Have you felt prices on coins go up a lot in the last few years? I am mostly looking at cheaper world coin lots and browsing through some older world coins, but can't help feeling like the prices jumped considerably compared to the last time I was actively looking. I feel like coins are also consistently selling for far more than "value" estimates across several websites, so I am having trouble knowing what to bid. I lost a coin collection, so some of these bids are trying in vain to somehow fix it. I am just surprised at how much bidding activity there is for older country lots. Have you noticed inflation and how much?
Yes I notice it with tokens that I like to bid on. On Ebay an established seller with a good reputation is pretty much a guarantee of more bidders and higher prices.
I feel like more and more US collectors are reaching out to World Coins to see different designs and a wider variety of coins. This is bringing up the prices. Just my thoughts on it.
Yes, I primarily collect silver coins from 1700's Sicily and certain Italian states and those prices have absolutely gone up in the last three years. I buy on American eBay and Italian eBay and on both the prices have increased . Also, I used to cherry pick some rare Sicilian coins from American sellers who didn't know what they had, those deals/steals are very seldom seen anymore.
I wonder what is motivating the sudden increase beyond even just inflation. Is it because people think coins will soon be obsolete so get them while they are still here. I'm seeing old Soviet coins that used to be .10 to .25 going for .50 and up as part of a lot. It's just strange.
You're right! Prices for some older British crowns have doubled or tripled in price in the last few years. Examples: 1887 Victoria in MS64, $500 in 2018-2020, $1,000+ today. 1893 Victoria in MS65, $1,000 in 2018-2020, $3,000 today. 1847 Victoria in PR63, $9,000 in 2018-2019, $25,000+ today! Is this a just a spike and prices will come down, or are these new long term prices? Cal
The supply of cash has went up drastically. Everybody has been paying $4/gallon gas for months. Food has spiked. Pretty much everything has gone up in the last few years. There's been quite a few posts like yours here including some by me. I've noticed it as well. If you want nice product you have to pay or you aren't getting it. I think there's a combo of inflation in general and when it comes to coins, much of what exists is not for sale. Collections are hoarded away. Sure coin shows are loaded with coins but if you're looking for something specific in a less common series, there may not be one example there. On ebay, maybe a handful if any. There must be more collectors and money chasing coins than we think.
Economy booming, baby boomers getting older, too much money, not enough time. People spending like drunken sailors. Catch a plane, take a long vacation. I want what I want and I want it now. We have met the enemy and he is us
I'm a dedicated world coins collector and I agree the prices on places like eBay are way up, to the point where I won't even buy most coins online because it's out of hand. I can still find deals at my LCS except for certain countries that they think are hot (Japan, China). I make good money buying there and reselling online. Anything silver in good condition gets crazy prices.
In 2020 prices across most coins series started going up. And that upward trajectory has been fairly consistent through 2023. Initially with people staying at home, there was more time and money for coins (stimulus funds, not spending on vacations/going out) so that fueled prices. Nowadays some people have dropped out as travel has restarted and inflation has decreased spending power. But plenty of others continue to put their money towards coins as a way to spend paper or digital money before it further devalues.
For years , I could go into my coin dealer and he could sell me a burlap bank bag of 5000 unchecked Lincoln cents for a reasonable price ( 3 years ago, the price was $250) . Now his supply is mostly gone and 350 in a ziplock is $35 and poor people buy them. People are all looking for a winner coin worth $$ or more. All they have to do is look at ETSY and PayPal and see its *possible* to get rich. Jim
Yes, coin prices have gone up after they came down during the period for 2010 to before the pandemic. Some people are buying because they think it is a safer place to park their money with inflation. Some people are buying gold for the same reason. Who knows if these are permanent market adjustments? Nobody. My advice is enjoy collecting the coins you like, and let the market see if it’s an “investment.”
Fortunately the Dollar is remaining strong vs the Euro. One Euro is worth $1.10 USA and that's a much better exchange than it used to be. I remember back in 2008 a Euro was worth $1.60 USA
