Could you ever stop collecting?

[HaydenTubbs]

Could you ever stop collecting and go back to a normal non-numismatic lifestyle?

No checking your change,no coin forums,no shows,and no coins.

Not me I'd be mentally scarred for life!

[goose3]

If prices continue to skyrocket.....YES I could stop buying. I'd do more browsing and reading.

[Bruceswar]

I could never stop... but I could be detured

[Wihlborg]

Sure, I could stop collecting anytime I want.

 

I know I can because I do it all the time, like whenever I’m not at a coin show, reading these boards, or checking dealer’s web sites.

 

John

[gmarguli]

I did stop for a few years.

 

There is enough in coins to keep me interested for a long time. However, if some other hobb came along, I could see myself moving toward it.

[michael]

probsbly but not likely

 

but i do more chst coin rooms and coin research then i do collecting i am now more into information and coin socializing andm mentor for kids who are into coins and also helping other collectors help themselves in numismatic related things

[Hoot]

I look forward to the day. The sooner it is plausible for my life, the better. Meanwhile, I'll enjoy the ride.

 

Hoot

[Oldtrader3]

I did for several years, after the debacle of the late '80's. I got disgusted, disgruntled and disinterested for about (5) years because of the disgraceful behavior of some dealers during this period. Boy, I'm on a roll here with the dis...... words!!

[spy88]

Yea, I could see myself living a life without collecting coins...and I probably would if I could only figure out what I'd do with all the time, money, energy I'd have on my hands if I did!

 

Got a friend in Hawaii that is so fed up with collecting (actually it's his personal life he's fed up with) that he asked if I would be interested in buying him out. Hasn't had any desire to peruse eBay, Teletrade, Heritage, etc. for Jeffs (his focus too) for about 3 months. Talked him out of it for now but left the door open just in case he's serious about it at some point in the future.

[melmcbee]

David, I will be glad to make life easier for you just give me your money and I will deal with the heartache of collecting.

[cpm9ball]

It's one of my hobbies that I really enjoy. But, if prices keep escalating the way they have been, I'll have to take up another one to support it......collecting rich women.

Chris

[mommam17]

I sure hope not. When I collected back in the 60`s to 80`s life was good. When I stopped collecting late 80`s to mid 90`s life was not as good. When I came back to collecting in 1996 life got very good!!! Collecting makes me very happy and I hope it continues.

[James_OldeTowne]

While in school, I collected coins avidly (limited by my budget of course) up until gradudation day. Then, I stopped collecting completely for eight years solid. It wasn't until I wandered in to the big coin show in St. Louis that the collecting bug bit again. Then a couple of years later, I bumped into Dennis (Jade Rare Coin), my friend from Kindegarten through High School graduation, and we started a coin business together. So having been able to enjoy both sides of the table, I'd find it very difficult to give up collecting again, much less for eight years!

 

James

[Beijim]

If the right supermodel were to come along, I'd quit numismatics in a heartbeat. My heartbeat, which would be near 80% of peak cardiac function for an extended period of time.

 

Beijim

[HaydenTubbs]

While I could definately stop buying coins for my own personal collection,and probably could sell my collection if forced to;I don't think I could stop thinking of coins and all.

[Elcontador]

Yes. If what I collect continues to become harder to find and more expensive, out of frustration, I may bail. I did this in the 70s when I got tired of dealers ripping me every time I sold a coin. I hope I don't bail again, though.

[HaydenTubbs]

Yes. If what I collect continues to become harder to find and more expensive, out of frustration, I may bail. I did this in the 70s when I got tired of dealers ripping me every time I sold a coin. I hope I don't bail again, though.

The problem I have with bailing out is that you've got to start all over again.If prices get to high.I sit back with my coins,and wait till things settle down.

[Beijim]

On a more serious note, there's a point for me beyond which the utility of having the cash exceeds the utility of having the coin. While I like to take the long view and be content that, compared to current prices, I purchased most of my holdings at a relative bargain, it's also the case that when prevailing prices become silly enough, it's worth evaluating how dearly you covet the asset.

 

The definition of "silly enough" is key. Though subjective, it has to do with how well you sleep at night knowing you have the coin instead of the bank balance.

 

Beijim

[Hoot]

On a more serious note, there's a point for me beyond which the utility of having the cash exceeds the utility of having the coin. While I like to take the long view and be content that, compared to current prices, I purchased most of my holdings at a relative bargain, it's also the case that when prevailing prices become silly enough, it's worth evaluating how dearly you covet the asset.

 

The definition of "silly enough" is key. Though subjective, it has to do with how well you sleep at night knowing you have the coin instead of the bank balance.

 

Beijim

 

Superbly well put.

 

Hoot

[Leothelion]

 

I could probably take up tennis!

 

Or take up dancing!

 

Leo