Updated 5-23-06: As per some of your requests - my list of coins which I currently think represent &

coinguy1 · July 12, 2005 7:15AM

As per requests through private messages I have received and posts to a thread in which I asked for suggestions on topics of possible interest, below you will find a list of coins which I think offer "good value".

Before I get to the list, however, I'd like to note the following:

1) I do NOT recommend rare coins as investments.

2) I do NOT claim to know which coins will perform better than others in the future.

3) Coins which appear to be "undervalued" today often appear to be "undervalued" years later.

4) For those who do buy rare coins as investments, or even for the sheer pleasure of collecting, I recommend that the money spent not be a large % portion of their net worth and that they diversify, so as to avoid "putting all of their eggs in one basket".

5) The list below includes a number of coins/types which I frequently search for, but seldom see in problem-free, eye-appealing condition. In other words, from my experience, they are tough to locate and seem to represent good relative"value".

6) I have tried to omit certain coins/types which are rare enough, so as to make trying to locate them at reasonable prices an exercise in futility.

7) The list is composed primarily of US type coins, as that is the main area I have dealt (and do deal) in, and feel most qualified to comment on.

8) Occasionally you will find such coins/types in my inventory, but, if so, it will be infrequently and that has nothing to do with my listing the coins below. If I could obtain them in quantities and deal in them on a large scale basis, they would NOT appear on my list.

9) I guarantee you that I have omitted many great candidates and/or that I have included some clunkers. This is just my own, personal, subjective, imperfect list.

Finally, on to the coins.....

HALF CENTS:
Liberty Cap: VG and better
Draped Bust: AU and better
Classic: AU and better
Braided: MS64 and better

CENTS:
Liberty Cap: Fine and better
Draped Bust: XF and better
Classic: XF and better
Indian Cents: PR65BN and PR65RB and better
Lincoln Cents: (1909-1916) Matte proof PR65BN and PR65RB and better

TWO CENT PIECES: PR65BN and PR65RB and better

THREE CENT NICKELS: MS65 and MS66

HALF DIMES:
Flowing Hair: Good and better
Draped Bust Small Eagle: Good and better
Draped Bust Large Eagle: Good and better
No Stars: AU and better

DIMES:
Draped Bust Large Eagle:Fine and better
Capped Bust Large Size: XF and better
Capped Bust Small Size: AU and better
No Stars: AU and better
1853-1855 Arrows: MS63 and better
1873-1874 Arrows: MS63 and better
Liberty Seated: MS65 and better (attractively toned and clean)
Barber: MS65 and better (attractively toned and clean)

TWENTY CENT PIECES: MS63 and PR63 and better

QUARTERS:
Draped Bust Large Eagle: VG and better
Capped Bust Large Size: VF and better
Capped Bust Small Size: XF and better
1853 Arrows and Rays: AU and better
1854-1855 Arrows: AU and better
1873-1874 Arrows: AU and better
Liberty Seated: MS64 and better (attractively toned and clean)
Barber: MS64 and better (attractively toned and clean)
Standing Liberty: MS66 (non-Full-Head examples)

HALF DOLLARS
Flowing Hair: Good and better
Draped Bust Large Eagle: XF and better
Reeded Edge: AU and better
1853 Arrows and Rays: AU and better
1854-1855 Arrows: AU and better
1873-1874 Arrows: AU and better
Liberty Seated: MS64 and better (attractively toned and clean)
Barber: MS64 and better (attractively toned and clean)

DOLLARS:
Liberty Seated No Motto: AU and better
Liberty Seated With Motto: AU and better
Trade: MS62 and better

CLASSIC SILVER COMMEMORATIVES:
MS65 to MS67 examples under $1000, with a little something extra in the way of color and eye-appeal at reasonable premiums (roughly 50% or less) over their far more common, ho-hum, generic looking counterparts.

QUARTER EAGLES:
Classic: Fine to AU

HALF EAGLES:
Capped Bust (both types from1798-1812) Good to XF
Classic: XF to AU

GENERIC GOLD COINS:
If you wish to purchase generic/common gold coins/types, you can often find dates/issues with populations which are MUCH lower than those of the most common dates, but which trade at little, if any premium. Those are the ones I'd recommend.

dbldie55 · July 12, 2005 7:17AM

I guess I do not collect things that represent "good value".

mgoodm3 · July 12, 2005 7:22AM

I collect in a value area, although when you add color to the mix it ceases to be.

