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 Replies: 8 / Views: 117 |
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New Member
United States
12 Posts |
For the first time in my life, I attended a coin show this morning. I was there to sell coins on behalf of my aunt, as I am her POA.
Most of the dealers appeared to be at least 65 years old. The attendees skewed towards an older demographic, though I did see a few younger people and even a few children.
Now I find myself wondering about the long-term prospects for rare and vintage coins. Even if the dealers and the older coin collectors attending the coin show eat their vegetables and keep their blood cholesterol and blood pressure down, they won't live forever. If their children/heirs are not interested in coin collecting, those collections will flood the coin market and may depress prices. Coin collecting involves a lot of responsibility to protect the coins from theft, oxidation, dirty hands, moisture, and various other risk factors.
Although my aunt's coin collection is very small, my actions today (selling coins without buying any) put downward pressure on prices. If there are too many people like myself out there, there will be too many coins chasing too few buyers.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1417 Posts |
A valid question... I can't say what the future holds, but I had wondered recently if they had held their numismatic value thus far, so I checked out the sales ads in a 1966 copy of The Numismatist. Every example has held its value since 1966 that I've checked  Before posting I chose another at random, back in January of 1966, a "brilliantly toned" 1856 flying eagle proof was being offered for $2,650, about $27,000 in today's money. Checking PCGS, most graded examples are PR64, booking at $28,000 Will this continue, I don't know, but I found it interesting how well the prices correlate to sixty years ago. Edited by MintedNotPrinted
Today 4H 16M ago
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19376 Posts |
The collectable 'industry' continues to grow--sometimes explosively, sometimes slow and steady. There are ups and downs, but I believe the trend is steady growth over time. As far as numismatics goes, many who are 'new' to the hobby collect for different reasons than what motivated those aging collectors (over 65)--back when they were kids/teens. Having said that, who knows what the collectables market will be 200+ years from now......
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Pillar of the Community
United States
936 Posts |
Since Covid prices have increased a lot. I think more time and money brought many new people into the hobby.
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Valued Member
United States
83 Posts |
As an old fart, I'm not too worried about it either way as I won't be here! However I am actively selling my stuff, accumulated over 60+ years, and I think everything has done very, very well. Anything with silver or gold has that intrinsic melt value that will always be there as long as the metal is valuable. In the 1960's, who would have thought silver would reach $120/oz and gold over $5k? Where will it be in 30 years? Who knows?
Collectibles of any kind go up and down, but long term they mostly go up, IF you stick to actual rare stuff instead of whatever is being hyped. When I was actively buying in the 60s-early 90's I bought a lot of stuff from old people. Now I am one.
You also need to remember that old people have the money and the free time to devote to their hobby that most young folks do not. I have a nephew who is almost 40 who is interested and I encourage him when I can. However with work, family, volunteer work, and life in general he has no time and not much money to invest. As he gets older he might be more active.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
26571 Posts |
Quote:
IF you stick to actual rare stuff instead of whatever is being hyped Like Beanie Babies?  Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7359 Posts |
You can never tell, there have been times that coins have gone down in value. There are other collectibles that once people assumed would keep on going up like Stamps which have crashed in value and are selling below face value. So coins may keep on going or they might not. I think if you are selective and buy quality you will do well but there is no guarantee.
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Valued Member
United States
83 Posts |
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Like Beanie Babies? ...and those "rare" MS-68 Ike dollars! I always chuckle a bit at condition rarity on common coins, but to each his/her own! |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6709 Posts |
I think you are conflating two questions. Will coin collecting remain popular in future generations? Will coin shows be popular in future generations.
I think lots of people will continue to enjoy coin collecting for decades to come.
I also think the days of crowded, loud, chaotic, dimly lit coin shows are numbered.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 117 |
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Posted Today 3H 53M ago
