I stumbled across this the other day. http://www.davidhall.com/user/pdf/silvereaglebrochure.pdf A coin hawking brochure from David Hall from 2006. In it, he recommends that buyers scoop up lots of high grade Walkers from the 1930s. (Graded by PCGS, naturally). In nearly every case, if you did what Hall suggested you do, you would be underwater today. In some cases, significantly. To take one example, he suggested buyers scoop up 1935-D walkers in MS 65 and 66. Prices then: $2800 and $8750, respectively. Prices today: $1975 and $4500. Ouch!! Leaving aside the ethics of a guy heading up the top TPG shilling coins, I had to laugh. He was right about one thing. Buy silver. Just not the silver he picked.
I have a ton of respect for David Hall, but he was dead wrong in this instance. Buying ANY coin as an investment in 2006 would have been a huge mistake. Coin prices were artificially high due to the huge influx of new collectors brought on by the state quarters program. I did not purchase any coins between 2004 and 2007 for this reason. Instead, I would trade to get what I was seeking. Coin prices still seem to be high, but thankfully they are finally starting to level off. Unless you have fifty years or so to wait, investing in coins will usually be a looser with very few exceptions.
Is there anyway he was trying to promote that series and get stuff moved? I'm just curious does this sort of thing happen?
It's almost certain he was. He does it all the time. Sad thing is that a lot of people believe what he says.
I don't think there's any doubt. Hall even sorta admits it in his brochure! "We recently were able to purchase a fantastic mini-hoard of 1934 to 1939 Superb quality Walking Liberty half dollars. We bought them “right” and we can offer them to you at a really good price." Translation, we're up to our ears in Walkers and we need a few pigeons to help us out. Hey, it happens. My only question is, when DH gets a hoard of Walkers do they go through the same grading process as my coins? Or do they go in the super secret VIP pile?
Pretty common stuff there. The method to some extent is practiced by most dealers. Please don't take this the wrong way, as I love the practice and enjoy the heck out of the wonderful pics, but when you see someone posting a lot of wonderful coins even on this forum, they are likely selling the same thing. Buy low, promote, sell higher... that's the coin game or stock game or etc....
RE: David Hall I like his video blogs, seems like a cool guy, but maybe that just me and I dont know his past history? Either way, most people should think of coin collecting as a hobby AND not as an investment. :dead-horse: Since even when a coin appreciates in value, it will never produce income in most cases. The only way to MAKE money on a coin is to sell it. Really, "investments" should be left to things that produce an income stream regardless of the fluctuating value. (rental properties, stocks, bonds, a business, annuities, life insurance, etc) I guess maybe someone could charge people money for the pleasure of seeing the coins, and then you could call them investments! Like a private coin museum, or maybe online ads on websites that pay per click when you visit a coin site.
ENJOY YOUR COINS! I like David Hall via YouTube. Never met the man. Love his shirts and especially love his videos on shows while at the show. I like how he introduces his other collectible interests too. David Hall is a good example of someone that really enjoys coins, stamps, wine, and who knows what else. For sure, the man has expensive taste when it comes to fine collectibles. Anyone who reminds his audience that he is glad that his Grandma loved coins, has to be a pretty good dude.
