There are as many ways to collector as there are types of pizza. There can be hundreds of different types of crust, or thousands of different toppings or combinations of toppings.

There is a different taste for each pizza lover. The same is true with coin collecting. There is no right or wrong way to order a pizza or collection coins or currency. Each person is free to collect what ever sparks the taste buds.

Some collectors like to build a set of Walking Liberty half dollars that are all the same grade and with the same luster. This can take years to build, but the collector truly loves his set when completed. He has a feeling of pride in his collection.

Let’s say he wants to build his set in EF grade. The later dates can sell for about $6 or $7 each, while the middle dates can be about $15 each. Then he can spend as much as $600 to $800 for a nice EF 1917 S obverse mintmark. The EF 1921 S can sell for $4,500. If he can find one!

Then another collector may want to collect curved clipped Lincoln cents. This may sound easy, but try completing a set my date and mintmark. One collector travels to may of the Illinois coin shows looking for a 1942 S clipped Lincoln. This is the only coin he needs to complete his set. I know for a fact that he has been looking for this one coin for two years.

Then another collector can try to collect an off center struck coin for each denomination and type. Again, this sounds easy but let’s look at his collection. Finding off center struck coins for the current coins is rather easy, after all, he only needs one for each denomination.

Then he turns to the off center struck Morgan dollar which cost him a little over $9.000. This was only after years of going to shows and checking with dealers on the internet and in numismatic publications. When he turns to the off center Seated Liberty dollar, he finds that his Morgan dollar was a bargain.

Another collector just wants to fill all the holes in his blue album. The grade is not important, he just wants all the holes filled.

Each of these collectors have different goals and different collections, but they have many things in common.

Each collector spends his time and money to build a set that pleases them. They all enjoy the hunt as part of building their collection. They are all interested in the value of their collection when it comes time to sell.

Then along comes the collector that has no goal, is not building a set or looking for that special coin. He just buys what catches his eye. It can be a two dollar coin or a hundred dollar coin. He as no idea what he is looking for or what he will buy.

Now we come to the question of the century......which one is the true collector?

Who cares !!!!!!!

Collecting coins for the enjoyment is the only thing that is important. Coin and currency collecting is a hobby. Webster defines hobby as: “a small Old World falcon formerly trained and flown at small birds”

Or is it : “a pursuit outside one’s regular occupation engaged in for relaxation”

Just as the word “hobby” has different meanings, so does the word collection. Build your collection the Burger King way ..”Have it your way”.

Have a question, need an answer, drop me a line. Frank M. Zapushek PO Box 1993, Bloomington, IL. 61702. Or you can email me a frank@bakercoins.net. Your question could be the next article. No charge for authentication or questions. Hope to see you at an upcoming show!