Here are some signs, however everyone starts off as a beginner and a true beginner who makes these errors should not be roundly condemned, merely shown the correct way as this will put off future collectors.
1. People who fail simple questions like “What year was the first Kennedy halve issued” or “What year did such and such a country go to decimal currency”.
2. People who mix silver and muck metal coins together.
3. People who handle proof and high grade valuable coins with greasy fingers.
4. People who buy fake Chinese minted coins, thinking they are the real thing.
5. People who think coins are valuable because they are old, like someone who is convinced their 1899 worn penny is worth more than a 2000s gold sovereign, because its older.
6. People who think old silver coins should be cheaper because 25 cents or a shilling has very little face value today.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
However they are sorted by country and into separate bags for better coins and all silver and gold coins are in flips.
When you have thousands of coins and not all are worth big bucks or are just unremarkable change, you are not going to put them in mylar, flips, capsules or a safe - are you.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
They are only buying based purely on worth. That's either trying to be “showy” or simply speculative investing.
There's no specific purpose to the collection. The purpose can be literally anything. I collect modern-ish British coins because I like understanding the reasons why something was on a commemorative issue; it's a wide array of our national history. Some people want one from every monarch, or all dates of pennies, or one from every country. Some even collect by engraver. I knew a guy who's purpose was fish on global coins. 🤷♂️ But of you're just buying random stuff without any purpose, that's not a collection. That's just unrestrained buying for buyings sake.
Dismissiveness of other collections. It shouldn't matter what others collect, it is a matter of politeness to listen to others talk about their passion. Sure you might not care about fish coins, but if you listen to someone who does, you can learn something, or appreciate the artistry, or something else positive.
Gatekeeping. Not everyone can afford ultra-mega-uber-deluxe-proof issues of coins or to hunt down extreme rarities. But we should all encourage each other to build the best we're able to. I'd rather see a collection of rough & worn modern pennies than no collection at all. Belittling of other's achievements only makes you look like an arse.
The only pure true answer is: “someone who doesn't own any coins”. 😅
Other then that I would only differentiate collectors (owns coins and occupies himself/herself with them cataloging/studying) and “investors”/hoarders (some can overlap).
They are only buying based purely on worth. That's either trying to be “showy” or simply speculative investing.
There's no specific purpose to the collection. The purpose can be literally anything. I collect modern-ish British coins because I like understanding the reasons why something was on a commemorative issue; it's a wide array of our national history. Some people want one from every monarch, or all dates of pennies, or one from every country. Some even collect by engraver. I knew a guy who's purpose was fish on global coins. 🤷♂️ But of you're just buying random stuff without any purpose, that's not a collection. That's just unrestrained buying for buyings sake.
Dismissiveness of other collections. It shouldn't matter what others collect, it is a matter of politeness to listen to others talk about their passion. Sure you might not care about fish coins, but if you listen to someone who does, you can learn something, or appreciate the artistry, or something else positive.
Gatekeeping. Not everyone can afford ultra-mega-uber-deluxe-proof issues of coins or to hunt down extreme rarities. But we should all encourage each other to build the best we're able to. I'd rather see a collection of rough & worn modern pennies than no collection at all. Belittling of other's achievements only makes you look like an arse.
I understand some of your points, but I get a feeling some of this is a slight dig at those who have some nicer coins. I sincerely hope I am wrong and this is not aimed at me.
I have never been dismissive of new collectors or what people collect. The only time I get really snarky and arrogant at a new collector is either when they try to lie or deceive, like represent a fake Chinese minted coin (Like say a fake morgan dollar) as the real thing and say its mega valuable. Or anyone who tries to swindle and mislead a new collector or someone who does not know what this person is selling them but luring them with promises of value and rarity.
I have a lot of intention to all my collecting, a world collection of coins.
I think if people just accumulate expensive coins for show or collect fish on coins, its still collecting as its “deliberate” and “intentional” behaviour. Not all collecting should follow date runs, denominations, countries or years. The joy of collecting coins is you can make it what you want. Numismatics is a global hobby, but every numismatist/collector makes it their own and their own collection with their own rules. If whatever coins they get makes them happy, where is the issue.
