Often collectors look at values or profits as the proof of success in the coin business. Let me offer this point of view. If you want to be successful in coins or collecting it boils down to studying. To be successful in any endeavor requires effort and study. Learning is a lifetime practice. If you spend time practicing anything, you will naturally become better at it. Coins can be studied using the same principles. Often collectors look to dealers to see how they do it. The only difference is the time spent. 1. Know your outcome. Learn what you want and how to get there. Make clear goals. 2. Use the goals. Put into practice what you want. Learning requires effort. It doesn't come easily or quickly.
Knowledge is an important profit of any coin collecting. If you're not having fun you're doing it wrong, and if you're having fun you're probably learning a lot.
Good advice, guys. Some of my thoughts would be: Take your time. Some of the coins we collect have been around for hundreds of years (or even longer). They're not going anywhere. Why not take the time to research them and get to know the ins and outs of what the hobby is all about? Getting burned out? Take a break. Try something different for a while. The hobby you love, will be waiting for you when you're ready to return. Listen to those who've gone before you. Let them tell you about all the mistakes and pitfalls that they have had to endure. It could sure save you a lot of grief. Don't worry about the minor details. Coins are meant to be fun. Can't afford that key date this month? No big deal. You'll just have to save your money, and when you do get what you're looking for, you'll enjoy it even more. Oh yeah, and clad (or base metal) coins are just as much fun to collect as their precious metal counterparts. If you like copper, nickel, zinc, or whatever alloy, remember, it's all about giving to, and getting out of, the hobby, as much as you can. If anyone can get a small fraction of the pleasure, that I have, from coin collecting, they will consider their time well spent.
Oh yeah, and clad (or base metal) coins are just as much fun to collect as their precious metal counterparts. If you like copper, nickel, zinc, or whatever alloy, remember, it's all about giving to, and getting out of, the hobby, as much as you can. I was just kidding, my main collecting interests are in copper coins, can't get much mor base than that. But I do not collect any coins younger than me.
Pretty good joe. I have many copper and bronze coins, myself. I love looking at those old large cents, two-cent pieces, and Civil War tokens. Copper ages so beautifully. I can see why it is your favorite.
