The Dark Side of Coin Collecting (and How to Avoid it)

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

💰 Join my Patreon: www.patreon.com/classicalnumismatics Or maybe "Buy me a Coffee": www.buymeacoffee.com/classicalnumismatics

[@keithagn]

I'm not addicted. I can quit anytime I want...

[@CoinsAndCapsaicin]

I can't. I get the itch.

[@saltymemesmith]

I'll just buy one more then definitely quit after that.. Can anyone hook me up Man?? 🥺

[@CoinsAndCapsaicin]

@@saltymemesmith 😂😂😂

[@scotthill5968]

Sure you can

[@timothy_pitcock]

Me too.....1369 times.

[@kevinhoward4245]

I agree. I am coin collector and a recovering alcoholic. I do this. The only difference is, acoholism is not a tangible investment. Collecting the right coins are.

[@ikenni2533]

Hello friend! I'm a 14 year-old Brazilian child who started collecting coins 7 years ago. I've always liked old coins, and throughout my life, I've studied history so much, that I've developed a greater appreciation for coins, because for me, I can enjoy them as if they were a piece of history that represents it. I know that where I live, we are very different, we collect different coins, but we are always looking for more coins and more coins. By the way, maybe soon I'll buy my first Roman coin, I'm quite excited. So, as a history buff, I feel privileged for my knowledge of history, art, etc.; being able to share and explain to others this art that enchants us. sad to see that here where I live, we can hardly see people like that nowadays, but I'm happy to be able to interact with other numismatists and acquire new coins moderately. Just as I love numismatics, I love your work and your videos, good job friend!

[@svessien]

Wise words. Thank you. I have found some strategies to calm down the coin rush and extend the pleasure from the coins I get: 1. Spend time researching the coins you get, and make write ups (or viedos) about them. "Develop" a rush from finding out more about what makes the coin special - that can be like a second and third "coin high" from the same coin. 2. Make plans for what you want to add to the collection each year. If you only want high end coins, try to find pleasure in saving up to buy them and staying with your plans. 3. Buy some uncleaned coins to work on. Turning an encrusted ancient coin into something better takes a lot of time, but can provide a lot of pleasure too. It will keep your focus while saving for the next auction. 4. Define yourself as a custodian looking after important artifacts from the past, rather than the "owner" of a great collections. The coins have outlived us by centuries, and will outlive coming generations too, if we as custodians do our job well. That idea tends to calm down the dragon, at least.

[@robertfranklin422]

Congratulations on your Solidus. I saved for a year, sold stuff on eBay, worked a side job and researched for hours to get my own in August, I know how big of a deal it can be.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Good to know another person understands that sinking feeling of spending that much on a coin, despite knowing you are completely covered by previously selling other pieces and saving up!

[@colbystearns5238]

This is an important reminder for people who may be tempted to spend beyond their means. I do share some similarities with the addict and have experienced exactly the feelings you've described as I went from one coin to the next but I've also always been a naturally risk-adverse person so I think those instincts always come in handy for me financially when spending on credit cards and so forth and it's no different for coin collecting as well. I only spend on what I can reasonably budget for and I can still buy some gorgeous pieces for reasonable prices.

[@bobbert24]

I just want to say I really appreciate this video. I have always been a collector: rocks, modern coins, ancient coins, stamps. I also have struggled with addiction issues in the past. When it comes to almost anything I do, I still have to check myself on the addictive-tendency front. I think this is an important video because what can be an amazing hobby could be turned negative and financially destructive due to not controlling impulses or recognizing your actions and their motivations.

