RCC/On Collecting and Gene Theapy

On Collecting and Gene Theapy

I found myself explaining what and why I collect to a “non-believer” recently. The conversation proved to be rather unproductive, however, as my counterpart walked away chuckling about my “craziness” and left no closer to being a collector than he was before we began our little verbal jousting match. It’s not the first time I’ve had such a conversation. It’s likely not to have been the last.

Each of the conversations, however, causes me to stop and think about why I collect coins and medals. The reason I most often give is that I enjoy the people, places and events of history and that my beloved commemoratives enable me to maintain a tangible link to these days gone by. Of course, I could easily enjoy the same history through books and magazines that would cost far less per year than my collecting habits. And when it comes right down to it, I spend much more time reading about and researching coins and medals than I do examining individual pieces in my collection. So, the “books and magazines” approach would appear to be entirely valid. Thing is, it’s just not enough.

I began collecting coins as a kid, filling little blue folders, and continued on until early in high school when other interests took precedence. But I came back to the hobby several times in later years — for a brief time in college, again a few years after graduation (the market was too “hot” for me to stay in, however) and then again after I settled a bit into my chosen career. None of these returns, however, was coupled with a conscious decision that I needed to start collecting again for “Reason X.” I simply returned to the hobby because it was something I did. Strange, really, considering my generally analytical nature and the time and money I devote to the hobby.

Maybe I enjoy coin collecting because most people don’t, and I like doing things that are outside of the mainstream. Regardless of the statistics published by the U.S. Mint, dedicated coin collecting is not all that common. Please note that when I say “dedicated” I am making no reference to the amount of money spent in pursuit of one’s collection. In my mind, a hobbyist that builds his or her collection from circulation can be every bit as dedicated as someone who spends large sums of money on the rarest gems of numismatics.

Maybe it’s because I enjoy the thrill of the hunt. Finding a nice example of an elusive piece after many months or years of searching is an energizing experience for me. Suddenly all the time spent in pursuit becomes fully justified — I like have “balanced books.”

While there are many possible explanations for why I collect, in the final analysis, it might just be a case of “being born to it” and nothing more. As inescapable as having brown hair and brown eyes, my penchant for coin collecting might simply be part of my internal chemistry. Someday there might even be a pill to keep it in check!

So, why do I collect, I haven’t a clue! Do you?

Until next month, Happy Collecting!

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