the coin had the look and was only 50% of list--but there is no set fot it

As I've matured and become more disciplined in my collecting my impulsive purchases have dropped considerably. Not that impulse buying is a sign of immaturity in general- but when I first started collecting seriously, I never saw a coin I didn't want. I lost a bit of money by building complete sets quickly-even #1 registry sets- and then selling the coins for less than I bought them. I don't even want to think of the money lost when I throw in buyers fees, sellers fees, shipping, and slabbing. I learned through the school of hard knocks to my wallet--buy what I plan on holding for a decade or longer or I'm gonna lose money overall.

I do believe there actually ARE wrong ways to collect--just not wrong interests or coins to collect.

Some people will say disparaging and mean things about ASE collectors and "they are just bullion, not coins". Well the design is beautiful, the coin has an annual dated issue and also several varieties and special issues-just like many series, so I think of ASE's as a coin first, that also happens to be of bullion purity.

Others disparage the modern series collector. Usually the put-downs are about massive mintages, market saturation and over-priced for collectors who seek perfection. Some collectors will pay 5 to 10x more for a perfect 70 instead of a 69 at 1/10th of the cost. I would ask the naysayers, "since when did the pursuit of perfection or the highest quality set become a bad thing?" and Why is that different than a classic design collector who pays 10x the cost for an MS67 over an MS66?

Some even crack down on those who collect proof coinage. I've heard more than one collector scoff at proof coinage as " not real coinage" since it was not minted for the purpose of tender but was solely printed for those who do collect.

For others the eye-rolling comes at those who purchase mint products, or the Modern Commems ( again they mention the over-saturation of products by the mint). I would say, how is having an array of choices for young and/or future collectors who might enjoy the hobby years from now a bad thing? If all coin collectors are oldsters and no new, younger collectors are starting in our hobby then a MAJOR point comes up that they hadn't considered. Who would buy our collections when we sell them or leave them to family? With no new collectors then our coins turn into precious metals and nothing else.

I could go on and on about how so many have an opinion about what and how is the right way for others to collect. All I know for me is that I've learned to only buy coins now that I know I'd like to own for years--maybe even never part with. This saves me a lot of money on impulse buying of a commemorative issue of a nickel, or a 4 coin Lincoln commem set. I'd enjoy these coins often when I bought them for a few days and then they would be relegated to a slab box in the safe. Not that these aren't great coins if those are the series you collect, but I don't collect those series and I just can't justify buying every special edition or commem that the mint produces. Eventually I usually would end up plucking out coins for quick sale from the slab boxes to buy one I "had to have" at a future date. I'd take 60% on that Ike proof69DCAM set so I could have some more cash for a higher bid on that coin I really was waiting for a year or 2 to come to auction. Nothing is more frustrating in the hobby than finally having a scarce issue come to auction that you've been waiting and hunting for but you just blew a chunk of money on a ho-hum impulse buy and can't make a really healthy bid to secure your prize.

I have reduced my buying in the past 2 to 3 years to special coins that are unique and appeal to my specific tastes and eyes. Most often these will be a half dollar from 1839-1947 or a Mercury Dime that has color. I have bought a few "single coins" that I have no intention of completing the set or even adding to the registry. My 1917 MS65FH quarter is one of these--what a beautiful coin the TypeI SLQ is ! I also have a single high grade Peace Dollar of a very common date-1924- because it was exceptionally free of marks and highly lustrous. I like the design but only want one.

I have 1 Morgan CC coin and my most recent impulse buying landed me another unique and distinct looking Morgan- an 1888-S Morgan. I was pleased to see also that it is a scarcer date-in fact the first Morgan struck with less than 700,000 mintage. So here is my prize..another addition that I will pull out over the years and enjoy studying the toning under 20x magnification. For now, that is the only "right" buy for me. Who knows, if I live long enough I might be like old Eliasberg and try and get one of each...Happy Hunting e1, whatever it is that you enjoy.

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