[@g7eit]

I’m addicted, I often send myself broke just to get the rush of buying more. It’s crazy and out of control.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Stop for a while and rethink your priorities. Collecting coins is a great hobby, but it should not take control of your life. You can always come back later

[@dakotaxu4792]

The video is so right about how being a collector can make you an addict to your own collection just like a drug addict gets addicted to drugs, to the point where you MUST HAVE the next big thing to give you another high! He is so right! I’m a watch collector and throughout my entire life I neglected all the other important aspects of my life because I was so obsessed with collecting watches. I worked for over 35 years putting 90% of my money into some very expensive timepieces while neglecting everyone around me because I was constantly using pretty much all of my money to make the next purchase. I even sold some rare and exclusive timepieces at a huge loss just so I could ‘upgrade’ to the next best thing that just arrived on the market. Being a collector can become an unhealthy obsession if you are not careful

[@suensongji8770]

Any hobby shouldn't cost more than 25% of your income. That's the threshold for me.

[@keithbessant]

Very interesting and wise video. What started to kill the pleasure of collecting for me, was when I realised the quality of my collection depended largely on how much I was willing or able to pay for it. This is even more so with the internet. When I was a kid, my collecting depended on my own personal search, on luck, on what I was able to find on lists sent through the post, or in local antique shops or shops I found when on holiday. Also the museum quality replicas keep getting better, which makes me wary of buying valuable coins. And even if they are genuine, I might one day have trouble proving that.

[@sebastianmaharg]

Thoughtful, heartfelt and immensely relevant. As someone who's relatively new to the hobby, much appreciated, Leo.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Glad you liked it and it has proven useful :)

[@FrankBoston]

I wish I could hire you as my psychiatrist. I'm not even into ancient coins. My son is. You're so wise and your calmness coupled with your sound rationale appeals to me greatly. Keep up the great work.

[@bear499]

I've been collecting coins for about a year now, coincidentally because of this channel, and I can say I've never related to a video more in recent times. I became a total addict for about three months before I caught myself. What started out as a simple Aurelian denarius purchase turned into an obsession for the next big coin purchase. I started depriving myself of going out besides work because I wanted to save money for the next big purchase. Fortunately for the last four months I haven't bought any, and I've learned to appreciate the coins I already have. I no longer feel that overwhelming impulse to buy. I'll still browse for coins to buy a two or three times a month but I save them to my cart and forget. Recently I've given a few away so I don't come down with the dragon sickness. This video was very helpful.

[@mikethespike7579]

These warnings are valid for all kinds of collectors, not just for coins. I used to collect old watches and noticed the same effects on me there.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

A lot of comparisons can indeed be made. I feel like collecting watches has many things in common with coins.

[@Jesse_Dawg]

The thumbnail was freaking hilarious

[@Michel-7.7.7]

I was totaly blown away by a 10 gold ducat piece of Sigismund III., auktioned a couple years ago ( Salton collection). Unfortunately i don't have a couple millions to collect this kind of coins, so i stick to junk silver coins

[@AardvarkDream]

I think I'm keeping things fresh by not being a "buyer" of known coins, but a cleaner of unidentified coins. Most (all) of what I clean are common coins, of course, but I like to think that once I've cleaned a coin, treated it with preservation wax, ID'd it, and entered it and its info into my collection, that coin now has a future. Potentially a very long one. I won't live forever, but once I'm gone I'm not actually taking the coins with me,. But no one is going to be throwing cleaned and ID'd Roman coins away, either. They are not likely to land at the charity thrift shop. The coins I've cleaned are most likely going to enter the ancient coin market one way or another, and, barring total civilizational collapse, someone will ALWAYS own them. Fifty years from now. A century from now. Three hundred years from now. Etc. They're common, so each one will probably land in someone's starter collection, but each will likely get slurped into a bigger collection eventually, which will get pulled into another one and another one, and so on. And *I'm* the one that brought each one back into the light and preserved it so someone will be able to glance at it in some Martian University's "Roman" collection in 2944. Some won't make it that far into the future, of course. There will be attrition. Some will get lost or destroyed. But these coins have a demonstrated staying power. They've already lasted 1700 years so far under some pretty crappy conditions. Of all the things I own, these coins are the most likely to still be around five hundred years from now. Or a thousand years from now. Or two thousand. Really, there's no upper limit. And I get to be a small part of that history, and not just as an owner who simply bought them, but as someone who put effort into their preservation.

