What are the most desirable Commemorative Coins?
Bigdogg
Posts: 25 ✭
And which ones do you think has the most potential for investment ?
Thanks
Thanks
John-3:16 & Psalms-23
B Co.1st Blt.7th Marines
1st Platoon Nam 67
0311
B Co.1st Blt.7th Marines
1st Platoon Nam 67
0311
0
Comments
Investment-something from the mint
I'd stick to the attractively toned stuff. That's just me though
LSCC#1864
Ebay Stuff
low pop......
monster toned.....
nicely rim toned....
exceptional eye appeal.......
excpetional surfaces.......
great value when compaired to overall pops 65 and up
popularity
the more combos you have with regards to the above the better the coin
for future demand hence higher prices
but overall it is anyones guesstimate
ultimately it is exceptional eye appeal and great value for the money
figure those two things out and you got it made in the shade so to speak!
sincerely michael
Most potential for investment? As far as Profitable Investments in rare coins for a collector investing without a professional consulting them, I would suggest that MS-65 or better slabbed by NGC or PCGS is the way to go. You don't risk paying MS-64/65 money for coins that could be cleaned or whizzed and look ok to you.
If you are 'Investing', you should plan on holding your investment for several years at a minimum. Usually, the longer you hold them the more you can make but there are definitely exceptions. You must watch the market and determine a good entry point for the examples you want to hold. That is, you don't want to pay $5,000 for a Missouri graded PCGS 65 when they are really going for less than $4,000. You're not only starting out in the hole but you may never get out of it.
You MUST watch the market to determine if prices are peaking and it's time to cash in your investment. No matter how rare the coins you've selected are, there is going to come a time when it makes sense for you to sell at least some of your investment. I know there are some dealers/collectors/investors STILL holding onto their purchases from the late 1980s when rumors and speculation had the coin market at its last peak.
As far as which issues I believe to be the best value and ones that have the best potential for investment, I would ONLY seek out the finest examples prior to 1982. And I would tend to avoid the Booker T Washington, Washington-Carver and the Iowa. The reason being that there were just too many of these minted. Most of the other series usually have about 25,000 minted. Not usually taken into consideration is that a more than a few of those were used for money and spent into circulation during hard times. Maybe not many, but I don't think it would be out of line to estimate that 5-10% have seen some circulation.
Gold commems from the early 1900s almost have to do well. They're as close to a sure thing as I could suggest. The rarer silver commems would be right behind them: Isabella Quarter, Lafayette Dollar, both Alabama's (Regular & 2X2), Grant with Star, Hawaiian, Hudson, both Missouri's (Regular and 2X4), Monroe, Pan-Pac, Sesqui. These 24 coins should have the greatest potential given a few years to appreciate. (I didn't mention the Pan-Pac Round or Octagon or Proof Hawaiians, as they are prohibitively expensive and probably only affordable to a very advanced collector/investor.)
A second tier of better date commems worthy of investment potential would include: Antietam, 1939 Arkansas' P-D-S, 1935/4 Boones D-S only, 1938 Boones P-D-S, California, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Gettysburg, Grant no Star, Huguenot, Lexington, Lincoln, 1939 Oregon P-D-S, Spanish Trail, Vancouver and Vermont.
If you're going to invest, invest in something rare!!! MODERN COMMEMS ARE NOT RARE. Just because it is slabbed MS70 does NOT make it rare. Look at the mintages, 70,000 to over a million sometimes. They are only rare because more have not been sent in for slabbing. These coins will NOT see circulation so the mintages, more or less, show you how many are in existence. Once the new collectors realize that 'hey, I can get a 1936 York/Wisconsin for the same price as this Buffalo Dollar but hey, what's this? They only minted 25,000 of those vs 1.5 Million Buffalos? This can't be right, can it?' How many of those State Quarter collectors would it take to move the old commems higher? It is anyone's guess if this will ever occur. But if it does, there are not too many of the old commems available.
Supply, a few thousand at most, could dry up within a few years or a decade maybe. Of course, this will affect the entire coin market but wouldn't you rather have your eggs sitting where they do you the most good?
