Wealth Distribution – How Much Do You Keep in Coins?

winesteven · September 20, 2025 3:02PM

@Old_Collector said:

I wonder if @winesteven keeps track of his melt value?

I see this is not a serious question, but I don’t. I have about 16 or so gold coins, all numismatic. Despite silver being near all-time highs, the melt value of my silver coins is minuscule compared to market value. Similar for my gold.

Yes, stackers have done phenomenally well, and I’m happy for them!

Steve

MidLifeCrisis · September 20, 2025 3:20PM

To paraphrase Blind Willie Johnson: It's Nobody's Fault but Mine...and Nobody's Business but Mine.

Catbert · September 20, 2025 4:17PM

@MidLifeCrisis said:
To paraphrase Blind Willie Johnson: It's Nobody's Fault but Mine...and Nobody's Business but Mine.

And Led Zeppelin!

DisneyFan · September 20, 2025 7:57PM

As one who was taught at an early age the value of saving for the future by parents who lived through the depression, I actually found it interesting to read the different perspectives as to whether coin collecting is a hobby or an investment.

seatedlib3991 · September 20, 2025 9:17PM

So true about Zed. PRESENCE is my favorite Zed album. James

hedgefundtradingdesk · September 20, 2025 9:51PM

@Barberian said:
About 25% of my worth is in coins. I'm white knuckling it.

25% is aggressive to be sure, but some perspective is in order.

Most people don't even have an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses or a temporary job loss.

If you have $1 million and $250k is in coins, or $4 million with $1 million in coins, you aren't exactly hurting.

Coins usually lose 10-20% the minute you "drive them off the lot" but the better coins (key dates, early type) tend to appreciate mid-single digits, say 5% per year.

Compare that to stocks which have averaged nearly 10% per year, and coins are a bad investment. Real estate often returns 7-10% per year if you are a pro renting it out to someone else, but the returns for owner-occupied homes are typically lower single digits, 2-5% per year, plus the joy of living in the home.

Many people buy houses or vacation properties that are way too big for their needs, and end up with mediocre returns. Buying rare coins is in the same category. How much do you enjoy them, and can you afford the lower returns vis-a-vis stocks or managed real estate?

As long as it's not interfering with your other obligations in life (family, home, retirement) who really cares?

rte592 · September 20, 2025 11:13PM

@pcgsregistrycollector said:
I seem to have offended people with my thread. That was not my intention. I was just simply curious as to the opinions of others.

I forgot what I all have so it's hard to put a percentage on it. Should have eaten less and bought more when it was cheap

Swampboy · September 20, 2025 11:22PM

@PerryHall said:

@Catbert said:
I'm going to give a curmudgeonly response: NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!

That was my first thought.

Where's Russ?
"TMI"
😅

2ndCharter · September 21, 2025 3:55AM

As long as it's not interfering with your other obligations in life (family, home, retirement) who really cares?

That is exactly my situation - I have a significant amount tied up in my ongoing collection of National Bank Notes but the house is paid off, the kids have their own homes, no other debt, and thanks to a Tier 1 Pension from New York State - a healthy income and paid medical insurance for the rest of my life. At 75, I'm still working almost full-time and putting a good chunk of it in the hobby and having a ball.

NeophyteNumismatist · September 21, 2025 6:37AM

@DisneyFan said:
Earlier this year I posted a poll and 76 forum members anonymously participated.

In that poll 94% of our members spend more than $1,000 per year on coins. Of that group, the majority, 59% spend over $5,000. And 36% spend more than $25,000.

Based on the above, I think the percentage of total assets tied up in coins is much higher than many posters want to publicly admit. Particularly when referring to it as only a hobby. Either that or those polled collect coins for only a few years and then move on to other interests.

I suggest a truer reading of the amount of assets in coins could be obtained by creating an anonymous poll.

I don't think these two things are mutually exclusive. I have not been collecting nearly as long as I have been investing. When I first started (2020), I probably spent 10% of my income (not assets) and the second year, I think I did the same.