[@williamkinkade2538]

The problem with uncleanness ancient coins is that they are mostly small bronzes .Out of the hundreds of ancient uncleaned coins I went through only one turned out to be silver.

[@AardvarkDream]

@@williamkinkade2538 Yes, this is true. If I'm paying $3 for a coin, though, it doesn't really bother me that I'm not getting a lot of silver. I'm in it for the history, not the precious metal itself. But... sometimes I DO get silver. Not every one, for sure, but I'd say at least one out of ten has been silver. But the bronzes don't bother me; like I said, I'm not looking for material, I'm looking for historical artifacts regardless of what they're made of.

[@_CYB0RG_]

This is really a good video. I’m glad to hear someone talking about these issues that can possibly arise when collecting.

[@ChadKiker]

This is probably the best video, anyone new to the world of numismatics, should watch.

[@RandomlyGeneratedUsername]

I have sold some 200 coins in the last few years and I'm down to a bit over 200 in my collection. I am much happier having been able to focus my collection and go deeper instead of wider. Unfortunately the amount of money I spend on coins hasn't really gone down..

[@TwoGrainsOfGold]

Well done 👍🏻 and don’t ever fault yourself for spending more “digital & paper federal reserve debt digits” (so called money) on acquiring REAL money! So good on you for that 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@blueguy5588]

I 100% agree with the points about hedonic adaptation and curmudgeony attitudes. Historical and cultural interests aside, it is important to keep in mind that this is just another hobby driven by impulsive consumption. However, personally, I find my appreciation for lower end pieces has increased as my collection has grown. The amount of history in a late Roman bronze is incredible, regardless of how common they may be. With respect to hoarding, while dealing off pieces that you no longer enjoy is sensible, hoarding duplicate examples of a certain type is a more compelling case to deal things off.

[@Jesse_Dawg]

I feel like a problem is that I spend so much time looking at the coins online that when they arrive they don't feel as good. However, when I order something without looking or thinking about it very much they make me quite happy. I think its because I look at them too much before getting them

[@Melwach]

I think that having a set budget per year for coins helps. I always mentally split my monthly income in categories: contribution to rent and groceries, mobility and car repairs, holidays, financial investments, 'planned purchases' (=> a new living room table, something for the garden..long term stuff), fun for myself. Out of the last category, I put a few monthly salaries to the side as a coin budget. I'm not dogmatic about it, but I generally try to hit my goals with spendings. If that means I can just get one really nice athenian tetradrachm this year, then so be it. But I don't have to feel bad about spending that money, because I know that nothing else will suffer because of it.

[@briank7936]

This is such an important video for coin collectors. Im glad you made it. It helped keep me in check after I first started collecting.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Im very glad to know this helps so many people :)

[@2is1gold]

Great video, and congrats on the Solidus!

[@accordio321]

You reminded me of this verse: “Hell and destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27‬:‭20‬

[@Matisto1]

10/10 thumbnail if you ask me.

[@MD_Panonnia]

I know very good of some stuff you point out in this video, recently it happen to me, as I now work on my Kuna collection (current Croatian currency, being replaced by euro in 1.1.2023.) and I spend a lot of time and money on completing this collection, and in the same time neglecting my family, especially my wife and daughter wich is bad on so many levels, and thank You for addressing this problem for all of us, even though I think all of us coins collectors knows this deep inside 😊 Keep up the good work with your channel!

