My Numismatic Goals for 2025: A Collector’s Personal Journey

As a lifelong coin collector, I’ve found that setting clear goals each year keeps my hobby exciting and focused. It helps me steer my passion wisely, spend smarter, and avoid those “what was I thinking?” impulse purchases. For 2025, I’ve shaped my numismatic ambitions around a few key themes—from specific coins I’m hunting to practical habits—all shaped by decades of collecting experience.

My Coin Wishlist for 2025

This year, I’m chasing a handful of special pieces, knowing my budget might only allow for one or two real scores. Here’s what’s keeping me up at night:

• A 1957 Ceylon 5 rupees Buddhism commemorative in Cameo or DCAM proof—I’ll be picky about luster and surfaces.
• An ancient silver coin with documented ties to the John Quincy Adams family collection (1974 sale provenance). As an Adams descendant, this one speaks to me personally.
• A clean Mexican “Caballito” peso in Mint State (MS62-63 range)—I’ve got my eyes peeled for the 2025 FUN show where these sometimes surface at fair prices.
• A gold Spanish cob (1- or 2-escudos) with shipwreck history—the ultimate treasure hunt!
• A US $3 gold piece in AU to MS condition to replace one I regret selling years ago—lesson learned about holding onto sentimental pieces.
• Key US Type coins to fill stubborn gaps in my sets (quality over quantity).
• A gold elephant pagoda from India for some exotic flair.
• A Cleopatra VII portrait coin in Fine or better with smooth surfaces—ancient history I can hold.
• An English Commonwealth coin from Cromwell’s time, or a handsome 16th-17th century German thaler if the right one appears.

Clearing the Clutter

Time to face the music: my collection has accumulated too many “meh” coins that dilute the good stuff. This year, I’m selling the extras to create breathing room. Proper cataloging is key—I’m adding Fair Market Values, descriptions, and grades to every keeper. Not only does this help my heirs down the road, but I’m rediscovering forgotten gems I bought years ago. Re-grading some pieces has been revealing—turns out my eye for wear has sharpened since 1998!

Finishing What I Started

There’s magic in completing sets, even if perfection isn’t always possible. My main projects:

• Closing out my Jefferson nickels—just eight to go! I’ll coin roll hunt for the thrill but may break down and buy that pesky 1950-D.
• Dabbling in Roosevelt dimes for roll hunting variety (they’re tougher than they look!).
• Filling holes in my 1950s US proof set run.
• Finishing my 1834-1933 gold type set—just two Double Eagles shy! If funds allow, I’ll hunt for an 1866-1876 Twenty D with Motto and a St. Gaudens.
• Completing my colonial currency set (minus ultra-rare Vermont notes).
• Adding century-set coins from pivotal eras like 600 BC or 1400s AD—even affordable pieces deserve quality.
• Building a fun thematic collection: 1928 Irish Free State coins or anything with beehive motifs.

Remember, “complete” doesn’t mean every coin ever minted—I’ll never own a Gobrecht dollar, and that’s okay. It’s about the hunt, not the trophy case.

Hard-Won Collecting Tips

From my wins and mistakes, here’s what works:

• Set a firm budget and chase quality. For example, MS62-63 coins like the Caballito often look fantastic without the gem-grade price tag.
• Hit shows like FUN with a targeted list—dealers’ cases hide wonders if you dig patiently.
• Try the “one in, one out” rule: sell a piece to fund new acquisitions. Tough love, but it sharpens your focus (still hurts to part with favorites!).
• Photograph and document everything today—future you will thank past you when grades shift or memories fade.
• Stick to your want list. That “he who dies with the most toys” mentality? It just leaves heirs with a mountain of sorting.

Balancing Passion and Practicality

Let’s be honest—collecting walks a fine line between curation and accumulation. I’ve tried strict collection limits like my “Box of 100” experiment, but parting with coins felt like abandoning children! Still, it taught me that quality trumps quantity every time. My collection spans ancients to moderns—a glorious buffet of history. Embrace the quirks (yes, I have a bicentennial quarter pile) but prune what doesn’t spark joy. At its heart, numismatics connects us to stories, people, and our own growth. As 2025 approaches, I’m itching to chase these goals, learn from each find, and swap tales with fellow collectors. Set your own targets—it makes our shared obsession even richer.