If you had $10k to spend on one coin... what would it be?

ChrisRx · May 11, 2007 1:58PM

I am just a college student (21 years old) and have a really nice coin collection... BUT...
I don't have that centerpiece coin. Now my question what coin would be the best one to get with a 10k budget.
I'm thinking of rarity, big potential for an increase in value, and popularity in the series (so no 20 cent pieces!)

Thanks!
-=-Chris-=-

tightbudget · May 11, 2007 1:59PM

A high XF-low AU 1916-D dime.
Welcome to the boards!

ChrisRx · May 11, 2007 2:01PM

hey thanks tb!
would love more suggestions!

clw54 · May 11, 2007 2:02PM

I wouldn't. There are too many shenanigans in the hobby to put that much money into it. Too many operators, compared to the number of people who respect the coins and believe in being caretakers. I didn't feel this way until recently. I think it was the doctored Gobrecht that convinced me to keep it inexpensive. That was the last straw.

persaus · May 11, 2007 2:03PM

1798 Draped Bust Small Eagle

ChrisRx · May 11, 2007 2:04PM

eep, well I would sure have it certified!

Cladiator · May 11, 2007 2:06PM

Nice, original, crusty AU 1795 Half Dime.

ziggy29 · May 11, 2007 2:11PM

Something relatively high grade and dated 1790-something.

dtkk49a · May 11, 2007 2:13PM

A 1909 VDB Matte Proof Lincoln

ChrisRx · May 11, 2007 2:15PM

So far it seems the majority of you think late 1700's is the trick...
No 1893-s morgan?

tightbudget · May 11, 2007 2:16PM

<< So far it seems the majority of you think late 1700's is the trick...
No 1893-s morgan? >>

That's also not a bad idea to pick one up in like XF. IMO, I'd buy anything that's a key date.

Wolf359 · May 11, 2007 2:18PM

Deep Cameo Proof Morgan....talk about eye appeal...

ziggy29 · May 11, 2007 2:20PM

<< So far it seems the majority of you think late 1700's is the trick...
No 1893-s morgan? >>

The 18th century coinage and key dates have two things in common: they are always in high demand in pretty much all market conditions, and they don't tend to tank in value as much as most coins during a bear market. There's usually a lot of people waiting to buy these on even a small dip.

numobri · May 11, 2007 2:25PM

Late 1700's is good.

Brian

LeeBone · May 11, 2007 2:33PM

You`re not going to lose adding a

1893-S to your collection, IMO.

beep · May 11, 2007 2:41PM

Hi Chris, I like these.

Love the flying eagle cents

beep · May 11, 2007 2:42PM

tydye · May 11, 2007 2:48PM

Something dated 1793, 94 or 95

Aegis3 · May 11, 2007 2:53PM

If I did, it would be a 1915 or 1936 Assay Commission medal, assuming that would pay for one of those. I'd also have no delusions about price increases with these, though anything is possible.

HighRelief · May 11, 2007 2:53PM

The 1892-CC in MS64 DMPL for around $10,000.00 I have seen this coin triple in price over the past five years.

Zoins · May 11, 2007 2:55PM

<< The 1892-CC in MS64 DMPL for around $10,000.00 I have seen this coin triple in price over the past five years. >>

But do you predict it will triple again in the next five years?

HighRelief · May 11, 2007 3:00PM

<< 

<< The 1892-CC in MS64 DMPL for around $10,000.00 I have seen this coin triple in price over the past five years. >>

But do you predict it will triple again in the next five years? >>

No Zoins, the probability of that happening is not to likely, but if I had $10K to spend on one coin, this would be the one.

jpo1965 · May 11, 2007 3:36PM

J-1392 in pf65

MrEureka · May 11, 2007 3:41PM

I'd hunt for a choice proof transitional 1863 two cent piece or 1865 Rays nickel.

GoldenEyeNumismatics · May 11, 2007 4:13PM

get an AU 1918/7 D Buffalo Nickel. THey are always going up in value

WTCG · May 11, 2007 4:17PM

I've always found that a great centerpiece is a coin that has astounding eye appeal that can grab the attention of most people at first sight. For $10K I would recommend cameo proof gold coins in the PR63 or PR64 range or a proof seated halves or dollars. Proof Morgans are a good idea too.

