Are low mintage-key date coins a good buy in low grades?

Rampage · April 28, 2005 4:32AM

Why or why not?

Cheers, Richard.

greghansen · April 28, 2005 5:55AM

Here's a general answer to the general question. Yes.

If you have a specific 'low mintage-day date' coin in mind, I'm sure you'll get more direct responses. I'm primarily concerned because I don't know what you consider 'low mintage' is what I would consider 'low mintage' and I don't know whether what you consider a 'key date' is what I would consider a 'key date'. If I am to assume we could agree on those relative terms, however, the answer would remain; Yes.

Steve27 · April 28, 2005 5:59AM

Key dates are usually the only coins which appreciate as fast as or faster than the rate of inflation, so in any grade they're usually a good buy. However, if there has been a run-up in a particular key date (1901-S Barber quarter comes to mind), be cautious.

BAJJERFAN · April 28, 2005 6:53AM

I would think so since there are many collectors who cannot afford coins like the 1893-s Morgan in vf or better.

Longacre · April 28, 2005 6:55AM

<< <i>If you have a specific 'low mintage-day date' coin in mind, I'm sure you'll get more direct responses. I'm primarily concerned because I don't know what you consider 'low mintage' is what I would consider 'low mintage' and I don't know whether what you consider a 'key date' is what I would consider a 'key date'. If I am to assume we could agree on those relative terms, however, the answer would remain; Yes. >>

Spoken like a true lawyer.

Shamika · April 28, 2005 6:59AM

Key dates are always in demand regardless of grade. Thus they are a good buy in low grades.

Actually, I'm thinking key dates in high grades are a poor buy. I'll probably be proven wrong in short order, but the prices for high grade keys are incredible. They don't seem to have much upward potential in my opinion.

Myqqy · April 28, 2005 7:27AM

Yes- I think key dates are generally a good buy, even if in low grade. Key dates always have demand working on their side.....

partagas · April 28, 2005 8:09AM

Absolutely a good buy. Key dates are key because they are rare. Seems obvious and well it is.

As a collector, I will buy the first one that is problem free regardless of grade so long as I can afford it. I can always upgrade the coin and sell the duplicate later. Reason being is finding problem free keydate coins is very challenging for most series.

Rampage · April 28, 2005 9:48PM

<< <i>Here's a general answer to the general question. Yes.

If you have a specific 'low mintage-day date' coin in mind, I'm sure you'll get more direct responses. I'm primarily concerned because I don't know what you consider 'low mintage' is what I would consider 'low mintage' and I don't know whether what you consider a 'key date' is what I would consider a 'key date'. If I am to assume we could agree on those relative terms, however, the answer would remain; Yes. >>

Greg,

I guess one example would be an 1872 2-cent coin with a mintage of 65,000 (I think that's right). The grade on this particular coins I am looking at is VG and is priced below sheet bid.

Rampage · April 28, 2005 9:51PM

Forgot my manners...

Thank you to those who have replied so far.

ibzman350 · April 28, 2005 10:45PM

What partagas said...

"As a collector, I will buy the first one that is problem free regardless of grade so long as I can afford it. I can always upgrade the coin and sell the duplicate later"

I too look at them as good buys.

Herb

WACoinGuy · April 28, 2005 11:05PM

<< <i>I guess one example would be an 1872 2-cent coin with a mintage of 65,000 (I think that's right). The grade on this particular coins I am looking at is VG and is priced below sheet bid. >>

1872 two cent pieces don't seem to be as tough to find in VG or lower grades, and many of them have problems (so make sure this is a problem free specimin). The problem with two centers is that there aren't a lot of people that are collecting the series by date, which means there isn't as much demand for a specific date such as the key.

That said, the fact that you're able to buy such a rare coin for less than $300 seems like a steal to me. Just don't expect it to zoom up in price like other "hotter" keys might.

LanLord · April 28, 2005 11:48PM

Seems like all key date coins (regardless of grade) continue to go up in value much faster than their more common siblings.

Obviously, the higher the grade, the better off you'll be, easier to move if the spirit strikes, but there will always be
people looking for a nice AG or G coin like 16-d merc; 96-s, 01-s, 13-s quarters, 16 SLQ etc.

Colorfulcoins · April 29, 2005 1:43AM

Here's 3 great examples - a 1793 Chain Cent in PO01, a 1793 Cap cent in PCGS PO01, and a 1793 1/2 cent in PCGS FR02. All very low grade but very collectible and affordable (comparitively) in low grade.

goose3 · April 29, 2005 9:35PM

I think problem free key date coins (not semi key) in low grades are a safe buy in almost every series. Key dates are always in demand and when they are in lower grades, that opens up the door for ownership for many people that cannot afford to buy them in higher grades. This obviously creates a lot of competition for such a coin (coins like Craig has in his post-Craig I'd Love to buy that LibCap!)

I think all of this bs registry top pop hype has had an adverse impact on key dates in circ grades if you are a coin collector like me and not a plastic collector. The outrageous prices for the higher graded stuff being chased by the registry people has caused the basement prices to rise as well. Look at the prices on the 1901s quarter and the 1916 quarters in circulated grades over the past few years. Insane.

Here are 2 key date coins I picked up in the past year. G4 1796 quarter @7500

and a 1916/1916 nickel in VG8 @3950. I'd take these 2 coins ANY DAY over a comparable amount of '95w silver eagles.

Trime · April 29, 2005 9:49PM

Yes they are very collectable and will be in demand as the collector base expands. "Good buys" however implies a an anticipated increase in value. This is logical but dependent on what you pay to begin with and whether the price has already been inflated due to others anticipating the same hidden value as you.
S0.... as a generality... Nice examples of key dates if bought judiciously are likely to be good coins to put away.

mr1931S · April 29, 2005 10:21PM

"Are low mintage-key date coins a good buy in low grades?"

In general, I would say no. Specifically, there are some low mintage-key date coins in some series that would be "good buys" in low grade, in my opinion.

To get the "good buy," however, one must be certain that the grade is "right on" and the coin priced "right." For example,

'16 D dimes are low mintage relative to all Mercury dimes. '16 D is a key date in the Mercury dimes. '16 D is NOT a rare coin in low grade. Is an AG 03 '16 D a good buy at $400?

'74 CC dimes are low mintage relative to all Seated dimes. '74 CC is a key date in the Seated dimes. '74 CC is a rare coin in ALL grades. Is an AG 03 '74 CC a good buy at $400?

In my opinion, the AG 03 '16 D at $400 is not a good buy but the '74 CC in AG 03 at $400 would be a good buy, a great buy, in fact.

291fifth · April 29, 2005 10:41PM

Not at this stage of the coin business cycle. The key dates have risen rapidly in recent years. A cool-down is due...and cool-downs often last a very long time. Witness the period after the early 1960's coin boom and the late 1980's boom.

LincolnCentMan · April 29, 2005 10:56PM

Are low mintage-key date coins a good buy in low grades?

Generally speaking, if it's a key date in a no problem low grade, it's a safe place to stash some money. The only two low grade low mintage coins I'd avoid right now are the 01-S barber quarter and 16 standing liberty quarter. I feel these are way over rated for their prices.

David

Are low mintage-key date coins a good buy in low grades?

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