What classic gold coin to purchase?

pauljuno · June 25, 2007 2:23PM

I'm hoping to hear from you collectors/dealers out there what would be the best bang for the buck today in purchasing a classic gold coin, I currently don't have any and intend on this being my next purchase. I own plenty of modern gold, so want something that can help with my type set. I'm somewhat leaning towards a common date $20 Saint Gaudens in MS65, some seem like a good deal. But would like to hear what others have to say.

Thanks for any feedback anyone has.

Paul

Cladiator · June 25, 2007 2:33PM

<< <i>I'm somewhat leaning towards a common date $20 Saint Gaudens in MS65 >>

For roughly the same money you could get yourself a very nice 19th Century branch mint half eagle. Say an 1885S in MS64 or so.

fc · June 25, 2007 2:34PM

what does a common date ms65 cost?

let me find the pic of the coin i was drooling at tonight.

10G. you could probably talk him down a bit tho.
odd. i messaged the guy on ebay about it and now i cannot
find it. jhamrickcoins.

was a bass ms62 1859 half eagle dripping with luster.
wierd.

For roughly the same money you could get yourself a very nice 19th Century branch mint half eagle

ah, such good advice. but you have to be oh so patient!!

ah, here it is, witness a really bad *** half eagle.

i emailed him i would trade my entire collection plus 1000 cash
for it :-||||

oldcameoproofsguy · June 25, 2007 2:44PM

A St Gaudens $20 gold piece in 65 would be good. I think that gold type right now is all great. The intrinsic value of gold is the best part.
For four times the bullion value of gold one can purchase a beautiful and scarce coin.

I am kind of growing partial to quarter eagles.

I just got this one for a little over $300.
It is a "common" date with a mintage of 201,060.
There have been a couple of big melt offs with a big one in the 1980's.
The 1916-D Mercury dime has a mintage of 264,000.
The 1909- S VDB Lincoln cent has a mintage of 484,000.
Sure mintages don't always say much but come on; this coin is made of gold!
I'll betcha there are about the same number of survivors of this coin as there are 16-D's and 09- S VDB's but for a small fraction of the price.

fc · June 25, 2007 2:46PM

when it comes to gold coins, it better have superior eye appeal
or you are in trouble!

look at the coin i posted. people will stop and stare at it.
seek out that look.

be it crusty and orange and makes you think where has it been?
or the look above of a properly graded stunning half eagle
that is basically a finest known and once owned by a amazing collector.

dont go for normal. dont go for average.

look for true stunning quality.

Joflax · June 25, 2007 4:20PM

1/4 and 1/2 eagles would be my bet , They have a very small collector base and can still be picked up at a reasonable price. Watch out though because a lot of them are overgraded , look for older slabs if you dont want to be ripped off or better still ,look at an older slab in hand. Be careful of raw coins cos there are a lot of fakes too.

Coxe · June 25, 2007 4:31PM

I always like rarity. There are some very difficult San Francisco quarter and half eagle dates, ones almost unheard of in uncirculated condition and tough to locate with really original surfaces. Often outside the top of the condition censi these are underappreciated and can be had reasonably. The astute buyer who seizes such an opportunity on one that wasn't cleaned may end up very happy later on. Or maybe not....I didn't make out like a bandit on those coins myself. Buy what YOU like and like what you buy.

Artist · June 25, 2007 4:45PM

I like the Indian $10.00 myself - I do not think I have gotten more satisfaction from owning any other coin. The design is so pretty and stately at the same time - by comparrison, IMHO, it makes the $20.00, especially the obverse, seem like a collage of sorts.

However, if I had $3K to spend on a coin, I would definately get a $3 Princess - another design I love but do not own yet.

RYK · June 25, 2007 9:49PM

<< <i>what does a common date ms65 cost?

let me find the pic of the coin i was drooling at tonight.

10G. you could probably talk him down a bit tho.
odd. i messaged the guy on ebay about it and now i cannot
find it. jhamrickcoins.

was a bass ms62 1859 half eagle dripping with luster.
wierd.

For roughly the same money you could get yourself a very nice 19th Century branch mint half eagle

ah, such good advice. but you have to be oh so patient!!

ah, here it is, witness a really bad *** half eagle.

i emailed him i would trade my entire collection plus 1000 cash
for it :-|||| >>

That coin was out of a recent Heritage auction. I saw the coin in person, and it had issues that would keep most of us from buying it. It's okay to fall in love with a coin, it's okay to fall in love with the image of a coin, but buy the coin, not the image.

As for the OP, he should buy what pleases him the most.

fc · June 26, 2007 12:22AM

and it had issues that would keep most of us from buying it.

wow. that sucks. do you remember the main problem with it?
a major luster disturbance? rub i am not seeing?

asin · June 26, 2007 12:32AM

$10.00 indians in au58 to ms63

RYK · June 26, 2007 1:15AM

<< <i>and it had issues that would keep most of us from buying it.

wow. that sucks. do you remember the main problem with it?
a major luster disturbance? rub i am not seeing? >>

Go back and look at the Heritage auction. I think that they discuss the issues in the description. It's an MS-65 coin "but for...."

pauljuno · June 26, 2007 5:08AM

Thanks for the input everyone! I'm now starting to flip-flop as I really did like the picture of the quarter eagle. I'm sure my wallet will be emptied shortly by some coin dealer!

fc · June 26, 2007 5:13AM

that coin above has a rough life as a finest known.
almost a 65 if.. there is no if ;-)

the highest graded is ms62.

so sorta conflicted ryk.
if one likes that date and mint should they hold out for the
other ms62? or a possible ms61 that is nicer looking?

i have a feeling i may never see a nicer 1859 half eagle?
i will look over that heritage auction tonight. tks for the tip.

good luck juno

What classic gold coin to purchase?

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