Stewart, do you still think it's Gerry's fault?
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I have a running log of almost every appearance of any major Lincoln cent since about 1990. I have been updating the data over the past few weeks as I recover from surgery. I noticed that things really took off in late 2000 and early 2001. This is about the time Gerry and Tom Mershon were putting their sets together (The Tom and Gerry show). Is it really possible that two strong bidders lit the fire in this series or was it going to take off anyway? Stewart always blames it on Gerry, but is that possible? What are your thoughts and how long will this crazy run last (?2009).
Jack
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Jack - Why did you have surgery ? Perhaps you will recover and buy a few Lincolns to help you along.
It use to be the Tom and Gerry show.The auction I went to in Florida it was the Jack and Bobby show.At Central States it was the Jack and Andy show.
The Show MUST go on !
ps When will we see you step up to the plate ? I think for the present time Gerry is done.
Stewart
Lincoln cents are the greatest series in the hobby, and will be for years to come.
Doug, I whole heartedly agree with you on that one.
I'm not even on the same playing field as these guys are, and frankly, I probably never will be (Blay, Mershon, Gerry, etc.). But hey, everyone's got to start somewhere.
I am still hoping one day that one of these guys will exhibit their lincoln set at a major show so we can enjoy them in person. Maybe perhaps in 2009 for the big anniversary???????
What are your thoughts and how long will this crazy run last (?2009).
Jack, many have said that they believe lincoln values will go up after 2009 brings renewed interest in the lincoln series. Do you think there is any truth to that? Would a completed set NOW bring more money or would it bring more money - in say - 2010.
In all seriousness, does anyone else agree with that? Stewart? Doug? Jaime?
What other series can offer the following?
Longevity:
-- almost 100 years with only one major design change
-- at least 100 more years of being collected as a series, and not a type coin
Nostalgic appeal:
-- 99% of all coin collectors have collected Lincoln cents at some point
-- even non-collectors put aside older Lincolns when found in change
-- most collectors collected them as children
-- series most associated with the phrase "a childhood hobby rediscovered"
Collectibility:
-- easy to collect in some form at all financial levels
-- big time rarities as well as billions of common coins
-- thousands of varieties
-- hundreds of ways to collect within the series
-- least reactivity to metals market
Steve
My Complete PROOF Lincoln Cent with Major Varieties(1909-2015)Set Registry
The value of the Proof 1990 No S and the Proof 1909 VDB
is all Steves fault
Stewart
<< <i>The value of the Proof 1990 No S and the Proof 1909 VDB
is all Steves fault
Stewart >>
WOW!
When the acknowledged expert in the Lincoln cent series speaks out like that, it must be true! In fact, with my superior insight, I'm willing to state that lot #430 will sell for MORE than $25k and its all my fault.
Steve
My Complete PROOF Lincoln Cent with Major Varieties(1909-2015)Set Registry
Thanks to all the "well-wishers". I'm doing just fine. Four more weeks out from work sounds great, but trust me it's not. I'm going crazy.
Anyway, some interesting replies to the question. Stewart and Lloyd seem to have the same opinion in the the "show MUST go on" and "another rich man with nothing better to buy, will, just, keep, bidding..."
I tend to agree in that once the ball got rolling it will be hard to stop.
I think the series was ready to take off and that Tom and Gerry lit the fuse so to speak.
For what it's worth, I'm a believer that this series will gain strength (with some minor ups and downs) as we approach 2009. After that, who knows.
Stewart, as for me buying right now, a very smart young lady told me to sit on the sidelines for a while and let the big boys slug it out!
Jack
What do all of you Lincoln afficianados think about the likelihood of a design change in honor of the 100th anniversary? This thought may be a bit simplistic, but wouldn't ANY major design change for the cent in 2009 ignite a frenzy of activity in Lincoln hoarding and collecting? It seems so to me, and I believe that this would have an positive pricing impact on the gamut of Lincoln material "out there." From keys and high-end, early dates to average circulated wheats, pre-zinc Memorials, and the zinc Lincs of most recently concluded era (1982 - 2008), the new design will fuel the (false) notion that those no-longer-minted-types are destined for rarity. I think that at least for a time (perhaps a year or two) there would be a spike in the value of all Lincolns.
What do you think about that scenario?
Or will the government use the 100th anniversary as a good occasion to cease minting cents altogether? (Which, it seems to me, would have a similar--and maybe even more powerful--effect on demand for Lincolns.)
The United States Congress has already passed, and President Bush has signed a law that will provide for FOUR (4) different reverse designs on the 2009 Lincoln cents replacing the Memorial design. The designs will each represent a different phase of Lincoln's life from his boyhood in Kentucky to his political life in Illinois and his presidency in Washington, DC. Lots to look forward to for all us Lincoln cent collectors in 2009.
Steve
My Complete PROOF Lincoln Cent with Major Varieties(1909-2015)Set Registry
Add that to the public perception of wheat-ear scarcity, the demise of copper cents, public awareness of the price of copper, and the various factors that DMWJR astutely lists above, and I think there's good reason to stay knee-deep in Lincolns for the next few years.
I'm up to my a$$ in lincolns right and they outta be up to my neck by 2009!
Toby
P.S. I don't know who I'm kiddin'...Lincolns Rule is BURIED in copper as we speak!!