22+ years ago I purchased some Calgary Olympic Silver proof US $1 & Canadian $20 one ounce coins. At the time I just assumed that purchasing a Silver one ounce proof coin, purchased from a US and Canadian Mint would be a safe investment. I recently did some internet research, and found that these proof coins, if I'm lucky, may fetch melt value today. The Spot price of Silver in 1988 was $6.532437, so after a 300% increase in silver, these 22 YO Proof coins have declined, from an original cost of $38 to $20. I now realize that the US and Canadian mints charged nearly 600% over the metal cost for these proof coins. Originally, I had thought that these might be a nice gift to give to my future grandchildren. Now, I'm too embarrassed by their financial performance, to let my current grandchildren know what a sucker I was in 1988.
I wouldn't worry too much about it now. With coins, you never know what the future might hold. What if silver does indeed go to $50 an ounce? Your gift will look much better. Besides the monetary value may not mean as much to your grandchildren as the fact that the coins came from you and they can remember you by them.