1. 7-17-81 Warrenton GC Driver 310 yards 7th Hole (Par 4)
2. 5-22-99 Warrenton GC 6 iron 189 yards 10th Hole
3. 7-23-99 Oak Meadow CC 5 iron 180 yards 17th Hole
4. 9-19-99 Country Lake GC 6 iron 164 yards 15th Hole
5. 8-30-09 Country Lake GC Driver 258 yards 17th Hole (Par 4)
Collector of Barber Halves, Commems, MS64FBL Frankies, Full Step Jeffersons & Mint state Washington Quarters
sincerely michael
cincis are the rarest set in gem and fully original
for me any monster toned commem is cheap and usually worth buying
it is all about the toning with commems
also nicely rim toned commems original toned coins that are great but not mnoster are also greatr buys
in fact really almost any gem commem with great eye appeal is a good buy! some are better than others much better i guess i cant say but show me a specific coin and i will tell you what i think!
sincerely michael
Greg - I was under the impression that the classic commemoratives in general, other than the premium toned ones, were undercollected right now. They are certainly a lot cheaper than they were in their heyday.
Blaze - Yellow male b 3/17/93
Onyx - Black male b 3/7/99
Duchess - Yellow female mix b 3/12/02 rescued 9/18/02
Rifle - Yellow male mix b 12/1/02 rescued 8/8/03
Diamond - Black female b 5/3/05 adopted 8/3/05
First Cam-slam - 9/21/04
My eBay
what about the very low mintage sets though like 1948, 1949 for example?
I have seriously thought about acquiring a set of those dates in the
past. Do you think avoiding those two dates still applies because
the overall series is not that popular yet? I don't have an answer
myself so that's why I am asking. Opinions please?
- Charlie B -
My website
With regard to investment, didn't times in the 80's teach anyone anything? People paid thousands for commems (and regular issues) that will probably not reach those levels again in our lifetime. I recall people paying up to $100.00 for high mintage BTW's, GWC's, Oregons, Boones, etc. in MS-63/64. Most of those folks are still licking their wounds.
I collect what I enjoy without regard to investment potential. This way if the market tanks again it won't bother me.
Just my two-cents (U.S.)
Cheers,
Bob
Go BIG or GO HOME. ©Bill
Most of mine are in the 1st generation PCGS holders that would definately upgrade, but I'm whatcha call a "crack-out chicken". I can't get myself to do it knowing that it could come back an arbitrary grade lower or, worse yet, bodybagged. You never know what motivates the graders to do their thing.
I have a Bridgeport in an NGC MS-65 holder (new) that is definately a 66 or better...bwawwwwk buk...buk...buk! I know...it's pathetic
Cheers,
Bob
Bottom line: Collectors often do well; coin investors often do poorly.
As for the commemoratives. I'd say that putting together a nice 50 type set could be a good bet. Collectors look for the best coins you can get for your money. Therefore where there are tiny spreads for items like the York, buy an MS-66 or MS-65 if there is little difference in price from the MS-64. For the really scarce pieces in high grade like the Hawaiian, Missouri and Pan Pac half, REALLY CHOICE MS-64 coins have a solid potential. Most investors don't realize it, but there is a pool of collectors out there who are ready to buy the scarce silver and gold commemortive coins in the lower grades to fill holes in their collecitons. What they demand are attractive coins for the grade with no damage. Currently getting them in PCGS or NGC holders is a big plus. The downside is much lower in these coins than it is for the high investment quality stuff, and the long term growth potential is there if you have the patience to hold them.
BigD5 and Michael: Toned coins, for me, have become a worrisome area. Attractive, original tab-toned coins are ok (and hard to find!) for me but the rainbows sometimes seen, possibly doctored, are the ones I am leary of. We don't know what the market will think of these down the road and, besides, a white coin could always be dressed up if that's what the future determines it likes.
CharlieB: I guess the main factor why I didn't include those three issues (BTW, W-C and Iowa) is that they pretty much have always stayed in the hands of collectors. These were from the post-war period and by that time the depression era had ended and people weren't spending their coin collections to survive. I probably shouldn't have let that affect my judgement as much as the fact that, as you mentioned, they have not enjoyed a popularity in the hobby thus far. That being said, if you can find attractive pieces at a decent price I don't think you'll be disappointed. I pick them up myself when I can find them; they are fairly inexpensive and downside risk is negligible. I've seen a lot of them that are downright ugly, don't buy into the talk that they are toned, they're ugly. (Kinda like some Franklins get for those that haven't seen what I'm talking about.)
A big question I have is what are the grading standards going to be like in the future? Are your MS63s going to be MS65 & PQ in twenty years? OR are they barely going to make MS60? Paraphrasing others, buy the best you can afford if investing...buy what you like if collecting. Pretty cool phrase, hope I didn't steal that from anyone, lol.
