First Spouse gold...Are they Bullion or Collectibles??

The sad part of the story is that I was trying my best to espouse (no pun intended) the tremendous value of the 2008 Unc/Proof First Spouse coins at $641/$654, but few wanted to hear.

I made the case that silver wouldn't go over $50/Oz when it was $28/Oz...it went up to $49.85/Oz before correcting...but nobody ever listens to poor Yakpoo :so-sad:

 

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ok make with the predictions

 

I know a lot of the 2007 & 2008 were melt when gold made the big jump up so mintage number of both year are off. but how many???
:kewl:

 

Good question. I don't think anybody knows for sure, but not too long ago dealers wouldn't buy them for melt, especially the 1st couple years. I'm wondering if this will tail back off, and they'll become more like bullion and less like colletibles. It seems to me that it might be a little early for this current situation, but then again, what do I know...

 

I don't see any reason not to own any of these coins including the first year issues. For a while, when many were referring to them as uglies, they were good buys just from a bullion standpoint. These days even those coins carry a numismatic premium over spot gold. 1/2 ounce gold coin is a good size and compare what other coins of that size cost.

The lesson to be learned here is when the masses (of coin collectors) are saying something isn't worth buying, this is when you buy. My recommendation is to pick up any of these coins that you can get for a good price.

(As a side opinion, many people mistake the rather homely nature of these women as making for an ugly coin. There is a difference. Many of these have excellent reverses and all have a good bit of Americana to them. It's certainly a refreshing change from the militaristic and too literal coins the Mint has been releasing otherwise.)

 

illini420, the James buchana PF was lowest 7,304 mintage

 

OK...glad you asked! :cheers: (I apologize in advance if this is just a tad "Off Topic").

Here's a prediction I've been making for some time now, but it just doesn't seem to get any traction...but a good predictions none the less (imho).
BUY 2010 Silver Proof Sets!!! :hail:

Up until this year, the Mint released proof sets after all the individual coins had been released...usually around August. However, since the coins can only be minted (by law) during the year inscribed on the coin, inventory control was/is a problem. The Mint wants to meet demand, but it's expensive to produce (then melt) unsold inventory.

At the end of 2010, Moy stepped down and there's been a significant change in the way the Mint does business. Inventory control seems to be a priority. Proof set releases were moved up from August to January and many of the "End of the Year" coins (such as the First Spouse coins) were minted in numbers far less than the maximum authorized...creating early sell-outs.

Many people say..."Hey, Yakpoo, there are far fewer 2011 sets sold so far...those are the ones to keep an eye on!". Well, that's true.

As of 05 July 2011, current sales are...

2010 Silver Proof Set: 568,399 Sales: 500/wk
2011 Silver Proof Set: 426,954 Sales:4000/wk

Sales are likely slow due to the high price of the sets and other competing products such as the ATB 5 Oz'ers. There are only twenty-four (24) weeks left in 2011. If sales remain steady at current levels, the final sales number for the 2010 and 2011 sets will be approximately...

2010 Silver Proof Set: 580,000
2011 Silver Proof Set: 510,000

Apart from any other discussion...these are CRAZY LOW mintages!! The 1999 Silver Proof set still sells on eBay for $150/set...and it had a mintage over 800,000. I collect the silver Roosevelt dimes and Kennedy Halves...which can only be found in these sets. These will be the "Key Dates" and they're still available from the Mint!!

The projected numbers above support the notion that the 2011 Silver Proof set is the way to go. That's why I predict 2011 sales will gain strength and 2010 sales will remain flat.

One other point to consider...if the Mint made fewer of the 2010 sets than normal, due to the shift in schedule and competition with the 2011 sets, there's a "chance" the 2010 sets could have an early sell-out...further increasing interest in the 2011 sets. The Mint can keep making 2011 sets until the end of the year, but not the 2010 sets. :thumb:

So, here's a question I would like to ask everyone...

If either of the 2010 or 2011 Silver Proof sets sell fewer than 600,000, what do you think will be their eBay price five (5) years from now?

I'll guess $250/set.

 

To get back "On Topic"...here's an eBay auction I'm following to see how high it goes. It's an MS70 Julia Tyler. There are 18 bids so far and it's at $1800.

 

thanks for the tip

according to your logic your best bet would be 2010 silver proof dime and half rolls.

 

Sure...if you can find them on eBay at a reasonable price, I would go for it. Prices should be reasonable until they go off sale.

Personally, I worry about how the coins are handled when they're removed from their holders...and "roll rub" once they're in tubes. I prefer original sets, but can't say I've never bought proof rolls.

I got two (2) rolls each of 2008 silver halves and dimes for 150% over melt...or course, I bought them in 2009 when silver was around $15/Oz. I paid $80/roll for the dimes and $160/roll for the halves. That was top dollar then, but I wouldn't mind getting that same deal today.

With that same 150% premium at today's prices, I would expect to pay $190/roll for 2010/2011 dimes and $380/roll for 2010/2011 halves. That might seem like a lot, but it's a lot cheaper than buying the sets...assuming those are the only coins of interest.



Here's an example of an eBay auction I think is a "No Brainer". It's a 2010 silver proof Roosevelt dime graded PF70/UCAM by NGC for $4.25 (free S&H). The silver alone is worth $2.50. A coin like this has little downside risk and significant upside potential (imho).

 

I own some first spouses but there's no way in **** I'm buying that Eliza Johnson coin.

 

Looks like it finally sold for $15.50. If mintages stay low, that might not be a bad price for an NGC slabbed "perfect" coin.

 

The Eliza Johnson may turn out to be a real winner!! On a sadder note, it looks like we'll have a Betty Ford coin at the end of the series. She was a really nice First Lady.

 

I'll stick to the libertys and more attractive coins. Eliza Johnson coin is too fugly

 

Yeah Betty Ford was a classy woman and First Lady. Nancy Reagan is 90 so she might not be around for the end of the series either. Rosalyn Carter is 83 and Barbara Bush is 86 (looks like 186), but their husbands are still around.

In comparison Hillary is a youngish 63 and Obama is in her 40s. I'd buy a Hillary coin for he **** of it. Obama, nah.

 

The Jackie Kennedy coin will be hawt

 

that reverse does look slapped together

 

For the mint to issue a First Spouse gold coin the president needs to be dead. Does the spouse matter I always thought no?

 

since when do they mint US coins of living people?

 

I believe the requirement is the First Spouse coin can only be issued when the Presidential dollar coin is issued.