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Hmmmm, I'm not sure to be honest. I can see the logic of what you're saying, but it's surely based on the premise that the generation which grew up with lsd in the days immediately prior to decimalisation, are the only ones who continue momentum with the hobby. However, numismatics is centuries old, so even if coins do become completely redundant we have to set against that, the fact that coins are big business internationally, and it's not just the baby boomer generation who collect - for example as you know, I'm an obsessive collector and born in the very latter years of generation X (so thankfully can't be labelled a millenial). Inevitably the momentum and interest in coins will be passed from generation to generation, and, just as now, there will always be some who take on the mantle of collectorship and dealership. Redundancy of cash and no further use for coins, will take a very very long time internationally. Not all countries are like the UK with our seemingly deleterious and somewhat parochial attitude towards notes and coins. Much of which, I suspect, is motivated by a governmental and organised finance desire to have more control over ordinary folk. As long as cash is around, much of that control is totally impossible, notably for tax purposes, as it's beyond the all seeing eye of the state. Moreover, the fact that coins no longer exist may eventually have one of two effects, either a) it goes as you suggest, or b) it actually increases interest. Depends on collective psychology. From what I observe shopping in supermarkets, especially ASDA, most young people use actual cash. It's the "middle aged" who use cards, for convenience. Actually most older guys use cards as well - at the self serves, although older women tend to use cash via a checkout operator. I'm observant like that. Traders who insist on only accepting cards are actually shooting themselves in the foot, as they will be missing a portion of trade on a constant basis. Conversely, tradesmen (decorators etc) actively prefer cash payments, probably for tax avoidance purposes, but who cares given how our money is spent by the state. The current boom in coins isn't just driven by the baby boomer generation. It can't be. If it were, I suspect it would be much more "steady state" than what it is. Many other age ranges are involved.

"Nos. 3 and 3a. are rare; No. 3b. very rare."

Some interesting finds there Larry. What quantities of coins have you gone through to come up with all these?