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Expensive Dream Coins You Believe Are Undervalued.

DisneyFanDisneyFan Posts: 2,565 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

A lot of us agree that certain expensive relatively common coins are overvalued by the market because of their popularity.

Are there expensive coins with relatively low populations which could make them still undervalued?

While it's tempting not to share this information, on the other hand, these would be expensive coins many are not able to afford.

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  • GoldFinger1969GoldFinger1969 Posts: 2,652 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 28, 2025 9:40PM

    @DisneyFan said:
    A lot of us agree that certain expensive relatively common coins are overvalued by the market because of their >popularity. Are there expensive coins with relatively low populations which could make them still undervalued?
    While it's tempting not to share this information, on the other hand, these would be expensive coins many are not >able to afford.

    I've always had trouble with this concept. The MCMVII High Relief Saint is considered by many here to be "expensive" but also relatively common. But the only way you can get a coin that is expensive is if demand overwhelms supply. You can have some coin with a population of 5 or 50, but if nobody wants it, the price will be close to FV. OTOH, there are thousands of the High Reliefs but lots of non-collectors want them and they tend to be in "strong hands" -- so the price I am told by many here is high and/or "overvalued."

    Also, are we going by TOTAL population to judge how common a coin is....or a particular grade (condition rarity) ? That changes the equation.

    I would think that some undervalued coins might be in the Morgan Silver Dollar arena....as gold goes higher and higher and the cost to collect gold coins from Quarter Eagles to Double Eagles goes higher, I could see some people who want to collect where there are lots of affordable coins moving to MSDs. Some of the "key" or semi-key dates could move up via the substitution effect of demand moving from gold to silver coins.

    Just a thought. :)

  • Morgan WhiteMorgan White Posts: 11,048 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Just about any gold eagle 1858-1873.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 37,411 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 29, 2025 3:48PM

    I don't believe any US coin is "undervalued" (or overvalued). The market is too large and too mature.

    What you're really asking is what coins have the best chance to appreciate in the future. My crystal ball is broken.

    I do find it odd, however, that threads like the recent one about the economic decay of the US never seem to conclude that the coin market should collapse as a result. Quite the contrary, they seem to feel that a "hard asset" will do well even though, excepting bullion, coins are a discretionary collectible.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 24,777 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The US coin market is large and information on pricing is widely available. Undervaluation is not likely.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • CryptoCrypto Posts: 3,913 ✭✭✭✭✭

    1922 HR Peace dollars
    2000W Sacs
    1870cc DEs
    1841-o Eagles
    1861-D dollars

    11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set

  • CryptoCrypto Posts: 3,913 ✭✭✭✭✭

    As prices increase they have to transcend the coin market and cross over into other buyer pools. coins like 1804 dollars are bigger than just the coin collectors. Explosions in price directly correlate to explosions in popularity so look where the chatter is and who is listening

    11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set

  • cccoinscccoins Posts: 295 ✭✭✭✭

    The 1873 cc NA 25c (pop 5) sells for roughly what the 1876 cc 20c (pop 18 - 20) sells for. The 20c has better PR, and thus gets a better relative price than the 25c.

  • yspsalesyspsales Posts: 2,570 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 29, 2025 5:40PM

    I would stay in ones circle of competence.

    Though an argument can be made for key dates.

    Artributes include... strong for the grade, CAC stickered, attractive, problem free.

    My money would be on DMPL Morgans and select VAM's with pop of 50 or less.

    They intersect with any number of collector interests.

    Moderns are a fun subset of my collecting but undervalued is not a term that applies.

    BST: KindaNewish (3/21/21), WQuarterFreddie (3/30/21), Meltdown (4/6/21), DBSTrader2 (5/5/21) AKA- unclemonkey on Blow Out

  • vplite99vplite99 Posts: 1,391 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have to agree with those who say, "Undervaluation is unlikely.

    Vplite99
  • GoldFinger1969GoldFinger1969 Posts: 2,652 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BillJones said:
    The same applies to the Type I and II $20 gold pieces. Until the SS Central America coins became available, it was >almost impossible to get a Choice Mint State Type I $20 gold. With no hoard or recovery coins available, the Type II >$20 gold pieces continue to be very scarce in strict Mint State condition.

    That's a class I forgot.....Shipwreck Hoards, like the SS Central America. That's a FANTASTIC story and even if the coins don't appreciate you have a nice-looking coin with a great story.

    I believe premiums are a fraction for most coins compared to the frenzy of 2000-03 but I'll defer to those who have followed it more closely than me.

