Hobby and investments don't go together. The only people that make money on their hobby are lucky. I think what you are referring to is called speculation. It's a gamble. Sometimes you win and sometimes you loose. I think the best time to "invest" or speculate is when prices are down. It's easy to leverage your collection when you buy on a down market. This will lower your average cost and will make it easier to get your "investment" back or at least what $ you have in your collection back.

Let's say you have a collection or investment of silver bars. You have 1000 ounces of silver at an average of $8 an ounce in it. Let's say silver is down to $5 an ounce. My thinking or advise is that you just need to buy more silver. If you buy another 1000 ounces at $5 then your average has now dropped to $6.50 per ounce. Buy 2000 more ounces at $5 an ounce and you know have $6 an ounce invested in your collection.

It's all in the way you look at things. Most people buy on an up market. Remember the old saying "Buy low sell High" or when your talking about a collection (investment) "Buy less one an up market and buy more on a down market". Prices are high one an up market and low on a down market. Don't bail on a hobby you enjoy when the prices get soft. Get excited about it and stock up. Excitement drives the market up.

This is my two cents worth. You do what you want and just convince yourself you made the right choice. BE HAPPY!

Robert