My spending is now going down, and I have not bought a coin all year (I did trade for one). Why? Two reasons... 1) the coins I want have continuously gotten more expensive and 2) my collection has grown that the cumulative spend over the years might represent 1-2% of my total total liquid investments (not including real estate, 401K, or other property) . While, I consider this a hobby (not an investment), I do look as what I have as a total of my holdings to assess whether I am being responsible in the hobby. I love coins, so I could get carried away if I didn't think this way.

NeophyteNumismatist · September 21, 2025 6:41AM

correction - I bought a coin last week for $50. I like the coin, but that spend is not meaningful in a % of income or assets conversation.

WCC · September 21, 2025 7:49AM

@hedgefundtradingdesk said:

If you have $1 million and $250k is in coins, or $4 million with $1 million in coins, you aren't exactly hurting.

Big difference between those two examples IMO, but it still depends upon the person's overall financial situation. $1MM isn't actually that much in 2025 even liquid, but it goes a lot further if the person has low or no debt with above average to large vs. most people discretionary income.

bidask · September 21, 2025 8:08AM

I am a long term holder of coins I buy .
Anywhere from 7 to 17 years .

Net net I I made maybe 5-7% over time .

Coins make up maybe 15% of my over holdings

They are sort of my choice of “ private equity “.

That said coins are a hobby first and foremost.

If I literally lost all my coins I could still live relatively well.

lkenefic · September 21, 2025 8:36AM

@bidask said:

If I literally lost all my coins I could still live relatively well.

This... if all my coins were lost, I'm still doing fine. I'm not reduced to eating Ramen noodles and fighting the cat for dinner...

jughead1893 · September 21, 2025 9:14AM

BLUEJAYWAY · September 21, 2025 9:23AM

@Paradisefound said:
I am far from an being expert on coin collecting nor do I have the commitment for such so mine is pure fun 🥰

Percentage is very relative right?
1/5 % of my worth for PURE FUN?
I am not expecting any ReturnOnInvestment since that would be too stressful 🤔

Most are in real estate and the SP500

SHOULD’Ve snatch those 55/55 and 3 legged then 😖

There is still time. And the 3 legged should be easy to " catch". Should not be able to outrun you, what with only those 3 legs.😀
BTW welcome "Home"

BLUEJAYWAY · September 21, 2025 9:26AM

Should I include my big glass jug of cents in the breakdown?😀

renomedphys · September 21, 2025 11:14AM

Let’s just call it, an “irresponsible” amount. Ask me the same question about my bicycles, and you’ll get the same answer.

vplite99 · September 21, 2025 11:19AM

Coins are a poor investment for most collectors, but I try to keep 10% in mostly bullion-type coins.

GuzziSport · September 21, 2025 11:54AM

The thought makes me almost as uncomfortable as “how much do you spend annually on golf trips?” 😉

yspsales · September 21, 2025 5:02PM

Fraction of 1%

Accumulation of knowledge and the cherry chase has always been my goal.

As I transition into full retirement in coming months, plan is to concentrate selling on EBAY?

5% allocated and reinvestment of any profit.

JohnPhiloponus · September 21, 2025 8:06PM

Coins started out as a hobby, but I had a couple huge buying opportunities that allowed me to accumulate a very large collection at a very affordable price. Currently coins are maybe 10% of my net worth, but it was not intentional.

Rare coins return 7-8% annually, but it is important to buy good coins and not overpay. Not so rare coins return less. In the end though, it is all about demand, so who knows how the return will play out. Personally I think early American is a good investment, and also 20th century silver, because people will continue to melt as silver escalates.

Coins are still a hobby for me, so I don't see them as an investment, nor do I need them as an investment. But, I view coins as a great hobby that pays. My friends have hobbies that do not pay, but I have one that does. At the end of the day I have a nice collection to pass on to my coin collecting son. And I have a blast. And there is always something to learn. And I have made some nice friends. And I have been able to help a lot of people out, fairly and honestly.

Sapyx · September 21, 2025 9:04PM

Since I don't own real estate, or shares, or any other "assets" apart from the car and the money in the bank, I'd have to put my figure at around 70%.
My collection is purely for non-investment purposes. The only coins I've ever sold have been duplicates I've unintentionally acquired. The collection is not for sale, for any price, so it's current value is largely irrelevant to me.
Not really, no.

