Quantity vs. Quality

The wiser heads around me tell me I am doing "almost" everything the wrong way. Chief among my sins (of which there are many)is gathering all of the low-hanging fruit.

For example, I collect the easy, available 1934-1945 Mercury Dimes. Any 1916-1931 coins that are quick-grabs are also in my collection.

Absent are the key coins: 1916D, of course, and 1921, 1921D, as well as the 1942/1P & D. I don't even have the semi-key 1926S.

Since I am a normal mortal I must live by a budget so spending 12000 for an AU58 1916D seems unrealistic...........for now.

Yet I can appreciate the wisdom of acquiring the key coins first.

Numismedia lists an increase in the price for a 1926S MS65FB in March. All key dates have been showing a steady climb in price. I am told that the coins are out there but are being held in collections, the coin market being so hot for collection "quality" pieces that it makes sense to hold. To blast prime examples out of grasp of other collectors requires prices that are becoming increasingly outrageous. Given this market then, time is NOT on my side.

But I do feel proud of my collection. I enjoy every piece I have; they are wonderful!!!

And all the low-hanging fruit are disappearing. Or rather I already have them. So now the pace of acquisition is slowing anyway and my "Coin Money" savings account has not been raided in months.The account balance is getting bigger and perhaps it is time to look at the prizes I was forced to admire from afar.

Or not!

Timing the coin market seems almost as futile as timing the stock market.What I go after now may drop in price next week. And dollar-cost averaging does not work here.

So in the end I collect what I love "and" what I can afford. The collection may not be complete by the time I kick the bucket but it will be my best effort. And if the 1945 MS65FB comes along at just the right time in my collecting career.........