  • rte592rte592 Posts: 1,937 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Those 2 gold disks in the classified section, just saying ;)

  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,723 ✭✭✭✭✭

    IDK any more... when I first started back into collecting coins some 25 years ago, I'd have thought some of the coins in my current collection would have been unobtainable for me at the time. Fast forward to $3600+/oz gold... $40+/oz silver... I've completed a Type Set that I thought would never get done, and my concentration into Middle-Late Date Large Cents has netted me a far superior collection of copper than I thought possible. Twenty-five years of developing an eye definitely helped.

    As far as the OP's question as it relates to my personal collection... I'm just going to stay with what I know. I'll research the last few "trophy coins" I want to incorporate into my Box of 20, and as consulting/contract money comes in... I'll tick those off too.

    "Undervalued"? There's no such thing... outside of bullion, something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay, and when it's just a "collectable".... the intrinsic value tends to wax and wane with the economy...

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

    Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
  • skier07skier07 Posts: 4,443 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If time is not a problem I would focus on gold coins that got beat up by Fairmont and are now selling on the cheap.

  • olympicsosolympicsos Posts: 906 ✭✭✭✭

    If anything classic commemoratives may have their time in the sun again.

  • redraiderredraider Posts: 304 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A few years ago, you could buy an MS65 J-228 1859 Indian Head Cent (with Shield) for the same and sometimes less than an MS65 regular strike 1859 IHC. I remember buying an MS65 J-228 for about $2100 with a CAC sticker. These prices have changed over the last few years as this coin is considered by many to be part of a complete set now.

  • WCCWCC Posts: 2,945 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @GoldFinger1969 said:

    I've always had trouble with this concept. The MCMVII High Relief Saint is considered by many here to be "expensive" but also relatively common. But the only way you can get a coin that is expensive is if demand overwhelms supply. You can have some coin with a population of 5 or 50, but if nobody wants it, the price will be close to FV. OTOH, there are thousands of the High Reliefs but lots of non-collectors want them and they tend to be in "strong hands" -- so the price I am told by many here is high and/or "overvalued."

    I agree with this comment

    @GoldFinger1969 said:

    Also, are we going by TOTAL population to judge how common a coin is....or a particular grade (condition rarity) ? That changes the equation.

    Yes, this makes a big difference.

    @GoldFinger1969 said:

    I would think that some undervalued coins might be in the Morgan Silver Dollar arena....as gold goes higher and higher and the cost to collect gold coins from Quarter Eagles to Double Eagles goes higher, I could see some people who want to collect where there are lots of affordable coins moving to MSDs. Some of the "key" or semi-key dates could move up via the substitution effect of demand moving from gold to silver coins.

    All your examples have an above average or substantial "investment" buying, relatively. I don't know how much overlap occurs between the two, but as a collectible, Morgan dollars are definitely not relatively undervalued. It's easily one of the most expensive (and overvalued) series for the collectible attributes along with many gold coins, precisely due to the level of financial related buying. Since we're not discussing financial instruments and there are no comparable metrics, I can't say it won't happen, but the recent run-up in silver should provide some indication.

  • WCCWCC Posts: 2,945 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 30, 2025 3:10PM

    @Crypto said:
    As prices increase they have to transcend the coin market and cross over into other buyer pools. coins like 1804 dollars are bigger than just the coin collectors. Explosions in price directly correlate to explosions in popularity so look where the chatter is and who is listening

    I've never been a believer in this theme. I don't believe coins are on the radar of hardly any non-collector as an alternative to mainstream asset classes, even "crypto". We're talking about a tiny relatively illiquid market with an opportunity cost for a buyer pool who by definition doesn't have any interest in coins as collectibles. That's why they aren't collectors.

    Metal buyers in low proportion become collectors, but it's my inference given the TPG data and the posts in NCLT threads that they have a much lower (if any) interest in collecting as a hobby and aren't a realistic candidate to buy more than a very few series.

    As for a coin like the 1804 dollar, it's my inference that younger demographics (at least 40 but possibly older) overwhelmingly don't even know this type of coin exists anymore. It's not famous or as prominent outside of coin collecting as it was decades ago, like when Salomon Brothers used to publish their asset class list in the late 70's to 80's. In reading CNBC for my business news for over 20 years, I recall seeing a few articles profiling the most expensive coins sold at auction (1933 DE and SP-66 1794 FH dollar) but non-collectors have no reason to remember and very few likely do.