Paradisefound · September 21, 2025 9:25PM

@BLUEJAYWAY said:

@Paradisefound said:
I am far from an being expert on coin collecting nor do I have the commitment for such so mine is pure fun 🥰

Percentage is very relative right?
1/5 % of my worth for PURE FUN?
I am not expecting any ReturnOnInvestment since that would be too stressful 🤔

Most are in real estate and the SP500

SHOULD’Ve snatch those 55/55 and 3 legged then 😖

There is still time. And the 3 legged should be easy to " catch". Should not be able to outrun you, what with only those 3 legs.😀
BTW welcome "Home"

🐬 so funny & kind of you BB!

Unknown · September 21, 2025 9:40PM

This content has been removed.

Mr Lindy · September 22, 2025 11:06AM

.

blitzdude · September 22, 2025 5:01PM

@blitzdude said:
Numismatic coins? Less than 1%

Add in bullion gold and gutter metal currently about 16%.

RGDS!

Edit: 16.1% bullion. What a difference a day makes. lol. PKR!

lordmarcovan · September 23, 2025 11:05AM

Way too much. Maybe 30-40%.

batumi · September 23, 2025 11:56AM

@lordmarcovan said:
Way too much. Maybe 30-40%.

Not necessarily imho. I have about the same-about 50/50 coins/bullion. I am retired and debt free. I look at it as insurance that one doesn't have to bite the big one to collect if one so chooses. The past year or so it sure is a good felling to have the bullion and I relly enjoy the coins even though they haven't had as good a 'performance.'

john_nyc1 · September 23, 2025 2:41PM

As others have stated I don’t consider my coins assets but I suppose between 1% and 2% if forced to!

lordmarcovan · September 23, 2025 4:08PM

@batumi said:

@lordmarcovan said:
Way too much. Maybe 30-40%.

Not necessarily imho. I have about the same-about 50/50 coins/bullion. I am retired and debt free. I look at it as insurance that one doesn't have to bite the big one to collect if one so chooses. The past year or so it sure is a good felling to have the bullion and I relly enjoy the coins even though they haven't had as good a 'performance.'

I am not retired but am debt free. When I came into some inheritance, I paid off the trailer we live in, the land it sits on, all the car notes, and daughter’s education. THEN I allowed myself to splurge on coins. My assets are modest but they’re free and clear, at least. It might have been smarter to invest more in other things, but coins are what I know and am passionate about.

GoldFinger1969 · September 28, 2025 12:16AM

FWIW, I worked in a couple of Private Banks and some portfolio options included 5% in precious metals for most HNW individuals. That figure might be higher today since gold has done much better in recent years.

When money market and bond yields were higher (like they are today, after ZIRP ended), the opportunity cost of holding PMs/gold was higher so you'd make sure someone could hold an asset that doesn't pay interest or dividends.

Old_Collector · September 28, 2025 1:07PM

The answer would be quite different if I used an actual number as opposed to what I tell my wife.

Cougar1978 · September 28, 2025 2:43PM

Basically on plan.

I operate off an inventory plan number but it is classified.

pcgsregistrycollector · September 28, 2025 6:57PM

@Old_Collector said:
The answer would be quite different if I used an actual number as opposed to what I tell my wife.

Always the wife.....

PapiNE · September 29, 2025 8:41AM

5.45%. Yea, I know where every penny, 'er cent, is. It's a bit more than a hobby but I'm not quite sure how to describe it. It started with family so it's sort of like family and I'm responsible to build upon it.

jedm · September 29, 2025 9:04AM

@2ndCharter said:

"... I'm still working almost full-time and putting a good chunk of it in the hobby and having a ball."

I can relate to this. My income from my job and social security allow me to enjoy my hobby like never before in my life.
I've been blessed with good health, a great family, and steady lifelong employment and am able to enjoy this hobby as my physical limitations to other hobbies have increased. I'm around 10% yet I am very comfortable with it.

Wealth Distribution – How Much Do You Keep in Coins?

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