World Coins -vs-US Coins

Hello....
I have a question for those of you whom collect "World Coins" all metals.

Why is it that the US Coins are much more standarized by compainies that provide "grading so to speak" than the other Countries in the World?

I see much more in the USA thus reflecting a cost average. Counter to this, I see World gold for example in similar grades but un-graded for as little as 5% over melt!
As an example.....

1. British Sovereign"s "Queens" Old Head type minted 1893-1901

2.British Sovereign "Kings" Edward VII 1902-1910

3.British Sovereign "Kings" Canada Minted 1911-1919

4. French Roosters 20 Franc 1899-1914

5. French Angels 20 Franc 1871-1898

These are but a few of the examples I have noted, there are many more.

Can any of you explain this to me?
Most of the coins I mentioned contain from 0.2354 to 0.1867 oz of gold.

Compared to the American Eagle Coins of 1/4 oz and 1/10th oz respectfully.

Chow....

 

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Thank you for the comment. Perhaps I should restate my question since it was not so clear.

Q. Compared to the US, other Foreign Countries coins do seem to be so heavily graded. The graded coins in the US are much more the norm to attempt to establish the pricing standard I mentioned.
So, why are the coins I mentioned so cheap being in the "RAW" state?

It sems to me you can get a greater content by mass in gold by buying the 20 Franc or Sovereign coins rather than the American Bullion coins.
Does this make sense?
Also do you think that Foreign Countries will follow the US in Grading practices to establish some numismatic appeal to the coins I mentioned?
Is there official mintages available on these coins?
From a collector standpoint, why would I add these into my collection?

In your opinion, what is the difference in the US bullion -vs- the other coins I mentioned?
Would you consider these all as just common gold bullion with "0" numismatic value? Is there any way of estimating the surviving population of these bullion coins?

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

Many people (including yours truly) paraphrase Rudyard Kipling and declare that "bullion is bullion and coins are coins, and ne'er the twain shall meet".

As bullion, a chunk of precious metal (whether round, square or irregular, and with or without stamped or engraved dates, denominations, legends and/or designs) is worth its weight in that metal. The fact that it is in a recognized form (Krugerrand, ASE, etc.) gives it a small but legitimate premium value, stemming from its known weight and purity, as warranted by a government (or private) mint.

GDJMSP has pointed out that some people (a minority in the US and, I believe, a tiny minority in the rest of the world) attribute numismatic value to some bullion pieces. Since the ones with denominations generally have a face value of only a fraction of their bullion value, I simply don't grasp how such denominations support premium values, but as a wise man once told me, if everybody liked the same thing, everyone would want his wife!

The greater the number of people who place numismatic value on a specific type of bullion piece, the greater the premium it will command over its melt value.

For example, that mohur he referred to has a melt value of about $235-240,000, roughly 5% of the price its owner considered too low. There are, however, at least two people who consider that piece to be a collectible coin, not merely bullion - the guy who offered $10 mil, and the guy who said "No thanks".

 

I like see picture of Mohur coin. It is mysterios piece, disappear long ago. I not know it turn up again, but only read of it exist in past.

 

"As for surviving population numbers of US or world coinage - the market for a given coin is the best indicator any of us have. If the price is high then that coin is hard to find - it's just that simple.[/quote]


So as per your statement, this can apply to any bullion coin US or otherwise. If the cost is high, the coin is difficult to find in whatever circumstance.
I suppose it could be said that no matter the numismatic appeal, the law of supply and demand is the ultimate ruler over prices of sought after coins in any given market.

Thank you Sir for your comments.

 

Here you go:

 

I have a sovereign, rooster and angel as mentioned above, and world gold coins make a pretty good collectible without paying a fortune over melt. I sort of cringe at the idea that the folks at the various mints around the world can create apparent scarcity value simply by limiting the production runs. The US mint tries to do this with commemoratives and bullion coins, and people go for the idea. I'm sure their secret motto is, "If we make it, they will come."

 

Perhaps you are on to something with that statement!
A perception of rarity can be conveyed by limited production, therefore creating a false market senario. One would think that gold coins would be priced off of their true mass and not hypothetical drama. So pertaining to current market price, consideration should be given to gold content and it's mass before the strike on it's surface's.
Enlightenment is such a fullfilling moment.

 

It's always a pleasure to watch this coin. Thanks for the image.

Regards,
Ballabh Garg

 

For this coin, the owner's reserve was $10 million but the bidding went up to $9.5 million only. At that time two Indian Government officials intervened and asserted the Indian Government's claim to the coin. So the coin was withdrawn from auction.

Later, there was a rumor that the estimate was high as the owner's intent was not to necessarily sell the coin but to be able to use the auction bids to confirm a value for insurance purposes only.

Regards,
Ballabh Garg

 

In general, I agree.

The only comment I might make is that sometimes what is considered a "bullion value" coin can take on numismatic value (this is the exception to the rule, not the norm).

For example, prior to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, late date Imperial Russian gold coins (especially those of Nicholas II) sold essentially as bullion coins, much like the British Sovereigns and French Roosters. However, today they carry more of a numismatic premium and while they remain a relatively common type, collector interest in them has increased.

 

I agree ~ supply and demand and perhaps the culture differences that show the vast separation in wealth and poverty in countries outside the US. IMHO this country has more disposable income available to invest in collectibles hence the soaring values assigned to US coinage - the ability to divert funds to a hobby seems more widespread. Many of the world coins I collect have proof mintages of less than 50 yet a value of average $1000 or so ~ can you imagine ANY U.S. coin with a mintage of 50 at that price? I usually buy BU world coins for bullion - would NEVER be able to buy a Morgan for bullion.

 

Sorry, I am of "the world" in this debate. I am fascinated from this American perspective, and a bit shamed at my rather biased perspective.

I was always under the impression that American coins, with the exception of a few coins here or there, were generally less valuable than "world" coins. Simply due to America's young age. I am sure there are a few coins that are rare. However, my general presumption was that American coins are generally less valuable than other places with currency going back further. This is based almost entirely on the proposition that older coins are more expensive coins.

Would like to hear more about this.

 

One of the main diffrences is that Americans for the most part prefer to buy there coins slabed & graded while we in Europe prefer our coins in the raw state. Graded coins in the US are normaly more exspensive than the raw version, this I believe stems from a few years back when they had seriouse problems with forgeries hence the preference for slabed coins. Here in the UK we do have a fledgling Grading company, I dont know how well it will do though LOL

 

How many weeks have you been collecting?

Age alone is a very minor component of coin value. If age really controlled coin prices, ancients would be out of the price range of 99% of those who collect them.