Surge In Popularity For Modern Coins?

At the risk of speaking out of line, new collectors have bought into the,
how to phrase it, "sales' pitch" that top condition is the only condition worth collecting. And Mints for many countries are all-to-eager to offer coins which
are manufactured specifically to sell to these collectors. Dealers, in turn, cash in on the secondary market for as long as the 'flavor du jour' is in favor.
Fast forward a few years: that limited mintage of 5000 coins with reverse proofs and lady bugs or whatever still exist.
But the few surviving high condition coins of the 19th century are still hard to find.

There is a truism in coins as well as any commodity: you cannot market an item unless you have enough examples to market. A temporary corner on the market for 2015 'Whatevers' is possible. But a corner on the market for Very Fine 18? any denomination cannot exist. These examples need be bought one by one and then at market price. AND when available [not often.]

'Condition rarity' is a term best learned early in one's collecting years, and
carefully distinguished from 'Temporary Market Fever."

So Joe2007, do not confuse 'enthusiasm' with 'hype.'
Hype will fade but true, educated collectors will remain...quietly...grabbing the occasional "you-don't-see-this-everyday" coin.

Frankly, I've never been a big fan of investing in high grades or investing in any coin. Indeed, I'm not that big a fan of high grades and usually sell into demand. Don't get me wrong, I like quality and will pay extra for it but I don't like paying large premiums that I migh never recoup because high grades might go out of style.

I do like nice choice gemmy clads because in better than typical condition they can be attractive and most typical clad looks like junk.

There's nothing wrong with collecting high grades but buyers should be familiar with an issue before paying large premiums. It's probably not wise to pay huge premiums for slightly better coins when the bulk of the mintage is almost indistinguishable fromn the ones with a premium. To each his own.

High end classic US coins are bringing higher and higher prices every day. I don't know of any modern US coin that's brought more than $100,000 at auction.

I personally started collecting Kennedy halves just for the simple fact I knew I could afford to complete the set. Typically when people start a collection they want to complete it. Even trying to complete the Lincoln Cent set there are a few dates that could seriously strain some peoples wallets. Knowing they will never be able to complete the set why bother starting it? If you go the modern route you have the chance of completing the set at almost face value.

Yes, and there are other reasons as well. Modern series can be collected on any budget at all and can be as challenging as desired. You can send away for a complete set of memorial cents for as little as about $25 or can can put together a nice set of choice coins for less than $100. Indeed, if you want a gemmy set it will be tough and take years to assemble but a couple hundred dollars will be enough money probably. You can buy coins graded MS-65 and these can be put together quickly though will be more expensive and since these are "mistakes" there will be some lessere coins in them. It's even still possible to put together Gem sets from rolls and mint sets but it might be cheaper to buy slabbed coins now days.

There are numerous ways to collect moderns from bank rolls to slabs and a series to fit every budget. If you really want a challenge then you can try something like a PL set since some moderns are rare PL.

Many collectors on smaller budgets just wouldn't enjoy the kind of bust half collection they can afford. Most of the coins will be very low grade, culls, and problem coins. But a small budget can put together important collections of moderns.

It's funny really that we still callthem moderns. When I started collecting in 1957 a 1950 nickel was almost an ancient and Buffalo nickels while heavily worn still made up a large percentage of circulating nickels. They were only 19 years old. Today a 1960 nickel or 1976 quarter are oercieved as "modern". The quarter is already 40 years old since it was released in the summer of '75 and in 1957 there were few coins in circulation this old. The oldest normally found freely circulating and not a cull was an '09 cent; a mere 48 years old. Clad has been around 50 years.

Perspective is everything and perspectives are changing as more younger collectors are coming on board.

I don't think there is nearly as much interest in modern coins here in the UK, comparatively speaking. Possibly because there is such a long history of coinage (some 2000 odd years) to get your interest and a lot of them are relatively affordable.

All coins are limited. I have several Vichy France coins made out of aluminum due to war rations and several good for tokens made out of aluminium for local establishments.

I have these coins because they tell a story. That is why I collect. Modern coins do not tell a story. I mean yes, the 20 for 20 coins tell stories (The 25 for 25 spin off says "Look, our flag is 50 years old) but they were meant to be collected. They are not utilitarian, they are simple not coin. Moderns feel so forced.

So yes, I would buy (and have) aluminum coins BECAUSE they are not modern.

Now as for an the moderns are cheaper then classics is just false. With the whole I "need an MS-70 not an MS-69 for my PCGS ASE registry" is driving up the prices of something worth it's silver value. You could put together a nice set of 2 cent pieces alot cheaper.