The Future Of Modern Coins

Krause had an interesting article about this today or yesterday, but more along the lines of how this new fad has gotten more people interested in numismatics, and as a result, even if a quarter of them continue collecting, and decide to go after other obsolete series, the key dates are going to rocket up inprice like never before. And vice versa, some of the low mintage coins from these series will quit possibly being a huge price in the not to distant future. It was an interesting read.

I don't see how there will be a great premium for such high mintage coins. Some of the barber qtrs are going for just a couple dollars and thats because of the spot price. If there is any real value I'm sure most of it will come from hyping a certain coin upward.

The hobby has all kinds of collectors. There will always be those that gravitate to high end coins and buy only when the auction price is right. They'll never care if they have every dollar coin as long as they have that 1804 or a 1912 S Stella collector, etc. They'll always be there to get the best and amass a fortune in coins but have few in relation to the average collector.

The collector trying to fill a hole because he loves the series, type, denomination will also still be there plugging away. Collectors won't change likes or dislikes unless afford-ability affects acquisition. You can love something from afar if you can't afford to own; I regularly go to the Smithsonian to drool over their collection (although I don't see that happening with the average "fill from circulation" collector. Coins will be needed to enact commerce and people will collect what they like.

Nothing will change unless the new "Simplify the Coins" directive from the CFA results in placement of just a numerical value and the mandated motto's, IGWT and EPU, on a chunk of nondescript metal and circulated. (A shiver just went up my back.)

Another thing that I just thought of, are you saying that collectors don't want to collect more than the mandated business strike coins? If so, I wouldn't call that being much of a collector. Coins represent history and culture as well as commerce. It would be pretty sad is we could only collect a specific denomination and not celebrate exciting periods, events, or people in our history.

That's my 3 cents.

I think coin collection will have its peaks and troughs. Today many collect State Quarters and maybe in 40 years the State Quarters will no longer be in circulation and many will be looking for them. However, I do not think it is worth paying a premium for a State Quarter unless it is in a very nice state. On the other hand it is a good idea to collect them now because they may be worth a lot later on down the road. The State Quarters are beautiful and may fetch a large premium later down the road.

Hugh: Yes this is what I'm talking about. When these design changes become old hat, collectors may start to pine for the old days of consistency. And how long can the mints keep churning out new concepts every year?

Personally I love these series' especially the state quartets and ATB so far, and I even think the dime is due for some changes. But I hardly represent the general coin collecting population, especially as a new collector.

RollHunter, you just hit on one of my gripes - Type Collecting. That's an area that won't be affordable much longer if the mint keeps cranking out all these different types.

One other problem I see is how the coins will wear. Look at any mid-60s quarter, nickel, or cent. The relief appears to around 1/32". Lay a 1962 cent flat on a table beside one from 2010. You can tell which is which with your eyes closed, without picking them up and feeling the weight difference.

The relief on all coins struck in the last 10-20 is much less than it has been. To a degree, I even understand the reasons. But, in 50 years, any coin from today that is still in circulation will be worn so smooth as to be unrecognizable. Look at coins like Barber quarters in G to VG condition - now imagine that same amount of wear on a State Quarter.

I collect Kennedy halves right now, and that is a pretty easy set to put together at a fair price. I have a lot of the halves now minus a few from the 80s and a few of the silver ones from the 90s. I just picked up a PF70 silver kennedy halve 1995 and 2006- beautiful coins for PF70 of course. I have all the halves from the 60s and 70s but only bought the highest/best possible examples I could find. I want the best since its a fairly easy set to complete. After I get those completed I haven't really decided what to move on to next, perhaps the Lincoln Memorial cent.