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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,242 |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
18670 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6370 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I don't need to weep all that much.
I bought my first gold coin in 1964.
Things cost a lot less, but I didn't have much income either.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Yes prices were low, but as mentioned incomes were much lower as well so it was STILL hard to afford the keys even at those prices. Still I think I could have come up with $2.50 for those proof only Trade dollars. Or $1.50 for those Seated dollars. |
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Moderator
 United States
188770 Posts |
I feel bad until I realize what my income would have been in 1958.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
18670 Posts |
the average income in 1958 was $4,650/yr. a few other prices from that time for comparison
House: $30,000
Ford car: $1967-$3929
Milk: $1.01
Gas: $.24
Bread $.19
Postage stamp: $.04
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
Would be nice to have bought some of those ... At those prices.
First I saw, in the list, was mintage for the 1909 S VDB ..848,000 instead of 484,000.
I can remember $20.00 gold lib's in coin shops being $40.00 in 1973.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Something else to note though, is few people collected coins as a hobby then. US Postage stamps were more of a collector item in those days. Coins were mostly used for money, not a hobby. In the 40's and 50's so many people just played around with coins and used them to buy stuff with. Although many books stated values of coins, not a real lot of people would spend even those prices for a coin that could still be found in change. For example I found my first 1909S VDB Lincoln Cent in change a long, long time ago and didn't really think to much of it. May be difficult to imagine a time when the only half dollars were the Walking Liberty ones, Liberty Head ones and once in a while a Sitting Liberty. But then back then not many collectors of coins so not a real lot of people paid attention. We all sort of think of only if, however, that is true of cars, stamps, oil paintings, etc. IF only. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
18670 Posts |
I started collecting at age 10 in 1964. I was a paperboy and remember getting these old coins. They were fascinating to look at and intrigued me. I started collecting anything that was old and would occasionly get a Morgan or Indian head or even V nickels as payment. Never found a rare coin but was able to complete most of the Lincoln mercury Washington and Roosevelt sets from change I received. Man....those days seem so long ago. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
What was the gold price in 1958?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
18670 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Which would have made those double eagle prices listed LESS than melt value. US gold coins traded well above melt back then, partially because it was the only way US citizens could own gold.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
18670 Posts |
I believe the prices listed are dealer buy prices
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
They probably are. Usually when people come up with an old "price guide" and people start talking about how "oh if only I could go back to then and buy at those prices" they are looking at a dealers buy price guide where the dealer is offering to pay well below what the actual wholesale market was at the time.
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,242 |
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Posted 08/14/2014 09:29 am
