I am new into this frenzy Euro coin collecting "sickness"!, and I would like to see your views on these 3 specific and absolutely rare coin sets. What do you think, in terms of prices, rarity e.t.c.? Will the prices continue to rise so dramatically? Will i.e. the 2006 Vatican Set be sold for more than 500 Euros in 4 years, just like the 2002 one sells now (4 years after it has been mint)? Give me your views in this.. Also, which specific coins, sets, years, countries, commemorative coins, whatever!, do you think it's gonna be very rare and very valuable in the future? Thank you!
They will continue ... to drop, yes. Relatively simple question of supply and demand - a couple of years ago, when the euro cash was actually new, many people started collecting coins. But the first pieces from these three countries were not as easy to get as coins from the EU member states that have the euro: You basically had to buy a set, and spend more (possibly much more) than face value. Some were lucky enough to be on the mailing lists of all three countries, and could buy the sets at fairly reasonable prices. Others paid much more when buying from dealers or auction sites. Nowadays some euro collectors have lost interest in pieces from MC/SM/VA, and others don't collect coins at all any more. Of course there will always be coins/sets that are more expensive than others. Last year's set from Monaco, for example, had new designs of all national sides but the old (pre-2007) common sides, and was issued as a proof version only. Mintage figures should also be taken into account. In 2002 there were 65,000 Vatican BU sets and 9,000 proof sets. Now they make 85,000 and 16,000 respectively. The situation in San Marino is a little different; they actually issue some coins for circulation. Monaco is in a difficult position in that regard since the country does not have a fixed face value limit (like what San Marino and the Vatican have) but can only issue 1/500 of the French annual volume. So if you plan to buy those coins as some sort of investment, my advice would be -- don't. Christian
Interesting view on this matter.. I wasn't aware of the things you mentioned.. On the other hand.. I am very curious about what happens on eBay I have been watching almost every auction about anything that has to do with Vatican, Monaco and San Marino in eBay USA, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, UK for the past 2 months. After all those auctions, items and prices i have seen, I am now very curious as to WHO is buying all those let's say 2002 Vatican Sets in Proof Quality for more than 500 or 600 Euros!!!!?!? Are they persons that will sell those items further? Or are they pure coin collectors?? I am very curious about this, as I am also concerned of the fact that maybe all these items of these 3 countries are just recycling in eBay from seller to buyer and so on, and at the same time, unavoidably increasing the prices?? Have you ever thought about that? Thank you!
You mean pictures of the items sold for 500-600 Euros? You can see for example these two auctions: http://cgi.ebay.com/VATICAN-2002-BU...ryZ39480QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/CITY-OF-VATICAN...ryZ39480QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
Probably collectors. Theoretically vendors could try and buy some, just in order to keep the prices high. But I doubt that would actually work. When I wrote that prices tend to go down, I did not primarily have the Vatican 2002 proof set in mind, but rather the later years. Guess that 2002 proof will continue to be that expensive for a good long time - however, 2003-06 are less expensive. These are, for example, the prices of one German dealer I know: http://www.emuenzen.de/verkauf/kat88land708.html You may get the sets cheaper elsewhere. I just posted the link to show that "trend" that I mentioned ... Christian
As most already know the value of coins depends on who or where they are collected. Most individuals collect coins from their nation and are not really World coin collectors. There are just too many coins to have the money to aquire coins from everywhere. Pick a type, country, and choose what amount you are willing to pay, then collect. Take your time in collecting as it is no race to complete a certain set. Enjoy what you are doing so that it doen't take the fun out of collecting. Some say buy the key date and issues first because they are the ones that will keep on rising in price and then buy the other issues. Others do it any old way hoping to get bargins just around the corner. It depends on what type of collecting you want to do. Also look to other countries to buy those hard to come by or expensive coins. If there is no market in their country you will be able to get them cheaper.
