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Numismatic 1866 Vs. 1 Oz. Eagle Question

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New Member

United States
5 Posts
 Posted 02/13/2012  8:42 pm Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add toby42 to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
Hello, all,

I'm new to collecting (1 yr old) and I'm beginning for two reasons, security first, investment second. I, quite frankly, as many others want to have my 'money' in solid rather than paper form. So for security due to the uncertainty of the economy, I got into gold and that is my primary purpose. I want to always have 'real' money.

But having begun with this purpose, I have become intrigued with this and the history behind it. As of this point, I'm mostly collecting pieces that I simply like for their appearance. I am, in that sense, moving into the realm of 'collecting.'

With all of this comes my first post and question. I am about to make a purchase and need some advice. I laid this groundwork, for both figure in to this decision. I have the chance to pick up an 1866 $20 Double Eagle for $2900. Sounds nice, I suppose. But the practical 'survivalman' inside of me tells me that this is over $1k over gold price and I have to question if it's the right thing. My other option is a simple 1 oz. Gold Eagle for $1825. I think that if the shtf, a collector's piece is worth only what the gold content really is. At that point, who cares if it's a collector? I'll only get what it's worth, regardless of 'collector value.'

Things I have to consider are these (and you all know this): buyback/resell value, which will hold its value the best, which has a better chance to increase, etc. Basically, which is the most secure and I can be most sure I won't lose my money.

Sorry for the length, but this is my first time. Thank you all for your anticipated help.

Pillar of the Community
muddler's Avatar
United States
7187 Posts
 Posted 02/13/2012  8:58 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add muddler to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
It really revolves on the condition the 1866 double eagle, is it graded? If not it must be high AU to MS grade to warrant the price. If your goal is to hold gold with resale in mind go with the new gold eagles. If you want a numismatic quality coin go with the (MS grade) double eagle.
New Member
United States
5 Posts
 Posted 02/14/2012  12:07 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add toby42 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
It is graded, but I don't remember by who or what grade at the moment.
Valued Member
goldfinger's Avatar
United States
73 Posts
 Posted 02/14/2012  01:03 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add goldfinger to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Please take my comments as friendly observations, I wont pretend to know enough to advise.
If you buy a numismatic coin with the idea you will resell later for more money or even break even you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Might happen, likely not. Bullion is different, follow the market and jump in and hope for a rise, buy on lows and hope for good averages.
Totally different rules/considerations for buying a pleasure coin and a bullion coin.
It sounds as if you have a good grip on that reality.

Personally, until I am rich enough to to buy an old double eagle just because I like its looks (I do like them!), I will use that much money to buy more silver while its dirt cheap and use much lower priced classic coins /walkers, Morgans, Barbers, IHC, etc/ to amuse myself.

Also I dont consider gold to be -survival grade- bullion. Investment grade yes but I suggest in a SHTF world, I may have an easier time buying essentials like food, fuel etc with pockets full of junk silver. Are you going to buy a loaf of bread with a double eagle? Or with a modern AGE? will the seller have $1000s in small fractional gold coins to make change? or would he rather sell the loaf of bread to me for an old silver quarter ($7-8) and be done with the transaction?
Edited by goldfinger
02/14/2012 01:20 am
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SsuperDdave's Avatar
United States
23522 Posts
 Posted 02/14/2012  02:13 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add SsuperDdave to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
With all due respect to those advising entry into the metals-as-investments market, here's silver for the last 35 years:

Numismatic-1866-Vs.-1-Oz.-Eagle-Question

Here's gold:

Numismatic-1866-Vs.-1-Oz.-Eagle-Question


Do you *really* think this is sustainable? Really? I unloaded all of my bulk silver the moment it broke $35, and I'm not even going to look at it again until it's down to $20 again. If this even stays at level, we'll all need gold to pay for bread in three years. Where do you think the trolls who caused our current recession went when the real estate bubble burst? What was the cause of that last precious-metals spike around 1980? Think about it.

1866 wasn't a bad year for Double Eagles. Yes, they're (relatively) plentiful in circulated condition - as long as "circulated" means "less than AU." $2900 would be a decent price for an AU55 coin in a reputable holder, and Mint State coins are all but impossible. I don't believe there are as many as 75 1866's in reputable TPG holders, and only a handful above MS62. It's a [eBayItem]solid[/eBayItem] investment in AU, much less Mint State.

With that said, toby42, the grade of this coin, and the party which graded it, are extremely important factors. You can only trust PCGS, NGC, ANACS and ICG as graders of a coin like this - in any other slab, you must immediately question the very authenticity of the coin - and a grade at or under AU50 makes the price equally questionable.
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