I Know it's Subjective But If You Had The Money....

If your intention of numismatics is purely profit, you need to make it a full time job and not treat it as if it is a hobby.

Personally for me, it is a hobby I love and I enjoy. I may make some on coins, I may not. I collect coins because it is fun, historic and theraeptic and it is a mental break from hearing my 14-year old daughter have her hourly crisis.

 

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In that case, a totally different question...IMO, top graded Walkers from the 1920's.
A 21 S...here's a good one...but it would have a very limited resale audience.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1921-S-50C-...092087?hash=item25b6c40eb7:g:MnsAAOSwWTRWw5U4

 

wow, I love Walkers, and I am trying to complete a set. The early one in the F-VF range are not too accessible to buy.

Regarding the 21-S in MS65, I will ask my daughter if they really want to go to college.

 

You know we are just playing with words. I hope we can all agree that coins are not a good investment that promise a profit.

 

Excellent answer! I think there are a couple of good candidates. E.g. within the Draped Bust series of coins.

Such an "investment piece" should have eye appeal, original surfaces and a CAC sticker. Who wants a "scarce" but ugly/damaged low grade coin?

 

(raises hand)

I can't help wondering whether today's obsession with "problem-free slabbed CACed examples" will look silly a few decades down the road.

As it stands now, a coin rubbing against a cabinet or banging against other coins in a roll or bag doesn't sustain "wear", or at least not "wear" that bars it from MS status. Sure, it's sustained marks, dings, and scuffs, but those could've come from the Mint, or from a Mint bag, or from a well-meaning collector's hands. None of those, apparently, count as "wear".

A coin rubbing against a few thousand countertops or pocket liners sustains "good, honest wear", and can be graded. If it sits out in the elements and develops an oxide coating, that's "patina", and again doesn't bar it from receiving a grade.

But if any one of the people imparting "honest wear" to that coin slides it across a gritty countertop, or drops it to a hard floor, or bonks it against the end of a staple, it's instantly "damaged", ruined, beneath the consideration of Serious Numismatists.

Doesn't anyone else find this just the slightest bit, well, arbitrary? Even, perhaps, "silly"?

 

It's very possible. Only time will tell

 

Right, it is kind of silly, a coin with minor issues can still be a great collectible. I'd prefer an AU bust half with a minor scratch over a heavily worn coin. I also think CAC doesn't make sense for most coins and many shouldn't have been slabbed in the first place.

But this thread is about investment coins which could potentially increase in value. And I think such a coin should have no problems at all and maybe even a CAC sticker, just to please those collectors who feel more confident spending money on CACed coins

 

1794 Half dollar, any grade.

 

I love @jeffb 's answer, but I do as well. I have coins that are historically important, like a Sogdian Alexander imitation from Kesh. A friend of mine is a world renowned expert on Alexander coins and imitations and is writing this coin up in a website on Alexandrian coins. Its grade? Maybe VG, but there are like 8 known in the world. Horribly rare, horribly important as it was one of the first Sogdian coins ever minted. I got it for like $100. Do you think there is ANY way I would trade that coin for something so pedestrian as a Unc morgan worth even $500? Absent value considerations, I would not trade that coin for a BU 1893s.

I collect coins for what they ARE, not necessarily for how pretty they are. If a VG is my only hope to over own a VERY rare coin, then I am buying it. I have never seen another for sale, nor have I ever seen one listed in ANY auction catalog.

Having said that, everyone collect what THEY like. Like pretty coins, modern coins, US coins, as long as you are happy and feel good about your hobby then I am happy for you.

 

I will admit that this is an interesting topic. What makes me smile is all the talk on how coins are a bad investment and how you should not invest in coins. To be honest don't listen to all this gabber...if you like coins then collect them...if you want to buy "certain" coins that retain their value over time then do IT!!! It's never a guarantee...you can win and lose. Bottom line up front...do what you want to do NOT what people say is right and wrong...because you know what, they don't know either.

Most people read about what happens to this person or that person when it comes to investing in coins. We all read about who hit it big and who lost TONS of money. It happens....such is life. Usually most people like the same high value and high grade coins and more likely than not they are very expensive. If we save our pennies up over time and finally make that purchase; that coin will more than likely increase in value OVER time. In the meantime, enjoy that coin until you sell it or give it to someone in your family when you pass.

Please don't misunderstand me...everyone's advice is greatly appreciated and no one person is right or wrong. But in the end, the choice will always be up to you. Read your coins book and YOU make that choice and later when someone else asks the same question you did, you can give them your experience and hopefully that will help the individual asking the question. JMHO.

 

I would buy and hold all eye appealing strong date VF-AU 1917-1924 Type II Standing Liberty quarters I come across. They are my preferred long term hold and I think a good long term invest due to their relative scarcity and market velocity.