gets there] with a few series or less knowledgable on several? I know it's up to me but I'd like the feedback.
Welcome to the forum. I think that many collectors, myself included start out collecting lots of different series until they find one that really grabs them. I started out as a hoarder/collector, decided on a series and studied, started buying then kinda lost interest. Now I'm not really sure where I want my collection to go, so I am back to the studying. I haven't made any real purchases for my collection in a year or two. I have bought several books on different coin series that I am leaning towards. Not having a direction when the price of the coins you are buying is not really expensive is ok, but when you find a series and the prices start to rise, you should definitely know the series well.
I collect all kinds of coins, especially Bust coins but with two things in mind at all times. Buy Slabbed KEY DATE COINS and condition rarities, Common coins in high grades become very valuable. Such as the 1885-s Morgan dollar, in MS64 worth $600 but in MS65 it jump around $2000. Also remember its better to own 5 great coins than 500 junk coins. Great coins sell even in a poor market. Jim
It's really to collect in the long term with this hobby. I originally started out working on my type set. Which is actually a useful tool to "gaining interest" in specific series by liking the look of specific coins or history. So after time passes by and a few years, I'm in the middle of 10 different sets I'm putting together from the early stuff, to Canadian, to Australian. I think getting started is the tough part, because the direction of interest is unknown, but as soon as you discover what that is, it's automatically a long term interest. And here we are, 15 years later and still poking along. And I've taken some short hiatuses that were 6-12 months long. Sometimes you need that break, recharge the batteries.
