Is Copper Hotter Than Gold ?

STEWARTBLAYNUMIS

$ 1,380,000 for a 1793 Chain Cent with a clipped planchet

$ $34,500 for a dipped and over graded 1859 Copper Nickel Indian Cent

I still say Red Copper is MORE VALUABLE than Gold

Stewart Blay


What do you say ?

STONE

I will just add that [early] copper guys are crazy!

dragon

<< <i>$ 1,380,000 for a 1793 Chain Cent with a clipped planchet

$ $34,500 for a dipped and over graded 1859 Copper Nickel Indian Cent

I still say Red Copper is MORE VALUABLE than Gold

Stewart Blay


What do you say ? >>














Perhaps plastic is more valuable than both?

dollarsandcents

Let me ask you: would you rather have an ounce of gold or a pound of copper?

AMRC

<< <i>Let me ask you: would you rather have an ounce of gold or a pound of copper? >>



A pound of copper if I could get it in uncirculated rolls of 1877 Indian Head cents.

MikeInFL

I agree, but it doesn't include Lincolns.

WestySteve

If you had a high end copper coin or a high end gold coin, would you melt either one? Once the numismatic value exceeds the melt value, other that whichever metal is prettier, it just doesn't matter. There's some darn pretty copper out there.

Goldbully

Stewart certainly has some motivation!!!!

lloydmincy

Has a copper cent sold for over $7 million? Didn't think so...

Dragon: Can I buy plastic futures???

SanctionII

If Mr. Blay asks this question, then one must seriously consider that it may in fact be true.

I have no idea how one would go about determining the answer to the question [how precisely does one define the term "Hotter than"???]; however some folks (those possessed of Gravitas) you pays attention to.

Sort of like: "When Dean Whitter speaks, people listen."

So it is with Mr. Blay; as it is with Mr. Hall, Mr. Bowers and other hobby luminaries.

EagleEye

DMWJR

I spy an Indian Princess ...

Copper has the widest range of collector base. Anyone can collect it.

American history can be told through cents better than any other denomination.

Red copper/bronze is the most fragile to keep in mint state condition and will forever remain the condition rarity in numismatics.

Why shouldn't the market recognize this?

mkman123

In a SHTF scenario the gold is much better

WestySteve

<< <i>
Copper has the widest range of collector base. Anyone can collect it.
>>



Yep, and ease of entry will grow that collector base more readily than gold. It's way more likely that someone will start collecting cents than gold because a cent collection can literally be started with a few cents. This is a key ingredient of healthy demand. It is why the two cent piece and three cent piece doesn't increase in value like cents do...it is because the entry for them isn't easy or natural. "Pennies" are still readily found. (In case I'm not clear, cents may have a better growth potential, percentage-wise, than gold).

Elcontador

I think attractive Unc. copper of Classic Large Cent and earlier vintage has been far hotter than anything else for at least the last few years. Whenever a nice piece comes available, it always brings very steep prices. I'd avoid RD copper of that era, assuming you could find it.

DMWJR

<< <i>In a SHTF scenario the gold is much better >>



Not really ... have you ever heard of gold jacketed bullets?

ambro51

Yes, and I'll also say colonial copper will outpace a lot of series over the next ten years as generational coins bought in the 70s and 80s come onto the market.

crazyhounddog

In some cases I'm sure you have a point. An ounce of "your" red copper is surely worth more than an ounce of pure 24k gold....Joe

Lakesammman

I like gold, but only if it has some copper toning.

Gotta admit - copper, in all it's variations, is my first (numismatic) love.

D

Prices on IHCs and Wheaties that I would typically buy have either dropped or remained the same for around seven years.

Aside from a brief increase in price around 06-08ish.

-D

Analyst

StewartBlay: <<$ 1,380,000 for a 1793 Chain Cent with a clipped planchet>>

This imperfection in the planchet is minor. I analyzed the coin and the auction event:

1793 Cent sets $1.38 Million Auction Record for a Copper coin

I agree that $1.38 m for that copper coin was stronger than the same result for the Garrett 1829 ‘Large Date’ Half Eagle:

$1.38‭ ‬Million Auction Record for a‭ ‬$5‭ ‬gold coin

It is also true that Denis Loring’s 1793 cents fared well in the same auction.

The 1793 Large Cents of Denis Loring

bestclser1

bestclser1

MidLifeCrisis

I say nothing's hotter than early copper with a gold sticker!

notwilight

Early copper is far more difficult than early gold and in my estimation much cooler. Here are my thoughts on some reasons:

1. copper is reactive. Gold is inert. one grain of salt, one drop of sweat, one leaky roof, one bad sneeze, one drooling kid, one humid summer in the wrong packaging, etc and copper is ruined forever. Not so for gold.

2. copper was not seen as precious, even at the time. Thus it was used more in day to day commerce, not as accumulation of wealth, savings, keepsakes, etc.

3. coin collecting was almost unheard of then so the proof and uncirculated coins that were immediately put away in the 19th century didn't happen then.

4. Copper is just a cool metal. It is hard but soft, malleable, dentable, ductile, yet wears relatively well. it has a beautiful color yet turns an even more beautiful colors of green and blue when it is ruined. It was one of man's first tool metals and continues to have many uses. It is actually a better conductor than gold.

--Jerry

superpsychmd

Judging by the results at the wiederseim auction in Pennsylvania yesterday, copper is hot. Incredible high prices all throughout on large cents

oreville

Only copper can be RED HOT!!!

Gold can just be HOT!

LOL.

Edscoin

<< <i>Early copper is far more difficult than early gold and in my estimation much cooler. Here are my thoughts on some reasons:

1. copper is reactive. Gold is inert. one grain of salt, one drop of sweat, one leaky roof, one bad sneeze, one drooling kid, one humid summer in the wrong packaging, etc and copper is ruined forever. Not so for gold.

2. copper was not seen as precious, even at the time. Thus it was used more in day to day commerce, not as accumulation of wealth, savings, keepsakes, etc.

3. coin collecting was almost unheard of then so the proof and uncirculated coins that were immediately put away in the 19th century didn't happen then.

4. Copper is just a cool metal. It is hard but soft, malleable, dentable, ductile, yet wears relatively well. it has a beautiful color yet turns an even more beautiful colors of green and blue when it is ruined. It was one of man's first tool metals and continues to have many uses. It is actually a better conductor than gold.

--Jerry >>



Well said Jerry! I knew there was a good reason I love copper coins.

MarkBen

I still say Red Copper is MORE VALUABLE than Gold

I agree!