Who else is suprised that Franklin Comms have been a loser?

KeithinMD · February 17, 2007 11:18PM

Yes, I would admit that the designs could have been better, but wow, graded samples can be bought on ebay for for near issue.

ziggy29 · February 17, 2007 11:35PM

That's because I bought one.

jmj3esq · February 17, 2007 11:39PM

They seemed like they were going to be hot, but the anticipation of the 20th Anniv. ASE and AGE releases killed the hype. They are now big duds. Good thing I sold mine for a profit a while back.

richardshipp · February 17, 2007 11:44PM

<< That's because I bought one. >>

Maybe because I bought 4

1977topps · February 17, 2007 11:46PM

<< That's because I bought one. >>

That makes two of us.

Goldbully · February 17, 2007 11:49PM

I think it's still a bit early to draw the 'loser' conclusion on these Franklin Comm's.

Heck, I bought a NGC MS70 2005 Marine Corps for $85.

Time will tell, as always!!

19Lyds · February 17, 2007 11:53PM

Don't forget me! I bought one of each!

I'm very good at picking losers!

On a serious note though, I do like the design of the coins and regardless of their long term appreciation or depreciation, they have a spot in my collection.

Hyperion · February 18, 2007 12:31AM

bought 8, flipped 4 on the bay for double issue. I have 4 free coins in the collection.
no loser there

I like free

Bochiman · February 18, 2007 3:55AM

I like the reverse of one of them....I bought 3 of each (12) and sold 7. Kept a complete set for my son and one extra of the founding father one.
The "scientist" one looks like crap, imho.

Since I sold more than enough to pay for what I kept, I don't have a problem with them

combatmailman · February 18, 2007 4:07AM

Look at population reports, too many have been graded which floods the market, I myself purchased 2 sets as I collect them for the reason I am from Philidelphia originally, I collect all franklin coins.

TWQG · February 18, 2007 4:15AM

<< graded samples can be bought on ebay for for near issue. >>

-That's my cue

CarlWohlforth · February 18, 2007 4:18AM

I like Franklin. I also liked the Founding Father commems so I have some. I'm not surprised they didn't go up in value.

What surprises me is how some other things did go up in value, such as first strike and 20th Anniversary bullion.

dpoole · February 18, 2007 4:22AM

Too many of them were minted.

Modern Commems can be fun and interesting to collect, but they rarely do much investment-wise. It's because there are so many of them, they're so easy to acquire, their mintages are large for such thinly-traded issues, and they have such a high survivor rates (practically all of them are in drawers somewhere).

From time to time, the Mint won't make very many of a particular issue because of unusually low demand or late-year minting. These can appreciate nicely (like the 1996 Jackie Robinson MS $5 gold, mintage: 5,174, Trends: $4200, or the 2000 Library of Congress bimetallic MS $5 plat/gold, mintage: 6,683, Trends: $800). Mintage numbers count more than anything else. Lower mintages by and large occur among the MS rather than the proofs.

RedTiger · February 18, 2007 5:45AM

Not really a loser as of yet. When they trade for a low melt value or 20% back of issue price, they can earn that designation.

I am not surprised. The long term winners tend to be low mintage (less than 20,000 by one researcher), coins issued during economic hard times (record low unemployment for 2006). It is more amazing to me that some coins/sets have been big winners given their large mintages, and the healthy economy during time of issue. I doubt this trend can continue.

airplanenut · February 18, 2007 5:51AM

"Ben Franklin has always been a loser. He is stupid, fat, and it's really no surprise that his coin was a loser, too. I can't believe anyone would buy something so repulsive."

-Donald Trump

RichieURich · February 18, 2007 5:56AM

<< "Ben Franklin has always been a loser. He is stupid, fat, and it's really no surprise that his coin was a loser, too. I can't believe anyone would buy something so repulsive."

-Donald Trump >>

Ben Franklin is on several coins. Donald Trump will never be on one.

