Rent A Rarity?????????

elwood · December 12, 2005 9:59AM

Since most of the ultra rare coins are beyond the reach of collectors to own. I think the owners of these historic coins should provide the numismatic world with a rental or lease program.

How much would you pay to "own" one of these rarities for a week or a month? They're National Treasures..right?

What would you pay to rent a:

1894-S Barber Dime?
1913 V Nickel?
1870-S Dollar or Half Dime?
1933 $20?
Etc.......

You get the idea.

kranky · December 12, 2005 10:20AM

I remember hearing at an ANA Summer Seminar that a group of large cent collectors sold and re-sold one particular ultra-rare cent to each other so they could all have the opportunity to have a complete set. Sounded like a gentlemen's agreement type of thing. I can't remember what cent it was.

Bustman · December 12, 2005 10:23AM

I wouldn't have any interest in that. Part of the excitement of coin collecting ( to me anyway) is pride of ownership. I'd rather own a $10,000 coin then rent a $1,000,000 coin.

tjkillian · December 12, 2005 10:24AM

It does not even need to be an ultra rarity to get me interested. I would enjoy just some MS-66 Seated Liberty Quarters and Half Dollars. How about "renting" Stewart Blay's indian cent collection?? I would pay money for that.

Tom

elwood · December 12, 2005 10:45AM

<< How about "renting" Stewart Blay's indian cent collection?? I would pay money for that. >>

How much would you pay?

Coxe · December 12, 2005 11:03AM

<< I remember hearing at an ANA Summer Seminar that a group of large cent collectors sold and re-sold one particular ultra-rare cent to each other so they could all have the opportunity to have a complete set. Sounded like a gentlemen's agreement type of thing. I can't remember what cent it was. >>

Some of the 1913 Liberty nickel trading I had figured to be a marketing ploy by some. It puts their names in the pedigree and pinning them up as dealers of unquestioned important provenance. I am not knocking it a bit either. Can't hold onto it for long though. What dealer wants to tie up millions in a static piece?

BECOKA · December 12, 2005 11:20AM

I could see renting for educational purposes. I would love to study the countries best VAM collection.

MrEureka · December 12, 2005 11:46AM

I could see renting for educational purposes.

Same here. For example, I'd pay to rent a great collection of Mexican War for Independence silver.

On the other hand, I wouldn't store somebody else's Brasher Doubloon in my safe deposit box unless they paid me.

Trime · December 12, 2005 12:18PM

It is like fantasy football. I like the idea. I could pick a series study four or five great collections , write a book , buy a boat and look at my collection on the PC.

my3cents · December 12, 2005 12:19PM

there are companies that allow you to "own" a luxury car for 12 weeks a year, or a Jet airplane, or a yacht. What's the difference?

nwcs · December 12, 2005 12:22PM

I've often thought about a rent-a-coin type of thing. I wish there was some way. I'd rather rent a coin for a while than own it.

elwood · December 12, 2005 12:51PM

<< On the other hand, I wouldn't store somebody else's Brasher Doubloon in my safe deposit box unless they paid me. >>

Andy..you wouldn't do it for free??? (If there were liability issues?)

MrEureka · December 12, 2005 1:36PM

Elwood - Yes, there are liability issues. I'd rather have a nice picture of the coin, thank you.

PerryHall · December 12, 2005 4:59PM

I wouldn't want to be responsible for caring for someone elses multimillion dollar rarity, especially if I have to leave collateral of equivalent value with the permanent owner.

LucyBop · December 12, 2005 7:39PM

In a way, we rent all of the coins we own.. so to speak,,

I see us as temporary stewards for a given period of time. Then the coins must move on, either because we need to sell, or we
leave this life, or they get passed along to our children.....

We must protect our coins today, so that future generations may enjoy them tomorrow.

PerryHall · December 12, 2005 9:13PM

Lucy---Great response as always.

pontiacinf · December 12, 2005 9:33PM

Id much rather talk stewart blay into providing paid guided tours of his outstanding collection

psst im first in line

Conder101 · December 13, 2005 12:17AM

<< I remember hearing at an ANA Summer Seminar that a group of large cent collectors sold and re-sold one particular ultra-rare cent to each other so they could all have the opportunity to have a complete set. Sounded like a gentlemen's agreement type of thing. I can't remember what cent it was. >>

1795 S-79 the reeded edge cent, the rarest of the Sheldon numbered varieties with only 4 1/2 specimens known. One is permantly impounded in the ANS collection, and one's location has been unknown since 1977.

The one they are talking about is the third finest known, a scudzy G-6 coin. The round robin of ownership began with its sale in the Robbie Brown sale in 1986. It went to Jack Robinson then to Lee Kuntz, to I believe one collector whose name escapes me, to J R Frankenfield, to D W Holmes, and back to Robbie Brown. I don't know who bought it out of the sale of Robbies second collection in 1996 but I have my suspicions. As mentioned each of these buyers, upon getting the S-79, completed their set of Sheldon numbered varieties. But they all had to use this coin because it is the only one that has been publicly sold since 1977.

RYK · December 13, 2005 12:21AM

I get to see and handle enough of the major rarities when I go to a major show (ie. ANA or FUN). Even with insurance and a bond for the coin, I would be too afraid to possess a coin that I could not myself afford to buy. In short, I am not interested in Rent-A-Rarity™.

LanLord · December 13, 2005 12:28AM

<< I wouldn't have any interest in that. Part of the excitement of coin collecting ( to me anyway) is pride of ownership. I'd rather own a $10,000 coin then rent a $1,000,000 coin. >>

I'm in agreement here. I'm sort of territorial that way, I want them for myself, not just for a week or a month but for life (or until I tire of them).

Rent A Rarity?????????

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