Have coin prices have beaten inflation?
ElKevvo
Posts: 4,121 ✭✭✭✭✭
I was going through some of my dad's stuff and came across an old coin catalog from Joske's of Texas ( Wikepedia info ) and was curious as how prices then translated into todays prices. For example, a 1916-D Mercury dime in VG was listed at 30.00 (I picked this one because of the low bullion content). The 1959 dollar adjusted for inflation (through 2007...this was the quickest one I could find) is 7.04 and applying this would give a 16-D a value of $211.20. In 1959 the average income was 5500.00 (per another internet search) which means sans taxes etc with a years salary one could by 26 16-D Mercs. Using 2007 as a base per Wikipedia the 2007 average household income was 50,233.00 and given a PCGS price guide of $2100.00 for a 16-D a 10 results in a person being able to buy about 23 of these.
Coin Condition Catalog Price PCGS Price 1959 Number 2007 Number
1916-D Mercury VG 30.00 2,100 (10) 26 23
1937-D 3 leg Nickel UNC 40.00 12,500 (MS60) 137 4
1909-S VDB Fine 50.00 1,350 (20BN) 110 37
1865 3CN VF 1.50 32.00 3667 1569
1876 20C UNC 40.00 950.00 137 52
1917-D T1 25Cents UNC 20.00 300.00 275 167
1793 Chain Cent EF 400.00 24,000 (40) 13 2
I know a lot of us often lament about the old days and how much more you could buy with your money and it looks like that is the case!! Of course, this is by no means a scientifically correct analysis...no tax rates, population changes, etc. are factored, just something fun! Some coins like the 16-D Merc have stayed steady but others like the 3 Legger have really gone higher. If only I was making the same money I am today back then and knew then what I know today....
K
Coin Condition Catalog Price PCGS Price 1959 Number 2007 Number
1916-D Mercury VG 30.00 2,100 (10) 26 23
1937-D 3 leg Nickel UNC 40.00 12,500 (MS60) 137 4
1909-S VDB Fine 50.00 1,350 (20BN) 110 37
1865 3CN VF 1.50 32.00 3667 1569
1876 20C UNC 40.00 950.00 137 52
1917-D T1 25Cents UNC 20.00 300.00 275 167
1793 Chain Cent EF 400.00 24,000 (40) 13 2
I know a lot of us often lament about the old days and how much more you could buy with your money and it looks like that is the case!! Of course, this is by no means a scientifically correct analysis...no tax rates, population changes, etc. are factored, just something fun! Some coins like the 16-D Merc have stayed steady but others like the 3 Legger have really gone higher. If only I was making the same money I am today back then and knew then what I know today....
K
ANA LM
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Comments
The other cliche that come to mind when looking at the price chart below is that "trees do not grow to the sky."
Graph for key dates and early type 1970 to date:
boomers having spare time and cash to pursue a hobby that was
hugely popular and mainstream when they were much younger.
i really cannot see prices holding up like they are 10 years more down
the road when the hobby declines to a level that is more consistent
with its popularity among the masses.
others might state the quarter program and new lincoln coins will bring
in fresh blood but i doubt it will result in the same number of active
collectors who buy expensive coins we have today. Buyers being those
who purchase 350-5000 dollar coins.