When is a coin collection worth more than the sum of it's parts?

Shamika · May 30, 2005 4:06AM

Financially speaking that is.

markglicker · May 30, 2005 4:07AM

When it was owned by Eliasberg.

topstuf · May 30, 2005 4:08AM

ziggy29 · May 30, 2005 4:13AM

Perhaps when it's part of a famous collection, such as the King of Siam set. More generically, some coins may get a bit of a bump from some pedigrees.

BillJones · May 30, 2005 4:14AM

Probably one that is #1 on the PCGS Registry.

I would think that some rich guys who want to be #1 would pay a premium for a set that would put him there with little or no effort.

joeyuk · May 30, 2005 4:15AM

I would say more obscure items. Take the ARRC bingles. Each piece becomes available
infrequently but if a person was interested I think they would pay more for the complete set.

airplanenut · May 30, 2005 4:19AM

How about when it's matching and original?

An original coin is nice... a carefully matched, original set is far nicer--the display is a cost above and beyond the sum of the parts...

BillJones · May 30, 2005 4:24AM

Certainly one numismatic item that SHOULD BE worth more than its individual parts is an original Proof set from the early 20th century and before.

Quite offten these sets are sold a auctions inidividually and there is a lot where something like 5% is added to the previous bids and the set is offered intact. I've seem such sets attract the bids.

It really is a shame to break up a high grade original early Proof set.

291fifth · May 30, 2005 4:25AM

<< <i>Probably one that is #1 on the PCGS Registry.

I would think that some rich guys who want to be #1 would pay a premium for a set that would put him there with little or no effort. >>

This seems to be common practice among the very rich in regard to many hobbies. In my area (Detroit) car collecting is very popular. The blue collar car enthusiasts often restore their own cars and then proudly display them at various shows/cruises in this area. There are also some shows, two I can think of in particular, that are the domain of the very rich. Most of these guys buy their cars fully restored or pay someone else to do it. I respect the guy who restored his own Pontiac Judge far more than the rich guy who merely bought his way to the top. I recall several years ago when a fully restored early 30's Cadillac won a high award at one of the "rich guy" shows. It turns out the owner bought it the week before. Unfortunately, there was a big storm the next night and a tree fell on the car and damaged it.

Shamika · May 30, 2005 4:51AM

<< <i> I would say more obscure items. Take the ARRC bingles. Each piece becomes available infrequently but if a person was interested I think they would pay more for the complete set. >>

A complete set sold on eBay within the last year for ~$700 which was far more than I would have guessed. My bid was about half that much.

relayer · May 30, 2005 5:16AM

When the collection is synergetic.

Bear · May 30, 2005 5:35AM

It occures less then one might hope for.

northcoin · May 30, 2005 5:39AM

Just to "complete" a collection with non key date coins hardly does anything for the dollar value, although most dealers would lead collectors to believe otherwise

cladking · May 30, 2005 5:56AM

Complete sets are often easier to sell but not as often more valuable.

Another thing that can make a collection more than the sum of its parts is when
there are some unusual items in it. Undervalued and unusual items just seem to
attract more attention as part of a set and this can be reflected in the value.

rays · May 30, 2005 6:06AM

Almost never, as nearly all collections of really valuable coins are sold by auction, one lot at a time.

Nickelback · May 30, 2005 7:37AM

Mine would be (to me) if I could get a complete set of ARRC bingles...

Michael

mgoodm3 · May 30, 2005 8:01AM

<< <i>When the collection is synergetic. >>

i don't even know what that means, but strangely, it makes me want to spend more on coins that are.

Shamika · May 30, 2005 10:38AM

I wonder if it's possible to get a better deal from an auction house if you have a higher-end set?

RYK · May 30, 2005 10:45AM

When is a coin collection worth more than the sum of it's parts?

When someone is trying to sell you something.

morgannut2 · May 30, 2005 10:50AM

Outside of Proof sets and Laura's 3c piece set, I can't think of one.

tradedollarnut · May 30, 2005 10:52AM

When someone desires it greatly as a set ... and can afford to keep it together.

Eliasberg's set wasn't ... very few could afford to keep it together so it was broken apart.

morgannut2 · May 30, 2005 10:58AM

I just knew if I mentioned Laura's set the owner of the other ones worth more would speak up ((Hello TDN!!))

When is a coin collection worth more than the sum of it's parts?

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