[@compatriot852]

I'm somebody who has gotten into the hobby relatively recently and I definitely can now relate to a lot of the stuff you've said in this video for me, I prefer to collect only sets like the 5 good emperors. Currently, I have a Trajan and Antonius Pius

[@Numischannel]

Very good insight in the inner psychology of collecting in general, and ancient coin collecting in particular. I often compared coin collecting with drug addiction, you always keep going for something "harder"! 😂😂😂😂

[@kikrix]

Hey C. Numismatics! Really appreciate your comments on such an intimate social topic. As if prophecy, I've recently decided to 'formalize' my collection into a display! Realizing my compulsive study of coins has become difficult to surrender, I'm convinced I could identify with at least one of these categories. Originally having been introduced to collecting through your legendary 'Republican Denarii' video; hearing your advice towards ensuring the "stability" of one's passions is incredibly valuable to me. Love your inviting content, appreciate you providing us with your excellent narration! Thanks again : )

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

We all have at least a little bit of all 3 in ourselves :)

[@erikbrantner4295]

Thank you for sharing your insight to my situation of being an addict. My current situation is not so good so I guess I can say that I go to my favorite hobby I been with for many many years.. I try to find a fix from my orders from eBay and each time I feel an inspiration of enjoyment as I await for my new addition. Sometimes hundreds of dollars or more and I tend to overspend to satisfy or to feel compensation for my current situation... But it only lasts for a while and then I'm back to ground zero because of other things that are troublesome around me. You are so correct in this particular part of the dark side of this hobby! But until other things change in my current situation, what am I to do? I enjoy my hobby of numismatic acquisition immensely! But I just need to slow it down I guess. I can also relate to how the whole hobby began... Just like yours with that one little bronze ancient coin you picked up in the beginning and advanced to the BIG gold acquisition! Yes indeed, it's addictive! But even though I tend to overspend at times in some of what I have spent, I'm still able to stay on top of some of my priorities such as paying a few bills in the meantime... Just wish I could find a more permanent solution to the current... Thanks again for your insight on this video! And thank you for sharing such wonderful ancient coins!!!

[@thecatcameback3921]

Coin collecting is extremely addictive. I just started again since 1995. Everything can be an addiction though. I've been in AA since 1975. Been to NA, don't like it but our society is geared to get us addicted. KZbin, TWATTER, social media etc. are purposely designed to keep pple there :). Anyway, have a good one.

[@erikbrantner4295]

@@thecatcameback3921 Thank you! And yes I can agree with a lot of what the social media can be a big implication here... Just how the whole world has become in general in the past two years or so especially!

[@thecatcameback3921]

@@erikbrantner4295 - Heard on FOX News that social media is MORE powerful than the government. SCARY!

[@erikbrantner4295]

@@thecatcameback3921 not sure if Fox news is one of those "fake news" medias that tend to exaggerate...

[@David-og7di]

@@erikbrantner4295 ya think?

[@macarioacosta7767]

Very good video about an important topic. I have generally thought about this but was amazed that you actually put it on a video. Great job. Thank you for sharing knowledge

[@LunchableSandwich]

Great video and narration. It transcends beyond just that of coin collecting and it's a healthy message that everyone needs to hear once in a while. Some things that bring us joy can also bring us sorrow if we are not careful.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

The surprisingly high number of views this video is getting is a sign that there are lots of people struggling with such things. Im glad to provide some positive messages to everyone.

[@mattl3729]

I always liked the idea that we collectors are just the current custodians of these objects- that, in time, another will care for them and so on; therefore they can never define us or should or could be ours forever. It should be a pleasure to pass something on to someone else to get joy from and cherish- particularly if they no longer give us that thrill, because the very next person to become its custodian WILL experience that. And I love your definitions of the types of collector- I've been one of various things for over 30 years now, and I've seen all those you describe; and, luckily far more who recognize they don't want to be the negative sort and actively try to be the sharers or knowledge, the helpers of the newbies, etc. It does fits in your 'Dragon' category, but one variant I've seen is the 'investor'- someone who won't part with anything because it will be worth 'more' in time. They don't care about the object itself any longer, or, sometimes, even that it's potential in trade to get something they might actually like- it's going to go up in value, and they might as well spend money on anything new. But that theoretical increase in 'worth' is a fantasy as it will never be enough because the next increase is always coming...