Bear · February 18, 2007 6:02AM

So you are saying that the average collectors selection of

weiners, usually inverse to the world of reality. You got to

listen to the wonderkinds on the Forum. More times then not,

they will be spot on. After you have absorbed all the collective

knowledge, then make your own mind up

Beware, however, depending on mintage and demand, you might not have

a whole lot of time to make up what is referred to as a mind. It is all somewhat

of a gamble. But, you pays your money and you takes your chances.

lilbear8 · February 18, 2007 6:08AM

Not really a loser as of yet. When they trade for a low melt value or 20% back of issue price, they can earn that designation

The chronicle sets are a loser. They are selling on flee bay for bout $40.00. Issue price was $65.00.

sinin1 · February 18, 2007 9:30AM

I saw big man Chambers peddling them on CoinVault for weeks claiming their success is practically a no-brainer (i guess he was talking about him making money from the chumps)

jmj3esq · February 18, 2007 9:36AM

I used to kinda like Trump. After hearing that, I am reconsidering.

291fifth · February 18, 2007 9:42AM

The modern US Mint coin issue market is a "flipping" market. If they can't be flipped for a quick profit they will quickly be abandoned. Mintages for the Franklin issues were too high to be of any interest to the "flippers."

Hyperion · February 18, 2007 9:43AM

<< Not really a loser as of yet. When they trade for a low melt value or 20% back of issue price, they can earn that designation

The chronicle sets are a loser. They are selling on flee bay for bout $40.00. Issue price was $65.00.

>>

chron will be a secret winner way in the future when people are looking for unpicked over examples that might hit the random "70" grade

Barndog · February 18, 2007 9:59AM

I like the design of the coin. How can a coin be a loser if one likes what he sees?

ElKevvo · February 18, 2007 11:20AM

Ben Franklin is on several coins. Donald Trump will never be on one.

I can see it now, after the States/President/First Lady series the Mint comes out with an 'Icons of Capitalism' series that will get your picture on a coin for a 'donation' of a 100 million or so. Not that I think Trump is a good representative but a lot of folks from NY think so...and he does too!

K

PokerGenius · February 18, 2007 11:25AM

I was lucky....I bought two each of the UNC designs...sold one of each for what I paid for all 4...so i got one of each design for free....I'm hapy with them.

GAT · February 18, 2007 11:58AM

Bought three of the scientist's proofs, didn't like them and sold them fast and cancelled the rest of my orders including the chronicles and lived happily every after. I also cancelled all my San Francisco orders which appears to be a wise move. I have no in interest in the Williamsburg or Little Rock issues.

Coinlearner · February 18, 2007 12:19PM

I bought 10 proof, 5 unc., founding father & didn"t sell. Oh well, still like design. Sent them ,along with bunch of others, to pcgs. Maybe , a 70 or two will happen,

May end up putting them away. Win some-lose some

RichieURich · February 18, 2007 12:28PM

<< Ben Franklin is on several coins. Donald Trump will never be on one.

I can see it now, after the States/President/First Lady series the Mint comes out with an 'Icons of Capitalism' series that will get your picture on a coin for a 'donation' of a 100 million or so. Not that I think Trump is a good representative but a lot of folks from NY think so...and he does too!

K >>

The coin would have to be the size of the big round stones used for coins on the island of Yap, in order to be able to fit in both Trump's hair and his ego.

gemstatecoins · February 18, 2007 12:54PM

I don't think these will be a loser in the long run.... right now they are taking a back seat to all the other hot late releases from 2006.

PokerGenius · February 18, 2007 1:00PM

I love the designs and am very happy with them. I dont care what they do in the long or short run..i bought them to keep them.

CoinMaster1229 · February 22, 2007 10:40AM

I Jumped on the Founding Father Uncirculated. ( BN4 )Sold Out in one week. limited to 250,000 pcs between Proof and uncirculated options. with 50,000 proofs held for legacy sets. that leaves only 200,000 coins left. also no 2 or 4 coin options made available by the mint. the BN-4 is likely the lowest mintage of the 4 coins available. however, No official Mintage numbers have been released yet. I have seen the estimates, 58,000 Unc.`s for both scientist & founding father. but chronicles set with 50,000 unc. Scientists sold, is going to have mintages much higher than 58,000. I am still hoping for the founding father to come in less than 58,000. The Mint is sure taking there time, releasing the final numbers.

ellewood · February 22, 2007 11:13AM

i bought 99 at the pre-issue price and flipped every single one on eBay for between $65 & $75. I have not been tracking them since but I'm surprised to hear that they are tanking.

garymc · February 22, 2007 2:32PM

Personally I like the coins, so I'm not really concerned what they are selling for on eBay. I'm planning on keeping mine anyway.