WACoinGuy · July 12, 2005 7:31AM

Neat list! I think I only have three coins that would fall on that list...

relayer · July 12, 2005 7:33AM

Nice job

I saved the list as "CoinGuy1's recommendations" (without the disclaimers though)

I agree especially on the IHC PR65+ They're relatively cheap for low pop coins.

But is it just a coincidence that this list matches your current inventory?

Myqqy · July 12, 2005 7:34AM

Apparently, I don't collect good value either.......

originalisbest · July 12, 2005 7:35AM

Only two items I own would fall on that list.

WACoinGuy · July 12, 2005 7:48AM

Oh yeah, and one of them I bought from Mark.

tjkillian · July 12, 2005 7:51AM

I have three of the items on the list. Those are the hard coins to even find, much less afford.

Tom

TommyType · July 12, 2005 7:57AM

Ha.....we all did the same thing. "What do I have on the list."

I hit on two of them, both being Seated Halves.

morgannut2 · July 12, 2005 8:04AM

I once had more than 15 draped bust type coins-- exactly one wasn't altered in some way!!! And those were the certified ones!!

Coinguy1 if you HAD to buy 5 Morgan examples and the customer wanted them to be special or unusual (not rare), which dates/mm and grade range would you pick for him to own for 10 years? They can't all be overvalued!! (BTW I'm not talking about A+ Monster gem obv. rainbows).

fc · July 12, 2005 8:19AM

GENERIC GOLD COINS:

It appears I am in sync with coinguy1.

What he is talking about is for example:

half eagles:

1904-S 1897-S 1896-S 1895-S 1894-S 1894-O 1893-O 1893-CC 1892-S 1892-O

1892-CC 1890-P 1889-P 1888-S etc....

these are the sweet coins among the widgets.

I already have 3 of them. 1904-S 1896-S and the 1892-S.

veryfine · July 12, 2005 8:22AM

<< I guess I do not collect things that represent "good value". >>

If there were only one coin series that can be classified as a good value, it would certainly be the Liberty Nickel. It is one of my favorite coins and very much undervalued in mint state grades. Even in high circulated grades, they are surprisingly difficult to find. IMO, they can only increase in popularity and value as time moves on.

Lakesammman · July 12, 2005 8:27AM

I assume your still working on the pattern list??

mirabela · July 12, 2005 9:18AM

This is a good thread. With type collecting evidently gaining in popularity, it seems likely that growing numbers of folks will start looking beyond the holes of the 7070 into earlier types, subtypes, etc. I can't see the demand for no-stars seated coins, arrows & rays, etc. doing anything but growing.

CoastGuard · July 12, 2005 9:58AM

That is a much larger list than I expected. Can it be narrowed down by half? You make some very good recommendations but there are too many possibilities to choose from. Do you just think I am made of coins or something?

Generic gold coins are such a good value as you noted.

DJC · July 12, 2005 10:38AM

Higher circulated earlier type, late 19th century MS and proof is dollar for dollar some of the coolest stuff on the market, and now it's got the coinguy1

What' not to love?

Bochiman · July 12, 2005 10:39AM

I can't wait until Russ finds the thread and reminds Mark he "accidentally" left off Kennedy halves

cladking · July 12, 2005 10:52AM

<< I can't wait until Russ finds the thread and reminds Mark he "accidentally" left off Kennedy halves

>>

Most of we crap collectors just get in the habit of not even opening this kind of thread.

...no one "accidently" puts Kennedys on the lists.

Shamika · July 12, 2005 11:20AM

The fact that you did not list Buffalo nickels gives your list credibility in my opinion.

LeeG · July 12, 2005 11:28AM

Sincerely Appreciated!

michael · July 12, 2005 2:01PM

superb recommendations for collector coins

with a reason to rise in demand

and like mark said you usually do not see them often with above average eye appeal

Trime · July 12, 2005 7:22PM

Mark,
Interesting list of harder to find relatively underappreciated coins.
No trimes?
As Yogi is alleged to have said:
"It is difficult to predict, particularly about the future."