If I am wrong, I apologise and I sincerely hope I have misjudged your reply and/or it was aimed at someone else.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Anyone who collects coins is a coin collector. Let's not gatekeep our hobby by telling people how and why they should and shouldn't collect.
Fair point mate. My stance isnt from a place of gatekeeping. It's the gentrification and commercialisation of our hobby that I find a problem with people who aren't even collectors just scalpers. Hardly anything commemorative is put into circulation here these days and the coins that are, they end up being hoarded and sold third party, even the regular new 2025 pound coins up until mintage figures were released then non collectors didn't care as the 10 million or so mintage update after the 170,000 mintage media hype beforehand rendered them “worthless”. We all buy coins that we can't find in circulation but my statement represents the matter in question of those using our hobby to make a quick buck which you can't blame them but it is still annoying. 20 years ago in the UK you could go out and come back with a pocket full of commemoratives and that's one thing coin collecting is about when finding stuff in your change. True collectors have to result to bank runs thesedays to find anything in good number for their collection. The commercialisation and various lying articles about how much something is “worth” ruined the change hunt.
They are only buying based purely on worth. That's either trying to be “showy” or simply speculative investing.
There's no specific purpose to the collection. The purpose can be literally anything. I collect modern-ish British coins because I like understanding the reasons why something was on a commemorative issue; it's a wide array of our national history. Some people want one from every monarch, or all dates of pennies, or one from every country. Some even collect by engraver. I knew a guy who's purpose was fish on global coins. 🤷♂️ But of you're just buying random stuff without any purpose, that's not a collection. That's just unrestrained buying for buyings sake.
Dismissiveness of other collections. It shouldn't matter what others collect, it is a matter of politeness to listen to others talk about their passion. Sure you might not care about fish coins, but if you listen to someone who does, you can learn something, or appreciate the artistry, or something else positive.
Gatekeeping. Not everyone can afford ultra-mega-uber-deluxe-proof issues of coins or to hunt down extreme rarities. But we should all encourage each other to build the best we're able to. I'd rather see a collection of rough & worn modern pennies than no collection at all. Belittling of other's achievements only makes you look like an arse.
I would agree with the above except with point 2 only because I struggle to find a scenario of someone buying for the sake of buying. For instance, in the last couple years, I go to the coin expos here in Toronto without any particular goal in mind. I pick up whatever catches my eye. Admittently, they are mostly coins that are atleast a 100 yrs old. But that doesn’t mean I’ll not possibly pick up something modern. In the end, the idea is because they have A good story behind them and they make for good conversations/coffee table discussions or research. But my logic is there is so much out there and only my limited budget, so why try to complete a series or theme in particular. now let’s say there is someone who doesn’t care about history/stories, yet they are buying random stuff. My guess in that case is they are newbie collectors (but collectors nonetheless) or they’re buying speculatively for silver or because theyve been told that coins are good investments in which case they are investors. Eitherways, it is all intentional
The only pure true answer is: “someone who doesn't own any coins”. 😅
Other then that I would only differentiate collectors (owns coins and occupies himself/herself with them cataloging/studying) and “investors”/hoarders (some can overlap).
“someone who doesn't own any coins”
This is the only pure true answer indeed! a coin collector is simply someone who collects coins. If they have a few random old coins in a box and say “this is my collection” then they are indeed a coin collector 🙂
I don't really categorose like that, but I do see a difference between collectors who collect coins because they like coins, and investers who only collwct silver and gold coins just because they are silver or gold.
I don't really categorose like that, but I do see a difference between collectors who collect coins because they like coins, and investers who only collwct silver and gold coins just because they are silver or gold.
100% I wouldn't say people who melt down coins are collectors for no purpose. If its in the business aspect of it, its another story.
It makes me cringe when people tell others they're not a real collector. It's like the losers that tell people they're not a real fan of a band if they can't name the set list from a 1972 concert in Boise Idaho.
