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'What I collect rocks, what you collect blows':The Final Word, by Architect

Started by COI,

27 posts in this topic

COI

COI

Posted
Posted

Lifted from a thread I started way back in 2006, when Arch used to be human. One of my favorite posts, and a giant STFU to those who feel the need to criticize the collecting habits of others. Enjoy.

 

We were discussing on the coin side the effect of registries on collecting. Some of the points might be universally interesting.

 

The thread:

 

http://boards.collectors-society.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1414555/site_id/1#import

 

 

A post from that thread:

 

I don't know that I really agree that it's all that shocking, or even bad. I don't think the registry is the driver of how people collect in the way that you guys think it is. I think it's a reflection of the way many people collect.

 

When people were throwing coins in coin albums, do you think that it was uncommon for completionists to seek examples of lower grade coins just so they could fill the album up?

 

Who's to say what makes a coin worth collecting? Aren't they just little metal disks?

 

Colorful toning? Some dread it.

Blast white? Considered by some to have no character.

"Natural look"? That's nice, but some think there's no such thing.

Varieties? Who cares about an error? It's interesting, but why collect it?

Registry points? What for? Then it's all about the plastic.

Completionism? What's the benefit of just filling up a registry set?

Nostalgia? Why collect those junky low grade coins from pocket change just because your dad did?

 

Sometimes it's just plain odd to me how the levels of abstraction about what gives something value are OK in one type and not OK in another. I think it's like driving. Everyone who drives slower than you is a maniac, and everyone who drives faster than you is an *spoon*.

 

Here's what it comes down to, I think. People collect for alot of reasons and with a wide variety of priorities. The path they take to collecting coins comes from many different drivers, and in the end those drivers are just as valid as any other drivers. You could probably, with enough thought, even boil down the key drivers to a few major points, rank them in a particular order and then predict how a collector with those priorities will collect.

 

1. Return on investment

2. Design aesthetics

3. Completionism

4. Numismatic history

5. Cherry picking / the hunt for the hidden treasure

6. Competition

7. Sense of the "specialness" of the truly rare

8. Sentimental value

9. Hoarding

10. Coin condition perfection

 

 

Probably a few others. So if we rank these in the order that someone cares about these things (and probably all collectors care about each of these to some minor extent), then what does the guy who wrote that sentence look like? Maybe this?

 

3. Completionism

9. Hoarding

4. Numismatic history

2. Design aesthetics

8. Sentimental value

6. Competition

1. Return on investment

7. Sense of the "specialness" of the truly rare

5. Cherry picking / the hunt for the hidden treasure

10. Coin condition perfection

 

Here's a guy who enjoys just FINISHING things. This is the guy who loved putting model airplanes together. Or maybe likes nothing better than jigsaw puzzles. He also really just enjoys accumulating stuff. Who knows why, but he likes having things. He's also kind of into this coin series and thinks it's neat to have an example from every year in his collection and to look up what happened that year at the mint... but he doesn't need a 70 to do that. Hell, he doesn't even need a 64. He also really thinks that buffalo nickels just look neat, and remembers picking them out of pocket change with his Dad.

 

So here he is, collecting these cool looking mid-grade buffalo nickels, filling out his set, building up his possessions and learning a little something about history. And hey! As he adds coins, his set keeps bumping up the rankings and that's kind of a cool thing. Special for the grade? Who cares. This is his hobby. He likes it just fine to locate the specimens he needs within a decent budget, and can't be bothered to care about whether the cart wheel luster of a coin is primo for the plastic it's in. That's not where he gets his kick.

 

 

How does that guy's collecting look to this guy:

 

7. Sense of the "specialness" of the truly rare

10. Coin condition perfection

1. Return on investment

5. Cherry picking / the hunt for the hidden treasure

4. Numismatic history

2. Design aesthetics

8. Sentimental value

3. Completionism

9. Hoarding

6. Competition

 

This is a premium collector. If he's buying a coin, it's a rare one. And not just condition rare. It's got to be a low pop in general. The idea that there are only 40 of these in the world is exciting. Add to that the fact that he's got the one example in MS68 that exists and this coin is truly cool. But it's more than that, really. Staring at this unblemished pristine surface, knowing that this coin has survived the test of time to arrive today in this condition in his hand... that's unspeakably cool.

 

But it's not enough. He's a practical man. He's not just going to buy any rare high grade coin for any price. He's got to see some ROI. So he learns about grading and how to tell whether a coin is really well graded or maybe a bit of a slider. This helps him to cherry pick some nice values, and feel like his collection growing is also an investment. On top of that... this coin he's got... it's a very rare variety. And you know what? He snatched it from a dealer who hadn't been smart enough to spot the doubling on the obverse.

 

 

etc. etc.

