Great time to buy early commemoratives, Agree?
eddiego
Posts: 101 ✭
If you go by the prices in the 2008 A guide book of Commemorative coins by Q. David Bowers, This is a great time to buy early commemoratives. The prices are much lower. Do you commemoratives collectors agree?
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Latin American Collection
There are also Lots to choose from so be patient, do your research and enjoy the hunt
JH
Proof Buffalo Registry Set
Capped Bust Quarters Registry Set
Proof Walking Liberty Halves Registry Set
The prices are lower because the demand is lower. There is no guarantee they will return to popularity anytime soon.
Every show or coin dealer I go to always have a bunch of these commems available. I have often thought it would be a nice collection to put together, however,
I like coins with a bit more history (early gold, bust halves, even merc dimes and SLQs which circulated). Just my opinion
same 10 years ago
Same thoughts every year. Its a good time to put the 50 piece set together. I did it. Now just praying for the day I don't look like a fool.
1. The flood of modern mint commemorative offerrings, diluting the series. Yes, there was a 50 year gap, but I do not think that that has much to do with it. And the flood continues.
2. The end of the classic series flood of very common coins, such as Arkansas, BTW and Washington Carvers, that 95% of the coins either circulated, or do not display attractive toning.
3. The 144 pieces required to complete the classic series alone.
4. The plethora of dipped and otherwise lifeless coins in mint state holders grading 65 or 66. You can find hundreds at any major auction.
Having said that, I collect them myself. Be patient and find the coins that YOU like. For myself, I like color and flash, and am forgiving of minor ticks and hits. Then focus on the look that you like. I can even see filling a 144 piece set of raw circulated coins for fun, but just don;t expect huge profits soon.
For my set, I only collect the "Pre-dirty thirties", meaning I stop at the Hawaiian. I just like the earlier designs better, and it makes for a shorter and more interesting set for me. I do not shoot for high MS coins - I just like some color.
My 2 cents worth and here's one of mine:
==Looking for pre WW2 Commems in PCGS Rattler holders, 1851-O Three Cent Silvers in all grades
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While there are many of them out there, there are also many who like them. Sure, prices have moved up and down over the last however many years, but there is and will always be demand for these coins and the more interesting looking and different looking example that you have the more liquid it seems to be.
Don't be afraid to step up and pay a slight premium for an example that you really like. Don't settle for the average looking coin at or just below the price guide prices. You'll be much happier with that special example, even if it costs a bit extra. And when you go to sell or upgrade the piece, there will be others willing to pay up for the quality, though you will have to navigate through some that try to offer you the lowball price for your nice ones.
Good luck!!!
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
If you've ever held a MS67 Oregon in your hand and REALLY admired it, you'll understand what I am saying. The series is diverse and broad with loads of neat art rendered onto metal. There is subject matter for a wide variety of tastes. I am a huge fan of many of the designs but not a particular proponent of any of them as an investment. For whatever reason, it is a series with a long history of short ups and long downs.
Buy for pleasure and invest elsewhere is my answer to the OP.
<< <i>The early commems have a long history of boom and bust, with bust often lasting a long, long time.
The prices are lower because the demand is lower. There is no guarantee they will return to popularity anytime soon. >>
this not so great economy is still not helping out. it wouldnt hurt to look around for some good deals along the way either. jmo
I don't see these as a good short term investment or flip situation.
White coins seems to be everywhere, so I would develop an eye for pleasing original-surface or toned coins as its going to be hard to unload dipped coins or unexciting registry level coins like MS68's any time soon.
Edited to add picture
Commems and Early Type
With "made for collectors" items they are rarely rare as they are often put away meaning attrition is very low. Their value is more often a result of promotion resulting in a factor of popularity (degree of want) opposed to limited availability that feeds the supply & demand market. Also missing is the use cycle that truly endeared it to the public conscious where it could become more beloved by a broader base.
Broken down: early commemoratives were never really loved, people just loved collecting them and people are fickle (beanie Babies anyone). Considering they are very common, their prices will rise and fall based off of their popularity which if you ask me is static or declining. If you truly think about it, they tend to be an entry point into the hobby and few advanced collectors stick around and the other group who goes for them is the price sensitive portion of the hobby which is all but priced out of most other classic series. Neither group is a driver for price appreciation IMO.
<< <i>The early commems have a long history of boom and bust, with bust often lasting a long, long time.
The prices are lower because the demand is lower. There is no guarantee they will return to popularity anytime soon. >>
If you have a typeset in PCGS 66 and above, all nicely toned, I'll suggest the market is there based on the phone calls that arrive every couple of weeks from Heritage.
Green stickers don't even matter in that case.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
<< <i>Blast white average grade coins have no upside in my mind. High grade, huge eye appeal coins in old holders offer multiple layers of demand (to quote Doug Winter) and I can see them doing well now and in the future. >>
I agree.
