Current state of the coin conundrum
topstuf
Posts: 14,803 ✭✭✭✭✭
For the past 2 days, I've been dithering over a PROOF gold piece. All the bells and whistles. PCGS, CAC, ...decent... grade.
BUT.
Even though I can afford the thing, I keep seeing what looks like intense registry effect and some (what I'd call dreck but for the lofty GRADE) and it's making me very sooper dooper cautious and maybe unduly so.
I see me buying a "nice" proof 63 or 64 gold purdythang and seeing ...demand.... be for the 66+ stuff. 
A lot of stuff I follow on Collector's Corner are what ....look.... to be cool but have been on market for a LOONNNNGGG time.
I know this shouldn't affect me or what I collect, but dammit it does.
I moved on to a nice semi modest goldie instead.
Will I regret this state of mind or not?
I think not.
But who knows? 
I'm still haunting the listings but with a very changed frame of mind.
Comments
To quote Pawn Stars...
"What did you pay for it?"
"Who Cares!"
This is a hobby, right? Buy what pleases you.
If the nice semi modest goldie pleases you the answer to your question is no.
I know what you mean. My budget and collecting grade is far below most on these forums. When I look at things in my range that I like, I can’t help but wonder why they’ve been available for so long. Is there something wrong others see that I don’t? Are people just passing because they want higher grade?
Collector of randomness. Photographer at PCGS. Lover of Harry Potter.
Not that you asked for my opinion, but...
If you're already worried about future demand for the coin, it will likely diminish your enjoyment, considerably. So why buy it? Why not wait until you're excited about buying something else, instead? - there are almost always opportunities.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
AAAGGHHH!!!! ....an unsolicited opinion!!! AAaarghh!!!
But you're right. My pardner says if I like it I should buy it. Hmmm....she's no help.
I need AGONY !!
I might still do it, but I have to mull and ponder and dither and make 11 false starts to get the juices flowing.
My choice in coins it what I like... When it visually, aesthetically, pleases me, then I buy it....Sure, components of that evaluation are what TPG's use to arrive at a grade. But not all (for example) MS64's are equal....We know that... and it applies to all grades..... I don't, for the most part, care about the grade on the label...Does the coin appeal to ME!! And since I do not sell coins, that is all that matters. Cheers, RickO
Proof gold is very popular. I don't see that diminishing.
The dilemna seems to be the price not the coin. Proof Gold, PCGS, CAC..all the ingredients for a dealer to attach an insane price. So the price is really high, will demand keep up (so you are not buried)? Is the high price worth the coin?
If the price were right, this thread wouldn't exist. buy the proof gold, but wait for one to appear at auction. Anybody can pull the trigger on an expensive coin. The exciting part is the patience and letting the right one come to you IMO.
Nothing wrong with the coins or the grades, everything wrong with the prices.
The fact that a coin has been sitting unsold for a long time may be a tool you can use to offer a lower price. May work, may not, but you can try. Doesn't hurt to make an offer as long as it is not an insult.
You're wise to consider the re-sale aspect, but I think proof gold in that grade will hold up quite well. As long as the coin is appealing for the grade, I'd say 'pull the trigger, baby'.
Have fun!
Dave
Pre-1916 Proof Gold is 1 area within US numismatics I feel good about (I believe many other areas are over-valued & in secular decline). I have owned all the denominations, but not any gold Matte Proofs. In the brilliant proofs, hairlines are greatly accentuated, so in general, PR64 is as low as I'd go. "All there, original" PR65 is the sweet spot. From what I saw, PCGS CAC was worth the premium they carried.
I don’t see numismatic coins doing much based on what I track (walkers Dollars Commems).
Many just buying gold and silver.
Have you been able flip / retail any of those for a decent profit profit or just now realizing you may be the end user?
Don’t care for PF Classic gold plus the MS generics expensive enough.
Lots and lots of nice coins pass the condition/preservation muster, but the price is absurd beyond ridiculous.
You gotta be able to just walk away. For the very few where you can't, you gotta pay up.
I have just as much fun with coins that are easily affordable by ....lots.... of collectors.
I can't think of any I don't like that are in my stash.
The best coins are the ones that you can drop on the ground and not worry about it.
In the event that you were being even partly serious, I disagree. If you wouldn’t worry about them being dropped on the ground, that would indicate you weren’t (emotionally) invested in them. And how good could they be, without emotional investment? 😉
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
As the price of the coin goes up the resale/buried concept becomes more of a concern, lucky for me I don't play in those lofty areas so this is not a huge concern for me.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
Very conflicted for such an **advanced ** collector 🤨
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
"advanced" can mature into "cautious" with time.
It is rare, but I will disagree with you here. My grandmother was a crusty octonagerian that survived the old world or Eastern Europe, a one way trip to New York, work in a speakeasy, the great depression and caring for a couple snotty grandkids.
She worked in a bakery until she was 80 years old and collect Morgan Dollars from the register. She had about 80 of the coins and none of them were pristine or sliders or even decent XF. They were common coins that served their purpose in commerce.
Unfortunately I don't have any of the original mini hoard, but the well circulated dollar still is and will always be my favorite coin. If they hit the ground, well they were designed to endure that without kvetching.
A lot of stuff I follow on Collector's Corner are what ....look.... to be cool but have been on market for a LOONNNNGGG time.
Say I once called on a dealer for a coin on Collectors Corner. They replied: Don't look there that's old stock long since sold.
Point taken and that’s a great (though likely, extremely unusual) example.😊
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
A lot of stuff on CC that I collect is long sold. Wish they had a way to solve this. Not the only site with this issue.
Very few coins are irreplaceable. When in doubt, pass. Of course this doesn't apply if I am the seller.