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It is a good time to add your thoughts on Numismatics.
MGLICKER
Posts: 7,995 ✭✭✭
...as the year draws to a close.
...and post a few textile toners if you have them.
...and post a few textile toners if you have them.
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1) There seems to be a general "downer" attitude about the health of the market. Despite this, prices in what I'm buying haven't changed (yet). I'm very much in the "building" phase of collecting so I'd welcome a bit of a bear market, provided another strong market follows when I'm ready to sell.
2) For me, collecting is more fun than speculating, which seems to be the primary focus of many who post here.
3) There seems to be an awfully large number of important collections being liquidated these days.
4) I took all my coins out and looked that them a couple of days ago. It was fun. I strongly recommend it. Most of them are nicer than I remember. Some of them are fantastic. Some of them need to be replaced or upgraded. What a great hobby.
<< <i>Uuuhm Bryce, did you post to the wrong thread? Below, I haven't seen another with this much coverage.
>>
No, the OP keeps changing the thread topic.
Why I do not know...
It seemed to be dying a slow blue fish death. Did not realize that Bryce was working on a thoughtful response.
I will drop an extra fiver in the kettle as absolution.
I like the idea of getting "stars" like Rick the pawn shop guy involved in our hobby. I would like to see more of that to attract more attention and more new blood into the hobby. This will also help the coin market also..
I think the US Mint should produce a product once a year that is only available by random drawing. A 20,000 mintage of a precious metal coin that we pay 5 bucks for a ticket, one per address, per person verified... It could all be done via mail not email.
All net graded encapsulated coins by the top tier grading services need to be explained in more detail to the customer that pays for the service.
WTH?
Stupid Forum
In fact, I wouldn't be happy if one of my "investments" shot through the roof and became a sought after rarity because then I might feel pressed to sell it sometime which would make me sad.
It does worry me that the hobby doesn't seem as active as it once was. Maybe it's just that the Internet has changed things; I know I'd rather buy on line than go to a show.
<< <i>Three replies? Really?
WTH?
Stupid Forum >>
Speaking of moving targets.
I still love collecting. i.e. The study of the art of and science of making coins
Not to trilled on were I perceive the market is heading.
Shrinking collector base for moderately to a bit higher end classics. The next generations may come around but that remains to be seen.
Foreign coins are being authenticated and graded in exponential numbers somewhat diluting the collector dollar. Not a bad thing, but creates competition for our category.
In general, the mid level collector seems to have less disposable income available for the hobby. That often makes one a sharper and shrewder collector, but does little to support prices.
I guess the bottom line is the really nice and hard to find material is bringing strong prices when things are pretty slow for everything else.
A side note...
Some choose to educate (read...bash, poke fun of, show them how they got ripped or how much of an idiot they are, etc.) new collectors at the first opportunity we can. Why I don't know. Feedback is a gift, it should be given with care and love, not thrown at a person like a machete. I had to buy some problem coins in my early collecting days, and also a counterfeit or two to learn, but I had people around me who were knowledgeable and helped me learn. One dealer even bought a counterfeit $10 from me at the price I paid (this was 1982 of course) and used this as a way to teach me something. Buying problem coins when I was young taught me that I needed to learn how to grade (luckily I figured this out at 13).
You wanna know what I think ?
I called it XF, but it would go AU at PCGS.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
<< <i>I'm in agreement with Brycem's thoughts.
In fact, I wouldn't be happy if one of my "investments" shot through the roof and became a sought after rarity because then I might feel pressed to sell it sometime which would make me sad.
It does worry me that the hobby doesn't seem as active as it once was. Maybe it's just that the Internet has changed things; I know I'd rather buy on line than go to a show. >>
I agree with all of this except where to buy.
I LOVE going to coin shows. I am like a kid in a candy store.
<< <i> Change the heading of the original post? WTH? >>
Sounds like an old flame thread trick, but it can be done in reverse when necessary
The MS70 fad is still going pretty strong, but it is showing signs of waning interest. The window for flipping coins profitably seems to be shrinking very quick on the few "hot" issues.
