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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;ewomack, post: 4022938, member: 15588&quot;]Unrealistic expectations of true value based on price guides, dealer prices, auction prices, magazine ads, internet sites and coin shops. The most important thing someone can do to see if they really have an interest in coins is to try and sell some.</p><p><br /></p><p>I really do think, and I know this that isn&#039;t anything close to a scientific theory, that most people, not all, first gain an interest in coins with some expectation of earned value over time. Historical interest also plays a part, but underlying that also sits hopes of cashing out big for oneself or for one&#039;s family or descendants.</p><p><br /></p><p>I wouldn&#039;t be surprised if many collectors have future fantasies of their kids or grandkids opening their safes or safe deposit boxes and being overwhelmed with gratitude at what their wise ancestors left for them. Then, the fairy tale continues, they spend the rest of their lives thanking them continuously for such magnanimous generosity and so on down through the generations. People are really, really good, I mean really, really really good at dreaming up confirmation bias fantasies. We&#039;re so good at it that we don&#039;t even realize when we&#039;re doing it.</p><p><br /></p><p>The more likely scenario, contra the fantasy, probably involves the unwitting descendants getting dumped with stuff that they have no interest in and have no idea what to do with. Then, to get rid of it, they easily and mercilessly get ripped off by the wrong buyer, who may or may not be a coin dealer. If your family has little to no interest in or knowledge of coins, the best thing to do for them is to bequeath them nothing of your collection.</p><p><br /></p><p>When one really looks at the game and realizes that what one needs more than anything in this hobby is disposable income, that can kill interest for many people. Especially when they realize that few, if any, profits will result from their endless rustling through 3-ring binders and webpages looking for that &quot;great deal.&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p>Coins are a terrible, horrible, wretched investment. Possibly one of the worst out there. The majority of collectors would probably realize higher returns by simply letting their money sit in a savings account. Many people have stated this clearly and repeatedly on this very forum, so this isn&#039;t new information. If you love these metal discs dearly, prepare to take many losses. If you&#039;re okay with that, great. Others may find it bizarre as precious objects sit in safes or miles away in vaults. And they may have a point.</p><p><br /></p><p>This process may take quite a bit of time, but the gradual realization that one has spent years and a good amount of emotional energy buying up a lot of valueless stuff can really kill interest in the hobby in a very permanent way.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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