 

Write a little biography in your head of the collectors that are out there who collect differently than you. Be kind and think of it from their perspective. They're enjoying the hobby with a passion about SOMETHING and having passion in life is a great thing. Maybe not the way you do, but collector isn't a term that defines one single way to acquire and appreciate collectibles. It's an umbrella under which many people fit. Why chastise them for enjoying what they enjoy? In the end collecting, like every other human pursuit, is more about human happiness than anything else.

 

 

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COI

COI

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I forgot, most of the collectors here only read numbers.

 

Let me summarize: Arch's post = 9.6.

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DeliBebek

DeliBebek

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These boards are a great place to realize the diversity of our hobby. I realized quickly how many different approaches there are to the hobby. The breadth is good in that it keeps the hobby alive. Thanks for reposting, CaptainOfIndustry.

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thirdgreenham

thirdgreenham

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That really was a great post, and really refreshing to see that much effort typed out in order to educate others. (worship)

 

Some folks just continue on blindly, not even considering the guy beside him. I'm sure there's many that do recognize that worth and value mean different things to different people, but I'm equally as sure that there's a great deal that have never considered these things.

 

 

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Green

Green

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I forgot, most of the collectors here only read numbers.

 

Let me summarize: Arch's post = 9.6.

Then its worthless and i already want to upgrade.
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rodan57

rodan57

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Thanks for the reposting.

 

Analysing the reasons for collecting is not only interesting in creating collecting biographies but it also serves to guide the collector.

 

There have been a number of times that I felt myself becoming disenchanted with my collection and collecting choices. My ensuing ability to refocuss was almost entirely a process of reprioritizing or reestablishing my goals (i.e., avoiding letting completism overtake a desire for quality).

 

In addition, a list of purposes does allow one to reflect how goals can shift depending on life's circumstances or changes in collecting philosophy.

 

 

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Sal

Sal

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Why isn't he human anymore--did he have some sort of an accident and due to extensive implantation is more machine than man? :gossip:

 

He evolved. :whistle:

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seanfingh

seanfingh

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Write a little biography in your head of the collectors that are out there who collect differently than you. Be kind and think of it from their perspective. They're enjoying the hobby with a passion about SOMETHING and having passion in life is a great thing. Maybe not the way you do, but collector isn't a term that defines one single way to acquire and appreciate collectibles. It's an umbrella under which many people fit. Why chastise them for enjoying what they enjoy? In the end collecting, like every other human pursuit, is more about human happiness than anything else.

 

 

This part is just great. I gave more than slight offense to a good friend of mine recently by making derogatory comments about his collecting. I didn't realize they were derogatory as I made them, but it came down to the fact that while we both appreciate many of the same things about comics, but our love of comics has manifested itself in very different ways.

 

So the next time you want to facepalm because someone is crazy about the latest hot modern, or low-mid grade keys or Sig Series, maybe replay Arch's quote in your head a couple of times.

 

:cloud9:

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Sal

Sal

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Write a little biography in your head of the collectors that are out there who collect differently than you. Be kind and think of it from their perspective. They're enjoying the hobby with a passion about SOMETHING and having passion in life is a great thing. Maybe not the way you do, but collector isn't a term that defines one single way to acquire and appreciate collectibles. It's an umbrella under which many people fit. Why chastise them for enjoying what they enjoy? In the end collecting, like every other human pursuit, is more about human happiness than anything else.

 

 

This part is just great. I gave more than slight offense to a good friend of mine recently by making derogatory comments about his collecting. I didn't realize they were derogatory as I made them, but it came down to the fact that while we both appreciate many of the same things about comics, but our love of comics has manifested itself in very different ways.

 

So the next time you want to facepalm because someone is crazy about the latest hot modern, or low-mid grade keys or Sig Series, maybe replay Arch's quote in your head a couple of times.

 

:cloud9:

 

New Mutants 98 9.9

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seanfingh

seanfingh

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Write a little biography in your head of the collectors that are out there who collect differently than you. Be kind and think of it from their perspective. They're enjoying the hobby with a passion about SOMETHING and having passion in life is a great thing. Maybe not the way you do, but collector isn't a term that defines one single way to acquire and appreciate collectibles. It's an umbrella under which many people fit. Why chastise them for enjoying what they enjoy? In the end collecting, like every other human pursuit, is more about human happiness than anything else.

 

 

This part is just great. I gave more than slight offense to a good friend of mine recently by making derogatory comments about his collecting. I didn't realize they were derogatory as I made them, but it came down to the fact that while we both appreciate many of the same things about comics, but our love of comics has manifested itself in very different ways.

 

So the next time you want to facepalm because someone is crazy about the latest hot modern, or low-mid grade keys or Sig Series, maybe replay Arch's quote in your head a couple of times.

 

:cloud9:

 

New Mutants 98 9.9

 

That was trying to save a deluded momo from himself. I refuse to let "collect what you like" mean "turn off your brain" no matter how sappy and maudlin I get from reading these types of posts.

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