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 Replies: 17 / Views: 3,290 |
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Valued Member
United States
126 Posts |
I would like to add a gold coin (fractional) to my collection. I have been doing some reading on the matter and I sorta have a feel for the market (what's available, prices, etc.). When I joined this forum just the other day I started browsing through all of the great threads. Then, I viewed the counterfeit thread. And, that experience was terrifying. So far with my small purchases, I have not had to worry too much about being ripped off...you know, picking up a fake coin for just a few dollars would not be end the world (annoying though...and unlikely given the price point). But now I am interested in picking up a small gold piece and I really don't want to fall into "that guy" territory. You know, as in "that guy got ripped off" and so on.
Here's what I am looking for:
I am leaning towards purchasing a 19th century gold coin, if I can find one in my price range. Something like the $2.5 Quarter Eagle. It's a lovely coin. Does anyone have a recommendation for a dealer? Would you all recommend purchasing graded/authenticated?
OR
I am also interested in the American Gold Eagle 1/10. Beautiful modern coin. Has anyone purchased an AGE from Provident Metals? Is there a go-to dealer that this forum trust for AGEs?
Thanks! Edited by OldWest
04/08/2016 6:19 pm
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
I know just how you feel. I bought a book on gold and thought I learn everything I could. Then maybe shop at the shows hoping to find a good price. Ha!
If you live in Northern IL there is a dealer that I really trust and his prices are fair -- I have given up on the idea of finding a bargain. It was a silly notion to begin with.
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Valued Member
 United States
126 Posts |
Quote:
Then maybe shop at the shows hoping to find a good price. Ha! So then what happened? Talk about a cliff hanger!  |
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Valued Member
United States
61 Posts |
I have bought several gold coins from Provident, no problem with order or coins very reliable co. JM Bullion is also a good place to buy gold, I have bought most of my gold coins from them and really like the company. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3049 Posts |
My recommendation would a $2 gold coin from newfoundland... beautiful coins while there's a numismatic premium over the spot price of gold for these pieces.. when you consider mintage numbers these are nice little gems in my opinion.
If you're going for something that's closer to spot price but still a nice design.. I do like the $2.50 indian head gold coins
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
I would love to acquire a fractional gold coin.
However, I would guess that jeweler's copies in good quality gold would be far more numerous that authentic examples.
I have extensive collecting experience but certainly not in U.S. fractional gold.
My advice to myself is to only buy from a known expert in this field, or from a source that already has proven provenance back to such a source.
Preferrably slabbed, but still needs verification, despite being slabbed.
I guess for you, too risky otherwise, stick to 1/10 ounce bullion gold instead.
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Valued Member
United States
126 Posts |
Thank you, sel_69l. Appreciate your thoughts and everyone else's too. Quote:
However, I would guess that jeweler's copies in good quality gold would be far more numerous that authentic examples.
This is one of my chief concerns. I was watching a YouTube video of a coin dealer unboxing his NGC slabs (he had submitted the coins for grading). One of the coins came back as "not encapsulated, not genuine." The dealer was definitely fooled by this convincing fake. Illustrated a good point...and frightened me off a bit. Quote:
Preferrably slabbed, but still needs verification, despite being slabbed.
The verification would be the grading service (NGC, etc), correct? Edited by OldWest
04/09/2016 12:00 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3343 Posts |
I saw a nice raw VF 1873-S quarter eagle at a dealer I trust for $275 today. It's a good value, but this goes from being bullion to being a collector coin. You get much better value with French or Swiss 20F's which contain 50% more gold than a quarter eagle and sell at $250. Two months ago they were selling below $220.
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq
04/09/2016 8:55 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4333 Posts |
I have purchased fractional gold eagles from Provident.
I hate to say it, but Provident beats my LCS prices every time.
A+ company to deal with.
When I listen to LED ZEPPELIN...so do my neighbors...
Roll hunting since '77
Dirt fishing since '72
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Valued Member
United States
126 Posts |
Quote:
I saw a nice raw VF 1873-S quarter eagle at a dealer I trust for $275 today. Interesting. Was it slabbed and certified? |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
6768 Posts |
Probably this isn't what you really want, but assuming, you in USA - so you will be able to get AGE's whenever you want (meaning, will clearly know the trustful sources), but as first one I would check the: **Half or Quarter Sovereign - IMO one of the best designs (and could be obtained from the big dealers over ebay or online) **Canadian 1912-1914 $5 Gold coin - they aren't rare (so will not be overpriced), historical significance plus design much more appealing than modern Gold Maple Leafs |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2543 Posts |
IF it was me, and I was thinking about 1/10oz AGE, I would just get a fractional Libertad. The cost is relatively the same. ($30-$40 difference) But mintage of 2015 1/10 oz AGE was 550,000+. The mintage of 2015 1/10 Libertad was 1230. If the price is relatively the same, why wouldn't you go for the super low mintage? For even lower mintages, go for a proof Libertad (my Avatar), with 1/10 mintages of 2013-300, 2014-250,2015-500. But as you can tell, I am biased.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3343 Posts |
The 1873-S was raw oldwest but it's a dealer I trust.
www.eugenecoin.com
More US gold than I've seen there in a while, and this was the least common in the fractionals. 27,000 mintage and not super high NGC population, but it's still considered a common below EF.
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
There remains the possibility that the slab itself has been faked. That is why the slab also should be verified.
I guess that may be all be all the more important with fractional gold, if you haven't sent your own raw coin to be slabbed.
I have to admit, I have no expertise at all, when it comes to picking fake slabs.
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Valued Member
United States
126 Posts |
This is an interesting thread. I appreciate all of the feedback and thoughts. I am very much leaning towards an Indian Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle. Finding one certified/slabbed in my price range, well, that might be tough. Borrowed a picture from the USA Coin Book. The coin is a stunner.  |
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
Yeah, that's a gorgeous coin all right.
And -- NO -- I never did shop for gold at coin shows hoping to find a bargain. There are too many fakes and the slabs can be counterfeits as well. So -- I haven't done anything about it yet. Some day ....I've been saving up for it and I'll probably get a few all at once -- maybe then the coin shop owner can give me a little discount.
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Replies: 17 / Views: 3,290 |
Posted 04/08/2016 7:28 pm
