Condition rarity or Key dates...better investment?

coinsarefun

I Have just started purchasing Type Coins, one maybe two grades back from the highest graded.

I'm talking about Type Set coins not ASE's Yes I do collect more than that

I think its a good price point to purchase at (if the price is right) and has excellent eye appeal
I also feel not only is this a good way to collect but can be a good investment.

What is your opinion and please explain.

Jcarney

From my very limited experience, my circulated Lincoln keys-semi keys have appreciated much more than my gem Franklins.

ChangeInHistory

Key dates by far. I learned the hard way from Ellesmere Numismatics that condition rarity, even for a popular series, is not the way to go.

drei3ree

Key dates. Better price appreciation, broader collector appreciation, stronger demand, therefore easier to unload when your collection, "moves in a different direction."

illini420

Well key dates are just much more liquid... so when you want to buy or sell, you can do so pretty much immediately which is good if you're purchasing as an investment.

Condition rarities can be hard to sell, particularly if you're not willing to sell cheap and want to get the full value out of the coin. You have to wait for the right collector to come around that needs that particular ultra high grade example. That said, when that right collector comes around and finds your coin, they often pay up for that. So if you're not forced to suddenly sell the coins, I think that condition rarities can actually perform as well or even better than an average key date. And if that particular series gets hot, then those condition rarities can suddenly start to sell for moon money!

Walkerguy21D

Very difficult to generalize, but my input would be, if you opt for key dates, get them in better grades, so you also have some 'condition rarity' working for you too.
Example: A 21 D walker in AG/G is quite common, albeit it's still a 'key date'. The same coin in VF is quite scarce, and in AU is relatively rare.
If I were acquiring this coin for a type set, with investment as an objective, I'd acquire one in VF or better, as it will always be desirable and in demand.
Good luck!

RB1026

In my personal experience, the key dates/varieties I own have outperformed the others. With the evolution of registry sets, there has been increased demand for condition rarities as folks compete to outdo one another in rankings. Therefore, this is a major reason many higher grade, more common coins have performed very well financially. I am not convinced that overall there is solid and broad demand in this arena. However, the long term has proven that collectors have always desired to own the "keys" for their collections whether they build sets or not. So, in my opinion, the answer to the question posed in the OP is key dates are the better choice of the two options given.

RYK

I do not think that there is a hard-and-fast, easily generalizable rule for this, and what has worked in the recent or distant past may not necessarily work in the future. In my experience, the coins that have been the hardest to buy have been the easiest to sell, and usually for a sizable profit.

guitarwes

<< <i>In my experience, the coins that have been the hardest to buy have been the easiest to sell.... >>



Tru dat. Great nugget of coin collector knowledge right there.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

Sonorandesertrat

<< <i>I do not think that there is a hard-and-fast, easily generalizable rule for this, and what has worked in the recent or distant past may not necessarily work in the future. In my experience, the coins that have been the hardest to buy have been the easiest to sell, and usually for a sizable profit. >>

Matrix1980

I must say semi-key to key dates personally I collect them in VG-08 to F-12 (I prefer PCGS graded coins)....you don't spend as much you can make a little or lose a little but it is not enough of a loss if a loss occurs to make you not be able to sleep. Buy the coin not the holder make sure you like the look of the coin first and foremost. But also have some fun while doing so it helps a lot!!! I must say 1/2 cents (1793 -1811 mostly) are doing well right now and so are the Barber quarters....you may want to look into those series at this moment in time.

DIMEMAN

Key Dates by FAR & AWAY!!!! Can't say it loud enough.

Mowgli

<< <i>In my personal experience, the key dates/varieties I own have outperformed the others. With the evolution of registry sets, there has been increased demand for condition rarities as folks compete to outdo one another in rankings. Therefore, this is a major reason many higher grade, more common coins have performed very well financially. I am not convinced that overall there is solid and broad demand in this arena. However, the long term has proven that collectors have always desired to own the "keys" for their collections whether they build sets or not. So, in my opinion, the answer to the question posed in the OP is key dates are the better choice of the two options given. >>



Me too

roadrunner

Why not the best of both worlds? Key dates in top condition. Those have typically done the best over the 1982-2008 period.
But as already noted, things can and do change. Key dates, esp in-demand circs were heavily promoted and flipped between dealers from 2003-2008, even
better date circ seated joined this party for the first time ever. Now I'm not so sure that key dates haven't been spun up so far that they still have more
downside. It's not like there are tons more collectors today than ever before. If something is hard to buy that's normally a good indication...assuming you
don't end up paying through the nose for it. Playing or timing the market today is not as easy as it was from 1996-2006. The non-bullionesqe coins that have gone
higher from 2008-2012 are generally pop toppers (ie best condition of key/scarcer dates or rarer types).

