I am starting a thread without displaying a coin. Sorry - but if you read below maybe you'll understand .. (but maybe not). This thread is inspired by @Orfew 's thread showing his first coin acquisition of the year - a very nice Titus denarius. All of the coins displayed on that thread are excellent. For me a bronze of Titus has been a hole in my collection for quite awhile. Waiting and watching for the right coin to come up at the right time, at the right price.. while not "settling".. but still trying to align to an ever moving budget... sometimes I am prepared to pay more - other times not so much. It's actually a challenge that I have enjoyed for a fairly long time BUT I know I will miss the hunt once I pull the trigger. I bet some of you know what I mean. This may be a better thread if I showed my new awesome Titus bronze - it's coming - but not today. I am wondering if other members can show a coin they have searched for and put in the work - and enjoyed the journey.. whether they have acquired it or are still working on it. What are your stories? I have been searching for about a year - I am sure others have waited much, much longer to find the right coin? The "right" coin for some may cost $30 or $3000.. the hunt is still equally fun!! I enjoy the hunt - do you? Hope you will share.
Well I guess I will show one that I acquired after an fairly long, enjoyable search: Nerva's coins are quite expensive (for me) and not as plentiful after a such a short reign. Compromises had to be made and while a sestertius was out of my price range I was able to acquire this nice dupondius. Not perfectly centered but I really fell in love with the portrait detail -and the price was very fair. It felt like I had looked at so many over those many months... it was like a part time job at times - but so enjoyable. While this coin is far from perfect I am very happy with it and the price paid. I guess it's just a case of moving on to the next target!
This is so true … coin collecting should be called coin hunting. I often also enjoy the hunt for coins more than the possessing of coins. In fact, the possessing can become a burden at some point.
YES—the pursuit is exciting, @Clavdivs When I finally have a coin in hand that I had been searching for, I often experience a slight post purchase depression. Now what? What’s next? It’s similar to the feeling that comes over me when Christmas is over and the decorations come down
For me, i don't know. Hunting for me implies a clear goal to pursue. I am more of the scavenger type. Not actively hunting, but always on the lookout for an opportunity to eat.
I am more like THCoins, an opportunists/ scavenger for spoils others missed. I always scroll down all good auction sites, and pick out (coins I like/ plus can afford) This adds up to thousands of possibilities in a years time. Before auction, I enlarge my targets for eye appeal/ a CNG coin in EF may be better quality then a MS-65 in an other auction. Then, during live event, I sit back and watch bidding/ if a coin seems to have no bidding activity/ has eye appeal/ value/ I will make my move to secure it. Also, great coins can be bought from auction "unsold" offerata. I probably bought over 100+ coins this way. John
Yes, a scavenger, a magpie, that’s what I am too. Looking for some types, but all the while keeping a lookout for what else may be interesting. I picked up several unsought for subjects this way (Huns, Qarakhanids for instance, both grown rather extensively in my boxes). Hunting for a certain type tends to be more expensive, too. But maybe I should be more concentrating and buy less, but better coins.
I'm a hunter for sure, hence the name of my avatar. I'm currently "hunting" for zodiac drachms of Roman Egypt. Haven't seen any for less than $3,000...but I'll pull the trigger when I find one more reasonably priced. Another goal is sestertii of Gordian I and II. Already have 4 of the year of the six emperors (238 A.D.) - Maximinus Thrax, Balbinus, Pupienus, and Gordian III.
Reminds me of the introduction words of Mike Gasvoda, when selling his collection of the 12 C's in 2015 (NAC 86): Also for me the first joy in collecting is “the thrill of the chase”. When the chase got too hard the thrill waned. Perhaps your case is true as well: once you find the one you are looking for, the thrill of searching is over. I like the chase too. Whenever a favorite auction house or seller announces a new auction or saleslist, I'm filled with joy and immediately want to find out whats in/on it. I have specific targets, either emperors or specific cointypes. But overall I am always tempted by beautiful specimens not on my want list before. And, unlike collectors such as Mike Gasvoda, I will never, ever reach a situation where the types I want are just too difficult to collect...
Same here, there are 100s of thousands of coins that I would love to own. In upcoming Triton Auction, I can only afford two/ but I have interests in 500+. So, its a waiting game. I may end up with something unexpected. Hopefully, that "Tyrant" person is not interested in my top wants
I enjoy the hunt. I do not generally focus on a single type. Most of the time I am looking for a number different coins thus will take any opportunities that will come my way. However sometimes I can become a bit more focused. Back in 2003 I saw in a friends collection some sestertii of Trajan. I decided I had to acquire one as I thought they were really spectacular coins. After a while I did finally get one. Trajan Sestertius Rv Fortuna seated left struck 115-116 A.D. RIC 652 var. At the time it was unpublished but it is now recorded in Woytek 542v2 27.71 grms Since then I have added quite a number of these coins. It seemed after I got my first it became easier, but I still remember the hunt for the first one, trying to find the "right" coin
Came across this - I also enjoy searching for coins but there seems to be less and less to find. But I always complain - lots of coins prices too high, no buyers, no sellers but.. I thought CNG selling US coins a sign of the times.
