Is there ever a time to sell (according to the pros)?

shirohniichan

I'm looking at the latest edition of David Hall's "Inside View." Page 10 and 11 review David Hall's comments on different areas of the US coin market, from the market in general to specific series.

The 26 recommendations in the Market Update section may be broken down into four categories, as follows:

Stong Buy: 7
Buy: 13
Hold: 5
Sell: 1

I find it funny that the last coin I bought was from the only "sell" series-- dated gold (generic gold is rated "OK to hold.")

Gee whiz, am I, the resident Contrarian, missing out on 20 series with the greatest profit potential and buying into the only bear market? Here I thought I was being smart by buying a rare coin at a great price. Maybe I should switch to buying modern commemoratives instead of finishing my second Centennial set.

tjkillian

According to David Hall, I should sell nearly my entire collection, and buy slightly higher grade moderns. I collect primarily 19th century silver/gold/copper/nickel coins in MS-62 through MS-64, including proofs.

I guess we should not collect just because we like the look of a coin.

Strange.

Tom

Trime

Shiroh,
There are many times to sell; here a few of them:
When you lose interest.
When you have other more important use for your money.
To trade up in a series or date or to redirect your collection differently for one of many reasons including some listed here.
When you think that coins are overvalued and the market has become too speculative. There are cycles that are very real and prices may reach a (temporary) peak
When you are old or sick and know how tricky the coin market is and want to be certain you are not disadvantaging your heirs by leaving them a collection without the knowledge to deal with them wisely.

mdwoods

Is there ever a time to sell?

One week before foreclosure.

razorface1027

Is there ever a time to sell?
YES!
Primary: When desperate times call for desperate measures!
Secondary: When my quest for upgrade or change permits.

shirohniichan

When I lost my job earlier this year I sold my 1876 year set, so I know when I should sell.

My question is when the "pros" think one should sell. Right now there's only one area in the "sell" category, and it's the one I'm buying.

How right are the pros?

dan1ecu

I don't know the track records of those who predict the coin market, but if it's anything like those of the stock market gurus, watch out! I wouldn't make decisions based on anyone's buy/sell signals. Remember, there are costs associated with transactions. Buying and selling too often can be costly.

Dan

roadrunner

It wasn't that long ago when Mr. Hall was advising the sale of all generic gold stating that it had little potential. Contrarily, it has done quite well since then.

roadrunner

Higashiyama

Mr. Hall's recommendations seem somewhat lacking in depth.

For example, regarding seated half dollars, he comments "This is an extremely long series with many rare dates and many important type variations. Liberty Seated half dollars are beautiful and rare coins that are currently underrated and very reasonably priced"

He then goes on to recommend that you sell all issues in all grades up to and including MS64/PR64. So a choice AU 1839 no drapery is a sell? Highly original, attractively toned MS63/64 seated halves are a sell? Perhaps, but if these coins don't do well, it would have implications for the overall health of the hobby.

(In aggregate, there may be good advice in Mr. Hall's column, but I sense a sale of plastic)