I have noticed a lot of collectors on the other forums, have stated that they haven't bought “this banknote” or “that coin” in a while.
I myself have really slowed down after binging on a # of African nations I have wanted to obtain for some time (most of my buys were in the later part of 2025). Then, two sellers did not fulfill my order & finally gave me 2 large refunds (after I flagged them). This allowed me to buy a few more long awaited notes in 2026, but other than that, I think I have slowed down to a crawl (in the # of acquisitions) this year.
Some collectors stated that inflation has curbed their appetite while others have blamed duties, taxes or other issues. We also had a thread on the increase in spot silver prices curbing some collectors' appetites (even junk silver becoming expensive).
For me, I have found that eBay is too expensive & the private sellers I usually patronize don't have the notes on my “wish-list” (at the price I have felt is competitive). Plus the fact that the 2 sellers (as mentioned above) did not adjust their invoice immediately when they ran out of stock (but relied on me to question them). These factors put me off on further acquisitions from them (in particular) & buying in general.
So my question is just a general one, in terms of acquisitions, have you found yourself picking up (buying more), the same as last year, or less than last year? Care to share?
For me it's nearly a decade ago. Mostly because I condensed my active collection field but also because international shipping prices made impulse buys nearly non existing 😅. The silver price doing it's own by reducing my will to buy nice shiny metal rounds.
As I’m pretty new, this might be too early to say if my collecting has forever slowed down… though it did slow down significantly at the silver spike. I used to enjoy digging through the silver junk bin, pulling out whatever i thought looked nice for 10 sek (~1 €) a gram. That’s actually how I’ve gotten some of my nicest coins, shame the prices have more than doubled now.
As I’m pretty new, this might be too early to say if my collecting has forever slowed down… though it did slow down significantly at the silver spike. I used to enjoy digging through the silver junk bin, pulling out whatever i thought looked nice for 10 sek (~1 €) a gram. That’s actually how I’ve gotten some of my nicest coins, shame the prices have more than doubled now.
You just wish you had spent more! I feel the same.
But -
We got what we got at the price at that time, and that was a good move! Much better than money in a deposit account!
So now, you can cost-average that position with new purchases, enlarge your collection, and still end with all below current spot price. 😇
And who can say , but it may double again, and then you will be even sorrier you did not buy more.😾
disclaimer: This is random advice from anonymous internet poster. Your results may vary.
Jamais l'or n'a perdu la plus petite occasion de se montrer stupide. -Balzac
At this point, I already have most of the common and cheap coins, so the local sellers rarely have anything new.
And for the more uncommon coins, I have to go to a coin fair (the one in São Paulo is held once every three months). Either that or buying online, something I don't do because of the international shipping, except for one seller I know in person that is within the state (so only local postage needed).
Not complaining much, since I can save for coins a little more expensive once in a while.
And thankfully I bought only two coins in that junk silver bin in the fair last week (already have the other types that were there), otherwise I would have paid a fortune, the silver gram was at 10 reais (almost 2 euros).
And swaps, so far I only did banknote swaps, which are easier, cheaper, and can be sent within normal envelopes.
With ever increasing postal fees, I've limited my purchases to local USA market, although it means having to wait for the coins a couple of months: a friend, living in the USA, is collecting all my purchases and then, when occasion arrives, she's sending them to me via someone returning to Israel or waiting for me to visit.
Regarding swaps, these high fees make any low value coins exchange too expensive, especially with the customs requirements in the EU and USA.
On top of already expensive regular postal fees, our Post Office now charges an additional “service fee” of 2.5$ for anything not dropped straight into a mail box.
I don't buy a lot in terms of quantity; just 19 coins in 2025.
I bought more the first quarter of 2026 (7) than I did in 1Q 2025, more from luck at auctions than by design. Prices seemed a bit softer for the categories I was pursuing.
On the other hand, we're buying a new house this year, so I am less inclined to chase an increasing auction price than to just drop ut
PM prices are pretty much irrelevant to my colleting patterns.
For me it's nearly a decade ago. Mostly because I condensed my active collection field but also because international shipping prices made impulse buys nearly non existing 😅. The silver price doing it's own by reducing my will to buy nice shiny metal rounds.
Very interesting & thanks for the graphic (I never thought about that!)
Here's mine for 2024 till today:
My graph steadily goes up b/c I wanted to print off a spreadsheet of my collection so I have been trying diligently to add the stuff I forgot to add.
As I’m pretty new, this might be too early to say if my collecting has forever slowed down… though it did slow down significantly at the silver spike
I'm sure (as Mr. Midnight suggests) it will pick up again, just hang in there!
I am going full bore. 🤑 Expanding areas of interest, revisiting areas I have ignored.🧐
Obsession level searching, planning trips to shows. I am going to a show tomorrow and will report back a major haul.
-That's great @Mr. Midnight ! I have read that some collectors are picking up (the reason I wanted to poll Numista collectors).
Certainly slowing down…
And for the more uncommon coins, I have to go to a coin fair (the one in São Paulo is held once every three months). Either that or buying online, something I don't do because of the international shipping, except for one seller I know in person that is within the state (so only local postage needed).
Well, I'm sure the shows are interesting @Giobruno : I usually get a bit pumped about the hobby after a show.
With ever increasing postal fees, I've limited my purchases to local USA market, although it means having to wait for the coins a couple of months: a friend, living in the USA, is collecting all my purchases and then, when occasion arrives, she's sending them to me via someone returning to Israel or waiting for me to visit.
It is interesting how you're getting around some of the obstacles @Dejan While a lot of CDN collectors complain about Canada Post, it is the least expensive option so I have stuck with it (though it is unpredictable).
Picking up.
I don't buy a lot in terms of quantity; just 19 coins in 2025.
I bought more the first quarter of 2026 (7) than I did in 1Q 2025, more from luck at auctions than by design. Prices seemed a bit softer for the categories I was pursuing.
On the other hand, we're buying a new house this year, so I am less inclined to chase an increasing auction price than to just drop ut
I have to admit that I really went on a run at the end of 2025 (mostly for African series & notes you seldom see listed on eBay). When I bought my house @tdziemia, I rarely bought anything & mostly sought the cheap, present day series (which were the 2001 Journey series at the time). Whenever, I slow down I usually take stock in what I have & that means organizing & I'm using Numista for that.
Thanks for all who replied & feel free to contribute if things change or just add your ‘2 bits.’
