Perhaps you're a coin collector from the days of the 1950s or 1960s, when you could still buy Morgan silver dollars and Peace silver dollars from the bank for face value. Or, maybe you recall the 1970s and early 1980s, when Eisenhower dollars and Susan B. Anthony dollars were circulating widely and could be readily obtained from banks and other pla...
In 2015 alone, gold coins with a collective worth over 50 billion USD were sold. This number is rapidly rising. If you are a professional investor or a private citizen saving for retirement, gold coins can protect your portfolio from losses incurred due to economic downturns. While that is a tempting reason to buy gold coins, it's important to be c...
I've been a coin collector since 1992, and over the years I've seen many rare coins go up in value. Others, meanwhile, have dropped in price. What's going on? Why don't all rare coins go up in value? Why do other coins continue increasing in price? Should you gamble with investing in coins? Before I answer any of these theoretical questions, rememb...
When Whitney Houston crooned the lyrics, "I believe the children are our future," in her 1985 hit "The Greatest Love of All," she could've been singing about the hobby of coin collecting. I began collecting coins at the age of 11 years old in 1992, and it seems the hobby is no demographically younger today than it was in the 1990s. What happened? W...
The holidays are a great time to be a numismatist, because you stand the chance of receiving some really great coin collecting gifts from those who know you're a collector. But what do coin collectors want for Christmas or any other gifting holiday in the year? Each coin collector has his or her own gift wishlist. Here's mine to help inspire those ...
Many readers ask me about what their 1776-1976 Bicentennial quarters are worth. I think a lot of people find 1976 quarters interesting because they look so different than many of the other quarters in their pocket change. I started collecting coins long before the 50 States Quarters were first released in 1999, and I remember when 1776-1976 Bicente...
You don't really hear much about Susan B. Anthony dollars in coin collecting circles. The collectors who were around in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when Susan B. Anthony dollars were originally struck, largely remember them as a failed attempt to introduce a dollar coin into widespread circulation. Those who are younger or simply didn't pay att...
The Brexit has caused gold and silver bullion prices to skyrocket. After the United Kingdom voted by referendum to leave the 28-member European Union on June 23, 2016, world markets quickly responded with a rally on silver and gold bullion prices. When the bullion exchanges opened on Friday, June 24, per-ounce gold prices jumped from $1,263 to $1,3...
Silver stackers who buy American Silver Eagles can't imagine spending more than a few bucks over spot for any such coin, but I've gladly paid as high as $40 over spot for a uncirculated American Silver Eagle. Am I crazy? Nope… I'm just a fan of American Silver Eagles. You see, uncirculated and bullion American Silver Eagles aren't "just" silver co...
At first glance, the juxtaposition of rare coins, fine art, and luxury bags might seem somewhat odd. What may such different items as coinage, paintings, and accessories have in common? In this case, these are three examples of sought after investment vehicles that can serve as a hedge against inflation due to their rarity, value, and timelessness...
I love looking for old coins in my pocket change. Yes, some of the old pennies, nickels, and other coins I find in circulation are worth only a little bit of money. Others are virtually worthless above face value. But all of these old coins are fascinating to collect and I love adding them to my collection. A lot of coin collecting guides will tell...
Countless different option exist for silver stackers. Some investors are looking for the most silver for their buck, while others wish to buy only government issued silver coins like the American Silver Eagle to ensure the quality and integrity of their investment. Which option is for you? Let's find out! Generic Silver Bullion Silver bullion come...
Many coin hobbyists are collecting quarters, and it's no surprise – the quarter dollar is truly the workhorse of circulation. The first United States quarters were made in 1796 and have been struck ever since with very few interruptions in production. While coins like the one-cent piece, nickel, and dime play relatively smaller roles in day-to-day ...
Silver bullion is a great way to invest in the precious metals without paying the astronomical prices that come with a gold investment. An ounce of silver costs just over $14 without premiums, while an ounce of gold costs around $1,100 without premiums. For those who are new to the world of gold and silver bullion, a premium is the small price you ...
Rare coin investing: no three words in numismatics make me shudder more than these when they are laced together. Countless people enter the world of coin collecting not because they enjoy the art and history behind coins, but because they want to earn a fast buck. It's not entirely the fault of these would-be investors that they believe earning mon...
Junk silver coins are what many coin collectors and bullion investors buy when silver prices start getting jumpy. This has been happening as of late with silver bullion values fluctuating between $13.85 and $15.50 per ounce, though historically this has occurred many times, during which coin buyers hoard pre-1965 90 percent silver coins when metals...
Everyone’s looking for tips on buying American Silver Eagles at the lowest possible prices. Yes, I believe the old saying “you get what you pay for” usually applies to buying silver coins and other numismatic material. However, I’ve also learned there are a few legitimate ways you can buy silver eagles at good prices by knowing when and where to buy them, how many to purchase at a time, and also looking for pieces that may be less than stellar.
I was thinking about the matter of ethics in buying coins the other day while shopping at a local coin dealer and I wondered – we all talk about how important it is that coin dealers are honest and play fairly with their customers. But what about the matter of honest, ethical coin buyers? What should we numismatic consumers do if we spot a rare coin variety in an otherwise common mint set offered for $4, or accidentally receive a coin that is much more valuable than what we paid for it?
I’ve been a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) since 2010. As I’ve long come to learn over the years, there’s simply no better major coin organization out there for new coin collectors, seasoned veterans, and everyone in between.
Ever wonder what coins cost more than they’re really worth? Or what coins are true bargains these days?
