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If you were given $50,000 but had to spend it on 1 coin...

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  • mdwoodsmdwoods Posts: 5,559 ✭✭✭
    1793 Liberty Cap Cent
    National Register Of Big Trees

    We'll use our hands and hearts and if we must we'll use our heads.
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,757 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A 1796-7 Draped Bust, Small Eagle half dollar in VF-20 but would that be enough? Probably not. image
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • roadrunnerroadrunner Posts: 28,313 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I like the choices already of $50 Pan Pac or $20 High Relief in Gem.

    Or maybe just one neat type piece from the following:

    gem draped bust dime, quarter or half
    superb gem large sized bust quarter
    superb gem 1837-1839 RE half
    near gem 1839 no drapery half
    superb gem 1838-1839 no drapery quarter
    superb gem arrows and rays half
    an honest choice unc bust dollar

    roadrunner
    Barbarous Relic No More, LSCC -GoldSeek--shadow stats--SafeHaven--321gold
  • FredFFredF Posts: 527 ✭✭✭


    << <i>, the 1792 half disme, while not as rare as the 1802, represents a significant piece of Americana, and is one of the very few United States coins, if not the only coin, that we can state with some authority that Thomas Jefferson and President Washington both held each of the 1500 examples. Imagined or real, there is a certain aura about the 1792 half disme that is unmatched in United States numismatics. >>



    Haven't ever thought of it that way - but how do we know that Washington & Jefferson actually handled most if not all of the coins? 1500 is a bunch of coins. But it would make it all that much cooler to own one (don't ever think I'll get one in my collection, but I guess a guy can dream).

    For me if I had $50k to blow on one coin it would defintely be something 18th century. There are plenty of other coins more expensive that are 19th century (or even 20th century like a MS 1909-O $5) but there's something cool about a coin a couple hundred years old that appeals to me.

    -Fred

    Successful BST (me as buyer) with: Collectorcoins, PipestonePete, JasonRiffeRareCoins

  • 95 Morgan.

    The best buy extant.

    JT
    It is health that is real wealth, not pieces of gold and silver. Gandhi.

    I collect all 20th century series except gold including those series that ended there.
  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,197 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>95 Morgan.

    The best buy extant.

    JT >>



    I hate to criticize a choice, but I do take issue with the assertion that it's 'the best buy extant'. The days of collecting proofs alongside circulation strikes has come and gone. These days, the trend is to collect circulation strikes OR proofs OR perhaps both sets. Bottom line is that demand for the date should begin to erode as circ strike sets no longer seek the coin due to its expense and proof status.

    Much like the 1858 seated dollar.
  • ChrisRxChrisRx Posts: 5,619 ✭✭✭✭
    Chain cent would rock.
    image
  • Bayard1908Bayard1908 Posts: 4,091 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>95 Morgan.

    The best buy extant.

    JT >>



    I hate to criticize a choice, but I do take issue with the assertion that it's 'the best buy extant'. The days of collecting proofs alongside circulation strikes has come and gone. These days, the trend is to collect circulation strikes OR proofs OR perhaps both sets. Bottom line is that demand for the date should begin to erode as circ strike sets no longer seek the coin due to its expense and proof status.

    Much like the 1858 seated dollar. >>



    There's definitely some truth in what you're saying, including a change in attitudes since I first started collecting in the 1970s. That being said, I still have a special fondness for proofs where the same coin is rare as a business strike.
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,404 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Put me down for a nice Somers Island Shilling.
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.


  • << <i>

    << <i>95 Morgan.

    The best buy extant.

    JT >>



    I hate to criticize a choice, but I do take issue with the assertion that it's 'the best buy extant'. The days of collecting proofs alongside circulation strikes has come and gone. These days, the trend is to collect circulation strikes OR proofs OR perhaps both sets. Bottom line is that demand for the date should begin to erode as circ strike sets no longer seek the coin due to its expense and proof status.

    Much like the 1858 seated dollar. >>



    If they take the hole for the '95 Morgan out of my Dansco, I might change my mind.
    Otherwise, I stand by my choice.
    That's why I bought mine. PR61.

    JT
    It is health that is real wealth, not pieces of gold and silver. Gandhi.

