A few months ago I went to a traditional coin show of about 30+ Vendors (50+ tables). I was walking around looking on my 1st pass by to see what there is to buy. Two vendors next to each other are talking about how coin collecting is dying and all anyone wants is bullion. On my second pass I located the silver bullion that I wanted to buy and saw that I am the type they are talking about. I did see many buying coins. Is this the future?
An anomaly during a bad economy. Even so, collectable low mintage bullion has faired much better than pm’s during the last downturn.
coin collecting will never die. there's a bunch of brand new silver stackers out there right now. not sure silver is that big of a good investment right now. it's all speculation.
Never say never. But I don't see an imminent death either. Of course bullion pieces are easier to sell and buy. Also, people who are into bullion and otherwise don't really care about coins - nothing wrong with that, it's just not my thing - will of course be happy when they hear that others want bullion too. Christian
As a coin and bullion collector, I think most bullion guys prefer the bullion for the simple reason that you don't have to worry about the condition as much. Bullion will sell purely on its content not condition. Coin collecting is not dying but it is a limited community. Your betting on rarity or condition for its value where as bullion its more simple. is silver or gold up or down... There are a few exceptions obviously with bullion, since 3rd party graders are now making some bullion numismatic, there could be a trend change down the road. Let me add one more thing, there are some bullion that carrys a nice premium due to rarity or popularity such a JM or Engelhard to name a couple. They will always cost a bit more for that reason, kind of the same idea as collecting rare coins. Early serial numbered Engelhards go for a pretty penny.
If bullion were king, would he be dethroned and beheaded by the scores of subjects forced to give up a much greater share of their "crops" in tribute if bullion prices plummeted to the dungeon and remained there for generations? Perhaps it would be better to say that bullion is a usurping prince with regal desires. He may ascend to the throne, but I don't know that he will always remain there. Chris
That was a interesting analogy, I think bullion is a popular fad right now, and only has grown interest due to such a crappy economy. Even though the gov says we are getting better, there is way to much debt and real unemployment that is not discussed which is pushing bullion to be what it is right now.
Bullion has to be popular right now, there is still a lot of inventory out there that was purchased at $30 - $40/oz. The market is saturated with high mintages of bullion coins. If the dealers all bring lots of bullion and display lots of bullion, they just might sell more bullion.
Yep that's why the major auction houses have been breaking record prices for individual coins and auctions.
Man, exact same thing happened in the late 70's. Some dealers switched over to only bullion, some did both, and some only coins. Everyone was bemoaning that coin collecting was dying, onl bullion would survive, yada yada. Same guys 4 years later were licking their wounds from bullion and again trying to attract collectors, since collectors were the only ones left at the shows. Its just cyclical. When bullion gets "hot" it can completely take over shows at the time. The base of this hobby, though, is collectors.
I didn't get the memo that collecting was dying. I'm always the last to know. Now, I'm off to invest in more beanie babies!
Yeah. Many people will always be attracted to the current hot item or niche. A contrarian might take this as a sign that coins are a better buy right now, but then good coins are much harder to find than bullion.
Dollar cost averaging: http://bullmarketthinking.com/the-most-profitable-route-for-gold-and-silver-bugs/
Bullion is King and Coins are dying! I wish that was true. I have a list of rare coins I want. maybe they will become cheaper once coin collecting DIES! rare coins are still breaking records. #mce_temp_url#
Funny, I collect primarily coins... bullion coins To me this isn't a sign of coins dying, but rather that people are becoming more aware of the need to invest in tangible assets, and that is reassuring.
Coin collectors should welcome this, many people will start off just buying gold and silver and will turn into coin collectors as they do....I don't collect copper, zinc or nickle coins but I'll pay we'll over melt for a nice capped bust or draped bust silver coin....IMO the hobby would just about be dead if it wasn't for modern bullion and the Internet.