High grade and truly scarce classics continue to do quite well for the most part.
Lots of widgets/dreck is still coming into market. The middle class type collectors trim their collections either out of desire to downsize/get out, or to be able to afford the aforementioned high grade/scarce coins they want.
Bullion spot prices are depressed, but there is still plenty of demand for physical metal, especially silver. The spring continues to coil more tightly..
<< <i>A man came to the shop today. He asked for a one ounce gold bar, but I didn't have one. He left with a 1924 Saint Gaudens.
You wanna know what I think ?
I called it XF, but it would go AU at PCGS. >>
It's easy to be conservative with out the door grading when there is no difference in price on an already generic as heck date, do that on a 20-s and we can talk about your benevolence.
<< <i>
<< <i>A man came to the shop today. He asked for a one ounce gold bar, but I didn't have one. He left with a 1924 Saint Gaudens.
You wanna know what I think ?
I called it XF, but it would go AU at PCGS. >>
It's easy to be conservative with out the door grading when there is no difference in price on an already generic as heck date, do that on a 20-s and we can talk about your benevolence. >>
Benevolence, my ass. I'm trying to get a retired sergeant into coins, not bullion. Smell the coffee, Giant.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>A man came to the shop today. He asked for a one ounce gold bar, but I didn't have one. He left with a 1924 Saint Gaudens.
You wanna know what I think ?
I called it XF, but it would go AU at PCGS. >>
It's easy to be conservative with out the door grading when there is no difference in price on an already generic as heck date, do that on a 20-s and we can talk about your benevolence. >>
Benevolence, my ass. I'm trying to get a retired sergeant into coins, not bullion. Smell the coffee, Giant. >>
Silly me I assumed that people knew the definition of benevolence instead of inserting some negative connotation into it. I see that I was mistaken and will simply dumb it down and respond to your counter point.
Why not just call a VG then hero?
The point being , "it's a good time to add your thoughts on Numismatics". My thoughts on numismatics are that coins are more fun than bullion, even if I might agree we should stack gold, silver, ammo, water, a generator, dry food , guns, and a few other essentials, but I digress due to my lack of discipline in the "wording" vs. "feeling" department
Or if you prefer, I overreacted, generously. Benevolently, in fact; or so I thought.
Now, as to numismatics and a '20 S, as it were, I would have the coin graded because there are some things worth submitting for. And all are worth submitting to.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
"In general, the mid level collector seems to have less disposable income available for the hobby."
DING!DING!DING!DING!DING! - We have a weiner! Think about all those middle class, mid level collectors who are now forced to hoard their disposable income to pay those new wealth redistributing health care premiums and deductibles that are going to bring us unicorns and rainbows across Camelot.
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.american-legacy-coins.com
<< <i>Bullion spot prices are depressed, but there is still plenty of demand for physical metal, especially silver. The spring continues to coil more tightly.. >>
In my opinion Bullion is one of the biggest factors killing the middle of the road collector interest. These types are all just buying bullion these days. In my earlier days nice low grade barbers,mercs,walkers,etc,etc were my biggest sellers. Well...now they are bullion.
Bullion has certainly killed the collector coin market at our local show. I sit next to a bigger bullion dealer and I would wager they sell 10 times more dollar wise than the combined 50 other dealers attending the show.
<< <i>Uh, most individuals in the middle class have their health insurance paid for by their employer. If you want to point towards what is eroding the disposable income of the middle class, look at inflation partnered with stagnant wages. >>
The two are connected. Much of the reason for stagnant incomes is the rising health insurance cost to the employer. Or as they say, no free lunch in Otisville.
Bullion vs classics? To me a box full of each is equally as cool.
Recently sat down in grading light with my collection. It's been a while. Takes about an hour or so. I referenced old photos and two have totally changed color, for the worse. All the rest seem stable. Those two are a total loss, burn about 1 k together. I won't let it bother me, it's good to know the others are good or sell them before they all turn? Dippers and strippers won't get me down, but they could someone else......