Thoughts on key date US coins as investment hobby?

Please share any thoughts you have on collecting key date US coins as an investment rather that just strictly as a hobby.

I am specifically looking at a few key dates and types at the MS63 to MS65 grading scale as they seem affordable and should be in demand enough to stay-with and hopefully outpace inflation as they appreciate in value over the years.

There are many factors I just can't see and curious what the general consensus is.

Thank you!

 

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To me my collection is a hobby, I'm not in it to make money but for the history and enjoyment.
Weather it's coins or trains.

 

I've been collecting ancients for about 15 years and couldn't agree more. So much access into cultures and history. Although I will likely be selling my ancients collection soon but there are definitely a few pieces I can't part with.

 

OP post has been up for over an hour and no one has come in to gush about the Dow?

 

We're all too busy stocking up on Bitcoin.

 

Which is a great opportunity to ask - is demand for key dates, e.g. 1913 5c Buffalo Type 1 starting to decline in the last few years? Because a factor like that would certainly impact demand/appreciation.

 

I'm curious, too, but have no info to contribute.

 

I don't know the answer to your questions as I'm into Exo and making fun of U.S grading. Most coin collectors claim to have little or no interest in the investment angle.

And I can't think of any reason why an investor who is really on to something would tell anyone at all. It takes time to load up on rare coins that really are rare. Why would someone want more competition by telling others about it?

 

@Lane Walker have you looked into classic commens? I remember they did pretty well in the 1979-1980 run up. Unless I missed something since that time they not only have been neglected, they shouldn't even have any blood left to "flow in the streets" by this time. But I'm just guessing. I don't really keep track of them. I'm too busy mocking U.S grading.

They do have some nice designs though. Texas is real nice.

 

Always happy to look into a small niche - Will look them up.

 

Oh darn! I ate all mine.

 

Key dates have continued to appreciate while much of the rest of the market stayed stagnant or dropped a bit, including proof silver eagles which have fallen off heavily.

CAC approved key dates are blowing upward.

Morgans are fragile and only being held up by silver prices. CC's are fragile too as they are plentiful and often uncirculated.

Rare varieties and pre-1940 proof are where I'm looking to go for my business. But, I'm opportunistic and will buy whatever can generate me a profit.

Evan

 

Avoid 'tougher' dates in MS63. But for key dates, sure.

 

Too many variables to even guess.
Will there be enough collectors around with the movement away from hard change?
The mint is constantly fabricating scarce coins and they always move up early.
In 75 years I have yet to see a good way to predict future investments,
Good luck.

 

Evan where is 101 Gillis street in Auburn been trying to find you since we spoke 2 years ago but then it was in Florida? Do you have a store front? familiar with Republic's and Augusta LCS but would love to bring you some stuff? Thanks DB

 

If you aren't buying the very best of the best, which in today's market are 7-figure coins...

You might as well take your money and throw a third down the commode, and call it your investment. Very few run-of-the-mill coins have kept up with inflation, let alone increases in precious metal prices.

 

As someone who just completed the buffalo nickel set and spent the last couple months chasing down the last key dates, the 1913 Type 1 buffalo nickel is not what I'd consider a key date. Nearly 31 million mintage. I got a MS-66 example for under $200 for my US Type.

You should pursue the actual low mintage ones of that series. 13-S type 2 is the key to the series.
15-S, 21-S. Those are hard to come by. Steep rise in price for better condition ones.
In the earlier years people weren't saving them. The only reason the 1913 type 1 is readily available in high grade is because of huge mintage. By the 30s people were paying attention and more people were saving stuff. The 26-S has the lowest mintage but must have a lot of survivors because it's still reasonable below EF.

The 1921 high relief Peace would be a good candidate. People are always looking for them. I bought one at the end of 2020 for my US type and the value doubled the next year.

 

The next year was the coin's 100th anniversary, and the price spiked that year. It's fallen back a bit, although it appears to be holding well above its pre-2020 levels.

The 1928-P was traditionally a pricier coin, but it slumped a bit during the last ten years. Looks like it's recovered some, too.

The real prize in high grades, of course, is the 1934-S. (Not counting the proofs, which aren't really accessible for ordinary collectors.)

 

Which stock should you buy? Well, the one I already own, of course.