@coinkat said:
Demographics is a significant concern and partial explanation for the downturn. I am still not convinced that certain types of collectibles resonate well with younger folks that seem to have little if any interest in the past. In tems of art, design, quality and craftsmanship, the best days for items that exemplify those features are behind us... Sad but that seems to be the way it is.
If it isn't some slick state of the art technological gadget with all these features... Well... I think the point has been made that people and interests change over time.
There isn't much room for collectables in those trendy Tiny Homes or in their parents basement.
@sellitstore said: Afterwards it occurred to me that while we're all concerned about the future of numismatics, could this just be a downturn in the collectables market in general and not coins in specific?
Even this question reflects the rose-colored glasses that collectors wear when looking at the objects of their desire.
Yes, collectibles, in general, are going down in value. Sure there are exceptions. Sure it may appear that the high quality, most desirable stuff fares better in tough times but if the "good" stuff outperforms the common stuff consistently then won't the common stuff actually become a better investment?
Consider the old axiom "Buy the best you can afford". Had you purchased gem type coin sets like 3 cent pieces, shield nickels, even Barbers during the 1980s-90s instead of common circ pieces, you would have lost much money. Buying he best here didn't work out financially, did it? The junk grades have doubled or tripled during this period. Buying the higher grade pieces in many series several decades ago has resulted in financial losses for many.
So, yes, coins are going down in value in general along with everything else. But of course you are smarter than the group and can continue collecting because you know better than everyone else. You know exactly what to buy and what to avoid, right? Well, everyone can't be right and if everyone decides to chase just the "cream of the crop" won't this area of numismatics become inflated in price/value compared to other areas?
Think about it.
That's why I only collect the drab and common! (Joke)
@Addictedtocoins said:
I enjoy watching the show and saw it the other night. They give some great tips on how to identify certain items. It was interesting how there was a big difference in the value of some items. I'm actually thinking about taking the robe I found to one of their shows when they are in the area. Anyone know when they're going to be in the Pittsburgh area ?
I don't know when they are going to be in the Pittsburgh area but I can warn you that it is difficult to get tickets to attend the show/taping. They usually receive requests for tickets from 5 to 6 times as many people as can actually attend.
@Addictedtocoins said:
I enjoy watching the show and saw it the other night. They give some great tips on how to identify certain items. It was interesting how there was a big difference in the value of some items. I'm actually thinking about taking the robe I found to one of their shows when they are in the area. Anyone know when they're going to be in the Pittsburgh area ?
You missed it they were in Harrisburg on June 3, 2017.... There's always next year.
@Addictedtocoins said:
I enjoy watching the show and saw it the other night. They give some great tips on how to identify certain items. It was interesting how there was a big difference in the value of some items. I'm actually thinking about taking the robe I found to one of their shows when they are in the area. Anyone know when they're going to be in the Pittsburgh area ?
You missed it they were in Harrisburg on June 3, 2017.... There's always next year.
Next year will give me enough time to get tickets before they're sold out. There do seem to be more people at the antique shops, garage/yard sales etc. in this area. I think Antique road show had a lot to do with getting more people interested in the hunt for rare/valuable items . (Referring to what 291fifth posts said )
So much great perspective and analysis on this thread....
Changing tastes, demographics, etc. can kill off a sector so badly that it will never come back. For example, stamp collecting was huge from the 1930s through the 1980s, but now almost all of those sheets of stamps that your parents and grandparents collected and coveted are selling at a discount to face value and are being used to mail letters,
Younger people today just do not "collect" like prior generations did. A friend of mine was hoping her 20-something niece might one day want her collection of lead crystal stuff but the niece has no use for any of it.
It is a bit scary how stuff that was so important (and valuable) to so many people can become almost meaningless to subsequent generations.
Some demand is cyclical, but for some things it evaporates forever.
As you may have guessed by my handle I love the roadshow. I watch it whenever I can including the original British version. I am often jealous of the people in England who find such cool old stuff laying around in their sheds or bought for a few pounds at a car-boot sale.
I have to disagree that prices have been dropping in general. I think that the shows I have seen that have updated prices are at worst break even but probably on the plus side. It appears when prices change that the ones that dropped are outweighed by bigger gains on other items. It seems very few things have big drops but sometimes other items go up drastically.
