Doug, key word there being "wealthy" people guess the income bracket that has actually increased its net wealth in last 5 years?
You are lost due to lack of punctuation. Revised: "Doug, key word there being "wealthy" people. Guess the income bracket that has actually increased its net wealth in last 5 years?" [Answer, the already-rich] Now you are "found" again, eh?
That is what happened to the numismatic market when the financial crisis hit. It took a plunge. But I will say that numis does have its place within holding assets as bullion. It is generally more resistant to spot metal increases and declines than straight bullion because most of its value is derived from rarity factors rather than metallic content. For example, the spot price of silver could decrease by 50% or increase by 50%, but a roll of CC morgans will not increase or decrease that much (at least I think it won't). But it is a lot easier and faster to dump normal bullion than numis. because you have to find a buyer that's willing to pay what it's worth (or what you think it's worth).
Agreed in principle. But liquidity is the name of the game; collectors are unlikely to dump their coins unless they need CASH right NOW. Bullion coins can be replaced, tomorrow; the numismatic material you have lovingly gathered for half a lifetime, all those coins' stories known to you and gleefully recounted to your cronies -- cannot.