In gem type coins I'd very selective in what I purchased. 70-90% of even MS/PF 64 to MS/PF 66 type coins really aren't performing and probably won't be any time soon.
Type coins as a rule are plentiful enough such that the number of coins easily exceeds those putting together sets. The oversupply is picked up by dealers and collectors who
just want a few nice looking type coins. Many or most type coins (64 to 67) still haven't exceeded their 1980 or 1989/1990 highs. The number of slabbed gem type coins today
is many multiples of what it was in 1990.

crypto79

IMO Condition rarities in Moderns is a bubble. The only Condition rarity that I think will hold their core value is the ones that mix both Condition rarity and pure rarity.

hammered54

<< <i>Very difficult to generalize, but my input would be, if you opt for key dates, get them in better grades, so you also have some 'condition rarity' working for you too.
Example: A 21 D walker in AG/G is quite common, albeit it's still a 'key date'. The same coin in VF is quite scarce, and in AU is relatively rare.
If I were acquiring this coin for a type set, with investment as an objective, I'd acquire one in VF or better, as it will always be desirable and in demand.
Good luck! >>




this.

coinsarefun

<< <i>Key Dates by FAR & AWAY!!!! Can't say it loud enough. >>






Are you absolutely......positively SURE????? Think about it......wait.....think....without hesitation. I just want to make sure what you were saying.

You left some ambiguity there


I love playin' around with you. messing withy your mind.......you take it well and that's a great compliment!!!!

Elcontador

<< <i>Why not the best of both worlds? Key dates in top condition. Those have typically done the best over the 1982-2008 period.
But as already noted, things can and do change. Key dates, esp in-demand circs were heavily promoted and flipped between dealers from 2003-2008, even
better date circ seated joined this party for the first time ever. Now I'm not so sure that key dates haven't been spun up so far that they still have more
downside. It's not like there are tons more collectors today than ever before. If something is hard to buy that's normally a good indication...assuming you
don't end up paying through the nose for it. Playing or timing the market today is not as easy as it was from 1996-2006. The non-bullionesqe coins that have gone
higher from 2008-2012 are generally pop toppers (ie best condition of key/scarcer dates or rarer types).

In gem type coins I'd very selective in what I purchased. 70-90% of even MS/PF 64 to MS/PF 66 type coins really aren't performing and probably won't be any time soon.
Type coins as a rule are plentiful enough such that the number of coins easily exceeds those putting together sets. The oversupply is picked up by dealers and collectors who
just want a few nice looking type coins. Many or most type coins (64 to 67) still haven't exceeded their 1980 or 1989/1990 highs. The number of slabbed gem type coins today
is many multiples of what it was in 1990. >>



This. He knows his stuff. With the exception of top drawer, fabulously toned Duckor Registry Set Barber Halves WHICH WERE UPGRADED BY PCGS, this series hasn't gone much of anywhere in the last ten years or so. I bought a beautifully toned 1905 O in a PC 5 holder -- this is a tough coin -- seven or eight years ago, and doubt I could get my money out of it today.

Also, I'll bet if you bought a type Barber quarter or dime in PC 5 or 6 ten years ago, you probably couldn't get your money out of it. Now if you bought a nice 1895 O Dime in a PC 5 holder back then, I haven't checked the prices recently, but I'll bet you'd probably be grinning like the Chesire Cat.

renomedphys

Key dates are great to own if you need to liquidate. You really aren't as exposed, and will generally make or lose very little on them. They are like bullion in that sense.

Condition rarities are more speculative. If you have to liquidate in a hurry, you'll lose your shirt, but if the right buyer comes along, you'll make enough to cover all your dumbass mistakes for the rest of the year.

DIMEMAN

I'm sure.....

BryceM

Given those two choices, I'd say key dates are the safer bet.

Even better is to buy coins with character. Some coins are just unique, irrespective of the grade on the paper and they're the funnest to own and often the easiest to sell.

Overdate

<< Condition rarity or Key dates...better investment? >>

In this economy, my vote is for "none of the above."

I think that XF 1964-D quarters will outperform condition rarities *and* key dates over the next five years.

DIMEMAN

>>>I think that XF 1964-D quarters will outperform condition rarities *and* key dates over the next five years.<<<

It depends on what silver does.....right.

coinsarefun

<< <i>Given those two choices, I'd say key dates are the safer bet.

Even better is to buy coins with character. Some coins are just unique, irrespective of the grade on the paper and they're the funnest to own and often the easiest to sell. >>




I like this idea the best. I think that's what I am
doing.


This is the link to the coins so far. I started with the moderns and working backwards towards the classics


What is everyone's thoughts regarding the coins
I have so far?

WestySteve

Read this...you'll find it informative:

link

123cents

Key dates.

Elcontador

If you are looking at pre 1835 type, condition rarity may be a better option for more expensive coins, as a type collector may want an eye appealing example rather than a circulated better date. Here, I think the decision should be made on a case by case basis.

DeliaBug

I don't think either of these options are good 'investments'. All coins are worth only their bullion value. Anything on top of that is collector value, and that is a large variable. Also, coins are far from liquid. Someone told me a long time ago - don't put any money in coins that you can't afford to lose.