What sort of collector are you, private or social? Would you continue the hobby if you had no connection to other collectors?

I am a private collector, and I do the hobby without any connection to other collectors except occasionally talking to my father, a fellow collector, about coins. The ability to purchase coins online makes my collecting even more introverted than several years ago.

The most social I became with coins was when I had an antique booth reselling coins. I frequented shows to shop for inventory and talked about the booth's needs with dealers that I was buying from. I became even more private about my collecting after the theft of all of the booth’s inventory two years ago.

Jennifer Mitchell, Address withheld

These days, I am a very private collector. I avoid advertising my collection and collecting, and I have a good reason not to draw a target on my back.

I still belong to a couple of coin ’n’ note societies, as I have for several decades, but I no longer have any significant interactions with them beyond getting their publications. That said, I would certainly continue to collect in my chosen field regardless of having occasional, let alone regular, contact with other collectors.

In all these regards, I find the presence and nature of the web have changed any former need I had for regular, structured contact with other collectors. I am quite content with becoming a near recluse in my collecting. It helps ensure my privacy and my security.

Name and address withheld

Purely private. I don’t know any other collectors. Colorado does not seem to be a hotbed of the hobby. Very few shows of any type, and we’ve lost three good, old-fashioned coin shops in my area.

Jim, Golden, Colo.

I am halfway between a private and a social collector. I would probably continue the hobby if I had no connection with other collectors, although I would always need to be able to check my coins using catalogs or online.

Marcel Solé, Address withheld

I’d say I’m some of both. I got hooked early by looking through rolls—the thrill was filling the holes. I was the catalyst to start a high school coin club. I went to shows and made lifetime friends with a number of dealers, many now deceased. Now, I try to help people figure out what to do with dormant or inherited collections. While I enjoy the personal interactions immensely, my greatest enjoyment comes from the coins or currency themselves, the search, and the history.

Gary Burhop, Address withheld

I would still be a collector.

Eugene Crisafulli, Address withheld

Well, I started out on my own, but I'm definitely glad I met fellow collectors. The social aspect definitely makes it a lot more enjoyable. But if I had no choice, I would still continue collecting.

Ernesto Aguilar via Facebook

The collection makes connections, but if there is no way, I would continue without others.

Parag Purushottam Purkar via Facebook

Yes, I would continue without others.

David Wyndoze via Facebook

Certainly.

Scott Ray via Facebook