I wouldn't recommend any circulated or lower mint state key date coins as a centerpiece because to a non-collector they can't really tell the difference between an MS68 1880-S Morgan or an AU50 1893-S other than that the MS68 looks much more attractive although the 1893-S is worth more money.

antonyfire · May 11, 2007 9:22PM

1861-C half eagle

Coxe · May 11, 2007 9:52PM

<< The 1892-CC in MS64 DMPL for around $10,000.00 I have seen this coin triple in price over the past five years. >>

For DMPLs, I like the 1879 65DMPL or 1891 64DMPL in this range. They haven't gotten the traction they truly deserve in big part due to the fact that they are Philly issues with available proofs. The ones from 1921, all mints, with DMPL fields are also exceptional values that have future potential.

I like the early copper suggestions myself though. Get a problem-free liberty cap cent in PCGS choice. Won't go out of style.

sbeverly · May 11, 2007 9:56PM

I agree with the comments on coins from the 1700's

roadrunner · May 11, 2007 10:14PM

1854-1855 Arrows quarter - strict original MS65 with decent appeal.

I've not seen one in years. It's been on my want list longer. Most are dipped, cleaned, hairlined, etc. Bid is under $7,000 (good luck)
Conserved schlock is available and around or under bid.
The half dollar is much easier to find in legit 65...and even 66.

A nice MS63 draped bust quarter. Very underrated. Most are not unc, most have only half luster, and most have iffy strikes. As I recall same pops as the MS64 draped bust quarters. Good value if you can even find one.

roadrunner

STONE · May 11, 2007 10:29PM

1804 Bust Quarter in EF-40. This is such a sleeper next to the 1796 Qaurter, that I'm positive that when the new die variety book comes out this year or next, that the price for this coin in this grade will double.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

AnkurJ · May 11, 2007 10:36PM

A nice chain cent.

roadrunner · May 11, 2007 10:53PM

A gem proof Seated dollar is always a popular coin. Might be a tad higher than $10K.....ok then substitute a Trade dollar. Still neat.

While we'd all love to buy an 1804 25c in XF for $10,000 but I'd bet that it is no longer achievable. Probably a nice VF for that money is what market is today. The market is loaded with AG-Good 1804 quarters (much like the overrated 1901-s). But trying to find a nice Fine or better is a chore indeed. If we're loading up on coins that have very low CDN valuations then make mine XF-AU "S" mint quarters from 1860 to 1872. Many of those are at half the true market price. Many early silver bust coins (half dimes and up) have laughable CDN values. And in some cases CDN has overcorrected while doubling or tripling some (witness an UNC 1800 dime going from $6K to $28K sometime last year).

1804 dime is another key date that is loads rarer than the 1804 quarter, much rarer than 1801/1802 halves, and many other so called rarities. Price guides list a VF at $5,000 yet I don't think you could buy a VF coin for under $10K. Most are damaged. It's as rare as any of the low mintage CC dimes with exception of the 74-cc....and it's not far behind that one either. The 1804 dime has been on my want list ever since I bought a damaged Fine at a local show in the 1970's for $200. It was pretty beat up too...net good. 30 years and still looking. From the 1970's on I always felt the 1804 and 1874-cc dimes were the 2 most underrated date/mints in the entire dime series. Just wish I could have landed some along the way...but then again, that's why they were so underrated: low catalog price and very few coins available. I'd bet no more than 75-100 of the 1804 dimes are left.

Another choice - gem MS seated halves or quarters from the 1840's.
You can find the half for under $10K when it surfaces, but I think the quarter is history. Though a MS64++ near gem 25c is darn good.

roadrunner

oreville · May 12, 2007 12:02AM

Here is a slightly different response from the others:

I would buy back one of my PCGS 1945-P MS-65FB mercury dimes in a heartbeat for $10,000!

I sold mine two years ago or so as I had two of them and said silly to have two of them. The day I sold it, I regretted doing so.

This coin has not fully matured and I believe is still poised for approaching greatness a one of the most unobtainable condition rarities of the 20th century. Of course, the 1955 DDO cent in superb MS-64RD is another good 2nd choice as they are increasingly popular.

Jcarney · May 12, 2007 12:18AM

<< A nice chain cent. >>

Agree. I'd buy the nicest Chain Cent I could find for the money.

notwilight · May 12, 2007 12:22AM

<< 

<< A nice chain cent. >>

Agree. I'd buy the nicest Chain Cent I could find for the money. >>

Close to agreeement, I'd buy the nicest 93 liberty cap I could get--quite a bit more rare. --Jerry

jobiwan115 · May 12, 2007 12:35AM

<< So far it seems the majority of you think late 1700's is the trick...
No 1893-s morgan? >>

Chris, welcome to the boards!

