| Author |
 Replies: 22 / Views: 2,831 |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2205 Posts |
I've never owned any gold coins because of the price. But lately I've been thinking I should save up for one. It would be a nice addition to my collection.
I don't care what I get, but it must look pretty. I don't care about it being slabbed or certified. As long as it has a minimal amount of wear and perhaps some luster, I'm game for anything.
So my question, which gold coin (design, date, condition, etc.) can give me the most bang for my buck? Meaning what would be the lowest price I could expect for any gold coin in a pleasing enough condition? Thanks for your help!
|
|
|
|
Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
I have always liked the $1 and $3 U.S. gold. John1  |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
I don't think we can really answer this for you - this should be a personal decision. Go to your LCS and look at different series and denominations - it won't take long for one to become your favorite. A $5 or $10 piece has decent size while being more affordable than the $20s. Persnally, I like the $10 Indian, but that's just me.
Love your avatar, by the way.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
6370 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
6370 Posts |
Or take Coinfrog's advice and get a $10 Indian.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7390 Posts |
Coinfrog is speaking the truth about personal choice plus with gold it's as much about your budget as personal choice. Personally, I want a california fractional BUT I'm thinking of filling up my empty 70/70 gold page within the next few months while prices are what they are
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
IMO
$5.00 Liberty might be the best bang for the buck.
They are very common in all grades.
They are about nickel size with 1/4 oz. of gold.
The gold Indians to most are a better design, but
have a higher cost too.
It would be easier to make a suggestion, if we knew
your price limit.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2543 Posts |
I have always been partial to gold bullion. Nothing like a nice hefty 1oz gold coin. Low premiums on many and you always know what you have. Just follow the spot price.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1839 Posts |
Depending on your budget Indian $2.5 coins are very attractive and somewhat affordable. They're about the diameter of a dime so they're not so tiny that you can't see the details. And not so big that the cost of the gold drives the price way up. You should be able to find a nice AU example for a little under $300 http://www.coincommunity.com/us_gol...ian_head.asp Edited by Tbone
08/07/2015 6:43 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3343 Posts |
I think the best looking $10 Indians are the no motto 1907 and 1908 coins. Despite having a very low mintage the 1908 no motto does not sell at any premium over the common dates, but you don't see nice ones offered very often. Look for well struck coins, with full feather detail on the eagle's shoulder and breast. This 1908-D has some dings, but is a good example of a well struck no motto. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1908-D-10-I...em20e4ac52baIn terms of desirability I like these cc's more. They're shabby coins in terms of wear and luster, but they're working coins from the gold rush.   "Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq
08/07/2015 7:17 pm
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
The best feature of the $10 Indian is the completely uncluttered obverse - just "Liberty" across the headband. No motto, no USA - nothing but Liberty, stars and the date. Very powerful in its simplicity among all US coins.  |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
PS - agree completely with thg that the "no mottos" are the best of all.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1450 Posts |
There are Saint-Gaudens with very low mintages that do not cost much more than some of the higher mintage coins. I see the 1913S with mintage of 34,000 and it lists for only a few hundred more than coins with ten times the mintage.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
177 Posts |
You'll probably get as many opinions as there are members here! Coinfrog is right about it being a personal choice. "Bang for the buck," huh? To start with, set a rough budget for yourself, along with an absolute maximum. You can go a little over budget if you find something you fall in love with, but with a ceiling you can still rein yourself in. After that, my suggestion ("opinion") would be to go with something that doesn't have too high of a premium over the gold content. A $2-1/2 gold Indian will carry a larger premium than, say, a $5 Indian, so for two common-date coins that look the same, you'll get more "bang" (that is, gold content) for the $5. Bullion coins would have the lowest premium over gold value. And you have to consider what you like. I personally would prefer a Liberty over an Indian, and a St. Gaudens over either. And you don't have to stick with U.S. gold, or even circulation coinage, for that matter. For example, I have a proof commemorative and Canadian Maple Leaf that are really beautiful, as well as an Indian, a Liberty, a St. Gaudens, a 1/10 oz Eagle, and a 1 oz Buffalo. I like them all for different reasons. The St. Gaudens is my favorite design, but the commem and the Maple have the best surface appearances. All that being said, you probably aren't any closer to a decision than before you read my post!  But maybe I've helped you a little bit in the direction you need to go. |
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
2205 Posts |
Thanks, everyone! After I posted I realized I should have given an idea of my budget. Well, the most I've ever spent on a single coin is about $200. I was thinking that I might be able to find something nice for c. $500. although I was prepared for everyone to tell me that was wishful thinking.
Anyway, I am impressed by Tbone's assertion that I might be able to find an AU $2.50 Indian for $300! I've always noticed that these coins tend to be the cheapest (as it were) of the gold issues, and I like the incuse design that makes them different from the others.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
For $500 you could get a $5.00 Indian. Of course the $2.50 would be cheaper, like posted in the $300 range. Just be careful, once you buy one gold coin, you will want more. $2.50 Indian   $5.00 Indian   $10.00 Indian   |
| |
Replies: 22 / Views: 2,831 |
Posted 08/07/2015 4:44 pm