[@Amazing_Treasures]

Hello! Am i the only numismatic woman here?😅 My interest in old coins started when i first found a very old Spanish coin dated 1521 in our garden! That was many years ago, sadly i lost it 😔 I just started collecting rare old coins only this year and I’m 42!😄 Why i love collecting old coins? I find it very interesting how it took thousands or hundreds of years for each rare coin to land in my very own hand 😍😍😍 and besides, since childhood, I’ve been dreaming always of finding old coins! My excitement in my dream is the same excitement that i have with my collections. My precious 😁😁😁

[@maria75426]

Hello, also girl collecting coins👋, I first started when I found a coin in my purse with some of the Material coming out of the coin (the coin had a person on it and the Extra Material looked like a booger) turns out it was fake, but this jump started my interest for coin collecting

[@nickzilber7842]

You've hit on something I've been trying to work on myself, to LISTEN more. We get excited and want to talk about what we know when we should spend more time listening. There is always someone who knows more!

[@GuardianAngel..]

Yeah that’s definitely Me I sit down in a corner and look at my coin collection all day and I mutter to myself “ My Precious, My Own”

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

And in good Gollum fashion, if someone steals one of your coins, you bite their fingers off.

[@chrisbotelho7212]

No one in my "social circle" collects coins, ancient or otherwise. My children have no real interest in my collection. I collect, primarily I think, as an offshoot of my interest in ancient history. I love to read and study ancient greek and roman history. I've always enjoyed that,

[@dragunovxd]

Once you open Pandora's box, that is it you can't go back! Great video.

[@joshpevehouse6527]

What an intelligently written episode that is absolutely bursting with wisdom.

[@teek9935]

Wow, I am in awe of how well you described me personally. I have always known I have an addictive personality, but never thought much about how that may be related to my love of numismatics. Thanks for making me reflect. I'm wondering if your day job is being a psychologist lol.

[@Jesse_Dawg]

A fantastic topic for coin collecting, always good to be grounded and humble

[@PaulAndrewsClan]

That was so helpful as a relative newcomer to the hobby - 6 coins in! My biggest worry is that I’m buying fake. What is, what isn’t? UK based and hoping to go to a coin fair to build knowledge and meet sellers I can trust. Thanks again, very helpful and inspiring

[@miriam-aurora]

I just recently started collecting coins in a serious way, and I'm very grateful to have stumbled across this particular video so early on :) Thank you for the reflections and the advice!

[@mattg4183]

I think having a clear focus and monthly budget can help manage urges and what specifically your in coin collecting for. Taking stock is a big one too, rather than always looking for the next coin, apperciate what you have and how your collections may have grown over a period.

[@colbystearns5238]

I agree, while an aureus is on my wish list, I'm still grateful for all the coins I've bought/received from others over the years.

[@hsrsbxfhsr]

Very well said! When I started collecting I collected everything but after a while realized it's too wide, too expensive and too time consuming. I sold most of my collection to focus on two subjects that interest me, ancient Roman coins from the Siscia mint and late 19th early 20th century gold to hedge against inflation while collecting cool coins. I'm lucky to live in a place where ancient coins are widely available so the prices I pay are much cheaper than online auction houses.

[@mattl3729]

I think that happens to most of us: Oh that's cool- oh THAT'S cool, OH THAT'S COOL and suddenly we have a bunch of disparate stuff and no money. Then, if we're lucky, we realize that we need to specialize and things go MUCH better- except the having no money part. That always happens LOL

[@omygodusernametaken]

Many years ago I created a paper "coin" collection. I would go through vcoins, ebay etc.,then print, cut out, and glue together the coins I wanted and put them into coin holders and then into a folder just like they were real coins. Today I have a real metal coin collection of coins I thought I would never have. I also struggle with all the things mentioned in the video.

[@philipsmedia5268]

Sir, you have issues!

[@dr.osborne7510]

I did the same thing.

[@stonecutter2]

"Know when to put your coins away." SO true.

