This is an odd question...

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by halcyon, Dec 29, 2008.

  1. halcyon

    halcyon Member

    ..but, I'm going to be a new father in 2009. :hatch:

    My grandmother gave me a 1926 2 1/2 gold Indian for my high school graduation. I'd like to do the same kind of a thing for my hatchling when he/she reaches that age. I'd like it to be something that would appreciate greatly over that time period, sooo...

    What would YOU buy? I'm thinking gold.
     
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  3. Magman

    Magman U.S. Money Collector

    why don't you pass it on? :)
     
  4. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title]

    2009 High Relief Double Eagle. :cool:
     
  5. Cloudsweeper99

    Cloudsweeper99 Treasure Hunter

    It seems obvious to me that you should give each of them a 1926 2 1/2 gold Indian and tell them it is a family tradition that they should continue with their own children.
     
  6. tekhen

    tekhen Member

    congrats!


    Your grandmother is a smart woman and you are smart as well for following her lead!
    There are many choices out there... in gold and silver. The question is, what specifically? Too many to name... but I've purchased bullion ASEs (date series) as well as all the proof sets that were available the year my child was born.

    If you are only interested in one coin... than I'd go with Gold.
    If $$$ isn't an issue, the 2009 Ultra High Relief would be a nice gift!
    As of this moment, this coin will only be minted in 2009=birth year. If that remains the case, your child may have something in 18 years time.
    Or, any pre-1933 gold as well.

    Best of luck!
     
  7. kaparthy

    kaparthy Well-Known Member

    Same thing. A 2 1/2 Indian in About Uncirculated -- some obvious wear --- will run about $400 if gold is $800/oz. The Quarter Eagle ($2.50 gold) brings a nice premium over melt. During the Great Depression when gold was nominally "illegal" these sold for the same as other gold coins: bullion. I am at a loss to explain why they carry such a hefty premium today -- mintage figures alone do not explain it -- but the market truth is that they do.

    You have a lot of choices in terms of classic American gold coins. For instance the HALF Eagle ($5.00) gold has many high-mintage years -- 1843, 1847, 1852, etc., etc., -- for about $600 to $800 depending in the price of gold.

    Bullion coins have less mark-up, of coursse, but less historicity. A good compromise are the 19th century British Sovereigns and French 20 Franc. The Sovereign is about a quarter ounce (.2354) about like a US$5 and you can find nice Victoria Young Heads from the mid-1800s for a few points over spot. The French Rooster and the French ArchAngel are 1/5 ounce (.1886) and are also nice and are also cheap relative to bullion.

    That's all you get for them, when you sell them, but they do have historicity, which a modern Eagle (Quarter Eagle, etc.) does not, except as in the year 2027, your daughter will find a Quarter Eagle Gold from the 1990s to be truly archaic!
     
  8. jaceravone

    jaceravone Member

    There is no question.... if your baby is born in 2009, then you need to purchase the High Relief Double Eagle. Especially if this is the only year that it is in production, it would be a coin/year to remember.
     
  9. bqcoins

    bqcoins Olympic Figure Skating Scoring System Expert

    an early 1900's $5 gold can be had in the $250-350 range in MS60 and would be a nice buy
     
  10. Lehigh96

    Lehigh96 Toning Enthusiast

    No doubt, no brainer.
     
  11. halcyon

    halcyon Member

    The 2009 double eagle is what I was leaning towards.. for many of the reasons already mentioned.
    Has the mint released what the cost will be?
     
  12. Jesh

    Jesh New Member

    Nope but there is a thread here about it.
     
  13. halcyon

    halcyon Member

    Oh... gee.. a thread from just yesterday.
    Thank you :)
     
  14. borgovan

    borgovan Supporter**

    No. It will depend where spot gold is close to when the coin is being released. Then they'll tack about $150 onto that.
     
  15. halcyon

    halcyon Member

    Thank you for all the replies.
    I think the idea of giving them a 1926 Indian like what was done for me is fantastic.. making it a family tradition and all. At the same time, having 2009 being the only year that the double eagle will be made coinciding with the birth year of my child.. is just too cool to pass up on. :)
     
  16. kanga

    kanga 65 Year Collector

    IMO if you want something that would appreciate in value:
    - go with gold.
    - stay away from the modern stuff.

    Some modern items will give you the appreciation that you want, but most won't.
    If your can foresee the future then you could select the correct one.
    I can't, so I assume modern gold will stick to the bullion curve.

    I would go with a quarter or half eagle (eagles and double eagles are too heavy if you should want them in a necklace.)
    I would go for a AU piece although XF is good if the AU price causes you to choke.
    Pick a common date, the sort you would look for if you were doing a type set (unless the 1926 date has special meaning.)

    I got an AU eagle for my wife 5 or so years ago.
    She wears it as a necklace (in a bezel) quite often.
    Really works well against a black or dark sweater.
     
  17. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title]

    I agree with this if you're looking for the coin that will be worth the most by the time she turns 18. If you're just looking for a sentimental piece to continue the family tradition, I still feel the 2009 Double Eagle is the way to go. It is (for now) a one year issue which will be produced during her birth year. It may only carry the value of bullion, but IMHO it will mean a lot because it was made (and purchased) the year she was born. To this day, I wish there was some kind of unique US issue from my birth year that I could just buy to have...ASE, AGE, Commemorative...unfortunately I was born in 1985.
     
  18. kanga

    kanga 65 Year Collector

    I agree with the birthyear aspect of the purchase.
    Certainly a consideration.

    CamaroDMD, instead of a single special coin from your birthyear (since there doesn't seem to be one), consider a high grade birthyear set.
    All the coins struck in 1985 (including proofs) shouldn't be too expensive in MS- or PF-68 or -67.

    I did it for my birthyear but ignored the proofs.
    My cents are all MS-66RD.
    The nickels are all MS-65FS.
    The dimes are all MS-65FB.
    The quarters are all MS-65.
    The "P" and "D" halves are MS-65; the "S" half is MS-64.

    The Year: 1941
    That explains why the "S" half is only MS-64.
     
  19. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title]

    That is something I have been thinking about and will probably do down the road. :)
     
  20. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins

    I say stay with senitimental....year sets, proof ,Unc. silver eagle. Forget about gold, it's the birth year that counts...
     
  21. mralexanderb

    mralexanderb Coin Collector

    You have to go with the 2009 HR gold double eagle. Unique is the key kere.

    Bruce
     
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