ALL "collectors" are investors.

[Count_Erfit]

The only "collectors" who are not.....collect rocks. Rocks they FIND and keep because they like them.

 

But the old saw, "I'm a collector, not an investor" has never held water as far as I have seen. I retired from the coin/pawn bizz this year and after 25 years, the only "collectors" I ever saw were the ones who got Whitman boards for current nickels and dimes. Oh yeah, also the state quarters from circulation.

 

If you have spent money for a coin, you have invested in it.

 

You are investing money, time, and knowledge into your coins. You don't "collect" coins any more than you "collect" stocks or bonds.

 

You are REWARDED as an investor from your expertise and luck.

 

Those insisting to be "collectors" cite eye appeal or appearance, and paying more for something they desire as separating them from being an "investor." It's simply choosing the investment for your own reasons.

 

(Maybe I would make an exception for coin "shooters" where the coins are truly collected from their historic location. But even THEY research the value.)

 

But your heirs will have an "investment" as will you when or if you choose to sell what you have invested so much effort into.

 

Are coins an investment? I say yes. Do all investments go up in value. I say no.

 

Does it matter? Not one damn bit. I even enjoy my income investments every month.

 

[sanmary]

Lots of truth in your words from what I have seen. I too "collect", but also view my coins, or most of them as investments. Do I expect to be able to sell most of my coins for a profit 10 or 20 years from now....absolutely. This makes them investments in the long run and a collection in the short.

[nwcs]

Yep, I collect but I never lose sight of the invest part. Although I should be smart and sell all the coins and invest in better things.

 

Neil

[zzpot-migration]

Nice little rant Count !

 

A couple of words you might want to add to your vocabulary...............Tangable Asset.

 

 

Next week I will explain the difference in a 401k and a Roth IRA

 

Laterz Count

 

 

 

 

[SilverEagleCoins]

Different people "invest" for different reasons. Some do it for financial gain. Some do it to calm their nerves. Others do it for commaderies amongst other who share the same passion. I personally do it to spend quality time with my godsons. My coins are all too popular to have any significant value for another 100 years.

[BillJones]

A middle class person cannot spend the kind of money that it takes to build a really good collection and NOT pay any attention to the long-term financial consequences. Fortunately many collectors who do spend thousands of dollars through lives develop an eye for quality in the grades that they collect. If they don't the heirs could become very unhappy.

[Dry]

hmm...time to start a new post

[Bruceswar]

nice post...