Some people don't know what year the first Kenndy half was issued, but they like coins and keep any they like, that person is a collector
Some people throw all their coins into bags (all mine go into an old paint tin before they go into my collection) that person is a collector
Some people have no rhyme or reason to what they collect except that they like the way the coin looks, that person is a collector
Let's not be snobs about our hobby. I used to collect stamps, I loved them and collected everything I liked the look of, one day I decided to join the local philatelic society, and the pretentiousness of the old collectors there just turned me off the whole thing. Welcome the inexperienced, welcome the uninformed, welcome the collector picking base metal coins out of his pocket change, because they grow and mature and become more informed the longer they collect.
I am annoyed by the first post, because my collection is largely stored in glass jars. I am trying to reduce my amount of plastic usage, and all those flips, 2x2s and binder pages are a step in the wrong direction.
It makes me cringe when people tell others they're not a real collector. It's like the losers that tell people they're not a real fan of a band if they can't name the set list from a 1972 concert in Boise Idaho.
Some people don't know what year the first Kenndy half was issued, but they like coins and keep any they like, that person is a collector
Some people throw all their coins into bags (all mine go into an old paint tin before they go into my collection) that person is a collector
Some people have no rhyme or reason to what they collect except that they like the way the coin looks, that person is a collector
Let's not be snobs about our hobby. I used to collect stamps, I loved them and collected everything I liked the look of, one day I decided to join the local philatelic society, and the pretentiousness of the old collectors there just turned me off the whole thing. Welcome the inexperienced, welcome the uninformed, welcome the collector picking base metal coins out of his pocket change, because they grow and mature and become more informed the longer they collect.
So true, I used to be on Prince and Michael Jackson fan forums and they attract the stans, who instantly think you are a primeval lump of ooze if you can not say how many times Michael said “aow” during Smooth Criminal in Budapest or how many times Prince played A case of you on his last tour.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Here are some signs, however everyone starts off as a beginner and a true beginner who makes these errors should not be roundly condemned, merely shown the correct way as this will put off future collectors.
1. People who fail simple questions like “What year was the first Kennedy halve issued” or “What year did such and such a country go to decimal currency”.
2. People who mix silver and muck metal coins together.
3. People who handle proof and high grade valuable coins with greasy fingers.
4. People who buy fake Chinese minted coins, thinking they are the real thing.
5. People who think coins are valuable because they are old, like someone who is convinced their 1899 worn penny is worth more than a 2000s gold sovereign, because its older.
6. People who think old silver coins should be cheaper because 25 cents or a shilling has very little face value today.
4. People who buy fake Chinese minted coins, thinking they are the real thing.
I remember impulse buying this for £20 on Portobello road when I was maybe 12? And having a mini breakdown when I got home because I thought I'd spent my entire budget for the day on a fake coin. Luckily for me it turned out to be real 😎
4. People who buy fake Chinese minted coins, thinking they are the real thing.
I remember impulse buying this for £20 on Portobello road when I was maybe 12? And having a mini breakdown when I got home because I thought I'd spent my entire budget for the day on a fake coin. Luckily for me it turned out to be real 😎
Never come across Palestine mandate fakes in the wild. Found genuine 50 mils on flea markets but never came across a 100. However there is Chinese reproductions now of the 100 mils on places like aliexpress. Very lucky to get this for £12 indeed.
In hindsight it was an absolute steal, but at the time I had zero clue what I was doing. The market is full of fakes (most of them so bad that 12 year old me could spot them) so it was pure luck that this one wasn't!
Moneytane - Well, that depends on you eh? If you're buying specifically to go “Nyaah nah, look how rich I am. I'm better than you”. Then you're an arse & a “bad” collector.
If you're buying for your own pleasure, and just showing off your acquisitions, then all good. 🙂
To be clear though, I really wasn't aiming at anyone on here. 😛 I do believe you are a passionate collector who just happens to be fortunate enough to have deep pockets (at least, compared to many of us “regular” faces here). And I don't begrudge you, or anyone, that.