One last additional comment that I think should make investors see why commems, the rarest ones, will make profits down the road. There are currently 44 listed participants in the PCGS Set Registry for the 50 piece commem set and 18 collections logged on the 144 piece set. The NGC Set Registry lists 24 participants in the commem area. The rarest of the commems only have 100 or 200 slabbed as MS65 or better.
My point being that if this takes off and a lot of 'unlisted' sets start being added you will be able to see just how rare some of these pieces really are, you won't be able to find them. The registry coins, in effect, are off the market. Besides seeing the Braddick Collection I didn't recognize too many names from this board on there and I'm sure more than a few on here own some commems. I believe that an astute few may be holding many; that will leave a very small supply if and when commems catch fire.
1. 7-17-81 Warrenton GC Driver 310 yards 7th Hole (Par 4)
2. 5-22-99 Warrenton GC 6 iron 189 yards 10th Hole
3. 7-23-99 Oak Meadow CC 5 iron 180 yards 17th Hole
4. 9-19-99 Country Lake GC 6 iron 164 yards 15th Hole
5. 8-30-09 Country Lake GC Driver 258 yards 17th Hole (Par 4)
Collector of Barber Halves, Commems, MS64FBL Frankies, Full Step Jeffersons & Mint state Washington Quarters
1996 d High Jump 15,697 minted
1996 d Tennis 15,983 Minted
1996 d Rowing 16,258 minted
1997 w Robinsin 5,174 minted
the list goes on. Am I the only knucklehead to think that there aren't enough of these to go around in a country with over 220,000,000. population?
Pretty low mintage, yes indeed... But coins, for the most part, are not priced based upon mintages. Instead, they use estimated survival numbers, demand and several other factors. The fact remains while 5174 is a low mintage, lets just say approx 100 are lost somewhere never to be found again. That still leaves 5,074 of these coins out there. W/ that survival estimation the coin would be considered an R1, hardly a rarity at all.
Re-elect Bush in 2004... Dont let the Socialists brainwash you.
Bush 2004
Jeb 2008
KK 2016
Knucklehead, the reason the mintages are so low is that they were unattractive and there was little demand for them. The fact remains that they are still unattractive and there is still little demand for them. 220 million people or 220 billion people, without demand, there is going to be little price increase.
I wouldn't put most of those in my collection for free. They are that ugly.
Registry Coin: Shhhhhh, I agree!
1. 7-17-81 Warrenton GC Driver 310 yards 7th Hole (Par 4)
2. 5-22-99 Warrenton GC 6 iron 189 yards 10th Hole
3. 7-23-99 Oak Meadow CC 5 iron 180 yards 17th Hole
4. 9-19-99 Country Lake GC 6 iron 164 yards 15th Hole
5. 8-30-09 Country Lake GC Driver 258 yards 17th Hole (Par 4)
Collector of Barber Halves, Commems, MS64FBL Frankies, Full Step Jeffersons & Mint state Washington Quarters
I have a set on there listed under my real name.
And, like others have said, are you going for investment potential? Or a collection? The 50-piece type set is, IMHO, one of the greatest sets you can assemble. Most of the coins are very reasonably priced in MS64 (and some of them take a huge leap to 65), and each coin in the set is majorly different. I think there are still a lot of underrated coins out there (the Connecticut comes to mind...it's not very expensive at all, but I haven't seen one here locally in the past two years, including at coin shows). You can worry about the BTW, the Washington-Carver and Iowas later, as they're still a dime a dozen.
I really like the multiple date/mint coins...
37-D & S Boones...35/34-D and S Boones...any of the low mintage, good pop to price ratio coins.
For moderns, I like the toughies (silver and gold) from the mid-1990s. We have a terrible time buying enough of them.
David
and if you know what you are looking at and have a good understanding in them and many years of experience then they are a no brianer great coin for me! and a great deal that will only increase in demand and value
as i have found that many many numismatists of the last hundred or so years the history with some great collections are on a learning curve and eventually
gravatite to fully original coins white which happen to be rare
to nicely toned to monster toned which are also rare and many coins with extraordinary qualities also just as rare
but out there as if you go out and look you will certainly find them!!
sincerely michael
Interesting that only 2 people included modern commemoratives in their responses (and at least half of those say that market is HOT! STRONG BUY) .
My posts viewed
since 8/1/6
Thanks guys; Again all of you know your Sh-t!!!
And what great replies by mr3holesinone. I sure do appreciate all your advice
God bless
Bigdogg
AKA > Jim
B Co.1st Blt.7th Marines
1st Platoon Nam 67
0311
I guess if you bought that coin direct from the mint at issue it was a good investment.