You're not far off what I would get - a 1895-S Morgan in MS-64PL - the only year missing from my Morgan collection.

ziggy29 · May 12, 2007 12:39AM

<< You're not far off what I would get - a 1895-S Morgan in MS-64PL - the only year missing from my Morgan collection. >>

That could be a good pick, too. Even with a mintmark, the 1895 date is something special to a lot of Morgan collectors and anything dated 1895 is the 'key' to a year set of Morgans. As such, its ongoing demand is pretty well assured.

LincolnCentMan · May 12, 2007 12:40AM

1) No problem VG Chain cent.
2) No problem XF45-AU50 1916-D Merc.
3) No problem XF40 1893-S Dollar
4) No problem 1877 indian in as nice as you can find for 10K

Coins I would avoid:
1901-S Quarter
1916 Standing Liberty Quarter

-David

SilverEagles92 · May 12, 2007 12:50AM

Highest grade 1907 High Relief Saint I could afford

sfs2002usa · May 12, 2007 12:59AM

My preference would be the High Grade Indian $2.50 or $5.00
I also like the 1794-1795 FH Dollars

dizzyfoxx · May 12, 2007 1:00AM

If I had 10k to spend on a coin, I'd probably spend it on a Golden Age superhero comic book.

fivecents · May 12, 2007 1:01AM

The most original highest grade small eagle bust dollar that 10K would buy.

roadrunner · May 12, 2007 1:08AM

At age 21 and in college, I'd pass on the centerpiece coin in favor of more stability and liquidity. You definitely want something that can't go down in value. I didn't see much listed here that doesn't have the potential to go down.

roadrunner

jobiwan115 · May 12, 2007 1:17AM

<< 

<< You're not far off what I would get - a 1895-S Morgan in MS-64PL - the only year missing from my Morgan collection. >>

That could be a good pick, too. Even with a mintmark, the 1895 date is something special to a lot of Morgan collectors and anything dated 1895 is the 'key' to a year set of Morgans. As such, its ongoing demand is pretty well assured. >>

Thanks Ziggy, that's what I was thinking.

oreville · May 12, 2007 1:21AM

<< I am just a college student (21 years old) and have a really nice coin collection... BUT...
I don't have that centerpiece coin. Now my question what coin would be the best one to get with a 10k budget.
I'm thinking of rarity, big potential for an increase in value, and popularity in the series (so no 20 cent pieces!) >>

I am glad roadrunner brought that up. I did not see that about being 21 years of age.

I happen to agree with roadrunner comments!

But something else just as important.

You are 21 years old!! You have many years to go before you acquire a "centerpiece" coin costing $10,000! It is too early for you to ultimately define yourself with a centerpiece coin costing so much. Limit yourself at this juncture in your life!!

I will bet you any sum of money that less than 1% of all great coin collectors defined themselves with centerpiece coins at the age of 21 unless they inherited such coins!

If you have $7000 or $8000 in coins you can trade in for your $10,000 centerpiece coin then that would be the only exception to my "edict."

Ramp up yourself in life but don't start AT THE TOP!

Do a set of coins instead if you wish to spend $10,000.

Fletcher · May 12, 2007 1:47AM

<< Nice, original, crusty AU 1795 Half Dime. >>

Absolutely, in my opinion the most undervalued series right now with serious long term upside potential. If you are patient, you can find a great one in AU for ~$8k. A very sexy date and a relatively low pop. Consider the following, three silver coins minted in 1795 ... 1795 Dollar, approximately 1500 certified by PCGS, price in AU ~$30k ... 1795 Half Dollar, approximately 1100 certified by PCGS, price in AU ~$30k ... 1795 Half Dime, approximately 450 certified by PCGS, price in AU ~$8k. There is the business end of the equation.

Now for your "centerpiece" evaluation ... you are at a big show and bring a few of your coins. You pull out a PQ $10k Morgan and people look at it, say "nice Morgan", and hand it back to you. Now, you pull out a PQ 1795 Half Dime ... people look at it, then they study the obverse, study the reverse, pull out their loupe and give it a once or twice over, then they proceed to describe the various traits of the coin in detail and wax philosophical about who might have had it in their pocket. Now you know I REALLY like the CC DMPL Morgans ... but the early flowing hair stuff just moves me on a different level and has a similar effect on most collectors and dealers. Definitely a "centerpiece".

That is my two cents ... now, here are my five

sle5150 · May 12, 2007 4:14AM

An MS-66 (or higher) Saint Gauldens

PerryHall · May 12, 2007 4:37AM

<< An MS-66 (or higher) Saint Gauldens >>

sle5150----Great choice and

TwoSides2aCoin · May 12, 2007 5:18AM

The best mint state 1856 Flying Eagle cent I could get for ten grand.
or, like Oreville says:
1955 DDO Lincoln cent.

If you had $10k to spend on one coin... what would it be?

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