My worst performers in years...

kiyote · January 10, 2012 3:05AM

1. The 1998 SMS Kennedy half dollar. I got one for $300 back in 2003 and it's going for $225 on good days if the seller is lucky.
2. Any presidential proof sets. Thankfully I'm only in for 10 2007 and 10 2008 sets. At most they're gas money if I'm desperate.

Other than that, no real complaints. It could be worse, but I try and limit my exposure to risk by buying only certified coins or coins straight from the mint.

Anyone else stuck with some dogs?

Coinsponge · January 10, 2012 3:13AM

Probably better to ask if any one NOT stuck with dogs. That would be a smaller group. Probably a lot of us newbies with monuments of lessons (hopefully) learned.

bosco5041 · January 10, 2012 3:25AM

Yes, I bought some coronet half cents about 15 or 20 years ago thinking they were sleeplers because of their low mintage. Apparently they are still sleeping.

OPA · January 10, 2012 3:25AM

2009 Presidential $1 Coin & First Spouse Medal Sets..... Managed to unload most, but at a loss. btw complete opposite from the 2008 sets.

Bochiman · January 10, 2012 3:27AM

Westward Journey nickel sets....biggest waste I did, imho.
I have been giving those, and some of the proof SHQ sets, away to YNs that I know locally.

comma · January 10, 2012 3:32AM

Silver state quarter proof sets

They're doing a lot worse than both your examples...

Billet7 · January 10, 2012 3:34AM

<< Yes, I bought some coronet half cents about 15 or 20 years ago thinking they were sleeplers because of their low mintage. Apparently they are still sleeping.

>>

I've thought the same thing for years...I just can't figure out why people aren't enamored with half cents...they are WAY more rare than the large cent (on average) and they are WAY cheaper! I love the little sisters (talking half cents of course!) Why they don't catch-on is a mystery to me.

libertydude · January 10, 2012 3:40AM

When I started a few years ago, I bought a bunch of bankrolled wheat pennies, buffalo nickels, etc. Found some key dates, but nothing big. Still have a lot laying around, but probably only made back 50% of my initial investment (after fees).

kiyote · January 10, 2012 3:45AM

<< Silver state quarter proof sets

They're doing a lot worse than both your examples... >>

Don't feel too bad-- I have every one of those too, broken out and put into a Dansco album. I might as well have flushed money down the toilet!

commoncents05 · January 10, 2012 3:45AM

1999 and 2001 Silver Proof Sets have not done well.

-Paul

comma · January 10, 2012 3:47AM

<< 

<< Silver state quarter proof sets

They're doing a lot worse than both your examples... >>

Don't feel too bad-- I have every one of those too, broken out and put into a Dansco album. I might as well have flushed money down the toilet! >>

I know...I contemplated selling them a couple years ago when they were at the top and said "nah, these can only go up!" haha...oops

Type2 · January 10, 2012 4:30AM

I have done alot of this over the years but I'll try not to do it again. Now I try to Cherrypick most of my coins and when I say Cherrypick to me that is a number of things buy the nices coin at the right low low price and try to get key dates or errors like DDO/DDR, RPM,MPD, Vam's, Type'B' and 'C' and so on stuff that will go up or down $20 to $30 bucks most of the time it's up that has a nice base. Now when I buy from the U.S Mint it needs to be a good one befor i bite low mintage some what key coins never made befor till now and only going to make them this year one year type that is what i look for from the U.S mint. All the proof set stuff I can do with out to many to try to hit a home run on. I think this is going to be one of my best years I'm staying focus and I need to do two+ picks a week to stay on track . But that is just me Type2.

kiyote · January 10, 2012 4:58AM

<< 1999 and 2001 Silver Proof Sets have not done well.

-Paul >>

The 1999 I did ok on.. I had two, one for my Dansco set and one I sold in 2003. But yah, they've slid a lot lately. In the back of my mind I keep telling myself my PDSS Dansco set is worth $800 but it's probably closer to $550.

Veep · January 10, 2012 7:16AM

Several years ago, over time, I bought about 20 of my favorite silver classic commems in MS65-67. They have all dropped in value. Now all I'm left with are 20 of the most beautiful coins that I could hope to own. Oh well...

astrorat · January 10, 2012 7:43AM

<< 

<< Yes, I bought some coronet half cents about 15 or 20 years ago thinking they were sleeplers because of their low mintage. Apparently they are still sleeping.

>>

I've thought the same thing for years...I just can't figure out why people aren't enamored with half cents...they are WAY more rare than the large cent (on average) and they are WAY cheaper! I love the little sisters (talking half cents of course!) Why they don't catch-on is a mystery to me. >>

I know what you mean. In grad school I was working on a die variety set of half cents and was intrigued by the lack of interest. I think with half cents and Capped Bust quarters, the lack of a continuous run of years hurts the "compulsive" collector. The Large cents and Capped Bust halves are each only missing a single year, which seems to be more appealing to collectors.

Barndog · January 10, 2012 7:46AM

<< Several years ago, over time, I bought about 20 of my favorite silver classic commems in MS65-67. They have all dropped in value. Now all I'm left with are 20 of the most beautiful coins that I could hope to own. Oh well... >>

more people wish for such a problem. Got pictures?

bosco5041 · January 10, 2012 8:11AM

Astrorat, I just about put down capped bust quarters to. I bought one in a PCGS rattler (at the time the were grading in the rattlers) its an AU and it has went up in value but not by much. they were either over priced back then or are bargains now.

Mitchell · January 10, 2012 8:18AM

Me too on the Westward Journey sets. They looked nice but there are plenty of them.

