My Retirement Shift: From Teaching to Coin Collecting After 30+ Years

After retiring from teaching science for over 30 years, I’ve finally gotten to dive into my true passion: coin collecting. Sure, I miss my students’ energy, but having more time for numismatics feels like a silver lining – especially with my wife handling our finances and my son running our local coin club. Our California rental properties give me the freedom to really explore this hobby, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned along the way.

My Coin Collecting Focus and Plans

I’ve built quite a collection over the years, and retirement lets me focus on refining it. First up? Clearing out duplicates – I’ll be listing those for sale shortly. Grading and pricing them right is crucial, so I stick to reliable guides like PCGS or NGC. Watching my son as coin club president reminded me how much community matters; those swap meets and meetings have sharpened my eye for spotting treasures in U.S. coins and precious metals. If you’re just starting out, pick a specific area like silver dollars or commemoratives – it keeps things manageable and fun.

Lessons from Rental Property Management

Switching from lesson plans to rental properties taught me some hard-earned money skills. We sold our Flagstaff places after two decades and bought California homes that my wife manages. If rentals are part of your retirement plan, let me stress this: a good CPA is worth every penny for handling capital gains and depreciation issues. When we sold, we used a 1031 exchange to defer taxes by swapping into similar properties. And always track improvements – that new roof or paint job can reduce your tax bill by increasing your cost basis. Sound familiar? It’s just like coins: keep solid records and get expert help to avoid expensive slip-ups.

Practical Advice for Numismatic Enthusiasts

Here’s what I’ve picked up that might help your collecting journey:

• Market Observations: Silver and gold coins often hold steady when markets wobble – they’ve been a reliable anchor for us, much like real estate. Bullion coins in particular can help cushion against inflation, so consider mixing them into your holdings.
• Grading and Selling: When moving duplicates, grade carefully. A magnifier helps spot wear or errors, and checking recent auction prices ensures fair deals that build your reputation.
• Long-Term Strategy: Treat collecting like those property depreciation schedules – play the long game. Go for quality pieces rather than quantity, and plow sale profits back into scarcer coins that tend to appreciate better.

Retirement has given me the gift of time to truly enjoy my collection. As I organize everything, I look forward to sharing more discoveries. Every coin has a tale to tell, and I’m loving this new chapter!