Modern Commem Questions???

Higradeguy

Hi Folks,

Haven't been on the boards in a while...actually I have been out of the coin scene for a bit. I have been looking into collecting Modern Commems and I had a couple of quick questions. Mt first question is...are the prices on this area over inflated at the moment or should I just jump in now. Second, I have seen a few really nicely toned and a few Monster toned examples in this area and I was wondering how this happens. Anaconda has a couple of great pieces but I just can't understand how the toning could be so intense in such a short period of time. Any and all info would be appreciated.

Regards,
Higradeguy

keets

I just can't understand how the toning could be so intense in such a short period of time

.....with help.

al h.

Higradeguy

I know AT is always a logical answer. Let me use this coin as an example.

Pretty In Pink

Not exactly the colors I am looking for but it did manage to sneak into a PCGS holder. Anyone got a response for my first question.

Higradeguy

cladking

The proper price level is largely a matter of perception and you'll get little agreement
on what the proper level for pricing should be. It's certainly safe to say that many of
these were made in small quantity and judging by the still low prices achieved by the
lower grade pieces there must not be a great deal of demand which would suggest a
lot of room for growth. Many of these issues tend to be made quite well so do your
homework before paying large premiums for high grades and remember we're collect-
ing mainly to have fun. If you do these things it seems quite unlikely you can be hurt too
badly.

Good luck. Happy hunting.

Welcome back.

Higradeguy

bump.

TheNumish

I sold Anaconda a Smithsonian $1 that had awesome toning. Originally the coin was sold as a money clip by the mint and was exposed to the air. I saved the money clip and the box it came in. Was thinking about putting another coin in it and seeing what happens after a few years. My personal opinion is that the super toned coin prices are insane and not as liquid as dealers want you to think. Believe me the mark up on these things is much higher than average coins. I like coins for the rarity and history. If I wanted something pretty I'd collect art. Just my 2 cents.

As far as just run of the mill modern commems there seems to be a solid market. I don't think they are overpriced and they are fun to collect. If you take your time and find coins at good prices you won't loose much when you sell. You might even be able to make soemthing over time.

relayer

Most all modern commemoratives prior to 1994 trade well below the issue price. Later issues have had lower mintages and trade well above their issue price.

They're an ongoing series so who knows what the future prices will be. You can build a PCGS Regsitry set of PR69DCAM's for the dollars for about $1250 (or a little cheaper with NGC coins, plus with NGC would can add some 70UCAM's into your collection at a reasonable price).

Or collect them raw - most will be just as nice as the PCGS PR69DCAMs in their original Mint holders.

BillJones

Toning, Toning, TONING

You people sound like a broken record!!!! Keets has got it right. Most of this stuff that thrills you is AT. The REAL THING takes years to seat properly, and is an accidental act of nature.

If you want to collect modern commemoratives find a dealer who has them in the original holders. Get out your 10X glass and look for some really nice, clean attractive coins that are as near to their original mint color as possible. Check out your Gray Sheet, pay the dealer a small profit and be happy that you can put the collection together for LESS THAN ISSUE for the most part.

TONING It's become a game for the most part, especially for coins that have hardly left the mint!

ClausUrch

Stay away from the "Monster Toned" Mod's or don't pay a ridiculous premium for what you can get a regular one for if you like the toning. Also, buy the "key" coins in this series ( just as with any series ) if you plan on putting a set together and have the means to do so. For the MS gold, its's the Robinson, Library of Congress, Smithsonian, Capital Visitors Center and the 1995 and 1996 Oly.'s. For the MS Silver, it's the 1996 Dollars and a few other later dates. The others can always be bought at a relatively low price in MS69.

291fifth

I have been building a set of the silver and gold modern commem proofs over the past few months. here is my advice:

1. Buy mostly on eBay. eBay is a major market for this material and the prices realized in the true auctions probably reflect the actual prices quite well.

2. Forget about toning. Don't pay any premium for it.

3. Go after the gold first. Dealer supplies of these issues, especially those after 1994, are thin. The real "sleeper" of the series is the Smithsonian $5. Some of the less expensive gold issues from the 1980's sell for little more than gold value so there is little downside risk.

4. Buy Proof or MS 69's only, nothing more, nothing less. The 68's and down don't sell well and the 70's are for individuals who have fallen for the registry set craze.

5. Try to buy them already slabbed by PCGS or NGC. This way you don't have the expense of submitting them yourself and risking that they don't make at least a 69.

I feel that the modern commems are the ONLY modern area with any real long term potential. There are 46 different type Silver Dollars and 24 different type Gold coins. The value of these pieces rests in their type scarcity as much as in their grade. This is a very important point as virtually all other moderns rely almost entirely on grade scarcity for their value. Bullion value is also significant in the case of the gold coins and greatly lessens the downside risk.

Good luck!

keets

hey higrade

i think there's good potential for modern commems to hold their value over time. that's the second best thing i enjoy about collecting them. the first is the simple fact that i find the designs appealing. perhaps the mint got a bit greedy with the many Olympic related issues in the mid 90's, but for the most part the themes which the various coins are based on are sound with interesting designs.

i have an almost complete set of the half-dollars and several of the dollars in PCGS MS69 holders. mine are white with some of the half's being gold toned and cost between $15 and $45. i try to pick and choose what i'll buy with an emphasis on coins with minimal die polish. i also have many individual raw coins in the original packaging, either singles or two coin sets, MS and PR. i buy them when i find clean and untoned coins with undamaged packaging for close to grey sheet bid. i'm not in a hurry to get a complete holdered or raw set, just taking my time and getting quality for a good price. how can a collector lose like that??

my with help response wasn't meant as a slam against anyone or any toned coins. the coin you linked was evidentally placed in a folder of some type which resulted in the reverse being untoned for the most part. if that's what you want to collect and pay....................modern commems are easily kept in pristine, as minted condition with little effort. they can be bought for less than what they were issued for if you search.

al h.