The Independent Dalya Alberge January 25, 2012 The Royal Mint is being accused of exploiting the general public with overpriced commemorative coins that have minimal investment value. After 38 years as a Royal Mint agent, a leading numismatic dealer with 57 years in the business, is now refusing to trade in any more of its coins because he believes the market has been devalued by the vast numbers of issues and exorbitant prices. Richard Lobel – the UK's biggest dealer in the secondary market for Royal Mint coins – condemns what he sees as the exploitation of people who pay up to four-figure sums for what they assume are valuable keepsakes. He said that coins celebrating the 2012 Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee are among issues that are worth far less than the prices paid. The resale value of most non-gold coins is under 50 per cent of the original price. Story
Yup, non issue the way I see it. The U.S. Mint charges $7.95 for two penny rolls, face value of $1.00 and metal value far below that.
For the most part, NCLT issued by the US Mint goes down in price in the secondary market. There have, of course, been some exceptions but usually commemorative half dollars and dollars, proof set and mint sets lose value. The $5 gold used to be a fairly good value but since the Mint put them on their pricing grid, not so much anymore.
This is a classic case of investing vs. collecting. The people who bought the coins seeking a investment got nothing in return. While the people who bought the coins because they collect coins enjoy them regardless.
Well put, icerain. People seem to get those two terms mixed up. I happen to be a collector/ investor. It gives you the best of both worlds. Sometimes you have to move items around from one to the other to make yourself feel a little better, or just to justify your collection.
