Question for numismatists with over 10 years experience in the hobby

byergo

What coin series have you found that dealers will consistently, over the long haul, pay the highest percent of sheet for? In other words, the "safest" series to collect?

ziggy29

<< <i>What coin series have you found that dealers will consistently, over the long haul, pay the highest percent of sheet for? In other words, the "safest" series to collect? >>

Keep in mind that these series are *also* the ones that are the hardest to find good deals on.

So you may be more likely to get more on the sell side, but also are much likely to pay much more on the buy side because there's so much competition for the same coins.

So unless you plan to be a net seller and not a net buyer over the next few years, I think you might be better off not chasing the "hot money" and just collect what you enjoy. If the series isn't usually popular, you may not be able to sell as quickly -- or for as much -- but you'll derive more enjoyment from it (because it's what you like), AND you're more likely to get good deals.

lava

dmpl morgans

nankraut

IMHO: draped bust USA coins.

coinguy1

Byergo, I think you're looking/hoping for a general answer regarding a series when there isn't necessarily one to be had.

I believe, rather than the series involved, it will be the individual coins you are selling, their quality and eye-appeal and to whom you're offering them, that will make the difference.

MacCoin

slq for me. but again I'm a quarter collector. I'm sure the morgan guys will say morgans and the half guys will say walker or seated libs

earlwbollinger

None that I know of, it varies from year to year.
A goodly number of dealers will tend to follow fads or current trends for the most part.
For example the Buffalo Dollars, Lewis and Clark Coin and Currency Sets, and so on.
It depends on what the current crowd of collectors are interested in.
Dealers tend to take consignments or serve as brokers for high grade key date, rare date coins; which tend to be sold at the big coin show auctions, so they don't really buy it.

So the thing to do is to have a bunch of stuff on hand, and when you see that the market is hot for that item, you sell your matching item or items.
So then the real trick is to guess what people want in the future and buy that in anticipation as to what people will want in the future.

Several times in the past, when I sold off collections, dealers would typically cherry pick out the gold coins and express interest in buying those. They typically had little or no interest in anything other than the scarce key date coins. For example, I had one dealer who wanted to buy only the gold coins, coins like 1909S-vdb's, or Morgans were not even of interest to him, as he didn't have ready buyers for them. Current coins are the hardest to sell, as none of the dealers I know had any interest in current coins.
It's tough to buy a few thousand dollars worth of Morgans, when you can't turn the inventory over fast.

So then the second point is the dealers would likely buy high grade coins from you, if they have a way of selling it off pretty quick themselves, otherwise they pass on those coins as well.

The third point is all the dealers are different as to what they tend to specialize in or fee comfortable with; for example, to sell your nickels, you need to find a dealer who tends to specialize in those, and has a group of customers who are interested in them.

Thus the final point is from the dealer's point of view, is whether he/she can turn the buy around quickly to sell to another person or not. If they don't see a quick sale, they aren't likely to want to buy it as then it turns into an investment for the future. Which puts them into the problem of guessing what people want in the future. But do you have the capital to buys many thousands of dollars of coins to sit on waiting for the market or trend to move in your favor or not.
So for example, you have a beautiful 1856 MS66 Flying Eagle Cent with lots of eye appeal and luster, it's worth maybe $20k to $25k+. I doubt you'll find a dealer to buy it, as most of them are just not going to have a customer wanting to buy one. Thus all the dealers will pass on it, as they don't want to tie up $25k+ dollars in the coin trying to find a buyer for it. Most of the big deep pocket customers probably already have a 1856 Flying Eagle cent, so that means you have to find someone new, who wants one.

mrearlygold

Sell what's hot.

Buy what's not.

Tom

BigD5

I agree with Nankraut. Without mudding up the question, draped bust dollars always are in demand.

elwood

Better date Seated Dimes and Quarters!!!
Since there are so many better dates it makes the whole Series more desirable and hard to find.
Some coins are truly rare no matter how hot the market is.

majorbigtime

Your question largely relates to liquidity. I believe it relates more to investing than collecting.

