It Was Definitely TIME to Retire from Teaching and Focus on My Coin Passion

After three decades teaching college science plus another twenty years on and off, I finally took the plunge into retirement this year. While I’ll miss the classroom, I’m absolutely buzzing to devote myself fully to my first love: coin collecting. Now that my schedule’s clear, I’m excited to share stories from my journey, practical tips I’ve gathered, and how my experience with other investments might help fellow collectors.

My Retirement: Embracing Coin Collecting

Retirement’s given me the freedom to truly live and breathe my coin collection. It’s been wonderful reconnecting with our local community through the coin club where my son serves as president. Like many collectors, I’ve accumulated stacks of duplicates—mostly mid-20th century U.S. coins—that I’ll be selling gradually. This approach lets me tidy up the collection while funding new treasures without feeling swamped. Oh, and our cat still claims the sorting table as her throne, so you can bet I keep the prize pieces safely stored elsewhere!

Practical Tips for Your Collection

If you’re wrestling with coin overflow like I am, here’s what’s working for me:

• Sell duplicates step by step: I’m starting with common dates and less valuable coins to find my footing. When listing online, I write straightforward descriptions and set honest prices—no point giving away coins that could fund my next find.
• Team up with family: My wife handles the bookkeeping, which keeps things simple. If money management isn’t your strong suit, partner with someone who gets it or try using budgeting apps to track sales.
• Professional grading matters: Before selling anything significant, I send key coins to PCGS or NGC. That slabbed grade can really boost value, especially for Morgans or key-date Lincolns.

Real Estate Lessons for Coin Investors

After selling six rental properties in Flagstaff last year (and reinvesting in California), I noticed some similarities between real estate and coins:

• Remember tax implications: Coin sales can trigger capital gains like property sales—up to 28% for collectibles. I chat with my CPA before big sales and keep meticulous cost records to minimize surprises.
• Presentation counts: Just like staging a house, I ensure coins are properly stored and conserved. But never clean coins yourself—I learned early that professionals should handle anything valuable.
• Good help is priceless: My CPA saved me headaches in real estate; with coins, trusted dealers and graders help spot hidden gems and fair prices.

Market Musings & Precious Metals

With more time to watch market trends, I’ve seen silver and gold coins hold steady through economic twists. Those pre-1965 U.S. silver coins remain great starter pieces since their melt value provides a safety net. My two cents? Balance bullion for stability with graded rarities for growth potential. And if you’re retiring soon like I did, consider paring down extras to focus on what truly excites you—without the clutter.

This new chapter is about savoring the hobby, passing on knowledge, and making thoughtful choices. If retirement’s in your sights too, let coins be your happy place—just beware of feline quality control inspectors!