Community Voice Responses (01/29/13)

From the January 4th Numismatic e-newsletter: Would you consider 2012 a successful year in your collecting? Here are some answers sent from our e-newsletter readers to Editor Dave Harper.

As far as my coin collection goes, which right now I’m placing more emphasis on collecting the U.S. Mint’s entire collection of America the Beautiful silver quarters, proof sets, uncirculated sets with “P,” “D” and “S” mintmarks, roll quarters with “P,” “D,” and “S” mintmarks, the three-coin set which has all three mintmarks, and the 5-ounce silver America the Beautiful quarters, it is a very long and drawn out process that’s going to take to the year 2021.
I have completed my entire collection of all the early commemorative U.S. coins and the 76 different U.S. coins for my Dansco 7070 U.S. Major Coin Types, with every coin being a grade of Fine (F-12) to MS-70. So, I have spent all the money I’m ever going to spend on old U.S. minted coins unless something comes along that I think is an excellent deal. There is just too much fraud (counterfeit coins) involved in buying and selling old U.S. coins, and I don’t trust anyone but myself when it comes to grading a coin. The major coin grading companies are not trustworthy, as far as I’m concerned. I just don’t trust someone handling my coins, knowing that there is a possibility that my original coin could be switched with another coin and returned to me encased in a slab, graded as something other that what the original coin was.
I’m 71 years of age and have been collecting coins for over 50 years, so needless to say, I have a lot of money invested in coins, which are all cataloged and stored in my bank vault.
As far as 2012 being a successful year for collecting, I would say for me, yes it has, because I have obtained every coin that I wanted to purchase.
Larry W. Young
Tyrone, Ga.

2012 was a very successful year for me. I decided to limit my collection to gold coins and Carson City coins and memorabilia. By doing that I was able to stop paying the bank for two of my safety deposit boxes by selling the things I no longer had an interest in. By concentrating on just a couple of areas, I have more money to spend on the things I like best. Also, I can be a lot more choosy with the coins I do purchase. That also makes my wife a lot happier.
Like a lot of collectors, I had let myself get into just about everything under the sun in numismatics. Needless to say, that was hard on my wallet. I can now afford to look for the better coins and items that I am really into.
I don’t buy as many coins as I used to, but the ones I do purchase are of higher quality with a greater chance for appreciation in value for the things I do collect. Also, I no longer have to worry about what new mint products I should buy. It sure makes collecting a lot easier, although not less expensive.
John T. Tinney
Volcano, Calif.

For the collecting community as a whole, I cannot comment, but for myself yes 2012 was a banner year. I was fortunate enough to be able to acquire several nice offerings from our beloved U.S. mint and a few nice horse blanket notes. But the grandaddy of them all came at Christmas, from my wife, the holy grail of Lincolns - a P.C.G.S. slabed & certified 1909SVDB in VF-20 grade, and as far as I can see 2013 will be just as good if not better! Man this is fun.
Michael P. Schmeyer
Halsey Valley, N.Y.

This year was a banner year for me. An added expense was covered by selling off some “flex” items I had. In my new home (4 months) I’ve found about 15 cart tokens. Perhaps in this area I might find some rarities, as I’ve done with tax and transit tokens in the states. None of these tokens are found here, thus, potential profit for retirement again.
In these “troubled times” may a good collecting growth be for everybody!
Gary Kess Berkel
Rodenrijs, Netherlands