My serious collecting of coins did not begin until late in this life cycle.

For years I collected basketball sports cards and autographs. Well, as you might guess the card collecting and autograph collecting hobbies took a big hit when greed took over and everyone saw it as a way to get rich. Going from simple horse trading this card for that card all of a sudden became big business. The hobby died when the fun was taken out of it.

Well I now own over 250,000 pieces of cardboard no one wants and more than 2500 autographs that after all the fraud on the net they matter only to me. They do make nice framed wall coverings however.

In 1998 someone gave me an American Eagle as a gift.

It was love and lust all at the same time.

I went on a mission and built a collection of proof and BU selling off anything from the cardboard hoard I could. Then I got into the mint sets, and discovered the $5 gold eagle. It was all downhill from there. Next some lady on a coin named Morgan showed up at Xmas and more lust. It was insane. I was possessed by round disc. Bi-metal coins also grabbed me and it seems to never stop.

I was lucky as the coin shop near me was run by a father and son that enjoyed their work. Being a facts and figures freak I picked up everything I could that would give me an insight to the hobby. Now I have a ton of information and still I believe I know only about 5% of what it takes to really know the hobby, grading, and the history of the coins I collect. The best part was the coin shop made it fun to collect again. They spent a ton of time educating me and still do every time I visit.

I now have completed several sets of the modern issues and chase after the one coin that will upgrade this or that set. I have a real weak spot for Franklins and Morgans. Only problem is recalling this one quote from years ago by my mother: "Son you have Champaign taste but a beer budget"

It's fun again to collect.

Plus it is the people like those in WINS that make it even more than just a hobby. It's more like family -- maybe the crazy side of the family as we all can't wait to find that next great shiny round thing we call a coin.

Dave Roe