What drives you?

Why do you collect? Is it Passion about coins?

I love to view great things: the architecture of the Atlantis Resort or, fancy casinos; a $17,000 PF 68 Barber Half with monster toning or a high resolution photo of an 1804 Draped Bust Dollar; or well-dressed, high-society people. Seeing them brings pleasure, but I don't have to own them to enjoy them.

There's nothing wrong with owning them. There wouldn't be an Atlantis Resort if some entity didn't own and maintain it. A friend who owns the high-end Barber Half may be kind enough to let me view it. Great owners can possess great treasures.

Not everyone owns a casino, nor can afford one of the five 1913 Liberty Head nickels. I love to view Pedigree Collections and Pedigree coins. I'm PASSIONATE about them. Yet, my passion isn't limited to Pedigrees only. If it were, coin-collecting would be a frustrating hobby. Setting aside Pedigrees, many collectors can't afford Top Pops, or even next-to-top pops. Is the ability to own #1 or #2 pops what drives you to collect? Or is it something else?

If you're PASSIONATE about coins, you can enjoy the hobby at many different levels. If you have limited means, don't allow that stop your passion. It's OK to own under $500, under $250, or under $100 coins (or whatever you can afford). It's okay to have a 29-piece "Type Set" (I'll write about this later) instead of full 97-piece US Type Set (1792-1964 without Gold). If you are passionate about COLLECTING, then you can set your own level, according to your means.

You can focus on premium quality at your level. If your limit is $500 for a Trade Dollar, then find the best AU 50 to 55 you can find. Your focus might be originality and eye-appeal. You find an outstanding toned original AU 53 and pass on a whiter, dipped AU 55. You're passionate and, therefore, content. You can't own the Top Pop -- so what? Another fine person with the means can do that, and we don't begrudge that.

Passion! I'm passionate about coin-collecting. I think many collectors here are too. Are you?

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