For under $2000, which series of coins will do the best ( in value) in the next 10 years?

bosco5041 · February 23, 2012 4:37PM

I know no one has a crystal ball and I won't come back in 10 years and say "your got it wrong" but give it your best shot. What will collectors of modest means want in 10 years?( barring economic factors). I will jump in first, I think very early coins of all kinds will do good in most all grades. I look at a lot of websites and go to shows and the % of early (no problems) coins is very small compared to the other series. I know $2000 will limit early coins but there are still a lot to be had for under that.

lasvegasteddy · February 23, 2012 4:42PM

i'd say peace dollars

as it looks like every other series from the 20's are starting to get a lil rude in prices so collectors with gravitate to a series within range that you can complete

OPA · February 23, 2012 10:11PM

Any proof 90% or 40% silver modern series. They are easy to obtain and very inexpensive. ( ie State quarters, Kennedy halves & modern $1 commems.) Silver spot most likely will more than double in the next 10 years.
You will need more than $2k for a complete set of half decent Peace $.

BryceM · February 23, 2012 10:18PM

It might be bullion...

PQueue · February 23, 2012 10:51PM

Mint State Liberty Seated Half Dime & Dime (multiple types) in 65 and up, Quarter no Motto in 64 & w/Motto in 65, Half w/Motto in 64; all in original undipped condition.

DrPete · February 23, 2012 11:12PM

I love Barber halves, and if you are looking for a complete set of 73 coins in full G, it will be over $2000, but not that much over.

If you want a mint state coin, then you get one Barber half in gem for closer to $3000. In MS 64 expect about half that.

MidLifeCrisis · February 23, 2012 11:35PM

Colonials, of course!

RedTiger · February 23, 2012 11:36PM

My WAG any 20th century coin slabbed and graded VF35 because I predict a new registry set for VF35 that parallels the current AU58 set. The AU58 registry has driven some of those common coins to absurd levels, many going for 2x to 100x their raw value because of registry demand.

As always, when the topic of investment returns comes up, it is important to separate process vs. picks. In other words, how a person buys vs. what a person buys. Grading skill, access to coins, market knowledge will mean much more than picking a series that does well on price guides or at auction. Average collectors mostly interested in investment returns might do well to look at the typical wholesale prices for the coins they are considering. Often times bullion related coins, and generic certified coins such as MS63 Morgans can be bought at closer to wholesale prices by a person with average access. On the numismatic side, the immediate hit that a collector takes buying at retail often makes any investment return at all an uphill struggle. Thinly traded items or low grade raw numismatic items typically see the biggest spreads. Again, a person with superior access might be able to get on the right side of the spread and improve their odds.

PerryHall · February 23, 2012 11:59PM

<< It might be bullion... >>

Agree. Any coins where most of the value comes from the silver or gold value such as Saints, Liberty double eagles, peace dollars, Morgan dollars, etc.

sonoranmonsoon · February 24, 2012 12:06AM

Probably any series involving gold, at least until interest rates start to move up.

derryb · February 24, 2012 12:08AM

Strictly from an investment angle - American Gold Eagles, MS69. The grading/certification doesn't seem important now but could be a life saver if counterfeit AGEs ever enter the market. MS69s don't carry much more premium than raw.

It's a fun series, plenty to choose from, readily available, not much premium and a good investment in these times of economic uncertainty.

RichR · February 24, 2012 12:30AM

I agree with the Peace Dollar sentiment...a nice large [silver] coin...and up until now, mostly unloved due to an unfavorable design comparison to the Morgan series.

I'm still kicking myself that I never picked up a nice Unc. 34-S years ago at a decent price!

OPA · February 24, 2012 12:41AM

<< I agree with the Peace Dollar sentiment...a nice large [silver] coin...and up until now, mostly unloved due to an unfavorable design comparison to the Morgan series.

I'm still kicking myself that I never picked up a nice Unc. 34-S years ago at a decent price! >>

OP is looking for a series. I doubt he can do that with the Peace MS $ for under $2000, otherwise I would have agreed with you.

keyman64 · February 24, 2012 1:08AM

Wishful thinking here.... but Mercury Dimes are coming up on their 100th Anniversary (for the start of the series at least and so are Buffalo Nickels...and Walkers) and they have always been popular due to their design... maybe Mercury Dime Varieties?...probably not though.

RichR · February 24, 2012 1:35AM

<<OP is looking for a series. I doubt he can do that with the Peace MS $ for under $2000, otherwise I would have agreed with you. >>

Strictly speaking, that's true...but you'd at least get a very decent start on a not-quite-complete set, if you just exclude a couple of the key coins. And it's a pretty short set to boot.

But if you really want to hold to the $2000 limit, then I'd say Franklin halfs...for similar reasons...a large silver coin that's now a couple of generations old, with an originally maligned design, that's also a pretty short set.

Raufus · February 24, 2012 1:39AM

<< Strictly from an investment angle - American Gold Eagles, MS69. The grading/certification doesn't seem important now but could be a life saver if counterfeit AGEs ever enter the market. MS69s don't carry much more premium than raw.

