The blindness of a beginner.

For the past few months, I have been thinking about the need for "Vision" in one's collecting pursuits. Then, about a month ago, Oldtrader 3 posted a journal entry that provided the catalyst that organized my thoughts.

To start at the beginning, I began collecting coins in 1974. It was an impromptu beginning rather than a planned entry into the hobby. Not much thought went into my collecting, just, "This looks pretty. I'll buy it". My "vision" extended no further than each individual coin as I evaluated it.

I can recall laying out that early collection on a table and admiring each for its beauty, while seeing no connection with the other coins. With time, came an appreciation for having "like" coins- Jefferson 5 Cents, Mercury Dimes, etc. My "vision" had expanded to see a design type rather than individual coins.

Gradually, this expanded "vision" allowed me to see and appreciate a link between design types of the same denomination; ie, all nickels, all dimes, all quarter designs.

My "vision" was expanding and my enjoyment of the hobby was growing.

TO BE CONTINUED: What shapes our "Vision"?