Specific area to collect

[Daniel Bergström]

I don't have any specific area of interest to my collecting. I have just been buying whatever sparks my interest. I'm interested in greek coinage for the beautiful coins with animals, and the amazing details, the roman coins be it emperor Caligula for his madness or emperor Hadrian for his travels. I like buying something then read about the history behind the coin, to hold a part of that history and imagine everything this coin has been through... if only it could speak.
However when reading about collecting ancient coins, it seems to be really important to find an area of interest for your collecting. Why don't just buy whatever ticks your interest like i'm doing so far? What's your thoughts about this matter?

[Molinari]

Sounds like you have a great approach.  My collecting is very focused but there is nothing wrong with not specializing.  Are you having fun?  That's the ultimate goal.

[ancientdave]

Sounds like you have a great approach.  My collecting is very focused but there is nothing wrong with not specializing.  Are you having fun?  That's the ultimate goal.

^^^This is the best advice you will ever get. Let your nose take you where it may, there are no rules beyond finding enjoyment.

[Frank M]

I collect based on what grabs my interest as well. For a while I was trying to get a good cross section of coins with a Sallus reverse because of its association with healing/plague. The societal effects of disease and propaganda being separate but interesting areas for study. The Ptolemys have some great portraits on their silver coins. Roman Republican coins with double portraits care very compelling. Something about the abstract simplicity of Ashokan punch-silver coins appeals to me as well.

There is something for everyone

[SC]

Your approach is great.  And will likely evolve.

Right now you seem to be mostly interested in the history side which is great.  It leads you to all kinds of reading and study.  And that in turn will lead you to want to collect coins from other interesting characters.

It might also lead you more into numismatic history one day.  That is, a more "internal" interest in the coins than "external".  Liking a style, or series, or mint, or something like that.

Like Nick said, having a fun and interesting hobby is the key.

Shawn


 

[Daniel Bergström]

As long as it's fun it's all good  but i'm still wondering why all the guides on ancient coin collecting always talks about finding a niche.

[Molinari]

Probably because a niche collector will bid considerably more. I've paid hundreds for coins others wouldn't think to spend a few dollars on.

[Molinari]

But also because there is certainly  value in specializing, of course. You get to understand something at a much deeper level.

[Daniel Bergström]

Yes but why would the person writing a guide care about how much i spend on coins?

[Molinari]

I guess it depends who is writing it.  What guides are you talking about, specifically?

[Daniel Bergström]

I don't remember where exactly, just that i have read it several times in different places

[Arminius]

Depends on your personal interests.

To me a focus on ancients excludes 1600 years of history covered by coins and 70 % of the world. Specialize on them may be ok. But that doesn´t mean to exclude the rest of struck material.

I even bought some 1 $ coins of the US presidential series and both coins with the portrait of Saddam Hussein recently as i was interested in the history of these periods.
(When will a Donald T. coin be issued ?)

regards

[ickster]

Sounds like you have a great approach.  My collecting is very focused but there is nothing wrong with not specializing.  Are you having fun?  That's the ultimate goal.

^^^This is the best advice you will ever get. Let your nose take you where it may, there are no rules beyond finding enjoyment.

+1

I also follow the "that looks interesting" method, but I do have some general goals in mind. Nothing specific, and I'm not very disciplined, but I'm having fun.

[n.igma]

(When will a Donald T. coin be issued ?)

Its already arrived ....
http://www.franklinmint.com/donald-trump-45th-president-colorized-coin-currency/detail.php?p=1049037
https://www.trumpdollar.us/
https://www.trumpforpresidentbobblehead.com/products/president-trump-inauguration-commemorative-coin
Even the Russians are in on the act ...
http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/19/europe/russia-trump-inaugural-coin/

This may be the hot new area in which to collect? Who knows? Stranger things have have happened, there's no accounting for taste and I say that most non-judgmentally. But then again some little voice in my head keeps repeating something about relieving fools of their money. Think I'll stick with ancients.

[peterpil19]

Just like my day job,  I am a generalist when it comes to collecting. I do not like to restrict myself with what I collect,  though I do find myself leaning towards nice portraits of Roman Emperors or interesting Greek silvers, when deciding to make a purchase.

Peter