Collectible Markets in general

WestySteve · February 19, 2012 11:37AM

I just got back from a major comicbook convention...the MegaCon in Orlando, FL. Comics were selling briskly, and any "really good" comicbook was almost impossible to find unless it was overpriced. If it was fairly priced, it flew off the shelves.

I've been hearing similar reports about coins and currency too.

What do you think is going on? More faith in collectibles as an investment? The economy is healing?

AnkurJ · February 19, 2012 11:47AM

People want tangible assets. The art market has also exploded. Regarding comic books, not all comics have gone up.
Restored books in general are going up, but at a much much slower pace.

g048406 · February 19, 2012 11:51AM

Coins seem to just run hot and cold at different times of the year. Sometimes weather related or holiday related etc. Lately, coins have been selling very well at Heritage and on the boarse floor at shows. Things have been slow on ebay , but, this week was really good. I don't believe the economy plays a real part in collectibles. My best years were 2009-2011. I also believe the economy is actually getting worse now. Anyway, it's just my opinion

WestySteve · February 19, 2012 12:11PM

<< People want tangible assets. The art market has also exploded. Regarding comic books, not all comics have gone up.
Restored books in general are going up, but at a much much slower pace. >>

Agreed. Unfortunately, I don't put restored books into the desireable category. To me, they are like cleaned coins or coins that were holed and repaired. But the best stuff was flying off the shelves.

Lakesammman · February 20, 2012 1:29AM

I collect stoneware as well - nothing really available that's nice. On the otherhand, nice stuff that does appear doesn't do well. It's a vicious circle as a result.

mrearlygold · February 20, 2012 1:37AM

<< I just got back from a major comicbook convention...the MegaCon in Orlando, FL. Comics were selling briskly, and any "really good" comicbook was almost impossible to find unless it was overpriced. If it was fairly priced, it flew off the shelves.

I've been hearing similar reports about coins and currency too.

What do you think is going on? More faith in collectibles as an investment? The economy is healing? >>

When there is no confidence in the dollar ( and there's ample justification for this ), people gravitate toward "things". In the US those "things" have historically been real estate as we traditionally believed in "property rights" and have therefore had a strong market for property, while in Europe and especially Asia where there has historically not been property rights, "things" have been art, gold, etc. It should be fairly simple to see the direction this country will continue along, welfare and warfare and that means what for the dollar?

Methinks we're in for some more fun so I hope you're in shape for it

yellowkid · February 20, 2012 2:06AM

Collecting markets have matured and many collectors have become more discerning in the pieces they buy. I think this is reflected by the scarcity of great things in any market. Real cheap sells also, while "okay" stuff that used to sell now sits around.
Although money is tight for many, huge segments of the population are untouched by the tough economy.

edited for afterthought.

BillJones · February 20, 2012 2:16AM

<< 

<< I just got back from a major comicbook convention...the MegaCon in Orlando, FL. Comics were selling briskly, and any "really good" comicbook was almost impossible to find unless it was overpriced. If it was fairly priced, it flew off the shelves.

I've been hearing similar reports about coins and currency too.

What do you think is going on? More faith in collectibles as an investment? The economy is healing? >>

When there is no confidence in the dollar ( and there's ample justification for this ), people gravitate toward "things". In the US those "things" have historically been real estate as we traditionally believed in "property rights" and have therefore had a strong market for property, while in Europe and especially Asia where there has historically not been property rights, "things" have been art, gold, etc. It should be fairly simple to see the direction this country will continue along, welfare and warfare and that means what for the dollar?

Methinks we're in for some more fun so I hope you're in shape for it

>>

The "things" comment is a replay of the late 1970s to 1980. Back then sanity came to enough voters; the economy got fixed; and "things" lost a lot of their value when the speculative bubble broke. This time sanity might give way to promises of handouts and class warfare.

291fifth · February 20, 2012 2:39AM

The lack of viable investment vehicles is undoubtedly fueling the collectibles field. Just about anything that is "good" has disappeared.

shorecoll · February 20, 2012 2:57AM

I have two friends who are artists, painters and one is a sculptress...they said a few years ago flocks of Chinese started coming to the US art shows, taking pictures of the exhibits, then going home and knocking off the artwork...their sales are down 90% in those few years.

ricko · February 20, 2012 3:00AM

Collectibles of all kinds are cyclical... some more so than others. Certainly not a great place to park money (with the possible exception of really notable art). Better to stack PM's...JMHO.... Cheers, RickO

metalmeister · February 20, 2012 3:41AM

Consensus around here is that folks with cash sitting on the sidelines are deploying that cash into
stocks, realestate and hard assets before the dollar falls out of bed. Many have secure jobs with raises
and secure health and retirement. Most are off today

291fifth · February 20, 2012 4:23AM

<< Consensus around here is that folks with cash sitting on the sidelines are deploying that cash into
stocks, realestate and hard assets before the dollar falls out of bed. Many have secure jobs with raises
and secure health and retirement. Most are off today

>>

Stocks, the way it works today ...

...The CEO $10

... Other top executives $5

...Unionized workers .50

...Non-Unionized workers .25

...Shareholders .01

coinkat · February 20, 2012 8:32AM

I think there are some significant issues ranging from age demographics and a change in interest among younger people. Unfortunately, there is a connection to the past that is missing among the majority of younger people
- many never saw a 45RPM record
- would not know what to do with a turntable

and I'll stop because it really is depressing

fc · February 20, 2012 9:21AM

<< I think there are some significant issues ranging from age demographics and a change in interest among younger people. Unfortunately, there is a connection to the past that is missing among the majority of younger people
- many never saw a 45RPM record
- would not know what to do with a turntable

and I'll stop because it really is depressing >>

That is why some people are betting on old video games/systems, "vintage" computers, and other things from their times when growing up.
I really don't understand it myself when an adult wants a mint star wars figure in original packaging but my goodness some fight to own it.
I like to think i have better taste then that ;-)

coinkat · February 20, 2012 9:40AM

I suppose we can add something else that is perhaps even a bigger problem-

Instant Gratification

It just seems that the art of collecting is even lost

WestySteve · February 20, 2012 9:54AM

The younger generation do collect things, but not coins.

I saw plenty of them buying comicbooks, manga comicbooks, toys/action figures and other fantasy items.

I harp on demographics alot, and don't want to derail this thread because I'm interested in hearing people's perspectives on economic trends....HOWEVER...if we don't do a hell of a lot more to foster YNs, we're the last generation of coin collectors. We need to bend over backward to give them good deals, teach classes, give away books, etc.

Try this...Go to a supermarket and look at the magazines. See any coin magazines? I don't see any in the one I shop at, but I do see comics, manga, and even baseball card guides. We need to act now.

I need to do more myself, so I'm not throwing stones here. I'm just stating what I think is the truth. Sorry to sound alarmist.

Steve

cladking · February 20, 2012 10:24AM

Banks are paying huge bonuses to their bosses and 0% interest. It's apparent inflation is
coming and keeping money in the bank is futile.

Collectible Markets in general

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