Thread: This is an odd question...

..but, I'm going to be a new father in 2009.

My grandmother gave me a 1926 2 1/2 gold Indian for my high school graduation. I'd like to do the same kind of a thing for my hatchling when he/she reaches that age. I'd like it to be something that would appreciate greatly over that time period, sooo...

What would YOU buy? I'm thinking gold.

why don't you pass it on?

2009 High Relief Double Eagle.

It seems obvious to me that you should give each of them a 1926 2 1/2 gold Indian and tell them it is a family tradition that they should continue with their own children.

Originally Posted by halcyon

..but, I'm going to be a new father in 2009.

My grandmother gave me a 1926 2 1/2 gold Indian for my high school graduation. I'd like to do the same kind of a thing for my hatchling when he/she reaches that age. I'd like it to be something that would appreciate greatly over that time period, sooo...

What would YOU buy? I'm thinking gold.

Your grandmother is a smart woman and you are smart as well for following her lead!
There are many choices out there... in gold and silver. The question is, what specifically? Too many to name... but I've purchased bullion ASEs (date series) as well as all the proof sets that were available the year my child was born.

If you are only interested in one coin... than I'd go with Gold.
If $$$ isn't an issue, the 2009 Ultra High Relief would be a nice gift!
As of this moment, this coin will only be minted in 2009=birth year. If that remains the case, your child may have something in 18 years time.
Or, any pre-1933 gold as well.

Best of luck!

Same thing. A 2 1/2 Indian in About Uncirculated -- some obvious wear --- will run about $400 if gold is $800/oz. The Quarter Eagle ($2.50 gold) brings a nice premium over melt. During the Great Depression when gold was nominally "illegal" these sold for the same as other gold coins: bullion. I am at a loss to explain why they carry such a hefty premium today -- mintage figures alone do not explain it -- but the market truth is that they do.

You have a lot of choices in terms of classic American gold coins. For instance the HALF Eagle ($5.00) gold has many high-mintage years -- 1843, 1847, 1852, etc., etc., -- for about $600 to $800 depending in the price of gold.

Bullion coins have less mark-up, of coursse, but less historicity. A good compromise are the 19th century British Sovereigns and French 20 Franc. The Sovereign is about a quarter ounce (.2354) about like a US$5 and you can find nice Victoria Young Heads from the mid-1800s for a few points over spot. The French Rooster and the French ArchAngel are 1/5 ounce (.1886) and are also nice and are also cheap relative to bullion.

That's all you get for them, when you sell them, but they do have historicity, which a modern Eagle (Quarter Eagle, etc.) does not, except as in the year 2027, your daughter will find a Quarter Eagle Gold from the 1990s to be truly archaic!

Originally Posted by CamaroDMD

2009 High Relief Double Eagle.

There is no question.... if your baby is born in 2009, then you need to purchase the High Relief Double Eagle. Especially if this is the only year that it is in production, it would be a coin/year to remember.

an early 1900's $5 gold can be had in the $250-350 range in MS60 and would be a nice buy

Originally Posted by jaceravone

There is no question.... if your baby is born in 2009, then you need to purchase the High Relief Double Eagle. Especially if this is the only year that it is in production, it would be a coin/year to remember.

No doubt, no brainer.

The 2009 double eagle is what I was leaning towards.. for many of the reasons already mentioned.
Has the mint released what the cost will be?

Originally Posted by halcyon

The 2009 double eagle is what I was leaning towards.. for many of the reasons already mentioned.
Has the mint released what the cost will be?

Nope but there is a thread here about it.

Oh... gee.. a thread from just yesterday.
Thank you

Originally Posted by halcyon

The 2009 double eagle is what I was leaning towards.. for many of the reasons already mentioned.
Has the mint released what the cost will be?

No. It will depend where spot gold is close to when the coin is being released. Then they'll tack about $150 onto that.

Thank you for all the replies.
I think the idea of giving them a 1926 Indian like what was done for me is fantastic.. making it a family tradition and all. At the same time, having 2009 being the only year that the double eagle will be made coinciding with the birth year of my child.. is just too cool to pass up on.

IMO if you want something that would appreciate in value:
- go with gold.
- stay away from the modern stuff.

Some modern items will give you the appreciation that you want, but most won't.
If your can foresee the future then you could select the correct one.
I can't, so I assume modern gold will stick to the bullion curve.

I would go with a quarter or half eagle (eagles and double eagles are too heavy if you should want them in a necklace.)
I would go for a AU piece although XF is good if the AU price causes you to choke.
Pick a common date, the sort you would look for if you were doing a type set (unless the 1926 date has special meaning.)

I got an AU eagle for my wife 5 or so years ago.
She wears it as a necklace (in a bezel) quite often.
Really works well against a black or dark sweater.