[@GENERALWACKASS]

Ive noticed my obssession myself with coin collecting and im in the process of finding ways to let go of this issue.

[@erikbrantner4295]

Yes Me too.. It's enjoyable, but it could really be a burden to your budget if you allow this!

[@WeaverOfNightmares]

I tried but failed and went to buying more 😢😂

[@erikbrantner4295]

@@WeaverOfNightmares yeah I know it's hard not to

[@andrewf3600]

Love these videos. This one in particular made me realize I have a problem.

[@mattl3729]

I think we all do to some extent LOL- it's just important that we reconize it and work on it ;)

[@imnotbob3345]

My modest collection offers beauty, rich history, and value to my life - so the coins I find and harvest are not simply old stamped metal to me. However, I understand that my collection is only mine for a short while - until I no longer walk this earth - and then my collection will scatter, and offer others the same joy and wonder it has offered me. So, my function is to care for and enjoy these pieces for as long as I'm able - that's all - and perhaps that's why I relish every piece as much today as when it was found.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Very interesting comment. Indeed, we are nothing but custodians of our pieces, lets enjoy them while we can.

[@BopWalk]

Best thumbnail.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

My Precious!

[@Jesse_Richardson08]

its so relatable

[@biggibbs4678]

The very first $5 late Roman coin I got felt more exciting than any other coin I've gotten

[@diamonddigs6206]

Your psychological principles that you used to describe coin collecting specifically here can be applied to nearly all collecting hobbies

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Thats true. Ive watched quite a few videos on mental health and collecting, and so many parallels can be traced between most collecting types.

[@DrMatey215]

Very good episode. I've never knew too much about ancients coins until recently. I was real surprised at the prevalence of the image of Pegasus in Greek and Roman ancients.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Indeed, the pegasus and horses in general are quite prevalent. It was a sign of nobility

[@CAweather]

I have been there myself, but I got it under control. This Summer, I decided not to buy another coin until after the New Year. I can't wait for Jan 1.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Moderation is key indeed :)

[@Larzh220469]

Very sensible reflections.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Thanks! Hopefully this helps collectors go about their collecting in a healthy way

[@dominich677]

Hi guys my name is Dominic, and I have a coin addiction.

[@gerardoguemez1077]

As a numismatic addict, I appreciate your video

[@dmitriyjanaliyev]

You've made very good points with this video. Thank you. As with anything having a potential to make you an addict one should pay some reasonable amount of attention to avoid these kind of pitfalls. It's like being able to savour a bottle of good wine from time to time without a danger of becoming an alcoholic. After all our hobbies are there to enrich our lifes, not to ruin them

[@MrMattFsChannel]

It can definitely be addicting, this a good reminder/ego check. After 2 years of collecting I have to remind myself to never buy a coin I cannot afford. On the subject of community, are there any good online communities for Ancient Coins discussion?

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

There is a great community on Reddit, a great online forum called Numisforums, plenty of Facebook groups and some discord servers

[@avinashsandhane1021]

Thanks for suggesting, very interesting and knowledgeable. Wish you happy and healthy life.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Thank you very much, I wish the same upon you

[@niccolocolonnelli901]

Remain in light! Fellow collectors, don't sell your soul to the dark side of this passion! Btw this video is really one of a kind, full of deep and important reflections. And that Justinian's solidus is marvelous.

[@skyday2628]

Gotta start working on issue #1, never had issue #2, and actually fixed issue #3 on my own a few weeks ago. Thanks for this thinkpiece/pep talk.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Would you like to support the channel and my work? 💰 Help the Channel by "Buying me a Coffee": www.buymeacoffee.com/classicalnumismatics Consider buying some channel Merch! You get a cool T-Shirt or Mug and you help me make more Ancient Numismatic content. Thank you! leob.creator-spring.com/

[@Jiteshnagaonkar]

Sir I have one query, I have to ask you important about something........can you help me and how will I make a contact with you.................

