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 Replies: 26 / Views: 5,144 |
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New Member
United States
11 Posts |
So I have a bit of a dilemma that I'm hoping to get some feedback on. First of all, since the release of the W quarters, I've become an avid coin roll hunter, and got back into coin collecting after about 20 years away from the hobby. I ended up picking up Whitman folders for all coins from penny to dollar from 1965 (post silver era) to current. At this time, I'm only missing a couple nickels and about three dimes to filling all of them up to current purely from roll hunting. At this point, though, I look at that stack of folders and then I look at my silver coins (Peace and Morgan dollars, Walkers, Franklins), and wonder if the face value tied up in those folders would be better invested into older silver coins. I like being able to say I have every business strike coin since 1965, but I love my Peace and Morgan dollars. I haven't tallied it up, but I'm sure there's several hundreds of dollars at face value tied up in those Whitman folders. Will they ever really be worth much more than face value? I mean, I am constantly upgrading the coins in the folders as I find better examples, but let's face it... They're circulated coins that were minted in the hundreds of millions and have no precious metals in them. A growing part of me just wants to pop all the coins out of the folders, roll em up, cash em in, and fill out my Peace dollar set. Am I crazy for thinking that way? I just can't see them appreciating much before I'm dead and gone. Obviously I would keep the W quarters I've found, late 60's 40% coins, and the few errors I've collected, but I'm having a hard time with the rest. I've been on the fence about this for weeks now, so any input or advice to help me make up my mind would be appreciated. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1944 Posts |
my opinion is absolutely just that (my opinion).
if you are collection coins - purely for investment - for profit - I believe that there are many other better investment for capitol gain..
surely your coin collection (hoard) should not go down in value - but probably will not go up (substancially) in value in the short term.. there is probably very long term appreciation...
there is however other value in collecting...
there is personal gratification, historical preservation,
some sense of accomplishment...
i do not (personally) expect immediate financial success from coin collecting... I do receive a lot of personal satisfaction and enjoyment of my time spent searching and discovering and learning and collecting..
probably not the point of view that you were seeking..
again - only my opinion...
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New Member
 United States
11 Posts |
Thanks for the input. I guess it really comes down to what my motivation is.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7273 Posts |
My personal philosophy is that most modern coinage won't appreciate much if at all for several reasons, including that there is a lot of it. I think that "maybe" silver proofs might, but there is no real reason other than that silver could be under valued compared to gold (or gold could be overvalued). Again, I can't predict the future. If you really like the Peace dollars (I do) and you want to complete the collection, I say go for it. Especially with the possibility of a 2021 new Morgan and New Peace dollar, the Peace dollar value may jump a lot (well for the short term).  |
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Valued Member
United States
223 Posts |
I agree with dbrablec. If you want to add a little silver to your post silver era folders, why not buy silver mint/proof sets and add the dimes, quarters and half dollars to the sets? I just finished my Kennedy half dollar set (only missing the 2014 W proof gold) using this method and I enjoy the contrast off the clad and sliver coins. For me I just enjoy the beauty and history of the coins |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1026 Posts |
Funny you should pose this question ..... I was just thinking about it the the other day. I pretty much agree with dbrablec. Financially it might not make sense, but you may have motivations other than investment gain. Last night I was inventorying some Jefferson nickels that I had, as I plan to buy a box this month and do some roll hunting in order to fill some holes I have .... not because its going to make me any money, but because I find the process enjoyable. I've also been tossing around the idea for a future project: collecting Clad-Half Dollar Modern Commemoratives (not the dollars, just the half-dollars). I wouldn't do this because I think I could make any money .... rather I think they kinda look cool, the hunt would be fun, and it would be a unique collection. That's my two-cents anyway.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
I think the highest grade coins will remain popular and command higher prices over time as the Gen X'ers move to retirement and the Millennials move up to higher-paying jobs... As they have more expendable income and wish to invest in something, a high grade set of coins of their childhood (70s-90s) might be something of interest. Top grade coins from the 70s through the mid 80s are already enjoying some recognition because they can no longer just be found in MS at the bank.
Do I expect a few albums full of high grade pocket change will appreciate faster than a well-invested 401(k)? Not a chance, but of all the things to collect, putting your money into money is arguably better than porcelain figurines or other nick knacks.
If making money is your only concern, flipping is 110% the way to go. If you have a niche interest that is mainstream enough to have a reliable market, yet specialized enough that book smarts will give you an advantage, it is absolutely possible to buy coins and then sell them at a profit, then use that profit to either invest or just buy the coins that you like. Flipping takes hundreds of hours of research and a cool, logical mindset, but plenty of people here on CCF have had moderate to great success using that to make money from the hobby they love.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3323 Posts |
Quote:
...Clad-Half Dollar Modern Commemoratives... I think these could be some of the hidden gems of the next generation, not because they are valuable, but because few people talk about them or collect them. Add to it, they can be picked up VERY inexpensively. There are some interesting designs in this series. Edited: shpelling "Nummi rari mira sunt, si sumptus ferre potes." - Christophorus filius Scotiae
Edited by Bump111
10/01/2019 4:48 pm
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Moderator
 United States
187862 Posts |
Quote:
there is however other value in collecting... there is personal gratification, historical preservation, some sense of accomplishment...  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
789 Posts |
Quote:
...They're circulated coins that were minted in the hundreds of millions and have no precious metals in them... You kind of hit the nail on the head as far as I'm concerned. Having said that, I have hundreds if not thousands of foreign coins that are pretty much junk. |
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New Member
United States
11 Posts |
Thank you all very much for the feedback! It's really helped me look at it from other perspectives.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5239 Posts |
I would keep them and keep upgrading as you pull them from circulation. Just for the fun of it and the fact that it is almost done. How much is really invested? For the 5 cent pieces, $10-15. Of course, if you really need every last dollar for silver coins, only you can decide what is more important.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1274 Posts |
You already invested in the folders. I'd keep the cents and nickels at least...
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2460 Posts |
i go round & round in my head over exactly this issue. to my collector, modern coinage isn't worth it because there is now so much of it, and little of it is attractive to me, but my stacker gives the okay for any PM modern coinage. the stacker & collector have frequent discussions, working out compromises & meeting somewhere in the vast grey middle. as a collector I am stimulated by the old coins. the collector wants a 7070, IHC & LWC collection. the collector also likes the buffalo & Liberty nickels but isn't so hot to complete a collection yet. the collector also wants old dimes & quarters albums, pre-65 on back. halves & dollars, too, and stacker concurs with this. the stacker will also allow old cents, but only few nickels (generally wartime silver). stacker always reminds collector to do extensive reading on any prospective collection before making purchases. and on and on. slight edge to the stacker as he wants more PM content than not. stacker keeps collector from collecting too much non-PM coin. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7273 Posts |
Like Mr. Pink,
I do this also. I've only done a few sets and every time I look at a set I look at the price of the key dates. But when it comes to modern coins so few are interesting to me. But I decided to do the innovation dollars as I like the content and I can do it all in proofs. As to other modern, other than Lincoln cents none do
It for me. Just old men on coins.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
If you are collecting them because you enjoy it, then yes, it is worthwhile.
If you are collecting them because you expect them to appreciate in value, then no, unless you have a couple hundred years to wait, these will probably not be worth more than face value or a little more.
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Replies: 26 / Views: 5,144 |
Posted 10/01/2019 2:27 pm
