Let's Go Back in Time

Tyrock

I recently obtained a 1944, 3rd ed copy of the blue book. Got to thinking about coin prices and took a few selections from the Pogue cabinet and looked to see what the "representative prices paid by dealers of United States coins" would be in 1944. Here are the results:

1793 chain cent $10
1793 wreath cent $500
1800 half dime $2.50
1804 dime $10
1796 quarter $8
1806 quarter $1
1796 half dollar $50
1794 FH dollar $70
1804 dollar $1625
1815 half eagle $500
1795 gold eagle $17.50
1927 $20 Saint $28

P0CKETCHANGE

Massive currency debasement.

Would be interesting to see the inflation-adjusted 1944 values and compare to current market values.

Higashiyama

@PocketChange said: Massive currency debasement.

That's definitely a factor, but only one of several. Prices are up by roughly 20X since 1944. (though our lifestyles are so different, such a number is a little hard to interpret)

Other factors include:

1. The vast increase in per capita real incomes since 1944, especially for the upper middle class and wealthy
2. The growth in interest in coin collecting since 1944, especially in the 1950s and 1960s, but persisting to this day

jmlanzaf

I'd buy stock instead

Clackamas1

@jmlanzaf said:
I'd buy stock instead

In Sears?

jmlanzaf

@Clackamas1 said:

@jmlanzaf said:
I'd buy stock instead

In Sears?

Diversified portfolio.

And don't forget the Sears dividends you would have gotten for 70 years