You can hit a home run with a modern and certain coins become instant hits. A few will become classics, though it's not a matter of WHEN. It's a function of HOW.
<< <i>For the west point collector I have been picking up raw the 1974,77,79,80 Panama un centesimo.As far I can tell these are the only coins from West point minted for ciculation/business.Not many around. >>
Some Lincoln Memorial cents of various years were also struck at West Point without mint marks.
I'm not sure whether there is any way to tell the difference between these coins and their Philadelphia counterparts.
<< <i>In my mind something becomes "a classic" when the promoters and hucksters stop pushing it as "an investment" and pure collectors take over an generally make the market for it. If the prices hold up due to collector demand, and not sales promotions, a piece is on its way to becoming "a classic."
Under this definition the 1937-D three legged Buffalo nickel could be on its way to ceasing to be a classic given the all of the overheated non collector demand for it. Yet in the case the anomaly of having the Buffalo with three legs with a disembodied hoof below it might be enough to retain its classic status. >>
"Some Lincoln Memorial cents of various years were also struck at West Point without mint marks".
Actually In 1974 the un centesimo were minted at SanFransico in proof.There is no documentation and it is thought the 1974 panama cent b.u. were minted at west point.Foreign coinage minted in the U.S. have no mint marks.I do have a" foreign coinage production figures" PDF that clearly shows the 77,79,80 were soley minted at west point at 10,000,000 for business each year.I think these went unmentioned because they were minted for Panama and to avoid the hoarding of by collectors.I pick these up when I can but there are not many around do to lack of knowledge and circulation.
Feb issue of Coinage mag has article by David Schwager entitled, "What is a Modern Coin." He dates it to a range between 1950-1960. Makes sense to me. The essence of the argument, though, is captured in personal perspective as seen in above replies. Because "Modern" and "Classic" both imply the relativity of "time" they have to evolve and be subject to individual interpretation. IMO, neither term serves any useful purpose in collecting any more than one's age in years is useful in determining whether they are young or old. I'm reminded of the story of the collision betweeen a snail and turtle at an intersection in the grass. At the ER, the doc asked the turtle to describe the accident. He replied, "Well, I don't know Doc, it all happened so fast."
Markets (governments) can remain irrational longer than an investor can remain solvent.
My definition over the past couple of decades has been if the coin is younger than me it is a modern. I was born in 1958 so it may be time to adjust my definition.
Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia
Comments
<< <i>For the west point collector I have been picking up raw the 1974,77,79,80 Panama un centesimo.As far I can tell these are the only coins from West point minted for ciculation/business.Not many around. >>
Some Lincoln Memorial cents of various years were also struck at West Point without mint marks.
I'm not sure whether there is any way to tell the difference between these coins and their Philadelphia counterparts.
My Adolph A. Weinman signature
<< <i>In my mind something becomes "a classic" when the promoters and hucksters stop pushing it as "an investment" and pure collectors take over an generally make the market for it. If the prices hold up due to collector demand, and not sales promotions, a piece is on its way to becoming "a classic."
Under this definition the 1937-D three legged Buffalo nickel could be on its way to ceasing to be a classic given the all of the overheated non collector demand for it. Yet in the case the anomaly of having the Buffalo with three legs with a disembodied hoof below it might be enough to retain its classic status. >>
darn good post!
I enjoy collecting beautiful coins from raw stock that have personal historic significance to me.
Actually In 1974 the un centesimo were minted at SanFransico in proof.There is no documentation and it is thought the 1974 panama cent b.u. were minted at west point.Foreign coinage minted in the U.S. have no mint marks.I do have a" foreign coinage production figures" PDF that clearly shows the 77,79,80 were soley minted at west point at 10,000,000 for business each year.I think these went unmentioned because they were minted for Panama and to avoid the hoarding of by collectors.I pick these up when I can but there are not many around do to lack of knowledge and circulation.
<< <i>When does a modern coin become a classic ? >>
When it sells for more $ than DIMEMAN's small silver rounds.
Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia
Findley Ridge Collection
About Findley Ridge
Can't think of any others.
My 1866 Philly Mint Set
No way that could be considered a classic! That design is hideous!
Kind of like defining what a sport is.
Everyone has an answer and they all have rationale for their answer
Ike Specialist
Finest Toned Ike I've Ever Seen, been looking since 1986