We all in different places financially, and honestly, I love that. Nothing wrong with showing off a £10,000 purchase if you can afford it. Nothing wrong with showing off an unusual 1p coin either. Everyone shops according to their means. 🙂
And I truly love seeing the cheap & cheerful displayed right next to the rare & valuable. It's a fascinating insight into everyone.
But I did know someone who wasn't into coins that much, a few interesting ones here and there. Then about 10 years ago, he came into a huge stack of money, and started buying gold sovereigns by year & mint. Which all fair enough so far. But I remember once sitting with him flicking through my circulation-grade collection and he cut me off part way through my sentence “Bit shit compared to my sovereigns though, isn't it? No value in this crap”
We don't talk anymore…
That's the sort of person I meant. Someone who only cares about flaunting their wealth. Not the collection any more, purely the show-off aspect of it.
He's genuinely who I pictured when I saw the post title.
=====
Ashlobo - I'd argue your purpose or reason is simply “artistic merit”. You buy because they look interesting to you. 😀
And that's absolutely perfectly valid.
If I was ever going for a less UK-focused collection, that's how I'd shop too. 🙂
I meant the sort of person who would walk into a coin shop, buy everything they could afford, then just throw it unsorted into a tin forevermore.
Buying for the sake of buying. No interest in the hobby really.
=====
Neilithicman - honestly, I can agree & sympathise with you. I think you're absolutely right on all counts.
I suppose my thoughts were more on what makes a bad collector rather than not a collector at all.
The pretentious eye-rollers I suppose are still collectors. But they're not collectors I'd ever want to associate with.
I had a similar experience with a stamp collector once. I had a bunch of bright colourful and relatively modern UK stamps which I'd simply cut off letters & parcels I'd received over the years. Wanted to pick up a few tips on how to display them & research some gaps. Visited the local group.
I can still picture his arrogant dismissive face 20 years later. How this single stamp here was worth bazillions and my entire collection he wouldn't even use as toilet paper.
Honestly, most of the stamp-collector group was like that but he was very brazen with his opinions.
Yeah, way to go interesting a ~10-year old kid in your hobby, mate. 🙄
There were two absolutely amazing (and very old) gents though, so not everyone was “mean”. But they weren't enough to make me want to go back to the group.
I know of a stamp collecting community that won't let you mention coins. I don't know if its a joke or not though, but some of them sound genuinely offended when a coin is mentioned. But maybe they are just good at sarcasm and jokes 🤷
I'd be no good at that group. I would go considerably out of my way to find coins depicted on stamps with that rule. 🤣
In fact, I'd probably go on a crusade to get them all. 😬
Out of all the collectors I've ever met, stamp collectors seem to be the most “closed community”. It's like there's maybe 100 “worthy” stamps & everything else is rubbish.
Not to say all of them of course, there's some thoroughly decent folks there too. One of my friends, her dad collects early British stamps. And he's a delight to listen to, but also interacts with other peoples collections whatever they may be. I even have a gift for him when he visits over the summer. 🙂
Stamp collecting is definitely a dying hobby. I know tons of young coin/note collectors (I’m not exactly old either to be fair), but I’ve never met a stamp collector younger than my grandpa. A quick look at ebay shows most stamps selling for less than 10% of catalogue value, and colnect’s stamp catalogue is well… colnect. They really aren’t in a position to get on their high horse about their hobby when they’re the only ones still doing it…
Stamp collecting is definitely a dying hobby. I know tons of young coin/note collectors (I’m not exactly old either to be fair), but I’ve never met a stamp collector younger than my grandpa. A quick look at ebay shows most stamps selling for less than 10% of catalogue value, and colnect’s stamp catalogue is well… colnect. They really aren’t in a position to get on their high horse about their hobby when they’re the only ones still doing it…
I feel stamp collectors are way more gatekeepy than coin collectors. Also whenever I go to fleamarkets/carboot sales theres usually coins available in bulk to rummage through, I very very rarely see stamps, and if I do, the seller always knows what they got and only sells full albums at a time, it's very unwelcoming to younger people to get into. It's way easier for a kid to rummage through a bunch of cheap world coins, pick out some interesting ones and develop a small collection and get into the hobby.
