The Legendary Signatures Inc Collection

Quality vs. Quantity

At one time or another most collectors are faced with a difficult decision, do you go for the best item you can afford or do you settle for collecting multiple but more "middle of the road" pieces which will cost less but when grouped together still form a respectable collection. Which is more appealing to you, a single museum quality piece(s) to display or a cabinet of dozens of very nice but somewhat lesser condition or rarity items? Bear in mind, there is no wrong answer here.

Most times, but not always, this is a budgetary consideration for a collector. Unless you are independently wealthy, which most of us aren't, your resources are limited and you must collect within the constraints of some sort of a budget. A very high quality piece may cost an amount equal to your entire discretionary collecting income for the year whereas with a small sacrifice in quality you would be able to own multiple very similar type pieces. There is nothing to apologize for here, this is real life. We are all of different means in this world and yet collecting can still be an enjoyable endeavor no matter what your bank statement says or how much you have to spend.

In virtually every area of collecting, as the quality (rarity and condition) of the item increases, the supply decreases. If you collect coins for example, the rarest and best condition pieces are typically in the shortest supply which generally equates to higher values and prices because these tend to be the coins in greatest demand. In basic terms, the nicer and harder to get the item is, the more people want it and the more they usually are willing to pay for it.

This is where the dilemma develops for the majority of us. Traditional collecting wisdom has generally trended toward the idea of "buy the best you can afford". Over the long term, the better quality pieces tend to appreciate more than the lesser quality pieces or at least hold their value better. If financial gain is your sole interest then this is probably the route for you. However, for many, buying one or two pieces once in a while is not very exciting or enjoyable. They prefer to collect more actively and make additions to their collections on a monthly or even weekly basis. To do this requires a trade off of sorts, sacrificing some of the quality in exchange for the quantity.

It is important, especially for new collectors, to understand that regardless of anyone else's advice or opinion, you must decide for yourself what makes you happy. With a bit of time and experience in the hobby you will learn your preferences and be better able to answer this question. Some collectors start out with more modest goals and over time upgrade their holdings with better quality by trading or selling multiple pieces to do so. This is also an option to consider. The one caveat to remember if this is your strategy is that there may not always be a ready buyer for your items and therefore liquidating pieces to free capital for an upgrade may take time.

The most important thing to remember, whether you collect a few choice pieces or you assemble a large collection comprised of hundreds or thousands of items, is to collect what you like and to enjoy the process. Collecting is meant to be an enjoyable diversion and no matter whether you pursue quality or quantity it can be that and considerably more for you.

Happy Collecting!