An accumulator has very different motives than the coin collector for what he does. An accumulator saves and stores for some anticipated future event. The act of setting aside items that will be needed in the future, just in case something happens, gives the saver peace of mind.

Hoarding often has the connotation of setting aside much more than is necessary. I guess that ends up being a trial. Often the treasure is never collected or used. The treasure is left after death for someone else to benefit from.

An hoarder generally does not have a plan for acquiring gold or silver coins, just to hoard as many as possible. Silver and gold coins are just a commodity, not something to be revered.

The hoarder usually buys common coins for the hoarder’s stash. The rarity does not play any consideration in the acquisition. It tends to be quantity over quality.

They rarely spend much time learning about the gold and silver coins they own. That doesn’t interest them. The hoarder does not collect for numismatic value, only for precious metal content.

The presentation does not take place in the corner treasure. They are usually stacked in measured amounts and simply put away. Your weight is your primary measure of value.

There is no personal attachment to the forms of precious metals. They can be stored anywhere and the owner does not care, because looking at them does not give any sense of satisfaction.

The American gold or silver eagle hoarder with a plan for his dispossession is the person who will eventually make money by preparing for future results. That is, when gold and silver are not hated by the public as they are today. When everyone wants something, the hoarder will have something to sell.

Unlike a coin hoarder, the collector takes a systematic approach to acquiring rare US gold or silver coins.

A collector has a purpose for every acquisition of rare American coins. It may involve a long search for the correct example. There is a pride in the collection and a sense of accomplishment associated with it. That attachment in my case makes the beloved currency a tough sell…unless I find a better example.

There is a passionate interest in the rare collection of American gold coins that the hoarder simply does not have when buying gold coins. They often buy gold or silver bullion coins because they command a lower premium than numismatic coins.

Where coin accumulations can be considered excessive, a coin collection can never be excessive. After all, when does an American rare coin collector have enough coins? The answer is: when you have them all.

Is it better to be a hoarder of gold and silver coins or a collector of rare American coins?

I think if hoarding appeals to you and makes you feel comfortable then you should do it (but not to the extreme). If collecting rare US coins appeals to you, then you should do as much as you can afford. Go for it!

I like to do some of both… but not to the extreme. By doing both, you are covered for more than one future outcome. Also, by doing both, you can acquire more coins and still maintain the perception of balance in your life.

What is the difference between an accumulator and an inverter?

The accumulator tends to hide the precious metal coins and often dies with them. The goal of the hoarder is accumulation, not elimination. The investor is a hoarder who knows when to drop some or all of the investment in gold and silver coins and make money on it.