maybe the tariffs were the numismatic reset I needed (non-political)

Not trying to get into any verboten topic or anything political. I don't have either the time or energy for that. I mention the tariffs only because they've badly affected collectors of ancient coins, and it forced me to make a choice.

For those non-collectors of ancient coins, I'll give a quick summary of the past few months. The past few months have been a ping-pong of shipping avenues being opened and closed, many instances of being forced into using private carriers like FedEx, DHL, etc., and although ancients are exempt, many would still be hit by tariffs. I've never paid a tariff, but it's caused me not to order many coins from Europe. Not only is Fedex/DHL about 1.5 or 2 times more expensive than the post, it's also more personally stressful.

The situation had kind of recovered and things were getting back to normal. The latest changes set off another cascade. Places like the French post are now not sending numismatic packages, etc.

To add to the misery, the insidious MOU's (which are meant to cover things like statues and works of art), more avenues of collecting ancients, which haven't been greatly disturbed for centuries, other than war, are becoming a hassle. I don't really collect Greek coins, but what's next?

A recent conflict has probably cut off ordering from places like Dubai, but that's probably more temporary.

The point: I think I will take it easier for a while. My interest in coins is still intact but perhaps I'll just be a bit more passive in my collecting, and not buy as much. It also didn't help that a recent order through the post has probably disappeared (through no fault of the seller).

I'm still intellectually interested in numismatics, but lately I haven't had the time to do much more than like a coin post.

A hobby should take away from one's stress, not add to it. This certainly isn't a farewell but I think I will be less proactive about adding coins, at least for now. The interest is still there.

Again, this is not political. That's against the rules and I really can't handle the stress of that. I mention any of the above only because it pretty much forced me to make some changes.

And after a certain span of collecting, when is enough enough? I also have some other hobbies, any one of which could easily eat up most of my free time.

 

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Well, there is a tradition of shifting one's coin interest more into study instead of buying and selling. But that's really a different hobby entirely, IMHO, even though there's plenty for students and collectors to talk about.

 

As a German States collector, I've not ordered from ma-shops or any European sellers in over a year. I sourced a lot of my raw material from there. Recently, I've began revisiting my love for the small silver minor coins of Latin America, which are much more available here in the U.S. I do plan on returning to a more German focus once the tariff situation calms down. Right now, the enforcement is too inconsistent for me to be able buy. I don't want to get hit with a charge I'm not expecting.

 

Yes! I have been reading and doing a little more research too!

 

Hopefully things turn around and you can get back into doing what makes you less stressed out; this is supposed to be fun and enjoyable, not inducing excess distress.

 

Yes, there's always the band hobby and some other long-time hobbies.

It's still perfectly enjoyable to read coin posts. I just don't think I'll be hitting the 'buy' button as much, at least not in the short term.