Musky1011 · February 23, 2007 7:41AM

I bought one of each uncirculated
Here is one of them

Jim

PrivateCoinCollector · February 23, 2007 7:43AM

I stayed away. The mintage was way to high.

BECOKA · February 23, 2007 7:49AM

I beleive most people on this forum were touting these when they came out because there were going to be half of the normal amount due to two silver designs being produced.

Now everyone is saying they produced too many.

So which is it, too many in comparison to other commems (Not an options as the mintage was restricted) or just too many period?

Personally I think they were fantastic designs and chose them as my first commems.

Heywood · February 24, 2007 6:54PM

I like the coins, but sold my extra sets shortly after issue for a liitle profit.

I lost out on the Chronicles set- I don't know if they will be a source for un picked over MS coins, as My opened set and others I have heard from thought they looked 68 tops.

ttown · February 24, 2007 10:15PM

Humm, I paid $32 and $35 for mine, are they selling below that? Some of you guys always preaching collecting crack me up when it comes to moderns and your so worried about the price and losing money. In general a hobby won't make you money even if you make a profit when compared putting that money in the bank. The Modern dollars are a great change of pace from dead presidents and will be an nice series to collect in the future without being rich for those starting in the hobby.

Omega · February 24, 2007 11:05PM

I have one of each. I like them. I like Franklin. My Grandkids can decide if the Franklin Comms are "losers".

blueifalcon · February 24, 2007 11:22PM

Donald Trump must be an idiot if he said that about Franklin. Maybe he failed history or something! Anyway, I guess I made the right decision not to invest in the Franklins commemoratives at the time of issue, but will consider them now at a much more reasonable price on ebay.

Barndog · February 24, 2007 11:25PM

<< I have one of each. I like them. I like Franklin. My Grandkids can decide if the Franklin Comms are "losers". >>

that is the right attitude!

RYK · February 24, 2007 11:28PM

<< I like Franklin. I also liked the Founding Father commems so I have some. I'm not surprised they didn't go up in value.

What surprises me is how some other things did go up in value, such as first strike and 20th Anniversary bullion. >>

My sentiments exactly. I purchased the Franklin commems because I like them, not because I hope to fleece someone selling them. I do not consider them to be a "loser".

foxxze · February 24, 2007 11:30PM

LOOSERS ?? LOOSERS !!!????????

to say that is an understatement - for all the hype and all the intrest and everyone and their grandma buying a boatload of them

they have proved to be very dissapointing indeed . I bought one , and I had not bought a gov. mint issue since I wasted my money on that pityfull Washington Half more then twenty years ago ......i sold it at a loss and I sold this p.o.s Franklin at a loss too

RYK · February 24, 2007 11:49PM

<< LOOSERS ?? LOOSERS !!!????????

to say that is an understatement - for all the hype and all the intrest and everyone and their grandma buying a boatload of them

they have proved to be very dissapointing indeed . I bought one , and I had not bought a gov. mint issue since I wasted my money on that pityfull Washington Half more then twenty years ago ......i sold it at a loss and I sold this p.o.s Franklin at a loss too >>

I guess that thinking is what separates us collectors from you investors. My appreciation of the coin (or any other) is not bound by my ability to flip it for a quick profit.

Zoins · February 25, 2007 12:08AM

I actually think having the coins not immediately go through the roof is a good thing for collectors since there's no "emergency rush" to get the coins. You get the coins you like when you want. To me, that makes collecting more enjoyable. They were sold out at the Mint when I got around to looking at them so I appreciate being able to buy them at a slight premium from issue.

When talking about "losers," I think many collectors lost out on the 20th Anniversary ASEs by not getting them directly from the Mint. At least with these, there was a low per-household limit so people had a reasonable shot at getting them.

One difference between the Franklins and the ASEs is that the Franklins had a per-household limit of 100 and the 20th Ann ASE set had a per-household limit of 10. Perhaps the high limit on the Franklins caused many of those coins to end up with speculators looking for a quick flip and not initially with collectors? Also perhaps collector demand is lower than the maximum mintage and it was only the speculators that pushed the final mintages so high.

Who else is suprised that Franklin Comms have been a loser?

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