  • Coins3675Coins3675 Posts: 652 ✭✭✭

    All the $1 gold coins

  • CryptoCrypto Posts: 3,913 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @WCC said:

    @Crypto said:
    As prices increase they have to transcend the coin market and cross over into other buyer pools. coins like 1804 dollars are bigger than just the coin collectors. Explosions in price directly correlate to explosions in popularity so look where the chatter is and who is listening

    I've never been a believer in this theme. I don't believe coins are on the radar of hardly any non-collector as an alternative to mainstream asset classes, even "crypto". We're talking about a tiny relatively illiquid market with an opportunity cost for a buyer pool who by definition doesn't have any interest in coins as collectibles. That's why they aren't collectors.

    Metal buyers in low proportion become collectors, but it's my inference given the TPG data and the posts in NCLT threads that they have a much lower (if any) interest in collecting as a hobby and aren't a realistic candidate to buy more than a very few series.

    As for a coin like the 1804 dollar, it's my inference that younger demographics (at least 40 but possibly older) overwhelmingly don't even know this type of coin exists anymore. It's not famous or as prominent outside of coin collecting as it was decades ago, like when Salomon Brothers used to publish their asset class list in the late 70's to 80's. In reading CNBC for my business news for over 20 years, I recall seeing a few articles profiling the most expensive coins sold at auction (1933 DE and SP-66 1794 FH dollar) but non-collectors have no reason to remember and very few likely do.

    I think you are conflating buyer pools and general interest. Its true that coins are niche hobby but there are maybe 200 buyers at the level of an 1804 dollar in the world at current level even 5 buyers leaving or 5 buyer entering will effect its price. Fame is necessary for attention even if only a couple people notice in thin markets. Attention is the key for demand in supply and demand.

    Even partial hits like the 1861d dollar crosses over into two market with the Civil war makes it more exciting. Ill grant you only for coin fan who also apricate the American history as I suspect you're right and it doesn't pull many new collectors in. but thats reflected in the price,

    11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set

  • CryptoCrypto Posts: 3,913 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @redraider said:
    A few years ago, you could buy an MS65 J-228 1859 Indian Head Cent (with Shield) for the same and sometimes less than an MS65 regular strike 1859 IHC. I remember buying an MS65 J-228 for about $2100 with a CAC sticker. These prices have changed over the last few years as this coin is considered by many to be part of a complete set now.

    Is it though? I know Rick Snow was pushing a story about them but they are 1 of a dozen similar coins in a series of patterns, are all uncirculated just like patterns and the story of a dealer buying the rolls is not logical or corroborated that I know of. I haven't heard of references picking up the narrative either. Im not saying it isn't up to any and every collector to define for them selves what makes up a complete set Im just saying a dealer trying to make a market should only be taken at face value. I say all that as an J-228 owner

    If they are BS strikes than the 58 Indian is a business strike

    11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set

  • yspsalesyspsales Posts: 2,570 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 3, 2025 5:18PM

    I have watched almost all FUN presentations over more than the past decade.

    Best of the best prognosticate. Year after year.

    Repeatedly Don Bonser on Lincoln Cents, Randy Campbell on DMPL Morgan and early Dollars, and the VAM specialist (Oxman?)

    I would track their predictions. Almost all fell flat as a date and mintmark.

    Obviously condition and eye appeal doesn't apply to a general price guide.

    Also, I assume a good for the grade in 2015 would be MS66 CAC in 2025.

    There are so many factors that it seems the best an average collector can hope for is not to lose money and keep up with inflation.

    Most profitable coins for me have been raw to grade to flip transactions. That is my fun zone.

    My best guess... MS66 WLH CAC

    BST: KindaNewish (3/21/21), WQuarterFreddie (3/30/21), Meltdown (4/6/21), DBSTrader2 (5/5/21) AKA- unclemonkey on Blow Out

  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,251 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @WCC said:

    @Crypto said:
    As prices increase they have to transcend the coin market and cross over into other buyer pools. coins like 1804 dollars are bigger than just the coin collectors. Explosions in price directly correlate to explosions in popularity so look where the chatter is and who is listening

    I've never been a believer in this theme. I don't believe coins are on the radar of hardly any non-collector as an alternative to mainstream asset classes, even "crypto". We're talking about a tiny relatively illiquid market with an opportunity cost for a buyer pool who by definition doesn't have any interest in coins as collectibles. That's why they aren't collectors.

    Metal buyers in low proportion become collectors, but it's my inference given the TPG data and the posts in NCLT threads that they have a much lower (if any) interest in collecting as a hobby and aren't a realistic candidate to buy more than a very few series.

