Anyone here buying the ATB 5-ounce bullion coins? I am not referring to the collector version with the P mint mark sold directly by the US Mint. I am referring to the ones sold by bullion dealers. A lot of people were unhappy with the way these bullion coins were released in 2010, and I was one of them. However, the dust has settled and these can now be purchased at just a few dollars premium over spot per ounce. These are also often cheaper than ASEs and many other 1 oz. world silver bullion issues per ounce if you are just looking for a silver play. They are also much cheaper than the collector version. Although the collector version usually has lower mintage than the bullion version, the difference is often not much. It is also possible that some of the bullion version coins will be melted, whereas very few if any of the collector version will hit the smelter. Given that this is the Bullion Investing forum, do you think these are a good way to stack silver? TC
Probably as good as any other way and maybe better than some others. I have 13 of them and my only complaint is that they limit your storage capabilities because of their size. I so like them a lot though.
I don't see why not. There are a few from 2012 that aren't a cheap date, and I'd venture that if you get the current issues you'll probably save yourself some money and have potential for some easy money later. As an example, I sold one of my bullion Hawaii's for $350 in the fall of 2013. Not a bad return for 1 year...and Acadia is drawing some good money and I think Denali will get some attention soon enough also.
they seem to be a great play. when issued (except 2010) they are about the same price as silver eagles but many now carry a good premium. the ASEs mostly just track spot dollar for dollar. the ATBs are a much better investment IMO. I think the bullion issues are a better play. much lower entry point.
2014 will be a telling year for these. The Mint is offering a 10% discount on the collector version with subscription. This will bring the cost difference between the bullion and collector version to an all time low. The collector version will sell out more quickly now and likely at maximum mintage assuming the Mint knows how to run a business. It is possible that demand decreases for the bullion version this year and actual mintages are lower than for the collector version. Sometimes what is passed up on now is worth more in the future. The tipping point may occur when a bullion mintage is actually lower than a collector mintage. That may happen this year regardless of what the Mint plans for maximum mintages. JMO. TC
Interesting thought. But, until that happens, I'll stick with the collector version. I will be watching the bullion mintages, just in case they're lower in the future.
I started collecting them last year and have about 14 of them or so. All bullion. I'll eventually get some of the early ones from 2010 and others that I'm missing. I didn't really get them to stack silver but because having a 5 oz silver coin is so cool!!! Also with silver prices staying steady at about $20 per oz the coins aren't too expensive. Can't wait until they become available for this year!!!
I buy the collector versions in which the design appeals to me. It seems like the number of collectors interested in these is limited to between 10-20K, although it is hard to know if people are buying multiples. I am hoping for increased interest (demand) at some point. These are somewhat similar to the spouses, either you love them or hate them. All I know is that if there was a bullion version of the spouses sold at or near spot (like the ATB bullion versions), more people might be interested in them for stacking gold.
Yeah, by flooding the market with products, the mint sure is creating some scarce/rare issues these days. If history repeats, these low mintages issues should "have their day" - especially these beautiful pucks.
Something needs to happen before the ATB series ends to instill demand. The state quarter program was always popular but interest spiked when states with higher populations (e.g., New York, California, Texas, Illinois) had their state quarters released. The spouses may peak or generate more interest when Jackie O is released. Now that the state quarter program has ended very few people are interested in them. Maybe with the parks some error or odd design might spark some interest...like foliage that resembles a marijuana leaf or a barn that looks like a meth lab...something that might increase interest or demand. A good start might be for the regular business strike quarters to circulate more.
I think people were just burnt out after collecting state quarters for 10 years. I'm not sure if there would be something that would drum up interest, at least not in sufficient numbers, to pump up the mintages of ATB quarters at this point.
The ATB series, so far, has a far higher artistic standard. Many of the designs really convey a sense of beauty, and of place. Most of the state series ended up looking like clip art from tacky tourism pamphlets.
I totally agree, Pere! The art composition on the ATBs is way better than the States. I did pull the nice States ones from circulation for folder, BUT When I saw the art on the ATB, I make sure I get some rolls and such from each one. Especially the ones I have been to: Chaco Culture and Great Smoky Mtns.
I also agree that the ATB quarters, in general, have better designs than the State quarters. I just think that most people who collected the State quarters were not converted into long time collectors. So when they State quarters program ended they just decided not to keep collecting. I wonder how many would have even heard of the ATB program? Just my opinion of course
I don't think any of my posts actually responded to Topcat's question in regards to whether the ATB coins are good way to stack silver. I think it all depends on how much over spot you end up paying for each coin and what you're overall goals are. Are you buying just to have silver or are you also interested in the numismatic component? Speaking for myself, even though I've bought many ounces of silver over the years, my primary goal was as a collector not a stacker. So I do like that I have silver in my collection but not my main goal. So if you're just looking to stack silver I would think you would try to get silver, in any form, for the lowest cost over spot. If you're more interested in the numismatic side of bullion then buy what you like and enjoy your coins!!!
When I got a 2014 Smoky Mountains quarter in circulation the other week, I showed it to the two guys I was working with. Both of them were completely unaware of the current series.
Yeah, with the way these are just beginning to circulate, it's way too soon to say they won't catch on. I believe they will, as the average SQ "collector" is kind of "addicted" to making circulation finds. As for me, I'm a serious collector and I was looking forward to finishing my SQ collection, then they started the AtB's and I thought, oh c _ _ p, not again - but it didn't take long for me to get hooked. Very few who come into the shop aren't hooked on the AtB's when they see and/or hear about them.