I don't have any real numbers to back this up but I did a small sample last night as I watched part of 2 shows. Eight items were up, four were down and three stayed the same. Small sample, means very little. There was a violin that the high price went from $8K to $45K !! When I see drastic changes like this that supposedly happened over just 15 years I suspect that maybe the original appraisal was not correct but I have nothing to back that up either..
I think many of the items they show really don't have a correlation to coins and they don't have the long history of collecting, cataloging, and pricing. Probably the closest thing to US coins is early American furniture. There is a long history, condition and rarity and beauty are important not to mention prices drop if it has been messed with and there are fakes. As with some truly rare coins, rare furniture that is sought after condition may become less of a factor as long as no one altered the finish or tried repairs. Hmmm, would you rather have a decent VF rare antique or a perfect 70 modern piece of furniture? (Please don't beat me up, I have moderns too.)
All collectibles/antiques go up and down with the economy and other trends and 10 years ago the economy crashed, people lost their homes and jobs so it would be natural that less was spent on luxury items. I really don't know but I doubt coins got hammered as bad as the stock market did.
Successful BST deals with mustangt and jesbroken. Now EVERYTHING is for sale.
Comments
There isn't much room for collectables in those trendy Tiny Homes or in their parents basement.
That's why I only collect the drab and common! (Joke)
I don't know when they are going to be in the Pittsburgh area but I can warn you that it is difficult to get tickets to attend the show/taping. They usually receive requests for tickets from 5 to 6 times as many people as can actually attend.
You missed it they were in Harrisburg on June 3, 2017.... There's always next year.
Next year will give me enough time to get tickets before they're sold out. There do seem to be more people at the antique shops, garage/yard sales etc. in this area. I think Antique road show had a lot to do with getting more people interested in the hunt for rare/valuable items . (Referring to what 291fifth posts said )
Bought some coins for less, today. Didn't even need a price guide.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
So much great perspective and analysis on this thread....
Changing tastes, demographics, etc. can kill off a sector so badly that it will never come back. For example, stamp collecting was huge from the 1930s through the 1980s, but now almost all of those sheets of stamps that your parents and grandparents collected and coveted are selling at a discount to face value and are being used to mail letters,
Younger people today just do not "collect" like prior generations did. A friend of mine was hoping her 20-something niece might one day want her collection of lead crystal stuff but the niece has no use for any of it.
It is a bit scary how stuff that was so important (and valuable) to so many people can become almost meaningless to subsequent generations.
Some demand is cyclical, but for some things it evaporates forever.
Yes affects coins.
People do not have disposal income they used to.
I'm thinking "Star Wars action figures" !!
As you may have guessed by my handle I love the roadshow. I watch it whenever I can including the original British version. I am often jealous of the people in England who find such cool old stuff laying around in their sheds or bought for a few pounds at a car-boot sale.
I have to disagree that prices have been dropping in general. I think that the shows I have seen that have updated prices are at worst break even but probably on the plus side. It appears when prices change that the ones that dropped are outweighed by bigger gains on other items. It seems very few things have big drops but sometimes other items go up drastically.
I don't have any real numbers to back this up but I did a small sample last night as I watched part of 2 shows. Eight items were up, four were down and three stayed the same. Small sample, means very little. There was a violin that the high price went from $8K to $45K !! When I see drastic changes like this that supposedly happened over just 15 years I suspect that maybe the original appraisal was not correct but I have nothing to back that up either..
I think many of the items they show really don't have a correlation to coins and they don't have the long history of collecting, cataloging, and pricing. Probably the closest thing to US coins is early American furniture. There is a long history, condition and rarity and beauty are important not to mention prices drop if it has been messed with and there are fakes. As with some truly rare coins, rare furniture that is sought after condition may become less of a factor as long as no one altered the finish or tried repairs. Hmmm, would you rather have a decent VF rare antique or a perfect 70 modern piece of furniture? (Please don't beat me up, I have moderns too.)
All collectibles/antiques go up and down with the economy and other trends and 10 years ago the economy crashed, people lost their homes and jobs so it would be natural that less was spent on luxury items. I really don't know but I doubt coins got hammered as bad as the stock market did.
Successful BST deals with mustangt and jesbroken. Now EVERYTHING is for sale.
I wish the prices on coins that I buy > @Goldminers said:
And eventually EVERYWHERE
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870