Inspiration, anticipation, and aggravation. The Trinity of coin collecting?

Well, it has been about a week since my latest inspired moment and, after winning a few coins, I am still awaiting their arrivals. During a rather bad day at work yesterday, my mind went to what I believe are the three major emotions of a numismatist. I'll list and explain.

1. Inspiration: That moment one sees the coin that one MUST have. That SET...OH SO WONDERFUL!! Credit limits and bank accounts be damned...I am going to Get, finish, attain, THAT SET/COIN!! This is the seed that starts it all, where our dreams begin and the wheels go into motion. Without inspiration, we are coinless. No collecting.

2. Anticipation: The mint order has been placed or the auction has been won, and every sound that mimicks the mail carrier rushes our bodies to the mailbox. Even though the order was just placed....2 HOURS ago. No matter, WHERE IS THAT COIN?? WHY CAN'T THEY HURRY??? Tornado hit the shipping center?? I WANT MY COIN NOW!! We are maniacs and often impatient when it comes to our coins getting here. I won't mention the "stomach in a knot" feeling when the coins are sent off to NGC for grading. OK I just did. "What will it grade?? I am SURE this is a 70!!"

3. Aggravation: The coin you are sure was a 70 now arrives and it's in a body bag...or a mere 69. The auction you KNEW you would win has been won by "wiseguy21" for a dollar more than you bid. The mail STILL is not here. The item you won on ebay has not yet been shipped and you get a message from the auctioneer "ooops ...sorry, I forgot" The aggravation gets deep, and it is a part of the thrill of collecting. But, a perfect collecting world would be kinda nice!!

So, that's what I feel is the collectors (not so) Holy Trinity of emotions. I believe it is great to feel every one of them, and to love life ( and the emotions it brings) and to love our coins and the ups and downs of attaining them all. Each coin we all have do have a unique story, my wife is quite aware of this, but I think that the stories and little experiences no matter how small, makes our collections unique to us all, and our lives that much more fulfilling.

Thanks for reading, good luck with your next coin!!