MadMarty · July 12, 2005 9:01PM

Wow no modern crap on the list at all!!! Russ, your AH is not a good value. Please send it to me for proper disposal!!

Longacre · July 12, 2005 9:17PM

Great list, Mark. Thanks!!

FatMan · July 12, 2005 9:51PM

Mark

Thanks for taking the time to put this informative list together. I wonder how many would have made your list in 2000 and fall under your disclaimer #3

<< 3) Coins which appear to be "undervalued" today often appear to be "undervalued" years later. >>

coinguy1 · July 12, 2005 10:49PM

I might have caused a bit of confusion with my quote below and if so, I apologize.

It was not meant as a recommendation of generic gold coins as part of my list. Instead, my point was intended to be that IF one is set on acquiring generic gold coins, my advice would be to purchase tougher/lower population examples which can be acquired at common date prices, or at minimal premiums.

<< GENERIC GOLD COINS:If you wish to purchase generic/common gold coins/types, you can often find dates/issues with populations which are MUCH lower than those of the most common dates, but which trade at little, if any premium. Those are the ones I'd recommend. >>

BillJones · July 12, 2005 10:55PM

<< HALF EAGLES:

Capped Bust in Good or Better >>

I generally agree with your list, Mark, both do really think that these coins that are worn all the way down to Good are a "good" buy. Frankly I would not want to get involved with anyting lower than an attractive VF in this area.

GOLDGUY · July 12, 2005 11:34PM

So you're finally going to start selling that neat hoard of circ Type?

mhammerman · July 12, 2005 11:50PM

"IF one is set on acquiring generic gold coins, my advice would be to purchase tougher/lower population examples which can be acquired at common date prices, or at minimal premiums."

If only one could...good case for metal detecting because unless you are buying collections from heirs, you're out rummaging through the same overpriced/overgraded slabs with the rest of us.

Do appreciate your list and opinions though, always a nice contribution from you.

FatMan · July 12, 2005 11:59PM

<< So you're finally going to start selling that neat hoard of circ Type? >>

Ouch, You're Busted.

oreville · July 13, 2005 12:16AM

Coinguy: Good list indeed. A couple of questions come to mind. An example of such questions:

Why not bust dimes (large eagle) in G/VG when bust half dimes in G/VG made the list? I am NOT questioning you here; just wondering if you had given that area specific thought in addition to your stated subjective et al criteria.

In addition, there are many areas in which in specified a minimum graded to make your list. Could you expand on a sampling of them?

100proof1957 · July 13, 2005 1:11AM

Dammit !

Anybody wanna buy a couple top 10 registry sets ?

Nysoto · July 13, 2005 1:47AM

It is good to see at least some of the lower grades included, dealers usually hype the high grades. My experience and other collectors opinions is that early copper and all bust coins have steadily increased in value with lower grades. 1795 halves in F12 have tripled in 5 years. There is an increasing collector base for these coins, they will not be as prone to speculation as the high flyers, just like back in 1989.

coinguy1 · July 13, 2005 3:49AM

Replies to some of your questions....

<< Coinguy1 if you HAD to buy 5 Morgan examples and the customer wanted them to be special or unusual (not rare), which dates/mm and grade range would you pick for him to own for 10 years? They can't all be overvalued!! (BTW I'm not talking about A+ Monster gem obv. rainbows >>

I don't carefully examine or handle too many business strike Morgan dollars, other than some colorfully toned pieces from time to time. But, if forced to pick some dates, going by memory/experience and not doing much population report or price research, I'd pick from among: 1880 MS65,1885-S MS65, 1886-S MS65, 1888-S MS65, 1889-S MS65, 1890 MS65, 1890-S MS65, 1897-S MS66, 1898-S MS65, 1899 MS65 and 1899-S MS65.

<< I assume your still working on the pattern list?? >>

Um, sure, yes - check back with me on that, later, much later.

<< That is a much larger list than I expected. Can it be narrowed down by half? >>

It could be, but it wont be. The more choices, the better, as far as I'm concerned. Also, it's not like you can usually find large quantities of nice examples of the coins listed.