[@Jiteshnagaonkar]

You do excellent work........as numilistics

[@dastiles1]

Taking a bit of a break from coin collecting until the new year for personal reasons. Thanks for the very good advice and references to “The Hobbit”. I am also a big book and movie fan of J. R. R. Tolkien works.

[@Jesse_Dawg]

Love your videos, please make more. Thank you and take care

[@curtdevere1891]

Thanks! Great insights. You’ve given me much to think about.

[@allanwestphall8108]

Thanks for a great meditation on collecting and its pitfalls. I am new to coin collecting, but one area where I could see myself become an addict and hoarding dragon are these Parthian coins you show. I now have 4 in my collection and appreciate them more than anything else with their audacious and powerful portraits. I may have to sell some coins off to afford new Parthian coins!

[@smithjones1906]

Thanks for the tips. I recently bought some bullion coins and realized pretty quickly how much cooler the old ones are. My first and only foray into this realm have been a couple Morgans, which I love and are relatively cheap. Being a general collector doesn't seem advisable to me. Having a more narrowed focus will help in multiple ways. Eventually, I'd like to focus on "new world" coins.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

New World coins are really interesting! Those rough-looking spanish Cob coins look fascinating.

[@BrianJones-cu2sx]

You couldn’t be more spot on

[@jeremiahmorris5519]

Thank you for addressing this. I have gotten really excited the first few months of collecting ancient Roman and American coins, spending more $ than I should have. I plan on spending more time on the study of these coins so I can make wiser purchases. I love this new hobby, though!! 😆 -New subscriber

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Thanks Jeremiah! Now that you have a couple of coins to play with, this should allow you to spend some good time researching them and learning about numismatics in general. This should take a bit of time and allow your bank account to recuperate :) Just remember not to overdo again at a later date!

[@CaptainApi]

When u said like that now I think I’m a Smaug yes. I’ve been collecting since I’m 4 years old now I am 34 so 30 years of collection, I don’t sell I just buy, but I have a goal! To complete entire world and ancient civilization. Just like Seljuk empire then Ottoman Empire then modern Turkey, I have a collection like the at and Trying to do for most countries. I buy and buy until I categorize them I buy more and more and each time I say “ I will categorize and not gonna buy until I put them to my catalogues. Thank you for making me realize this I will try to do less because I’m having a baby and spending my savings for that, my wife started getting angry with me for that each time she catches with coins when I come home from travel or my local markets.

[@chillmurray7529]

What you said about not being the Dragon, I appreciate that because it makes me feel better about all the coins and other valuables I have had to let go in the past. You make a great point about making room for new things and it becoming someone else’s treasure. 😊

[@fossilbore1]

Excellent video. I don’t collect coins in the numismatic sense, but do enjoy Mudlarking, field walking and fossil hunting, and I can definitely relate to some of these traits, especially that creeping sense of dissatisfaction, and the shorter buzz when I do find something cool. Like you suggest, I try and take a step back. Savour and appreciate what I do have. Helps having other interests - music, painting etc.

[@deepdrag8131]

Quite a video. So thoughtful.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Thank you! Hopefully this helps people

[@jacobpeters7837]

I consider a collection of ancient coins to be between 10-20 legit coins regardless of conditions because personal taste is personal taste. I get anxiety buying new ones so I rarely do. If I feel like I am getting too many then I also feel like parting with some that I feel others would enjoy in exchange for some that they are willing to part with. Value is a perspective. If you like a coin, then the value is in it. I never want more than 20. That would also give me anxiety LOL, way to much to document, insure and keep track of.

[@PYEEYED]

Loved this video, awakening and inspiring.👌

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Thank you! Hopefully it helps our fellow collectors avoid the problems of an addiction.

[@GlorifiedGremlin]

What is that coin at 12:00? That design is gorgeous

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Its a beauty, isnt it? Good news, its a very common and affordable coin. Its a Blanca struck under Enrique III of Castille and Leon. Sevilla mint. Shouldnt cost more than 30 Euros in this condition.

