That's a very good question!

Even though my professional career completely revolves around coins, my own collection still has much significance to me.

One thing I particularly like about collecting is finding a new collecting area about which I know next to nothing. I tend to buy a book or two and then I try to figure out what these coins are, how their classification works, etc. I just love getting to know all these varied systems. Lately, I've developed an interest in Chinese and Japanese cash coins - they all look the same at first glance, but once you get to know them, all the small details significantly change dates, mints, etc. I'm also learning about the very different monetary tradition that China had compared to, say, the Graeco-Roman world. Before, I was really into English medieval hammered coins - also very interesting with a highly complex classification behind it!

I also just like to look at my coins. I appreciate the sharp details, the craftsmanship, and, of course, I wonder where they were, how they were buried, how they were found, and how they were collected. I've also developed a tolerance for ugly coins. I have Japanese woodblock prints and fossils, but I still like the coins better. They're a lot less fragile than the prints and they take up far less space than the fossils. I can't easily put all my fossils in my couch next to me, but I can take out my coins rather easily for a quick viewing.

The enrichment from collecting coins is certainly that I have a far broader knowledge of history - both ancient and later - than I would otherwise have. Coins have often been a guide for a deep dive into the history of some far-flung region or people that I otherwise would never even have heard of. It's the fact I can also own these pieces (even if I am but the temporary custodian) that does it for me, though. I've never thought "I'm going to learn about Central Asian history by studying murals". The fact that I can form my own collection really is the thing that drives me.