So I'm 5 shots of liquid inspiration into writing 2 papers tonight and I've come to a realization. I figured most of you are twice or 3 times my age when it comes to collecting. I started collecting coins at age 8. I'm 21 now so its been half my life. But I realized - I don't actually like coins that much. I've been collecting by date and mintmark for so long but I keep on realizing that so many sets are so expensive to complete due to those pesky key dates. When my grandfather died in 2012 he left it all to my dad, who then gave it all to me. A bunch of good stuff, and it rekindled my interest, but now I'm starting to drift away. I have decided to transition entirely to foreign paper money. Mainly because they are cheaper and look much nicer than most american currency. And there's so much variety! Has this happened to anyone else? If so, how did you deal with it?
I collect type coins for partially the same reasons. I don't need to buy any key dates to feel like I have a nice collection. That said, there are still a few "key dates" for many type collections, but not a lot.
Yes it has happened to me in addition to developing a total contempt for U.S coin grading. So, I now collect exonumia.
Just 3? And what are you 18? Remember - if you ever want to learn, you ask someone that is experienced - and listen to them UNLESS you get the feeling that they are full of crap and you know it all!!
Go with your gut and collect what gives you some passion. Many folks start and stop collecting during different phases of their life, change directions, go back to something etc. It's a hobby that should provide entertainment. You are young and life has a way of intervening and not allowing time for collecting...so don't pressure yourself. I would advise that unless you need to free up cash, perhaps put away the family collection in a safe place so you can revisit it years (decades?) down the line. You may find your passion for that particular stuff rekindled and find the connection to family more compelling. Or, you may find you still hate it, and in the light of more life experience, decide to sell then. By safe I would find one of those airtight containers, make sure the coins are in inert flips/capsules/whatever and throw in a bunch of desiccant. Visit the box periodically to change out the desiccant and otherwise ignore. Years down the road it may be quite the treasure. As for world collections there are tons of ways to go. Currency, coins, exonumia etc. History, family connection, travel etc can light a spark. One cool thing (coin or currency) is a 'one from every country' collection. Of course deciding what constitutes a country that belongs on the list can be daunting...If you want something more budget friendly (and going by your age) perhaps using a OFEC from your birth year is something that would appeal.
Know it all's? Here? Tell me it ain't so! 15 minutes into the debate tonight, I knew they know it all...
Oh - just don't make videos and say you own a BMW while you have braces on your teeth that your mom paid to have them put on cause you were 13 and she actually wanted you to find a girl instead of Youtube!!!
I own a super expensive Razor scooter that I use to scoot around to class and such and actually I do have braces but they're coming off...soon...
Bingo. There's your problem right there. The obsession to collect complete date sets can make you crazy. I mean, how many Washington quarters or Jefferson nickels does one person need? Except for those tiny little dates and mint marks, THEY ALL LOOK ALIKE! Collecting doesn't have to just be about filling holes in an album. It can be about acquiring coins that capture your imagination for any reason, be it their design, history, whatever. Move past the date set mentality and try looking at things in a different light. You might be surprised what you find.
I'm just a little OCD especially when it comes to coin folders with so many empty slots... But honestly. They do all look identical. I think if I was to stay with coins it would be strictly for a high-grade type set sort of thing. I don't really need 60 Barber Halves at AG3, but I do need 1 Barber at MS63. Something like that. I think I'll lock away the coins for now and see how I feel in a couple years or something. Not like they're going away anytime soon
A lot of people are a little OCD. Best way to avoid the empty slot problem is to get rid of the folders The only two coin albums I work in are type sets...rare is the spot that I can't find something affordable. Or, modify to suit my needs. One spot in my Japan type album was for a trade dollar. Way too pricey in the beginning, but I had a very chopped up yen that fit in the slot...and functioned as a unit of trade outside Japan. Mentally and physically it fit.