Compromise area between classics and modern - high mintage commems made before 1950

ANACONDA

Check out some of the high mintage commems made before 1950.

Iowas in 66 bid at $105, Lynchburg at $415, Texas at $165.

Oregons (My Mom's favorite coin) in 66 at $210.

You can get the best of both worlds.....incredible quality and population figures that are not climbing every time you open up a pop report.

Also, great potential price appreciation....these coins were bid at around ten times their current levels some 10 or more years ago...what made them great coins then makes them great coins now.

adrian

DCAMFranklin

Great observation Adrian. There is some real potential appreciation in those coins. Some great color for the color collectors.

Clankeye

That's exactly were my collecting interests lie right now. I am one coin away from having completed a full set of Washington Carver commemoratives for under $2000. A worthwhile set of coins, with eye appeal, low mintages in many dates, and some historical significance (at least to me). With nice toning, and in some cases matched sets, they also present a challenge. And if anyone out there has a 54-D loaded with eye appeal, please PM me. They aren't that easy to come across.

Carl

RegistryCoin

Great point. I have tried, but given up trying to point this out as well.
In addition, some of these commems have mintages that are so low, they can only be compared, as a group, to those of patterns, imho. Classic commems, 1892-1954 are obviously not moderns, but they do cross into the "post 1950" era. I collect these, soley, and this is probably why I cannot argue "for" or "against" in the classic/modern discussion. I am simply "for" the right to choose.

ANACONDA

A set of the 50 type coins of early commems in 64 would run you about $20,000. Spread out over 5 years that's about $350 per month.

baccaruda

350. hmm. if i don't eat and buy a bicycle i could swing it.

BigE

And about 3 years ago these 64's would have cost about 15K, 3 years from now I believe it will cost substantially more------BigE

ANACONDA

When the market gets into full swing in the next bull market, commems in 65 and better will go up dramatically in price, in my opinion. It's what the suppliers can get their hands on in quantity.

Read David Hall's (heard of him?...great guy) book entitled "A Mercenary's Guide to the Rare Coin Market". It contains an excellent explanation of what happens in a bull market and what to buy and why. It also recommends 10 of his favorite picks.

adrian

keithdagen

Oooh, I like the rim toning on that Texas piece. Heritage has some stunning Texas commems in the Long Beach auction, but I think they are going to shoot through the roof pretty quickly, price-wise.

Commems are a great compromise area. Look at some of the BTW commems with mintages under 10K pieces, but you can still get any of the MS-65's under $100, and some under $50.

MacCoin

I don't think 3rd party grading is a big deal on commemoratives. that because they're pretty much all uncirulated

gmarguli

Read David Hall's (heard of him?...great guy) book entitled "A Mercenary's Guide to the Rare Coin Market". It contains an excellent explanation of what happens in a bull market and what to buy and why. It also recommends 10 of his favorite picks.

He used to offer these 10 picks every year in his subscription based newsletter. If the coins didn't double in value, then he'd give you back your $99 subscription fee. I don't know if he ever DIDN'T have to give back the money.

coinguy1

Great "compromise", Adrian!

I love the value, affordability, history, beauty and diversification of design in a set or collection of older silver commemoratives.

Greg, I worked as a buyer for David part of the time he was offering the guarantee that has been mentioned. I do know there were times when he did not have to refund the subscription price. I don't know if he ever did have to refund the $.

gmarguli

I do know there were times when he did not have to refund the subscription price. I don't know if he ever did have to refund the $.

I got my money back, so I know he had to refund the money at least once.

The problem with his little guarantee was that the minute the coins were announced they shot up in value. I remember a dealer ordering a bunch for me off the computerized coin exchange (whatever it was called) and before they arrived that same dealer had them sold for me for a VERY nice profit.

coinguy1

Greg, did you consider the possibility that the coins did double the year you got your money back, but that maybe, David just liked you (a lot!)?

I share your recollections of the effect that the list had on prices. I had to try to buy the coins as quietly as possible before the list came out and even turned down "requests" from some people to disclose the information ahead of time.

Getting back to commems, here are a particularly nice example of one of the scarcer issues in higher mint state grades - a Sesqui and what I think is an especially pretty Stone Mountain :

michael

the stone mountain is superb one of the better ones i have seen let me ask you mark? does it have really great lustre??
sincerely michael

coynclecter

Ive picked up some real nice 65 commems in the last few months. Of couse they are brilliat white and shiney which makes them damaged goods

NGC65 getty 395
PCGS65 Pilgrim 305
these were 2 from ebay... Nice prices

I think they are way underpriced but I understand there have been a few large collections amassed during the 60s-70s that have been liquidated slowly and most commem buyers are concentrating on the moderns.

I would stay away from the IOWA, theres a bank in IOWA with a whole bag left.
Coyn