Is France the new "HOT" Darkside country?

Aethelred

Now that the big British boom of the last several years seems to be running out of steam, is France the hot new area to collect? I have seen a lot of French coins selling for crazy money on eBay these last few months.

agraded

Those Russian pieces have been pretty hot too, comrade

ajaan

Great designs on French coins and medals.

harasha

It's Laurentyvan's fault!

Aethelred

<< <i>Great designs on French coins and medals. >>



Very true and a long history as well.

spinaker2000

and just think, it was only a year ago that we were all eating "Freedom Fries!!".

Askari

Well, as the old investment saying goes, "Buy when there's blood running in the streets." I made my entrée into medal collecting when France was the dirtiest of all names in America and consequently made my learning purchases in a down market. French coins have been steadily growing in popularity for several years, which is why I've resisted my desire to take the plunge. French currency started getting hot even earlier!

GDJMSP

<< <i>Now that the big British boom of the last several years seems to be running out of steam, is France the hot new area to collect? I have seen a lot of French coins selling for crazy money on eBay these last few months. >>




Unh huh - and I'm gonna blame all you guys when new additions to my collection cost me more


You just HAD to go and tell the world didn't ya

0john0

YES! Buy French coins.
The Irish craze is OVER too!

MacCrimmon

Yea verily, buy French.....it's a crazy market.......Brit stuff is in the tomb!

.....and Swiss? Totally dead!

At least the Swiss coins are a currency hedge at the moment.

historygeek

Yes, but if Swiss stuff is dead that means that we should buy it. Remember, sell high and buy low.


I tend to avoid "hot" countries.

laurentyvan

Bought half a dozen French FDC sets last year and I've been tempted to resell them due to their price jump. But then why did I buy them in the first place? Just have to wait to buy the rest...

French coins are available from what, 5th century BC, produced by Greek settlers in Massalia (Marseilles) and with Feudal mints numbering in the dozens throughout France the varietal implications are both fascinating and sometimes staggering.

French coins are well documented but surprises abound due to the volume of essais and trial strikes; fertile hunting grounds for the collector...

I am lost however without the Mazard books which I have yet to find. Happy hunting folks-it's a great and ancient coinage which continues to this day-lots of nice commem's.

MacCrimmon

<< <i>Yes, but if Swiss stuff is dead that means that we should buy it. >>


It's not really dead; in fact, it does quite well back in Switz. as much has been re-patriated in the last 10 years from the U.S.

One reason I like Swiss is that it's akin to DeBeers diamonds.....a slow plodding increase in prices which is somewhat related to the exchange rates with a bit of bump for demand which sometimes exceeds supply at certain grade levels. Like mush else in the Darkside, we are seeing big price jumps for gem-plus and ultra graded Swiss coins which are certified. Witness Jammin's recent sale of the 1965 franc or was it 2 francs in MS68, and I believe gmarguli scored a big number on a similar era Swiss franc.....hmmmmm!

I think I'll raise my prices.......

If British has cooled off, please send me all your debased gme unc coins now before they are trading for below melt!! I haven't seen any indication other than auctions haven't been filled with much in the way of superb pieces lately.

And remember, there is a huge Brit collection coming up in Heritage's Jan. sale, and maybe more tough stuff down the pike.......

CIVITAS

I certainly hope France continues to heat up. We just bought two gorgeous early 19th century French 5 Francs.

newsman

Italy and Portugal are the new "hot" Darkside countries. If you don't believe me, just try to buy nice, high-grade coins from those countries at or near Krause values. Unfortunately, those are two of my favorite collecting interests.

FC57Coins

So - wouldn't you want to buy nice coins of countries which are not so hot right now and ergo have cheaper nice coins?

cladking

<< <i>Italy and Portugal are the new "hot" Darkside countries. If you don't believe me, just try to buy nice, high-grade coins from those countries at or near Krause values. Unfortunately, those are two of my favorite collecting interests. >>



I've been trying to buy the modern Portugese coins since before Krause started
raising the prices. They are dozens of times more expensive now but I still can't
find them.

Italy I've had a little more success with but traded them off as soon as the prices
got high. A lot are climbing again.

guysmy

Blast! I was looking at the Portugese stuff as an alternative not knowing it is "hot" too!

Sylvestius

I was just thinking about concentrating on the Bourbons... and someone had to go and drop a bombshell like that.

Looks like a Louis XVI collection will be more challenging.

theboz11

Lions are HoT also,,just had lost a 5 oz Tanzania at almost twice catalog. Thing are heating up in a number of areas,Darkside wise.