Classic Commems--The market

Ahrensdad · March 4, 2010 4:28AM

Well, this is apparently classic commem day here on the boards. In a recent article posted by HRH, I seem to recall he mentioned he would love to come across a six figure deal for classic commems. He felt that this is an area that remains undervalued. I have also thought this for some time, but there doesn’t seem to be much support for them on price sheets, I’m referring to the greysheet in particular. I understand the immediate response will be that the market remains strong for superior coins. Not everyone buys superior, high end coins. I’m talking about average collector coins; nice MS63/64 coins in the $300 or less range.

When do you think the market will come alive? Will it come alive? Does it really matter because it’s not gold bullion?

joebb21 · March 4, 2010 4:34AM

as is with every type of coin, its all about how many collectors there are for the series

yellowkid · March 4, 2010 4:37AM

We seem to revisit this theme from time to time. I agree, I think they are cheap, relatively speaking. There are a lot of them out there, but not in the upper tiers, especially if you want color, they go for multiples of their grey sheet prices if the color is right. As for their popularity? what can you say, every dog has his day.

lcoopie · March 4, 2010 4:43AM

a watched pot
doesn't seem to boil
around here

Ahrensdad · March 4, 2010 4:56AM

I get the watched pot and all, but 20 years seems like a long time...That's the last time this area of numismatics was hot, no?

sbeverly · March 4, 2010 5:06AM

I don't know but, is it because it's a smaller market than... lets say double eagles, so
a large promotion is not cost effective?

I apologize if this horse has been flogged. If so, I wasn't a part of the thread(s) then.

shorecoll · March 4, 2010 5:14AM

It's the board's fault. I used to collect average collector coins and thought they were fine. Now I really look at them and want the PQ for the grade examples. I see boatloads of graded commems that are not PQ for the grade and I don't want them. On the other hand, I can't afford ultra-PQ 67's, so I collect in a narrow group of PQ64/65/66. Doggy 63's are done for me and there are so many of them that they depress the market. I do think the PQ stuff will pop again, just nobody knows when, and will it drag the bottom up with it?, nobody knows that either. IMHO.

BigE · March 4, 2010 5:30AM

I have mixed feeling about the Early Commem. market not coming alive. One the one hand it is always great to see your coins appreciate, but on the other it makes it very relaxing not to feel rushed about completing a set. You always have the feeling that you can wait to find a better coin in the same grade you are looking for, unless of course you want the mega ones. I have spent the last 10 years putting together my set and it has been like savings account, basically no interest but no loss either. I say get a few now, unless you feel more comfortable doing so when the prices are higher. Lets face it, after 20 years something has gotta give!

Here is my set The BigE Collection

It averages 1 COIN ADDED EVERY MONTH FOR 10 YEARS

Justacommeman · March 4, 2010 6:06AM

The high end toned market is still that....high end. The monsters have gone up in price and the 67 and 68 market remains very competitive as there have been some registry commem collectors that have re-entered the market. There are some newer collectors that have also put a "strain" on the wonder grade eye candy. MJ

RedTiger · March 4, 2010 9:46AM

Average coins in the more affordable grades are still weak. Sure a well connected dealer buying well back of sheet could do very well. Especially if said dealer also could promote the items and sell at retail prices after buying at low wholesale.

For the average collector, looking at average coins, prices have been weak, and still tend to be weak. Average looking coins can often be had at sheet or slightly back of sheet. During the past ten years or so, classic commems as a group are among the worst price performers. There are also a good many unattractive for the grade coins out on the market, and that continues to depress the sheet prices.

Connecticoin · March 4, 2010 9:56AM

Uh oh, I better stash a few more away before the upcoming classic commem promotion!

Classic Commems--The market

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