syzygy Posted December 26, 2005 Report Share Posted December 26, 2005 There are many reasons to collect. These five are commonly reported. Of them, which do you rank at the top?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burks Posted December 26, 2005 Report Share Posted December 26, 2005 I went with pride of ownership. The others factor in but are not the main reason I collect. Owning a coin that is 10x's older then myself and still looking like it was minted a week ago is awesome. Pride of ownership kind of brings beauty of coin designs, historical aspects, and the thrill of completing a set together. I'm proud of a beautiful coin, one that could have been handled by kings, and completing a set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gxseries Posted December 26, 2005 Report Share Posted December 26, 2005 Most probably historical aspects. I could have voted for "thrill of completing a set" but then, what exactly a set could consist of? I could make up a random set, but then, I fill unsatisfied if there were other sets to fill up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dockwalliper Posted December 26, 2005 Report Share Posted December 26, 2005 I went with pride of ownership. All those other things come into play but not if I don't own the coin. ie..... This is a beautiful coin, Im sure glad I own it! What a great coin, could have been carried by a soldier in the civil war. Im glad I own it. I just completed my set of Unc Jefferson Nickels. Im gonna show all my friends that I own this wonderful set. I bought this coin for $1 and now its worth $10. Im glad I own it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuldFartte Posted December 26, 2005 Report Share Posted December 26, 2005 I voted for Pride of Ownership , but it's really "all of the above except #5" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted December 26, 2005 Report Share Posted December 26, 2005 1) Historical Aspect- It is entertaining, at least for me to learn all that I can from the period each coin was minted. 2) Beauty- I have, like I suspose everybody has, bought coins just on the appearance. Some coins are just irresistable if affordable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottishmoney Posted December 26, 2005 Report Share Posted December 26, 2005 I like fine art and history Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted December 26, 2005 Report Share Posted December 26, 2005 Like most of us I could have voted for any of these depending on my mood. But my primary interest is and always has been historical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted December 26, 2005 Report Share Posted December 26, 2005 Since I can only choose one. Historical aspects is the winner for me. I love to think of the places a coin has been and who may have used it. I sort of build a little scenario to go with each coin. Sometimes this requires a little research - that's fun too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trantor_3 Posted December 26, 2005 Report Share Posted December 26, 2005 I voted for Pride of Ownership , but it's really "all of the above except #5" I completely second that!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tabbs Posted December 26, 2005 Report Share Posted December 26, 2005 For me it is mostly history and beauty - not always in that order. Completing a set is not a must, but if I get close to having a complete set, I may well buy the missing piece for only that reason. Profit? No, I do not consider my collection an investment. But if I have the impression that a coin I am interested in can be had cheaper if I wait a little, I can wait. (Or rather, reason and budget sometimes win over that must-have impulse. ) Christian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted December 26, 2005 Report Share Posted December 26, 2005 I go for history. Some of the coins I collect do fit the beauty category. Others, well lets just say beauty is in the eye of the beholder and history always helps. I lost interest in completing sets years ago, but I always seem to gravitate towards completing something, I just define things by categories other than runs of dates and mint marks. I've made a profit or two at times, but mostly I turn a collection over to pursue a new interest. I've sold some very rare coins in the past (not US) that weren't worth that much because the market was so small only to see the market take off. Sometimes I kick myself today, but I've always had fun and I've always turned the sale into something else I enjoy. I do like to show off my coins. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccg Posted December 27, 2005 Report Share Posted December 27, 2005 History, and artisitic merit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stujoe Posted December 27, 2005 Report Share Posted December 27, 2005 1-4 in varying degrees plus acquiring knowledge cover most of it for me but the historical aspect is what I voted for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan769 Posted December 27, 2005 Report Share Posted December 27, 2005 I voted for Pride of Ownership , but it's really "all of the above except #5" I'll third this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akdrv Posted December 27, 2005 Report Share Posted December 27, 2005 I voted for Historical aspects. You learn something new with every coin and even if you part with the coin, knowledge remains with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlueke Posted December 27, 2005 Report Share Posted December 27, 2005 I was thinking it was a toss up between one and two. But then I see myself looking at 6th century Byzantine bronze and gold and some Lombard silver and I guess #1 would be a hard sell to a lot of people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jody526 Posted December 27, 2005 Report Share Posted December 27, 2005 I voted for Pride of Ownership , but it's really "all of the above except #5" I'll fourth that. (Can I do that?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trantor_3 Posted December 27, 2005 Report Share Posted December 27, 2005 you just did Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ætheling Posted December 27, 2005 Report Share Posted December 27, 2005 I like old stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpnyc Posted December 27, 2005 Report Share Posted December 27, 2005 All three of the following are equally responsible for my addiction to coins: Beauty of coin designs Historical aspects Pride of ownership But since I could only vote for one, I voted for Historical Aspects. Coins to me are tangible pieces of history that, if they could talk, would have some wonderful stories to tell. Of course if one day they DID talk, I would have to look for a new hobby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hispania Posted December 27, 2005 Report Share Posted December 27, 2005 Historical aspects and beauty of coin designs are the most important thing for me when i buy,sell or trade a coin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sisu Posted December 27, 2005 Report Share Posted December 27, 2005 I really cannot bring myself to choosing just one, because each one perfectly describes a certain portion of my collecting habits. Certain coins I collect purely for what I see as artisitic appeal; others are simply to help me complete a set; certain coins for their history or the history they represent; while some I just get for the vain reason "now I have a scarce coin in great condition" (which I would put in the Pride of Ownership category); and on occasion I do pick up a coin and/or coin set for potential profit -usually moderns. So I will have to leave this one as a non-vote, because I really do not have one dominant force driving my collecting habits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syzygy Posted December 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2005 I got these reasons from the forward of a new book that I am reading. The forward was written by Kenneth E. Bressett, Redbook editor. The book is, "The Expert's Guide to Collecting & Investing in Rare Coins" by Q. David Bowers. When I read these reasons, I had to give some thought to the issue. Like many other responders have noted, these "reasons" are not independent of each other. For example, it is important to me that I finish a set - and that is part of the pride in ownership reason. Best I could do is a distribution like this: I am going to keep this around and see if my reasons change with time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiffibunny Posted December 28, 2005 Report Share Posted December 28, 2005 I can't pin it down. I just love coins. It's that simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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