Over 83% of the 2,000 adults in the UK surveyed by the Royal Mint said they had collected something during their lifetime. 57% of the survey respondents have active collections.
What are the most popular items that people in the UK tend to keep?
Coins are THE most popular item for collectors. Over a third have a passion for coins, whether they are actively buying commemorative sets or simply keeping an eye out on their change to find the latest limited edition 50p.
Coins are now the second most collected item, just behind stamps which came out on top with 38%. The top collectibles for Brits are stamps, coins, vinyl records, books, and fridge magnets. For Coin Dealers UK, visit https://www.gmcoins.co.uk/
Not everyone is predictable. Some of the unusual items found in the survey results were menus from Greek restaurants, cat whiskers and toilet paper tubes. One fan even confessed to collecting wrestlers’ underwear!
Some collections are quite expensive, even though they include items that cost little, such as shells, postcards and mugs. The survey of collectors revealed that the average amount they spent was around £1,500. However, 3.5% admitted to spending more than £10,000.
What motivates people to create and maintain collections? Nearly half of collectors collect for pure fun. One fifth of collectors want to keep a memory of an event or time. Nearly 30% of collectors said that their collections made them nostalgic. This may be why child character coin collections have been so popular.
One of the benefits for collectors is that they can pass their items on to their children and other family members. Coins and stamps are the most common items passed down from generation to generation, accounting for 1 in 5 collections. Over one third of collectors see their collections in the context of their legacy. Almost 1 in 4 believe that their children will be able to benefit from their collection. Commemorative coins celebrate key historical moments and individuals, so it’s no wonder that these collectibles are prized as family keepsakes.
Over 12% of respondents said that starting a collection offered them the chance to meet new people.
How to Start a Collection
It’s no surprise that one in six of those surveyed are interested in creating a new collection. You might wonder where to start if this is you. The Beginners’ Guide to Coin Collection from the Royal Mint offers a wealth of information on coin collecting. The coin-collecting hub also has a wealth of resources for numismatics. You’ll find everything from mintage numbers to a glossary. There are also guides on coins for children.