I'm used to buying the modern commemoratives from the Mint. And yes, it's only as a collector's item, not as an investment because most don't appreciate. Their to be appreciated not an investment that appreciates. Now, I'm rethinking even bothering to buy them from the mint. Seeing that you can pick up slabbed 69's on auction for gray sheet prices or below. And below what retail price was getting it from the mint. All those non-70’s that come back from TPGs. Anybody else buying MC’s this way?
I like to pick up the modern $5 US gold commems for bullion value or a bit less when using bing. Typically, I purchase raw coins with all the packaging. Some of these bullion commems are quite attractive on at least one side ('87 Constitution, '88 Olympic, '99 Washington and '06 San Francisco).
Yup. Just recently i bought a pcgs ms 68 1995-s civil war half dollar for a total of $14 on teletrade, much less than they go for raw.
I personally like the proof commems, but for most of them it is cheaper and easier to buy them already graded. I sent 3 1 dollar eagles in for grading all were 69s all the really expensive ones for me I have in raw proofs and they will probably stay that way
I agree totally. With high mintages, not much upside at all (there are exceptions, like the Buffalo). The designs on some/most are nice enough. If you look close/hard enough, you can pick up ones graded for less than issue or grading, MS68, 69. I just crack 'em and load a Dansco with them, for in 50 years only. the $1 commems will be worth anything, and thats due to their intrinsic value. I HAD a top 5 half dollar commem set, all PCGS. Decided to sell, and the beating I took on the halves, well, it was almost as bad as the beating I took on selling my Prez FDI dollar coins. I swore off moderns after those 2 debacles. I'll stick with coins that at least have intrinsic value for silver, or pre-1900 for other coins. The modern sector is not in a good way for the end user. As we speak, there are boxes and boxes of coins (ASE's, Prez dollars) that are sitting in NGC and PCGS, all eligible for FDI, just sitting there, waiting to be opened. I don't admire the modern dealer right now....it's got to be a tough gig, minus the gold/platinum/silver bullion coins right now Too high mintages now for these moderns, unless you find the 'jewell' MS68 (thats for business strikes), MS/PR70 for commems. I swore off moderns after those 2 debacles. I'll stick with coins that at least have intrinsic value for silver, or pre-1900 for other coins. The modern sector is not in a good way for everyone...from the dealer/submitter, to the end user.
I have a complete set, starting in 1982, that I bought from the mint, all are in crisp original packaging (which I prefer over slabs). I've found, when selling some duplicates, buyers will pay a premium for the original packaging and coa. Since I exchange any coins that don't measure up, I'd say all of mine are at least 69's and several 70's. Granted, recent issues have higher mintages, but the entire series has appreciated more than any other coins I own (including the classics).
Many folks pick up modern commem's in the after market (many times slabbed) for less than the original mint issue price. The question is, how long do you want to wait. Sometimes you might have to wait a year or so before the price of a particular commem comes down. Sometimes it doesn't come down. I'm still waitin' on the silver buffaloes...:smile
These things go in cycles. Once enough people stop buying direct, with a plan to wait for the after market, one or two of them are low mintage and go for a big premium. When enough go for a premium, the pendulum swings the other way. Some get it mostly right, others mostly wrong. So it depends on how good a person's instincts and timing is, whether they are better off buying direct or trying to play the guessing game.
I kind of pick and choose. I ordered lots of the silver buff's and did great. Also the Lincoln Chronicles set was a good one for me. But there are a lot I just don't get until the after market has them cheap.