    I collect all 20th century series except gold including those series that ended there.
  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,663 ✭✭✭✭✭
    not sure exactly, but the date would start with 17- and the eagle would be small.
    quarter, half dollar, half eagle, eagle, whatever grade I could get into at the price point, I'd want a larger coin (sorry half dimes) and would seek original surfaces.

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,757 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>, the 1792 half disme, while not as rare as the 1802, represents a significant piece of Americana, and is one of the very few United States coins, if not the only coin, that we can state with some authority that Thomas Jefferson and President Washington both held each of the 1500 examples. Imagined or real, there is a certain aura about the 1792 half disme that is unmatched in United States numismatics. >>



    Haven't ever thought of it that way - but how do we know that Washington & Jefferson actually handled most if not all of the coins? 1500 is a bunch of coins. But it would make it all that much cooler to own one (don't ever think I'll get one in my collection, but I guess a guy can dream).

    For me if I had $50k to blow on one coin it would defintely be something 18th century. There are plenty of other coins more expensive that are 19th century (or even 20th century like a MS 1909-O $5) but there's something cool about a coin a couple hundred years old that appeals to me.

    -Fred >>



    As secretary of state, Jefferson supervised the production of the 1792 half dismes, and it is pretty much been establised that Washington supplied the silver, NOT with Martha's silverware, but from coins earned from his plantation.

    I agree with those who assert that the 1792 half disme is a more desirable coin than the 1802 half dime. The 1792 half disme really was the first U.S. coin. The 1802 half dime is just a rare date. And sadly I don't think that you will get very much in an 1802 half dime dime for $50k. The last one I saw was in a VF-30 holder, and it eventually sold for $139,000. I didn't care for the piece because I thought that it had a problem on the reverse that the grading service chose to ignore.

    The best 1802 I've ever seen, I saw about 20 years ago. It was in a AU-50 holder, and the asking price was just south of $100k. Back then it might as well have been $100 million. I didn't have access that kind of money.
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • SaorAlbaSaorAlba Posts: 7,593 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1794 Starred reverse LCC
    Tir nam beann, nan gleann, s'nan gaisgeach ~ Saorstat Albanaich a nis!
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,799 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I finally thought of one: A 1795 $5 in original AU-58
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,757 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I finally thought of one: A 1795 $5 in original AU-58 >>



    Unless the market has dropped, you won't get a 1795 half eagle in AU-58 for $50k. I had to pay just over $50k for a very nice AU-55. I showed it to a dealer and he told me it had a shot at getting an AU-58, and if it did it would be worth another $25k.
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,799 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I finally thought of one: A 1795 $5 in original AU-58 >>



    Unless the market has dropped, you won't get a 1795 half eagle in AU-58 for $50k. I had to pay just over $50k for a very nice AU-55. I showed it to a dealer and he told me it had a shot at getting an AU-58, and if it did it would be worth another $25k. >>



    It is my impression that the market for these is a little softer, but I may be wrong. Either way, I am not buying one, so it makes little difference to me.
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,552 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It would have to be a serious rip image .
  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,197 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>It would have to be a serious rip image . >>



    You could go to the [Dana Point] Copper 1943 Cent Buying School. image
  • OKbustchaserOKbustchaser Posts: 5,546 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I would finish my silver type set with a 1796 or 97 skinny eagle reverse half dollar.
    Just because I'm old doesn't mean I don't love to look at a pretty bust.


  • << <i>I'd buy the best early $5 or $10 gold piece I could. Probably a Turbin Head. >>



    Ditto!
  • i'd get the highest grade possible of an 1861-S Paquet reverse (VF-XF) Double Eagle. i am not crazy about the actual denomination or series, but i am drawn to the story behind these particular coins and would like to own such a mistake.
    A lie told often enough becomes the truth. ~Vladimir Lenin
  • anablepanablep Posts: 5,159 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Probably the best Morgan I could find for that price....1884-S, '89-CC, '92-S, '93-S, '94-S, '95, '95-O or '01 . I figure these would have the best liquidity if the time ever came.... >>



    image
    Always looking for attractive rim toned Morgan and Peace dollars in PCGS or (older) ANA/ANACS holders!

    "Bongo hurtles along the rain soaked highway of life on underinflated bald retread tires."