I try not to hold on to the stinkers for too long. It's best to take my lumps and move on.

Gemineye · January 10, 2012 8:19AM

..........All the Mint crap I bought from the Mint in the past 10 years....!!!......

coolest · January 10, 2012 8:54AM

Many bad items from the mint over the years, but without doubt the worst performers are the Golden dollars. I always knew the presidential dollars were the worst losers possible but I thought the mint roll Sacs would have some value, however it seems like it is hard to sell them for even face value.

OPA · January 10, 2012 9:09AM

<< Many bad items from the mint over the years, but without doubt the worst performers are the Golden dollars. I always knew the presidential dollars were the worst losers possible but I thought the mint roll Sacs would have some value, however it seems like it is hard to sell them for even face value. >>

Except for the Harrison and Van Buren US Mint wrapped rolls.

Cocoinut · January 10, 2012 9:40AM

There have been plenty of mistakes over the years. My first was a 1950-D nickel back in 1966, purchased for $26. I was a kid then, and saved over a month for that one. Brown Ike dollars that sold for $10 from the mint at time of issue are basically worth melt, except for the 1973-S. Most proof and mint sets since 1968 have been losers. In terms of dollars, my biggest loser was a 1932-D quarter in MS64, purchased 10 years ago for $3,800; bid on it is now $2,100. Ouch!

I, too, was intrigued by the low mintages and prices of half cents, and began collecting them by die variety back in the late 1970's. I concentrated on coins in VF-AU, and they are all worth more now, but nothing to write home about.

Fortunately, there have been lots of winners as well.

Jim

RedTiger · January 10, 2012 10:42AM

One of my worst was the 2005 Legacy proof sets from the mint. Issue price was $135. Current price about $65.

LanLord · January 10, 2012 10:49AM

Regardless of going price, I like (check that) I love the 1998s SMS kennedy half dollar.
I doubt there is any upside (or very little) price change in it, but it's still a really nice coin to have if you like kennedys.

coolest · January 10, 2012 11:40AM

<< Regardless of going price, I like (check that) I love the 1998s SMS kennedy half dollar.
I doubt there is any upside (or very little) price change in it, but it's still a really nice coin to have if you like kennedys. >>

I think it might still be the Key date Kennedy?

Fountainhead · January 10, 2012 11:48AM

I've learned I can't really go wrong buying stuff I like: if it goes down in value I can enjoy it and if it goes up I can sell it. It's when I buy something ugly that drops in value that I feel worst, so I try to avoid that.

Bochiman · January 10, 2012 11:56AM

<< Me too on the Westward Journey sets. They looked nice but there are plenty of them.

I try not to hold on to the stinkers for too long. It's best to take my lumps and move on. >>

I admit I did keep a couple when I noticed that they are toning a little in their OGH and I figure "what the heck!"

WestySteve · January 10, 2012 12:04PM

<< 

<< Silver state quarter proof sets

They're doing a lot worse than both your examples... >>

Don't feel too bad-- I have every one of those too, broken out and put into a Dansco album. I might as well have flushed money down the toilet! >>

Didn't they go up in value due to the silver value alone?

WestySteve · January 10, 2012 12:12PM

<< 

<< 

<< Yes, I bought some coronet half cents about 15 or 20 years ago thinking they were sleeplers because of their low mintage. Apparently they are still sleeping.

>>

I've thought the same thing for years...I just can't figure out why people aren't enamored with half cents...they are WAY more rare than the large cent (on average) and they are WAY cheaper! I love the little sisters (talking half cents of course!) Why they don't catch-on is a mystery to me. >>

I know what you mean. In grad school I was working on a die variety set of half cents and was intrigued by the lack of interest. I think with half cents and Capped Bust quarters, the lack of a continuous run of years hurts the "compulsive" collector. The Large cents and Capped Bust halves are each only missing a single year, which seems to be more appealing to collectors. >>

I've chalked it up to the fact that they don't have a foot in modern times. For example, you could start collecting cents out of change. Then get more and more involved in it, buying wheaties, then indians, and then eventually the large cents. The modern cents, which are freely available are the "gateway drug". But the oddball series don't have that, like the 1/2 cent, 2 cent, 3 cent. They are beyond cool and wierd, but they don't have what I call a "modern counterpart". So they aren't good gateways.

FWIW, I love the half cents and have a few nice ones. I like that they are cheap. I'm wondering if the $1 million chain cent is the starting gun for a revival in copper. Seems like people have been so busy with gold and silver that it might need to catch up a bit.

Steve

mkman123 · January 10, 2012 12:53PM

I'm sure I have had some bad performers but you live and learn!

Bankerbob56 · January 11, 2012 6:09AM

<< There have been plenty of mistakes over the years. My first was a 1950-D nickel back in 1966, purchased for $26. I was a kid then, and saved over a month for that one. Brown Ike dollars that sold for $10 from the mint at time of issue are basically worth melt, except for the 1973-S. Most proof and mint sets since 1968 have been losers. In terms of dollars, my biggest loser was a 1932-D quarter in MS64, purchased 10 years ago for $3,800; bid on it is now $2,100. Ouch!

I, too, was intrigued by the low mintages and prices of half cents, and began collecting them by die variety back in the late 1970's. I concentrated on coins in VF-AU, and they are all worth more now, but nothing to write home about.

Fortunately, there have been lots of winners as well.

Jim >>

Jim! I'd be willing to take that 32D off your hands!!!

I'm underwater on a 32D in pc63!!!

I paid 2400 for it years ago, but would like an upgrade to a pc64!!

My worst performers in years...

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