What is the gold content in a $5 commemorative?

Russ

In this auction, the seller says it's close to a quarter ounce. I thought $5 gold was 1/10 ounce? Is that just the Eagles?

Russ, NCNE

TWQG

Talented bidding Russ
I think that seller's right. So says the redbook.

zenny

<< <i> I thought $5 gold was 1/10 ounce? Is that just the Eagles?

Russ, NCNE >>



yes, just the eagles.

Russ

Thanks.

Russ, NCNE

JLW

Nice snipe Russ, as you now know, these are the same composition as early half-eagles. I think it's a nice, clean design, not as busy as the '87 U.S. Constitution coin. One question though, where is "In God We Trust"? on this coin, is it on the ribbon?
Joe

jtryka

All gold commems correspond to the pre-1933 gold content at the former fixed price of $20.67 per ounce. So it actually has 0.24175 oz of pure gold for the half eagle.

Russ

I've been working on my modern proof type set this weekend, and I needed a $5 gold commem. I think the design on this one is cool; pure luck that it has more gold than I thought. Didn't even know the seller was a board member!

Russ, NCNE

Paultjuno

Oh just great. I've started my gold modern commemoratives as well since completing the proof halves. Why don't you just worry about the franklin halves

Russ

Paul,

Not to worry, I'm not doing the gold set, just the modern proof type set. I'm too poor for gold. I need to do something while I'm trying to snag the last two commem halves to catch up to you.

Russ, NCNE

Conder101

<< <i>. One question though, where is "In God We Trust"? on this coin, is it on the ribbon? >>



Yes.

BillJones

Yes, these gold commemorative coins cantain almost a quarter ounce of gold. From a bullion perspective they are close to a bargain.

It pays to wait your turn on these coins because most of them sell for less than their issues price. They can also be very hot for a while and then come WAY DOWN in price. A couple of months ago I purchased a 6 piece Statue of Liberty set (Proof and Unc.) for $165.00. That's TWO five dollar gold pieces TWO 90% silver dollars and two clad half dollars all in a cherrywood case. At the time that was about $8.00 over the melt value. The issue price on this set was close to $400.00 and at one time it sold for around $900.00 back in 1986. $165.00 was an really good price, but you can still expect to find one for around $200 if you are interested.

These gold commemorative coins grab my interest more than any other modern coins. They are just ahead of state quarter silver Proof sets IMO.

My opinion on the coin that sold here is that one would de well to be fussy and find one that does not have hazy toning. It can be done, but you have to get to shows look for them, and perhaps do a little bargaining.

Russ

<< <i>My opinion on the coin that sold here is that one would de well to be fussy and find that does not have hazy toning. >>



Bill,

Nobody is fussier than I am on that score. I've returned more slabbed proofs than I can count because of haze. According to the auction desciption "It is free of toning, spots or haze." That's why I snagged this one. I think that what looks like haze below the bust on the obverse is scanner reflection caused by the plastic of the slab.

Russ, NCNE

jtryka

I have to agree with billjones, there are a lot of bargains on modern commems, probably because a lot of them are ugly designs, but I find very few of the gold designs outright objectionable. And many have very low mintages (many of the early-mid 1990s unc gold are under 25,000) and if demand ever picked up, they could provide handsome returns from the current levels. About a year or two ago, I bought the proof 88 olympic set (most other olympic sets are too ugly IMO) for $85, the 6-coin Columbus in cherry wood box for about $280, and the 6-piece Bill of Rights cherry wood box for around $220, and countless Statue of Liberty and Constitution sets for about $85 each. Of course, I collect the raw coins just because I like them all original in mint packaging. Still, they are the only area of moderns where I consider there are still bargains to be had.