    ~Wayne
  • jomjom Posts: 3,483 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Whatever an appropriately graded 1920-S eagle that would cost $50k. MS63+ maybe???

    jom
  • MPLunaticMPLunatic Posts: 617 ✭✭
    thats an easy one! 1848 CAL. $2.50 gold
  • northcoinnorthcoin Posts: 4,987 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This has been an interesting thread. I am surprised though that my choice has not been suggested though perhaps because finding an example for the price might be difficult. That would be a 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar. Interestingly I have owned, or currently own some of the above choices including the $50 Pan-Pac Octogonal, the 1792 half disme, the 1794 Starred Reverse Large Cent, the 1861-S Paquet Double Eagle, and a PCGS Gem $20 High Relief Saint and can vouch that each of those could (at least when I acquired them within the last decade, and admittedly some in low or no grade) be had for less than $50,000. IMHO each of these coins have stories that go with them that, at least to me, add to their appeal. Maybe I could call the otherwise disparate grouping, "The Storied Coin Collection."
  • MidLifeCrisisMidLifeCrisis Posts: 10,550 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The Storied Coin Collection

    Now there's an idea...

    image
  • mrearlygoldmrearlygold Posts: 17,858 ✭✭✭
    A truly nice original half disme will be tough to find for 50K these days. If you know of one that meets the criteria, let me know and I'll buy it.

    Somewhat easier to obtain are early gold coins and there's a number of earlies that command 50K and more that in my opinion represent a good value. These coins are a lot tougher than either auction appearances and/or pops indicate.
  • northcoinnorthcoin Posts: 4,987 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>The Storied Coin Collection

    Now there's an idea...

    image >>



    Thanks. As you can tell from the below link, I am partial to coins with a "story" to tell.

    Collecting Coins with a Provenance
  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,450 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'd use it for a down payment on a really cool territorial. image
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose, Cardinal.
  • TennesseeDaveTennesseeDave Posts: 4,809 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I would probably buy an 1815/2 CBH in MS-64 or an 1878-CC Trade $ in 64.(If one could be found in that grade for that price)
    Trade $'s
  • northcoinnorthcoin Posts: 4,987 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>The Storied Coin Collection

    Now there's an idea...

    image >>



    Thanks. As you can tell from the below link, I am partial to coins with a "story" to tell.

    Collecting Coins with a Provenance >>



    *
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,797 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I'd use it for a down payment on a really cool territorial. image >>



    Those $50 gold slugs are certainly impressive.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • Musky1011Musky1011 Posts: 3,904 ✭✭✭✭
    an early date large cent from the next Goldberg auction
    Pilgrim Clock and Gift Shop.. Expert clock repair since 1844

    Menomonee Falls Wisconsin USA

    http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistr...dset.aspx?s=68269&ac=1">Musky 1861 Mint Set
  • BBNBBN Posts: 3,761 ✭✭✭


    << <i>If I could find an impaired Stella for $50K that would be my choice. Not sure why but I have always wanted one. I think it is because I like the name. >>



    You'd stop short on my wife?!?!
    image

    Positive BST Transactions (buyers and sellers): wondercoin, blu62vette, BAJJERFAN, privatecoin, blu62vette, AlanLastufka, privatecoin

    #1 1951 Bowman Los Angeles Rams Team Set
    #2 1980 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
    #8 (and climbing) 1972 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
  • 1854-D $3 in low AU
  • crypto79crypto79 Posts: 8,623
    The best 1922 hr peace dollar that 50k could buy the very coin
  • MidLifeCrisisMidLifeCrisis Posts: 10,550 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice to see this question get so many interesting responses.


    As for me...I agree with CCU. I'd buy the best piece of Massachusetts silver I could find, preferably pedigreed to Garrett, Roper or Hain. image
  • ms66 34-s Peace Dollar
  • crypto79crypto79 Posts: 8,623


    << <i>ms66 34-s Peace Dollar >>


    although a fine coin no doubt, this is the very thing I dont understand about coins. Why buy a 34s in 66 for 50k when you could do the whole set in choice 65( and super choice 64s for the 25s & 28s) for 25k
  • LincolnCentManLincolnCentMan Posts: 5,347 ✭✭✭✭
    It'd be a chain cent for me.

    -David

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