Does anyone know why the 1986 ASE typically sells at a premium to most other dates? I know it was the first year of issue, but it isn't particularly low mintage and I was wondering if there is another reason. Thanks.
Often when a new series is released, it takes a while to get the minting process and packaging down to a science inorder to deliver a pristine coin. It's tough to get a MS69-MS70 version of this coin. Back in 1986, the ASE was considered bullion and not a collectible coin. It wasn't until third party grading companies developed and online tv coin shows started a mass marketing effort to the general public with the scam that if you grade bullion people will collect it and pay way more that the PM value of the coin. Once companies began to see dollar signs the secondary market was born and it was off to the races.
