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Define Generic gold

YorkshiremanYorkshireman Posts: 4,583 ✭✭✭✭✭

When describing old gold, what is really meant by the phrase “generic”?
Yes, I understand the concept of bullion vs. numismatics. Where is the boundary?
Exactly where does “generic” gold end and numismatic gold begin?
Certainly in $10 Indians, 1926 and 1932 could be considered generic. What else?

Yorkshireman,Obsessed collector of round, metallic pieces of history.Hunting for Latin American colonial portraits plus cool US & British coins.

Comments

  • mvs7mvs7 Posts: 1,662 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @cameonut2011 said:
    If it only trades for a small percentage over melt, I would call it a generic.

    As the melt price increases, the number of pre-1933 gold coins that qualify for "generic" status goes up.

  • cameonut2011cameonut2011 Posts: 10,181 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 20, 2018 8:38PM

    @mvs7 said:

    @cameonut2011 said:
    If it only trades for a small percentage over melt, I would call it a generic.

    As the melt price increases, the number of pre-1933 gold coins that qualify for "generic" status goes up.

    I agree, and I see the definition being fluid depending on the difference between spot and any numismatic premium. In a depressed numismatic market and/or elevated bullion market, even some slightly better dates (that are only marginally lower mintage/survival but not scarce or rare) would be treated as generic.

  • thefinnthefinn Posts: 2,657 ✭✭✭✭✭

    1904 and 1907 $20 Libs 62 and under, 1924, 1927 and 1928 Saints 62 and under. That is a lot of gold.

    thefinn
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,606 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @thefinn said:
    1904 and 1907 $20 Libs 62 and under, 1924, 1927 and 1928 Saints 62 and under. That is a lot of gold.

    If you want to be shocked, go to the PCGS CoinFacts web site and check the estimated survival rates for various common date double eagles. For example, the 1924 Saint has an estimated survival of 1.9 million and the 1904 has an estimated survival of over 1.2 million. I knew many double eagle dates were very common but I never knew that so many dates were THAT common.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Give me your tired, generic gold coins....I will give them a loving, quiet home...I am establishing a retirement home for old gold.... no fees or extra charges...They will be gently cared for in a comfortable, safe environment. I will send you a picture periodically and you could even visit - though video chat would be better, so we can keep a relaxed and quiet atmosphere. Call for arrangements... we are open 24/7 to receive tenants. ;)o:) Cheers, RickO

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,606 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ricko said:
    Give me your tired, generic gold coins....I will give them a loving, quiet home...I am establishing a retirement home for old gold.... no fees or extra charges...They will be gently cared for in a comfortable, safe environment. I will send you a picture periodically and you could even visit - though video chat would be better, so we can keep a relaxed and quiet atmosphere. Call for arrangements... we are open 24/7 to receive tenants. ;)o:) Cheers, RickO

    You remind me of those bullion brokers who sell you PM's and then offer to store them for you. :D

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PerryHall ....And they are storing much of the same gold for several customers... :D;) Much like those electronic shares... Cheers, RickO

  • ashelandasheland Posts: 23,556 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ricko said:
    Give me your tired, generic gold coins....I will give them a loving, quiet home...I am establishing a retirement home for old gold.... no fees or extra charges...They will be gently cared for in a comfortable, safe environment. I will send you a picture periodically and you could even visit - though video chat would be better, so we can keep a relaxed and quiet atmosphere. Call for arrangements... we are open 24/7 to receive tenants. ;)o:) Cheers, RickO

    :D Classic!

  • JimnightJimnight Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I never looked at gold as old, new or generic... I have always looked at it as just gold.

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,595 ✭✭✭✭✭

    To me ther term, "generic gold" covers the common dates that are in the frequently encountered states of preservation. For example a 1928 double eagle is a piece of "generic gold" until you hit the MS-67 grade or something higher, if that is ever found. Then it ceases to be a "widget" because there is a huge collector interest in owning "the finest."

    One might say that a 1909 half eagle is a generic coin up to maybe MS-62 or 63. Once you get the Choice or Gem Uncirculated grades, (MS-64 and better) these coins are really collectors' items because the incuse design did not hold up well in circulation.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • YorkshiremanYorkshireman Posts: 4,583 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BillJones said:
    To me ther term, "generic gold" covers the common dates that are in the frequently encountered states of preservation. For example a 1928 double eagle is a piece of "generic gold" until you hit the MS-67 grade or something higher, if that is ever found. Then it ceases to be a "widget" because there is a huge collector interest in owning "the finest."

    One might say that a 1909 half eagle is a generic coin up to maybe MS-62 or 63. Once you get the Choice or Gem Uncirculated grades, (MS-64 and better) these coins are really collectors' items because the incuse design did not hold up well in circulation.

    To you, Would a $10 Indian in MS63 that isn’t one of the 3 or 4 frightfully common dates we considered generic or collectible ?
    IMO, it is a collectors’ item.
    Thoughts?

    Yorkshireman,Obsessed collector of round, metallic pieces of history.Hunting for Latin American colonial portraits plus cool US & British coins.
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,595 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Yorkshireman said:

    @BillJones said:
    To me ther term, "generic gold" covers the common dates that are in the frequently encountered states of preservation. For example a 1928 double eagle is a piece of "generic gold" until you hit the MS-67 grade or something higher, if that is ever found. Then it ceases to be a "widget" because there is a huge collector interest in owning "the finest."

    One might say that a 1909 half eagle is a generic coin up to maybe MS-62 or 63. Once you get the Choice or Gem Uncirculated grades, (MS-64 and better) these coins are really collectors' items because the incuse design did not hold up well in circulation.

    To you, Would a $10 Indian in MS63 that isn’t one of the 3 or 4 frightfully common dates we considered generic or collectible ?
    IMO, it is a collectors’ item.
    Thoughts?

    I would say that the better than average dates in the $10 Indian series in MS-63 or better are not generic.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • REALGATORREALGATOR Posts: 2,631 ✭✭✭✭✭

    My take..
    Generic gold: Anything made of gold that does not command a premium over melt.

    For numismatics this is a moving target. I have heard that common date $20 Saints in PCGS/NGC holders all the way up to MS64 being called generic. Personally, I would draw the line a bit lower. This is where the heated discussion takes place.

  • tommy44tommy44 Posts: 2,308 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Any classic US gold available at or slightly above melt value.

    it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide

  • ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I just go dig for it ......

  • tommy44tommy44 Posts: 2,308 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ErrorsOnCoins said:
    I just go dig for it ......

    Exactly were are "them thar hills" were all that gold comes from. Never found anything that nice in Georgia.

    it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,606 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @tommy44 said:
    Any classic US gold available at or slightly above melt value.

    Common date double eagles at circulated grades to low MS grades are frequently available at close to bullion prices.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @tommy44 said:

    @ErrorsOnCoins said:
    I just go dig for it ......

    Exactly were are "them thar hills" were all that gold comes from. Never found anything that nice in Georgia.

    California :DB):)

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