    As for a coin like the 1804 dollar, it's my inference that younger demographics (at least 40 but possibly older) overwhelmingly don't even know this type of coin exists anymore. It's not famous or as prominent outside of coin collecting as it was decades ago, like when Salomon Brothers used to publish their asset class list in the late 70's to 80's. In reading CNBC for my business news for over 20 years, I recall seeing a few articles profiling the most expensive coins sold at auction (1933 DE and SP-66 1794 FH dollar) but non-collectors have no reason to remember and very few likely do.

    The guy that bought all my big coins was rumored to be diversifying from crypto. And the previous buyer of the 1933 $20 wasn’t even a coin collector- so I think you are likely 100% wrong.

    Early Dollar Set
  • oldabeintxoldabeintx Posts: 2,532 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The half disme is a treasure that should outlast rare dates and mintmarks. IMO. Undervalued for sure relative to more common coins whose value depends on date/mm rarities. Other early types as well. History. History. History.

  • CoffeeTimeCoffeeTime Posts: 136 ✭✭✭

    I want to believe the coin market is rather efficient. So no real “deals” other the irrational exuberance in bidding or individual desires.

  • DisneyFanDisneyFan Posts: 2,565 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Coins3675 said:
    All the $1 gold coins

    Could you be more specific? I'm seeing the current melt value is $188 and the minimum PCGS value for MS64 is $1,100.

  • DisneyFanDisneyFan Posts: 2,565 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PerryHall said:

    @DisneyFan said:

    @Coins3675 said:
    All the $1 gold coins


    Could you be more specific? I'm seeing the current melt value is $188 and the minimum PCGS value for MS64 is $1,100.

    I assumed he meant that the gold dollars as a series are not as popular as they should be and I agree. The problem with gold dollars is they are so small that most older coin collectors who can afford to buy them are older with less than perfect eyesight.

    That's a good point as to why gold dollars are currently not popular. When referring to undervalued coins, I'm not referring to coin series. Instead, I'm referring to coins within a series. In the case of gold dollars a MS60 set price guides at $623,970 with 16 coins over $10,000. In MS60, that's an expensive series!

  • CryptoCrypto Posts: 3,913 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @DisneyFan said:

    @PerryHall said:

    @DisneyFan said:

    @Coins3675 said:
    All the $1 gold coins


    Could you be more specific? I'm seeing the current melt value is $188 and the minimum PCGS value for MS64 is $1,100.

    I assumed he meant that the gold dollars as a series are not as popular as they should be and I agree. The problem with gold dollars is they are so small that most older coin collectors who can afford to buy them are older with less than perfect eyesight.

    That's a good point as to why gold dollars are currently not popular. When referring to undervalued coins, I'm not referring to coin series. Instead, I'm referring to coins within a series. In the case of gold dollars a MS60 set price guides at $623,970 with 16 coins over $10,000. In MS60, that's an expensive series!

    true because it is long with many keys, that said there looks like a coming point where they may be the only collectible gold coins due to their lack of actual gold. 4k Double eagles base price makes 200$ price of entry much more attractive.

    11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set

  • oldabeintxoldabeintx Posts: 2,532 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 6, 2025 8:36AM

    Gold dollars are less popular because of their diminutive size. Us geezers wear glasses, so that’s not it. Big coins are just more impressive to many folks. Also there’s the amount of gold stored.

  • semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,265 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 9, 2025 6:53AM

    The 1864 $2 1/2 has an approximate population of 18-22 coins per PCGS Coin Facts. This is the least expensive straight graded coin of the this issue. The Liberty $2 1/2 gold series does not win a popularity contest, but the 1864 is one of the rarest dates of coins for this price range (31K). I'm not including varieties. I'm was short 1 rich relative to help me buy this.


  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,942 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @olympicsos said:
    If anything classic commemoratives may have their time in the sun again.

    If anything those pieces have been overrated multiple times. You can’t compare their mintages with regular issue coins because their survival rates a far higher, even in Mint State. To me the “beautiful toners” at 5 figure prices are vastly over priced.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • CryptoCrypto Posts: 3,913 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 9, 2025 10:27AM

    @oldabeintx said:
    Gold dollars are less popular because of their diminutive size. Us geezers wear glasses, so that’s not it. Big coins are just more impressive to many folks. Also there’s the amount of gold stored.

    obviously but my point was that may shift now that gold content is now punitive towards avg people. Stacking double eagles now is different than when they were a few hundred bucks out of the back of coin world.

    Gold will contiune to draw people and if gold doesn't calm down dollars and 1/4 eagles might be all that is within reach

    11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set

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