Money in the Hobby

[barrysloate]

Charlie Chaplin cards may not have much value, but an original movie poster from one of his silents is worth a bundle. So he certainly is not forgotten.

And a few posters have cited the weakness in stamp and coin collecting, and as at one time a collector of both, they are at least partially correct. Those coins and stamps that are somewhat esoteric, that need to be studied, and are raw, are suffering. There is simply a smaller number of serious collectors these days. And the ones who still do collect them have a lot of gray hair. That collecting pool isn't getting any younger.

But as far as slabbed coins and stamps, ones of great rarity or top-notch condition, there is a ton of new money coming in. But these people aren't collectors in the same way. Many treat their purchases as portfolio assets. They don't study that much and probably don't have the time or inclination.

It's just a shift in what's popular and how people collect. There's an incredible amount of money among the top 1%, and they are only interested in world class pieces. A lower grade coin or stamp, regardless of its history, doesn't have much appeal. To them the most important thing is the number on the slab.

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Charlie Chaplin cards may not have much value, but an original movie poster from one of his silents is worth a bundle. So he certainly is not forgotten.

And a few posters have cited the weakness in stamp and coin collecting, and as at one time a collector of both, they are at least partially correct. Those coins and stamps that are somewhat esoteric, that need to be studied, and are raw, are suffering. There is simply a smaller number of serious collectors these days. And the ones who still do collect them have a lot of gray hair. That collecting pool isn't getting any younger.

But as far as slabbed coins and stamps, ones of great rarity or top-notch condition, there is a ton of new money coming in. But these people aren't collectors in the same way. Many treat their purchases as portfolio assets. They don't study that much and probably don't have the time or inclination.

It's just a shift in what's popular and how people collect. There's an incredible amount of money among the top 1%, and they are only interested in world class pieces. A lower grade coin or stamp, regardless of its history, doesn't have much appeal. To them the most important thing is the number on the slab.

You’re just spewing blab
If you ain’t got the slab.
Doo wa Doo wa Doo wa

[barrysloate]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

You’re just spewing blab
If you ain’t got the slab.
Doo wa Doo wa Doo wa

You're correct Frank, it's all about the slab. It's the single most important innovation to our hobby since its popularity grew in the 1970's.

[BeanTown]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

You're correct Frank, it's all about the slab. It's the single most important innovation to our hobby since its popularity grew in the 1970's.

Completely agree with that Barry (Hi). I knew the hobby changed in the early 2000s when I saw a couple of dealers using two price guides. I asked them why, and one told me they buy with the SCD guide and then they sell using the SMR as how they think the card should grade.

The Blue Chip cards (broad term) should hold their value no matter what state the market is in.

A question I've always had is how many "Whale" collectors are in the hobby. Many public and private buyers out there regardless of what generation they belong to. So, when they buy a card will it ever see the market again? There are some massive collections out there. So, when money isnt the issue with the entire family, where do the collections end up?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

You're correct Frank, it's all about the slab. It's the single most important innovation to our hobby since its popularity grew in the 1970's.

The slab don't mean zip
If it ain't got that flip