COINS AS AN ASSET CLASS The numbers of coins being traded has increased over the decades and the internet has played a part in taking a quite hobby into the areas of an ASSET CLASS. The market does not create more material so as the demand increases prices fluctuate meet demand as any market. Today the market is without international borders. Coins have been collected from at least the days of AUGUSTUS the first Roman Emperor. People have enjoyed money since its creation approx. 700 BC. The link of ART to coins has existed from the early days, from Greek and then in the ROMAN EMPIRE they were used to show the Emperor and on the reverse, the achievements, architecture, deity’s and other areas that were used as PUBLIC RELATIONS to the people of the Roman Empire and today is the single item that dates history. Coins are ART in the form of a coin, miniature forms created by the finest artists of the time. Incredible feats of creative work that cannot and have not been surpassed. The market is now becoming global, the internet and on-line auctions including bidding is demanding finer quality digital photography and descriptions including deeper in-depth research into provenance and history about a specific coin. The Numismatic market has many institutions that acquire additional items from the market and seldom dispose of the heritage of the world. Many have substantial wealthy trustees and donators to support the growing acquisitions. Coins have benefits that other collectables do not have, they are portable, and the cost of buying and selling is low as a rare collectables. In my opinion coins today are underestimated, they are an asset that can form part of an asset protection such as land, property, bonds, gold and they are as mentioned above portable and a hobby. I am a collector and this is my personal view and the market has many professionals that can guide you, I do know that like all markets prices can increase and fall. The great thing about coin collecting it is a hobby and one to enjoy. Jeff
Yah, this is always a conversation that has loyal debaters on each side ... I'm pretty sure that "someone" will end-up unloading my collection for a lucrative amount of money (but will it sell for more than I paid for it?) ... maybe? ... probably, if whoever waits long enough before they sell my coins ... Are my coins going to be as great an investment as land or even a moderate stock? (maybe, but doubtful) ... looking-back at old coin-catalogues, I can definitely see an increase, but not nearly as big of an increase compared to the land that I grew-up on (my Dad bought our house-lot for $1200 and it's now worth $500,000) Are my coins going to be worth more than Beanie babies, Pokemon cards, and/or old records? .... maybe? ... probably, but there will probably still be a better rate of return on land, stocks and other "more sound investments" => like betting it all on the Super Bowl!!
I don't mean to sound insulting, but frankly, I find the discussion of the market value and investment potential of ancient coins rather boring. It's what the US collectors do all the live-long day, and it's positively tedious. I'm interested in numismatics, and that's all I have to say on the matter. As you were.
I started collecting ancients for the thrill of having miniature works of art from so long ago. An interest in the actual history developed soon after. The camaraderie found with other ancient collectors has been an unexpected delight. I have "overpaid" for some and made good deals on others. As long as I'm not spending more than I can afford, I'm not particularly concerned. It would be nice if the collection grows in value but selling is not my intent. It is a good feeling though when similar coins sell for more than I paid.
I'm just a collector. I even have a hard time trading my coins. Ask Mat. I have sold a few, but every time I do, I regret it.
I collect because I love the coins and their history. If I ever had to sell my coins to cover costs, I would, but I could think of a couple of other things I'd rather sell. Hopefully, some day down the road, I can pass my collection onto my grandchildren (I don't have any, even children at the moment) and they can continue the tradition.
I think you make some interesting points, but I'm not sure if anything very meaningful can be said about coins as an asset class class in general. I mean, firstly, are we talking about $50 coins, $5000 coins, $50,000 coins? Even within price bands, there's inevitably going to be a huge diversity of types, some of which may see their values increase significantly in a short amount of time for whatever reason, and others which may stay stagnant or even drop over a longer period. I'm not sure if anyone has made a serious study of coin values, but the Harlan Berk book of 100 Greatest Coins has many examples of 'great' coins whose prices over the last 30 or 40 years seem to have fluctuated quite wildly. For example, he says that EF Aegina Sea Turtle staters were $5000 in the late 80s, then at some point dropped to $2000 because a large supply came onto the market, but by 2008 were back up to $5000. Others in the meantime quadrupled their value in the same time period. Just speaking for myself, though, I'm fairly certain if I had to worry about how my coins were doing as an investment, I would probably enjoy them less than if I were to be able to just appreciate them as pure numismatic and artistic pleasure.
...and that is why I like this place. Hang around a while and see what happens. Remember 1962 when the government released their bags of 1904 O silver dollars? Remember the Athena Fund? This, too, shall pass.
I collect US coins & paper money, world coins & paper money and also ancients. After awhile the US coins gets a bit boring and I find myself looking for world notes and ancients. Personally I find that world notes and ancients are more oriented towards art. While most US currency tends to focus on grade and value. I want to enjoy this hobby rather than stare at my coins as a stock that fluctuates in price daily. Not saying there is anything wrong with collecting and thinking about investment. But I think there are better investment options than coins.
I collect and could give a chit less about what my coins are worth to others - all that really matters is ME ME ME. My collection is rather akin to a Roach Motel, they check in but they don't check out.