<< The fact that you did not list Buffalo nickels gives your list credibility in my opinion >>

Does that mean that if I had included Buffalo Nickels my list would not have had credibility?

<< Mark, Interesting list of harder to find relatively underappreciated coins.
No trimes? >>

A most surprising question from someone with the username "Trime"

I considered them but see enough of them around to exclude them from the list - sorry.

<< HALF EAGLES:
Capped Bust in Good or Better >>

<<I generally agree with your list, Mark, both do really think that these coins that are worn all the way down to Good are a "good" buy. Frankly I would not want to get involved with anyting lower than an attractive VF in this area. >>

I think those are great collector coins and rarely see them (even) in lower grades such as that. Regardless of how low the grade range I recommend, I still suggest not settling for undesirable/unappealing examples.

<< Why not bust dimes (large eagle) in G/VG when bust half dimes in G/VG made the list? >>

I had considered including the Draped Bust Dimes in those grades too. The Half Dimes are noticeably tougher as a type, though, and the dimes can often be found in (appreciably) higher grades, so they aren't quite as interesting to me.

JadeRareCoin · July 13, 2005 3:56AM

If I were asked, I would simply say that Early U.S. Coins (pre-1837) in original condition are good values at today's prices. The only exception is that we are recommending Sacagawea Dollars in VF-AU as great investment material. In fact, we just sold MadMarty 100,000 Sacagawea Dollars in NTC EF-40. He should do well with those.

morgannut2 · July 13, 2005 5:44AM

Coinguy1- I fully understand not thinking some Morgans are good values, then I looked at your "forced to buy" list!! WOW-- For someone who doesn't collect/sell them, that is an incredibly sophisticated list. For example, most Morgan collectors have no clue how tough it is to find a "ordinary" 1880-P in gem or better!!! They just lump them in with commons, when in fact it's a rare day a PQ example shows up at auction with great eye appeal--

The only change I'd make to your list is to drop the 1897-S and add the 1896-S in PQ MS64. Of course there zero DMPLs in that date and only a few prooflikes, so I'd go for lovely eye-appealing toning on the date to make it unique or special.

Basically I think you busty selections are great, but one really needs a top dealer to look at the coins because such a large number are altered, doctored and otherwise messed up over the years--Of course the reason they're "good value" if nice_

mirabela · July 13, 2005 5:54AM

Why the 1899 Morgan? Isn't there a gigantic hoard of them someplace?

michael · July 13, 2005 7:29AM

this thread is definate ttt

Rampage · February 23, 2006 7:59AM

CTcollector · February 23, 2006 10:51AM

Hi Mark - Just curious why original seated proof was not on the list ? Not saying that they should be - but just curious to why you might have ruled these out...tks..

JDelage · February 24, 2006 6:58AM

Also, it would be interesting to know if those are still the ones.

ILikeMercs · February 24, 2006 8:23AM

anyone wanna pick thru my garbage can?.............I only have one coin on that list..........

Russ · February 24, 2006 8:27AM

<< I can't wait until Russ finds the thread and reminds Mark he "accidentally" left off Kennedy halves >>

He should have included PR68CAM Accented Hairs. Since he posted this thread, they've doubled in value.

Russ, NCNE

michael · May 22, 2006 9:24AM

mark what do you think of gem proof morgan dollars??

dizzyfoxx · May 22, 2006 9:30AM

Thanks Mark!

MikeInFL · May 22, 2006 9:45AM

Mark, As this thread is now just over a year old (and one I bookmarked and printed out long ago), are there any changes to your list? Take care...Mike

coinman420 · May 22, 2006 9:59AM

<< I guess I do not collect things that represent "good value". >>

lol...me too

relayer · May 22, 2006 11:39AM

Was he right?

pharmer · May 22, 2006 11:50AM

<< Was he right?

>>

His current World Series ranking could answer that

lkenefic · May 22, 2006 12:01PM

wow...don't I feel charmed...I have three on the list. One half cent and two Large Cents that go XF.

wooohooo...

Updated 5-23-06: As per some of your requests - my list of coins which I currently think represent &

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