First rule, try to remove subjectivity in quality. Slabbed coins go a long way, but are not a guarantee you won't have to argue about condition.

Second rule, go with commodity coins. Something that most dealers stock, and that trades frequently.

Third rule, go with coins that have an established buy/sell price or spread.

Taking the most common denominator, proof sets, eagles and commems in mint packaging meet these criteria and often trade at low spreads (around 15%. But they are boring and have not been good investments, with many items seling below issue price.

Probably the best choice, for collecting and investing, would be original, problem-free PCGS/NGC key date coins. They are like "blue chips", are fun to own, offer pride of ownership, and have provided good returns over the years.

roadrunner

I 2nd Elwoods better date seated. Why things vary over time and on how the market is doing here are some basic axioms, though contrarianism always has a place at the right time:

1.bigger coins do better, dollars and halves lead the way. Half dimes
just don't get the overall interest as the larger coins.
2.gold and silver do better than copper and nickel as a whole
(but the registry has brought back Indians, Lincs, Buffs).
3.key dates or rare types (draped bust etc.)
4.problem free and attractive
5.buy what's currently underrated or underappreciated or out of
favorbased on personal research and former price history.
6.If you always buy what's hot at the time, you'll never do well
though you can have lots of fun burning money up.

I remember buying my first draped bust half a few years ago thinking that this is the type of coin that anyone would want. Wrong. The market was not yet hot on these and I was lucky to only lose 5% on the piece. Even the best series have their slow pts.

roadrunner

DaveG

No one's mentioned Barber coinage, but I've heard several dealers say that VF and better Barber halves (not messed with, of course) are always an easy sale for them.

razorface1027

Always Morgans---You can never go wrong with them. Always a hot market for them.

merz2

I would have to say the Lincoln Cents. For the last (3) yrs Mint State and Proof "RED" Lincoln Wheats have been selling at above grey sheet bid. So dealers are willing to buy at bid or above.

goose3

KEY DATES. (I know..........it's not a series.........but a sure winner nonetheless)

eagle7

Mint State gold pre 33 in the grades of MS63/64/65. If you are talking about blue sheet. That is my humble opinion.

Stuart

As a long time collector of PL/DMPL Morgans, 18th & 19th Century Type Coins, and $20 Gold Pieces, I'd have to agree that problem-free U.S. Draped Bust & Flowing Hair Coinage -- esp larger Denomination Dollars & Halves are always in high demand if they are original coins with high eye appeal.

I would also add that Carson City Mint Morgans (esp Mint State PL/DMPL), high grade problem-free Carson City $20 Lib Gold Double Eagles,as well as Turban and Draped Bust Bust Gold $10 Eagles & $5 Half Eagles are also always in high demand.

I also agree that it's fun to collect coins which are NOT in high demand, because you will find less competition to acquire & collect them. The market moves in cycles, so today's underappreciated coins may be tomorrow's wonder coins

boyhowdy

Key date coins -- 1914-D cent, 1912-S nickel, 1916-D dime. A dealer knows he won't have to sit on them long. There is always a buyer for these coins. I've heard QDB say to always buy the keys first when you start a series. They appreciate faster.

Steve

wingedliberty

Thats an easy one. After 25 years in this hobby, I can safely say the following are true IMHO.


1. Any key date from any series.
2. Any common Morgan or Peace Dollar MS63-65
3. ANY Barber coinage.

Those are the top three IMHO.

ddbird

Only nine years of young exp. but def. DMPL morgans...or Barber coinage!

HTubbs

<< <i>Better date Seated Dimes and Quarters!!! >>


Definately right.Although I would add half dimes,halves&dollars.
I always have trouble finding better date seated coins in higher grades.
Most dealers in my area pay ask or above for seated type,because there's none to be bought from the locals.Mostly just 90%