It's a fun series, plenty to choose from, readily available, not much premium and a good investment in these times of economic uncertainty. >>

I never thought about the grading/counterfeit angle. Graded bullion seemed so foolish to me. Thanks for discussing this. Fantastic point!

kiyote · February 24, 2012 1:40AM

Modern commem dollars with under 20k mintages. Any current BU First Spouse coin from 2011 on. Maybe a pair of 1970 no S dimes?

bosco5041 · February 24, 2012 1:46AM

<< 

<< I agree with the Peace Dollar sentiment...a nice large [silver] coin...and up until now, mostly unloved due to an unfavorable design comparison to the Morgan series.

I'm still kicking myself that I never picked up a nice Unc. 34-S years ago at a decent price! >>

OP is looking for a series. I doubt he can do that with the Peace MS $ for under $2000, otherwise I would have agreed with you. >>

I'm sorry, I should have said which type of coin do you think will do best. I did not mean the whole series. So go ahead and pick out a certain date if you want. Thanks for your replies.

derryb · February 24, 2012 1:48AM

<< 

<< Strictly from an investment angle - American Gold Eagles, MS69. The grading/certification doesn't seem important now but could be a life saver if counterfeit AGEs ever enter the market. MS69s don't carry much more premium than raw.

It's a fun series, plenty to choose from, readily available, not much premium and a good investment in these times of economic uncertainty. >>

I never thought about the grading/counterfeit angle. Graded bullion seemed so foolish to me. Thanks for discussing this. Fantastic point! >>

Grading also includes authentication, something that could become important later as the bullion coin becomes more valuable and there is greater reward in counterfeiting it.

ibex66 · February 24, 2012 1:59AM

<< <<OP is looking for a series. I doubt he can do that with the Peace MS $ for under $2000, otherwise I would have agreed with you. >>

Strictly speaking, that's true...but you'd at least get a very decent start on a not-quite-complete set, if you just exclude a couple of the key coins. And it's a pretty short set to boot.

But if you really want to hold to the $2000 limit, then I'd say Franklin halfs...for similar reasons...a large silver coin that's now a couple of generations old, with an originally maligned design, that's also a pretty short set. >>

What grade level would you have to stay at to complete the whole Frankie series at under $2000?

namwalker · February 24, 2012 2:32AM

Granted that I'm still new to the forum but if I would suggest a series that could appreciate well in value it would seem to me that it would be a series where you could get precious metals (silver) at today's pricing you could consider either of the latest quarter series, the statehood or ATB quarter line of coins. The ATB series is scheduled to be current for the next 10 years. Both of these series are relatively new enough so you basically be getting in on the ground floor. Granted a person could be expected to fulfill a set of these well under the $2,000 floor that you could augment the series with another 90% series.

Perhaps I have taken the easy path but I feel that it is doable for new collector and the coins are good looking. An older series such as Mercury Dimes or the Peace Dollars would be limited by availability with certain key dates putting the entire new collection over the proposed limit. That being said I do recall a thread by another poster on this forum where he said that he did succeed put together a Dansco album for less than proposed limit. But do think that the key element is upward appreciation and I feel that either of the quarter series once completed could fill that cup very well. The ATB quarter series could be looking at significationt appreciation because their circulated mintage is still being drawn and who knows what error coins will be in the final mintage.

This is just my opinion.

ambro51 · February 24, 2012 2:33AM

2000$ isn't much to work with. That's hobby money not investment money. But I think if you learned Jefferson nickels backwards and forwards , applied that knowledge to step hunting at BMs or shows and slabbed the best if you can make regi$try coins for cheap then I can see a lot of money being made but that wouldn't be a sit back and wait investment you'd have to work in it.

namwalker · February 24, 2012 2:50AM

I agree that $2,000 isn't a lot of money to get good appreciation on but I must say that the proposal is very doable. I was in a LCS yesterday and they had a complete set of Franklins (in an album) for sale for $550. I didn't take a good look at the coins but in retrospect I just may go back there this afternoon to take a close look at them. If they are any good I would imagine that they would be a very good foundation to build upon. It is certainly something for me think over.

I think that before this thread dies all of us could just possibly have some new ideas to think over.

WestySteve · February 24, 2012 2:57AM

I think anything that can still reasonably by collected by series is going to do better than the more expensive material which is being split up into "Type coin only" status.

I think Jefferson Nickels. They've been underappreciated for a long time, but people are finally coming around to them. They tone different, plenty of varieties to chase, and you can go after Full Step if you need something more advanced.

coindeuce · February 24, 2012 3:07AM

A full set of Lincoln (wheat reverse) cents in AU Brown should perform very well in the next decade.

robkool · February 24, 2012 3:09AM

Problem free early American copper & colonial pieces in higher grades...

