Philharmonics get no respect. Why?

Discussion in 'Bullion Investing' started by myownprivy, Mar 15, 2019.

  1. myownprivy

    myownprivy Well-Known Member

    Take a peek at any big bullion website, Austrian Philharmonics have the lowest premiums of government issued coins and have the lowest buybacks. They are only a baby step above generic rounds. Why? Is there something about them that I am missing?

    Personally, I don't like them. Plus, I think the smooth edges make them easier to counterfeit. But my opinion of not liking them couldn't be shared by millions, could it? Whereas we all just "like" the other government issued bullion better, and consequently those have higher premiums because of demand.
     
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  3. JPeace$

    JPeace$ Coinaholic

    I like the design in principle, but the devices lack fine details. I bought one a few years ago and haven't bought any since.
     
  4. ddddd

    ddddd Member

    I wonder if the sentiment would be different if we asked bullion investors in Europe?

    Is it simply that we prefer bullion from North America (Eagles, Maples, and Libertads) vs overseas?
     
  5. myownprivy

    myownprivy Well-Known Member

    We can see higher premiums on Britannias, Kangaroos, and others as well. So it's not just a North America thing. Philharmonics have the lowest spread of all the government issued silver bullion.
     
  6. ddddd

    ddddd Member

    The premiums are often very close. I've seen Britannias and Kangaroos sell for around the same (right now at Provident for instance Britannias are 10c cheaper than Philharmonics while Kangaroos are 10c more...pricing is Brit: 17.14, Phil: 17.24, & Kang: 17.34 for their largest quantity orders).

    For some it might just be popularity of design (people might prefer the Britannia or the Kangaroo compared to musical instruments).

    If you're talking about Koalas, Kookaburras, or Lunars, then that is another thing since those tend to have lower mintages and are considered as better bullion/semi-numismatics (and thus have a higher premium).
     
  7. myownprivy

    myownprivy Well-Known Member

    Britannias and Philharmonics are both the same price for the current year. Britannia (random dates) are cheaper than Philharmonics, but they are out of stock. So, that could be a reflection of not updating until they're in stock. Or are you seeing something else?


     
  8. desertgem

    desertgem Senior Errer Collecktor

    I bought a few Maples , philharmonics, from my coin dealer @ 1.00 over spot as they were buys of his and a few scuffs here and there. He throws all he buys and not untouched into a Home Depot bucket and people scrounge through it picking out the best. I like the elemetals (USA) as the reverse has the atomic symbol, weight and electron configuration of silver. Nice stocking stuffers for my chem friends, Jim
     
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  9. ddddd

    ddddd Member

    Random Year Britannias (in stock): (1-24) is 18.04; (500+) is 17.14
    ....BUY BACK PRICE: $15.65

    https://www.providentmetals.com/1-oz-silver-britannia-random-year.html

    Random Year Philharmonics (in stock): (1-24) is 18.14; (500+) is 17.24
    ....BUY BACK PRICE: $15.75

    https://www.providentmetals.com/1-oz-austrian-silver-philharmonic-random-year.html

    (all as of this posting on 3/15/19 ~9:30 PM CST)
     
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  10. TheFinn

    TheFinn Well-Known Member

    Most popular Ag bullion coin in Europe. Not the U.S., hence the low premium. The stagnant design doesn't help - especially when it doesn't have a predatory animal on it. I guess pipe organs and horns aren't macho enough.
     
  11. myownprivy

    myownprivy Well-Known Member

    My mistake. I went to JMbullion instead of provident when you posted.

     
  12. Don P

    Don P Active Member

    They're just ugly! lol
     
  13. Numiser

    Numiser Well-Known Member

    Ugly, that's harsh dude!

    I do agree the reverse does look like a jail or prison.

    If the obverse had a Fender Stratocaster I'd get one or two.
     
  14. Mr Roots

    Mr Roots Underneath The Bridge

    The world or this site doesn’t revolve around America.
     
  15. Don P

    Don P Active Member

    No disrespect, but I generally only buy ASEs for the simple reason is they hold value better and resell quick in our market.

    It's almost like holding a bunch of Canadian dollars in the USA, whi wants to buy them?
     
  16. chrisild

    chrisild Coin Collector

    While I am not particularly fond of the design, the Austrian "Phil" bullion pieces do sell and are in demand in Europe. May well be different in other regions of the world.

    Christian
     
  17. Mr Roots

    Mr Roots Underneath The Bridge

    What is “our market” on the internet or in a globalized world with a universal product?
     
  18. chrisild

    chrisild Coin Collector

    Sure, one could argue that, say, a 1 oz gold piece is just that, regardless of the issuer. And yet many people will be more familiar with domestic products, and quite possibly prefer them ...

    Christian
     
  19. twoshadows

    twoshadows Member

    I bought an Austrian 1/10 z gold piece just this morning for our shop. The guy walks in and says "this is what I have to have" and it was well below 1/10 oz gold bullion so I gladly accepted his offer. In my mind it is gold and whether or not I like the design is immaterial to me! I don't personally have any of them in my holdings at this time but I have in the past and probably will in the future as I like to look at something different when I am admiring my collection.
     
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