Coin Rarities Online
<< <i>
<< <i>Blast white average grade coins have no upside in my mind. High grade, huge eye appeal coins in old holders offer multiple layers of demand (to quote Doug Winter) and I can see them doing well now and in the future. >>
I agree. >>
What they said
MJ
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
In that respect, then YES, of course. Tough to find the most attractive ones. They're usually locked away until a few gents decide to share them here.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
<< <i>My problem with early commemoratives is the same that I have for basically any manufactured "collectable" be it art plates, modern baseball cards or anything limited edition. True collectables are typically things that resonate with people on an emotional level. These are more often utilitarian things that were made to be used and the act of using them not only ruined them but makes it a thing that holds peoples interest. By being used up they become scarce and when the person goes looking for an example for nostalgia they bump into limited survivorship and availability which feeds the supply and demand effect of the free market while stroking the need to accumulate and complete that is inherent in "collectors".
With "made for collectors" items they are rarely rare as they are often put away meaning attrition is very low. Their value is more often a result of promotion resulting in a factor of popularity (degree of want) opposed to limited availability that feeds the supply & demand market. Also missing is the use cycle that truly endeared it to the public conscious where it could become more beloved by a broader base.
Broken down: early commemoratives were never really loved, people just loved collecting them and people are fickle (beanie Babies anyone). Considering they are very common, their prices will rise and fall based off of their popularity which if you ask me is static or declining. If you truly think about it, they tend to be an entry point into the hobby and few advanced collectors stick around and the other group who goes for them is the price sensitive portion of the hobby which is all but priced out of most other classic series. Neither group is a driver for price appreciation IMO. >>
+1. Better than I could have said it.
Historically, price movements in generic commems have much more to do with major marketing efforts than growing base line popularity.
Monster toners, however, are a different animal.
+1
MJ
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Each coin has a real story to tell.
I'm a buyer for any coin, any grade, that I like. Gotta have some color though.
Be patient and learn their history.
<< <i>My problem with early commemoratives is the same that I have for basically any manufactured "collectable" be it art plates, modern baseball cards or anything limited edition. True collectables are typically things that resonate with people on an emotional level. These are more often utilitarian things that were made to be used and the act of using them not only ruined them but makes it a thing that holds peoples interest. By being used up they become scarce and when the person goes looking for an example for nostalgia they bump into limited survivorship and availability which feeds the supply and demand effect of the free market while stroking the need to accumulate and complete that is inherent in "collectors".
With "made for collectors" items they are rarely rare as they are often put away meaning attrition is very low. Their value is more often a result of promotion resulting in a factor of popularity (degree of want) opposed to limited availability that feeds the supply & demand market. Also missing is the use cycle that truly endeared it to the public conscious where it could become more beloved by a broader base.
Broken down: early commemoratives were never really loved, people just loved collecting them and people are fickle (beanie Babies anyone). Considering they are very common, their prices will rise and fall based off of their popularity which if you ask me is static or declining. If you truly think about it, they tend to be an entry point into the hobby and few advanced collectors stick around and the other group who goes for them is the price sensitive portion of the hobby which is all but priced out of most other classic series. Neither group is a driver for price appreciation IMO. >>
Sorry, but I don't buy your arguments. First of all, due to the timing of their release, some early commems
did circulate. They may not resonate with you on an emotional level, but for me they are far more
captivating than, say, trade dollars. The price of any coin (series) will rise and fall based on popularity.
This is not a specific characteristic of early commems.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Blast white average grade coins have no upside in my mind. High grade, huge eye appeal coins in old holders offer multiple layers of demand (to quote Doug Winter) and I can see them doing well now and in the future. >>
I agree. >>
What they said
MJ >>
+3. Follow the flight to quality and you will be okay.
<< <i>I don't understand why people collect modern commemoratives, when the Classic Commemoratives are so cheap these days. >>
Isn't a nice (MS68+) classic commem still much more expensive than a nice (MS68+) modern commem?
I've been looking at MS65+ Pan Pac halves and the nice ones are in the 4 figures, much more than a very nice MS70 modern.
I also speculate that many people can relate to the themes of modern commems more than classics as modern themes tend to be more aspirational.
Designs 10x better than the Moderns IMHO. I thought they were a bargin 20 years ago! they still are!
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I'm not a big Barber coinage fan but he did come up with some really cool commems.
Also look at Morgans' and the Frasers' work as well as others. True works of art.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
Survival rates for the early commemoratives are very high and there really aren't that many serious collectors of the series. That is why prices seem to go nowhere (or down).
<< <i>
Historically, price movements in generic commems have much more to do with major marketing efforts than growing base line popularity.
Monster toners, however, are a different animal. >>