Baley · February 24, 2012 3:12AM

early coins that are above average eye appeal for the grade, key and semi-key dates, and unusually gorgeous common coins, as well as pretty coins (and bars) with low premium to melt, will all do well

rhedden · February 24, 2012 5:26AM

A year ago, I would have said to invest $2k in better date Seated Halves- like maybe do a short set covering all the mints in AU58. They're still a good buy, but the supply of these coins has dried up badly and prices have increased in the past year.

I'd have to second the notion that Colonial issues are going to be big winners down the road. Take the time to learn what a choice example of each Type looks like, and buy varieties that are R-3 or better. The supply of such coins is so low that you can't go wrong. In addition, with prices on early (1790s) large cents going white hot nuclear, people are bound to see there is better value in the pre-Federal material. As soon as I get done paying off another big project, I'll be joining the fray. Since most Colonial varities have approximately 2 examples known (hyperbole intended), the supply will be dropping by 50% when I enter the market, so brace yourselves, Colonial fans.

timcoin · February 24, 2012 5:40AM

I'm thinking coins that are currently not bringing much over melt, but at the same time have a significanly lower mintage than other coins in the series. Fractional platinum coins, and Silver Eagles from the late 80s through the mid-1990s come to mind. As for earlier issues within that budget, I'd say common date uncirculated, well struck, and ORIGINAL Standing Liberty quarters will be a safe bet from now until forever.

keyman64 · February 24, 2012 5:49AM

HERE IS ANOTHER APPROACH!!!

If you only have $2k and plan on spending it over a year or two...this is a way to really do well. Study the Cherrypickers' Guide for 2-4 different series, depending upon how much you can memorize. Always have the list of the varieties handy on the iPhone/droid along with bookmarks to the variety sets with good photos. Then....CHERRYPICK your way to spending that $2K. It will not be easy. It will be a lot of study and a ton of work and there will be weeks or sometimes months that can pass without finding much....but if you spend that $2K via Cherrypicking you will be able to turn that stuff over pretty darn quick sometimes and you will not have to worry much about the "Investment Risk".

Food for thought.

mozin · February 24, 2012 5:51AM

Capped Bust Half Dollars should do very well in the next decade. Once a collector gets the CBH Fever, it is hard to control.

originalisbest · February 24, 2012 6:54AM

My take is that plain-jane coins where bullion value is the determining factor of their worth, will generally do better in the next decade for the average person. To redtiger's point, about how people buy,
that will be much tougher for average collectors to do well on the buy-sell spread, unless they are able to have connections and be familiar with wholesale values (something I confess I am not as privvy to as I'd like to be.)

So, I vote bullion-ish, just for the ease with which it can be transacted. Not always easy to do with pure collector-value material. I do hope AU Brown sets of wheaties do very well in the next 10 years, as I have them,
but I am not holding my breath.

ambro51 · February 24, 2012 7:14AM

Looking over my green velvet chestnut tray at a dozen or so Vermont Coppers I only get a few coins in and hit the two gran wall. If I look over the purple velvet case that houses the feuchtwangers, two grand stops two coins with the three cent pieces. You CAN get quite a few one cent pieces and a Variety collection in nice AU problem free coins would be in budget if you don't include the R7 pieces. These have a smaller than realized survival and will continue to be quirky and collectable

oakcoin · February 24, 2012 7:28AM

early pre 1853 seated coins. Very scarce and underated compared to other series,

Draped10c · February 24, 2012 8:04AM

Mercury Dime short set 1934 to 1945. I like the Franklin idea in BU and or Proof, since it isn't much over spot.

Windycity · February 24, 2012 8:09AM

Unc rolls of silver dimes, quarters, and halves. But today at spot, values rise as silver rises, and they will begin to gain numismatic value as well... particularly the MS65 quality coins. (And if the world goes to hell in a hand basket, you have real money!)

GoldenEyeNumismatics · February 24, 2012 4:14PM

Better date circ seated lib coinage.

GolfguyinTX · February 24, 2012 4:20PM

I would not shy away from Morgans as they always in demand.

NumbersUsacom · February 24, 2012 4:22PM

Mexican Republic 8 Reales Cap & Rays

Liberian Official and Pattern Coins 1847-1896

Overdate · February 24, 2012 4:59PM

A set of uncirculated and burnished silver eagles. A nice mix of bullion and collector value, with only one major key (so far) - the 2011-S, and one (optional) major variety - the 2008-W, reverse of 2007.

relictrader · February 24, 2012 10:12PM

UNCERTAINTY...........It starting to bother a lot of people.
Collecting in this way makes a lot since in these times,for not many have
plained very far ahead,but need to.
Gold in any holder at any grade(Price discounted accordingly)should work.
If inflation jumps up it might change things,but most should be far enough
ahead it weather it.
THE NATIONAL DEBT IS HEADED THRU ROOF

halfhunter · February 24, 2012 10:38PM

I agree that a nice set of ASEs will be a money maker over the next 10 years . . . and one can pick up a set and add a nice BU set of '46-'64 dimes for under 2k.

HH

For under $2000, which series of coins will do the best ( in value) in the next 10 years?

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