Why do you collect?

I asked myself why I collect and still have no sane reason as to why I collect. So I put this question to you the other members as to why you collect coins.
I more or less started to collect the coins I couldn't turn into rings for whatever reason. Then I found more of an interest in certain coins themselves. So why do you collect coins?????

I like their history and the Britt f the artwork that reflects how times were.

I don't have a sane reason to keep them either though, like my dad said how often do you look at them ? My response was couple of times a week max the rest is online he said sell them then I guess were historic hoarders !

Plus the rush you get when you find a bargain or eventually get that coin you've been missing !

I have always been a collector of many different things - from a young age I was already interested in antiques and would go to fairs to find some bargains.
Another reason for me is that I have always been passionate about Geography and History. I started collecting coins and stamps when I was 12 but then stopped with 16 where I moved to teenage craziness (alcohol and other worse things, I wasn't a real  at that time). Now just 2 years ago with 23 I got back into collecting coins, and this time there's nothing holding me up; it has become a craze. .

Historical interest. Especially the iron and zinc coins.

I collect coins for no any rational reason, just for the sake of collecting them  
When I get a new coin, my hands are trembling like during an alcohol withdrawal. Seems like I have a psychiatric disease--OND (obsessive numismatic disorder).  

Quote: manxcat12Especially the iron and zinc coins.

I don't like your attitude, you're encroachiing on my Numista iron and zinc supply.  

Quote: C.johnSo why do you collect coins?????

I think a large part of it is a poor man's attempt at the preservation of any affordable, beautiful and interesting specimens, that I come in contact with in my lifetime. I can't acquire expensive rarity in the large variety of aged silver coins, copper coins, modern coins and tokens that interest me. I settle for the preservation of pristine examples or as close to pristine as I can get. My collection will remain untainted by the elements, cleaning and further, or in some cases any, circulation. I do my best to focus mainly on coins or tokens meant for circulation. The tokens are mostly telephone and transportation while the coins are older silver, older copper and modern uncirculated. The 1€ coins hold a special place for me, as the currency with an uncertain future. Zincs and irons are also a very large focus. The silvers must have an original patina or they will move on to another's collection. The coppers, if possible, should be without verdigris and possess beautiful details. The tokens are already at a point of extinction, modern technology is wiping the rest of them out.

I never like your attitude.

Quote: manxcat12I never like your attitude.

... but, you always having another cheek to turn is much appreciated. Maybe, one day we can have some tea and watch some tele together, I do drink a fair bit of it, you know.  Cheers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aceKGiIyXRg

Good question.

I guess it relates to what first piqued your interest, if you are drawn towards collecting coins because of a love for them you will mature into a fine and knowledgeable collector, if you are looking at coins simply as a vehicle to make a quick buck you will forever remain one of the ignorant, boorish "melt crowd" and I will despise and ridicule you and drink the sweet nectar of your tears every time PM prices tank.

For my part I used to play with the money from my parents restaurant in England as a child, sorting it out by dates, learning about the different monarchs. At that time (early 1960's) there were coins in circulation with five different kings and queens.

While sorting the coins by dates it soon became apparent that some of the stacks were very tall but some only had a single coin or perhaps two. These were the 1950 / 51 pennies, the 1952 sixpences. My father showed me the H and KN mintmarks and I was hooked. One of the customers gave me an old B A Seaby catalog, probably 1950's, with beautiful engravings of rare coins and I just knew that one day I would own such treasures.

I still collect coins 50 years later but now it's just a way of having access to fine art which is otherwise beyond the reach of those who are not wealthy. I can't afford fine paintings or sculpture but for less than $10 I can own examples of the work of the world's finest engravers.

I love the history of coins, whenever I get a coin I think of all the people that could have touched it.  Early 1900s German coins, perhaps at one time it could have passed through the hands of Hitler or one of his generals.  Early 1900s English coins, maybe Churchill or Chamberlain has touched it in the past.  A couple of years ago I picked up a Judean lepton (widow's mite) and imagined that at one time it could have passed throgh the hands of Jesus or one of his deciples. Of course the chances of any of this happening are pretty remote, but it really blows the mind to imagine it.

Quote: neilithicI love the history of coins, whenever I get a coin I think of all the people that could have touched it.  Early 1900s German coins, perhaps at one time it could have passed through the hands of Hitler or one of his generals.  Early 1900s English coins, maybe Churchill or Chamberlain has touched it in the past.  A couple of years ago I picked up a Judean lepton (widow's mite) and imagined that at one time it could have passed throgh the hands of Jesus or one of his deciples. Of course the chances of any of this happening are pretty remote, but it really blows the mind to imagine it.

I have similar thoughts like that too

I collect to relieve myself of stress and add MOAR random facts into my mindatabase. lol

^no, it's not like drugs.

For me it's a little bit of everything that's already been mentioned.  I have a collector mentality.  Started collecting sports cards and comic books as a kid (10 years too late for them to be worth anything!)  Later on in life I moved on to coins.  That drive to complete a collection keeps me hunting.  I do also enjoy the history aspect.  Where else can you hold an artifact in your hands that's 150-200 years old or older!  Every time I get a coin from the 1800's I'm over the roof with an inner joy knowing that it's survived this long and I'm doing my part to make it last even longer.

I still collect rocks... stamps, bills, tokens & medallions, those compressed paper things they put under your drink in a bar...

Collector mentality.