The auction
<< <i>I know the Long Island Commem. is the ugliest, least desirable thing I've ever seen but it's my home, so I bought it! Twowood >>
Twowood, I just couldn't disagree with you more. I think Long Island commems are a great design. I really like them. But then, I'm beginning to think I'm a bit of an oddball with commems because I am a huge fan of the Carver and Booker T series. I won't even go on about them because I have done it before. But, let me just say I am very pleased they seem to be so under appreciated. Can someone really tell me with a straight face that a Carver is uglier than a Robinson? They are amazing pieces of Americana to me. And yes, the average, clanked-up, dipped, AU example of them is ugly as they come... but a cherry mint state piece, with perhaps a hint of toning or more... lovely. I don't expect anyone to agree, just saying my piece here.
I was trying to trade a PCGS66 46 BTW to a dealer at a show last week. Beautiful coin, great gold and bronze toning, and I heard this (which I have heard time and time again) "Gee, but no one collects these things." And all I can think of is all the shows I have been to, searching the floor for nice looking BTW's and Carvers with a little toning and "zip" and finding exactly nothing. "People just don't collect those things." That's why I see bidding wars in auctions for any truly desirable pieces. That's why an NGC 64 52-P (totally common date) Carver with colorful toning is already at $100 on eBay with 4 days to go. Oh well, geez, I'm kind of ranting. I'll calm down.
At any rate I guess the Long Island comment got me going. And yes, everybody has an absolute right to their personal standards of ugly and beautiful. I'm just surprised sometimes by what people call ugly.
Michael, is a huge proponent of "Nice or Monster toning." To me, I find that even a little limiting. I think a lot of types of toning are underrated (tab toning for one). I crave originality in toning. And a lot of really cool coins are not "monster toned." They are toned. Period. And, yes beauty is in the eye of the beholder... and I will say that I think I "behold" things differently at this point of my involvement with numismatics then I did a few years back.
Carl
<< <i>Knucklehead, the reason the mintages are so low is that they were unattractive and there was little demand for them. The fact remains that they are still unattractive and there is still little demand for them. 220 million people or 220 billion people, without demand, there is going to be little price increase. >>
You haven't a clue what your'e talking about, Gmarguli. First of all, no one cares about your opinion on the aesthetics of any coin. Just because you find a coin unattractive doesn't make it so. As for little demand, the '96 D's (for example) are getting snatched up just as fast as they are listed on E-Bay. Two months ago, a High Jump (certified or raw) was going for 180. Now it goes for well over 225; in two months. Why??? Because there is a strong demand. As interest grows in collecting, spurred by the State Quarters Series to name one cause, demand will continue to increase with more and more collectors taking these few key coins out of the market. 5,000 to 15,000 is not alot of mintage...Less than most of the classic Commem.'s. Even at 100% survival rate and all grading MS69; there simply aren't going to be enough to go around as the years pass and the series gets more and more popular.
Paul
You are wrongly assuming that these series are going to get more and more popular. A short term spike means nothing. How long have you been in this hobby? Did you buy any of those rare SOL commems from the 80's? At one point the Buffalo dollars were selling for well over $250(?). Now they sit in dealer cases at a lot less - half(?). I guess demand is not strong.
Yes, there are a few modern commems selling for more than the original mint price. However, most are selling for a lot less. There was a rush of people into this hobby with the start of the state quarters. Most have left and gone on to some other hobby that if the flavor of the month.
Would you have said the same thing about Internet stocks a few years ago? Have the low mintage Library of Congress dollars exploded in value yet?
Most collectors hate modern commems because they lost alot of money buying them from the mint from 1982- 1994.
Actually, most seem to hate them because they are ugly and many have little historical value.
Paul
You're spot on! I just picked up four WP commems for $25.00 each (shipping included) all in the mint packages. I don't collect modern commems, but for less than the mint price, how could I pass them up?
People have to remember, classic commems were minted mainly to finance local celebrations and events. The target audience was local supporters and attendees, hence the low mintages. While you could get them mail order from dealers, purchases at the specific event accounted for the bulk of the sales whereas moderns have wide mail order distribution through the mint as well as local shops, auctions and other venues.
No doubt, some moderns will appreciate in value, but most will languish after the initial feeding frenzy.
Just my two-cents (U.S.)
Cheers,
Bob
Hey, Beorn...I love the Maine commem! I also love headin' down east for some lobstahs, steamahs, and chowdah...Ayuh!
Afterwards, we take a ride on the Bluebird II with Bert...and I