[@bill4572]

Very good insight I recently let go a lot from my collection it was hard at first then it gets easier plus it's the only hobby where you have money and are always broke

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Numismatics: The Hobby where you spend money, buying money you cant spend.

[@charlesdenney1]

What a fascinating and substantive video! Thanks for creating this outstanding content 🙏

[@nathanielalejandrino7551]

Thank you for sharing these. So much wisdom here on this video. Subscribed.

[@ichigo8330]

Thank you sir, u made me rethink many things… just for example, a few of my coins are gifts from friends and family, I have coins that my father gave me before he died this year, those are the coins I can not sell… :(

[@BadassMusicRadio]

I like how hoarding dragon doesnt just apply to coin collecting, even some videogames.

[@TheWorldisaLIE2]

yeah it can apply to any form of collection.

[@wazzabi12]

This video inspired me so much. You described perfectly how I felt in certain situations, thank you so much.

[@arthurcrown3063]

I started collecting with an Irish penny in the late forties.; more or less stopped in the 80s - some 2,000+ foreign and British coins in 5 albums.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Wow, 2000+ coins, that is wonderful, congrats!

[@daurgo2001]

As a collector of many things who struggles with figuring out where that line is, this video obviously resonated with me. We should always spend time introspecting ourselves, no matter what we do or who we are =)

[@nathanielscreativecollecti6392]

When talking about yourself you forgot to mention how brilliant your accent is. I don't know why but it just feels right for the subject of ancient coins.

[@-ZTUN-]

interesting thoughts! which coin is the one at minute 7:10?

[@kikrix]

Appears to be reminiscent of a late Parthian coin! Perhaps, another category, to collect? So many, I'm compelled. Must... purchase..

[@niccolocolonnelli901]

It's seems a tetradrachm from the parthian king Mithradates II

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Its a Drachm of Mithradates II :)

[@MiNkOYu]

You have great Collection! I collect only from 4 countries. Spending money to collect the basic coins but after that the journey is magical.

[@limaechonumismatics]

I’ve heard of people limiting their collection to a certain number of coins. Once they reach say, 30 coins, they need to get rid of one to get a new one. I think that idea is very cool because over time the collection will become very refined. It prevents the mistakes that is the “dragon” collector. I have a lot of things that I could get rid of, but it’s hard to because I might regret it in the future.

[@oreo507]

This is a really great video

[@briguy808]

Think I needed to see this, I'm only 23 and my vice is US banknotes but yeah maybe i need to focus on life more collecting less even though my collection is pretty bangin lol. Stuff is gettin too expensive to buy anyways, heritage is overpriced with fees and ebay is 10x worse😂

[@seanchaney3086]

Very nice collection, and good advice...

[@crkcrk81]

What was that first coin in the video? It looks like an Antoninus Pius tetradrachm, but I am not familiar with it.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Good eye. It is a rather rare Antoninus Pius Tetradrachm from Mopsuestia

[@crkcrk81]

@@ClassicalNumismatics Very nice. I've mentally added it to my wishlist.

[@davidmichael3137]

excellent advice, thanks for posting

[@numismaticmaster8612]

I have to say thank you for this video. It made me realize just how much junk I had in my collection, so I decided to consolidate by selling that junk and getting actually nice and rare pieces. So thank you for helping me get a better collection.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Im very happy to read this! :)

[@mattl3729]

Wonderful- congratulations! It's tough to get to that point- I know- but once you've done it, you should be more mindful and recognize when it's time to let something go in the future, and it will be easier :)

[@ChadKiker]

I am an addict also. glad to know I am not alone,

[@jeffreymoffitt4070]

The coins i collect are very often found instead of purchased. I only have one piece ive purchased and it was a reproduction that i wear as necklace.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Which coin is it? :)

[@jeffreymoffitt4070]

@@ClassicalNumismatics a silver atocha réal, its made from bullion that was shipwrecked wit the real ones!