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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,805 |
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New Member
United States
3 Posts |
I am getting back into collecting and want to start with recent commemoratives.
My question is which is better to collect the ms or the proof versions for possible value increase.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12330 Posts |
First off,  to CCF and welcome back to a great hobby! The US commemorative series is a terrific series to collect, whether it be the classic series or the modern series. The modern MS (uncirculated) commemoratives tend to have lower mintages than the Proof versions and therefore typically do better in terms of resale -- sometimes the price difference can be quite significant! The lower MS mintages also mean, however, that you will have to pay a bit more to acquire certain back issues. I have a set of the uncirculated coins in my modern commemorative collection. I like the fact that they have lower mintages and I also prefer their satiny finish vs. the mirror-like finish of the Proof coins (they can sometimes get spotty or hazy). Do you have any books that provide info on the commemoratives? If not, it would be a good idea to at least pick up a copy of the " Red Book" (so named because of its color -- its official title is A Guide Book of United States Coins.) This is a great place to ask questions, there are many knowledgeable collectors available to help! Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7202 Posts |
I have always liked the proofs and have a full set of them that were mostly purchased from the mint. I collect for fun and these coins mostly are just valued slightly above melt. In recent times I have also found that the proof coins do not show the detail that the uncirculated coins have.
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Moderator
United States
15570 Posts |
I am not qualified to reply with an answer on the topic ... but offer me hearty welcome back to the series and hope to see many examples from you.
David
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Moderator
United States
190135 Posts |
to the Community! |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
For value increases your best bet seems to be to go for perfect 70 coins for the new versions. Several of the moderns from the 90s and even a few years ago have seen a nice jumP in value at this grade. It will be expensive to buy older versions this way and couldn't assure it will go up a lot but if you get the new releases in that grade it's not a huge premium over the coin and in time should appreciate. I will say to me at least the moderns seem to be hit or miss. Some like the buffalo one go up fast while other less desirable ones never really seem to gain much if at all
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New Member
 United States
3 Posts |
Thank you everyone for the replies, I think I will start with mitary themed commems, I also found some Indian themed Shawnee and Poarch nation coins. Does anyone collect these as well?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2936 Posts |
Speaking from experience after collecting a complete set of both UNC and Proof, I would also lean to the UNC. As Commems indicated, there is quite a premium on some of the low mintage UNC's and, as collectors increase over the next (you pick the timeframe), they can only ascend in value. I am investing in some of the UNC's in numbers betting on future escalation in their value. If you have a coin dealer friend, ask him to take a look at the Grey Sheet and see which low mintage commems are holding their value. While the 1996 Atlanta Olympic UNC's are still well up there they have dropped a goodly amount in the past two years. Let me whisper in your ear three that have never wavered (Leif Ericson, National Community Service, and Smithsonian)... Shhhhhhhh Don't tell anyone - OK?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2295 Posts |
to the forum and back to collecting. The MS usually go for more than the proofs, since they have lower mintages. Unless if you buy them at the Mint at their production year, they won't increase much, in the near future, except for a select few. The key is to buy them at their pre-issue price, they offer a small discount. Usually around $3 each, but they also have a $10 surcharge, so they can drop in price, the next couple of years. It is a gamble on trying to make a profit on them. You are better off to collect what you like, than worry about profit. If you want to invest, you are better off doing it in the stock market. The main reason most are selling for more than their issue price, is because the price of silver has gone way up over the past few years. Otherwise, more of them would be at a loss. |
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Valued Member
United States
54 Posts |
I also just started with the modern commems... except I'm going full set both ms/pr.
Good luck with your set.
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,805 |
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Posted 05/04/2012 10:36 am
