Anyone Tired of the Investing Mindset?

Don't get me started with that. Personally speaking, and this is only my opinion, but coins not intended for circulation, they're not coins. Even if they're legal tender, if they're just being made to appeal to collectors, they're scams like the stuff put out by the Franklin Mint. I'd feel the same thing about stamps. If the Post Office decided to produce stickers with images that are not distributed to post offices to move the mail. Hard pass on that.

I'm not trying to make this about coins, it's just what started my thought processes here, but the Royal Mint, especially, does a ton of this. They hadn't released a commemorative coin into circulation, up until very recently, since 2016, yet they're putting out tons of "coins" in collector sets trying to make a buck.

We don't see that with most post offices, although wallpaper stamps and Dunes certainly qualify, but I don't care if the Post Office makes a hat with a logo for people to buy, but making stamps that are never intended to move the mails, what the heck is the point?

The mindset is pervasive when someone sees or obtains collectibles usually through some inheritance. Shows like Pawn Stars and What's in your Attic feeds these.

My dad was a part time coin dealer and sat behind the table with him but never liked coins or the crowd. In his later years, he has focused on stamps.

People think they will be luckly one. How many have been convinced that have a US Scott 596. They see if a dealer like Mystic can charge higher prices they can get the same thing. The difference is they have to sell to a collector NOT a dealer.

It always seemed about money rather than any other aspect (history, etc.) During the 50's and 60's people stashed stamps away as if they were going to increase in value and you have seem stories of those that purchased material but only get 10 cents or less on the dollar.

I see the USPS mimicking the commemorative coin racket where most are intended for collecting as technology moves on.

Go to any flea market, there is always someone that wants a lot for what they have.

I am getting interested in Crypto. The concept of private currency seems intriguing!

Look at it this way. Often when someone starts discussing it usually either has the owner discussimg the value (big deal or being asked how much is it worth!

Has there ever been a cable TV show pushing stamps like they do coins? It is usually about the intrinsic value (gold, silver).

Actually, just got home from spending Christmas with family and during the drive, we were catching up with episodes of Stamp Show Here Today and that's one problem I have with them, it's all of the "investor" mindset. They had the son of one of the hosts on, who is just getting into collecting stamps and... yup, "I'm selling on eBay because all of the dealers I know are just giving me cheap stamps because they want to encourage young collectors!"

That's fine and all, but what ever happened to just enjoying collecting things? It's always "I'm buying stamps so I can have them certified and then flip them."

I just don't get it.