does this make these coins more collectiable

I've said this many times but I believe the only reason most moderns are cheap is that there is no demand. No, I don't mean a VG 1966 quarter would be valuable if everyone wanted one because there are still about 300 million in circulation in this condition or better. But an unc 1969 quarter is far scarcer than a 1950-D nickel or a large cent as a type coin. An MS-65 or better quarter is scarcer than a 1916-D dime. The reason the coin is inexpensive is solely because there's less demand than for a '16-D dime; much less.

All over the world the modern base metal versions of coins are skyrocketing in price because people quit saving the coins when the silver was removed. They are often the same design but even though the mintages are far higher and the quality is lower they are worth much more than the older silver version. Many moderns made in huge numbers have rocketed up over $1000 because no one saved any of them and now a few collectors want them.

This situation is nearly unprecedented that coins made in such large numbers are no longer available. Most of the coins were used for decades and then melted by the issuer to make consumer products like toasters. The few that escaped are generally well worn. The high grade examples tend to be coins carried home by tourists but these usually aren't Unc either and the attrition on them is very high.

Try putting together an Unc collection of almost any regular issue modern and you'll discover the problems. Take a look at the Soviet coin thread on the world coins forum. Many of these post-1961 coins are nearly impossible to locate in unc and oftimes even the XF and VF prices can be high. The coins wore out and were then melted enmass leabving very few coins for collectors. In the US there are only a few who have been setting aside coins but ity was almost nobody in the USSR. Coin collecting was strongly discouraged by the Kremlin and people didn't need much discouragement to avoid USSR coinage in Russia. Now "common" coins have very high prices.

 

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Early in my collecting life I wanted a 1950-D Jefferson Nickel, but they were selling for $25 to $30 dollars, so I waited. After years of waiting, I bought a couple for $6 each (BU, nearly full steps. At that time a full Unc roll could be had for under $200). Just looked on e-bay, I can buy them now for $10 - $11 dollars. This is the example I always remember of the "low mintage" that attained a high price almost immediately, then didn't stay there. Even now after nearly 50 years they are only about half the price they were. Figure in inflation and it is a big loser. Just to have kept up with inflation it would need to be a $106 coin today.

 

What is important is you have a couple of really nice coins that you like. That is what is important. If your collection increases in value, its gravy.

 

$25-$30, when was that?

 

Originally Posted by Kentucky $25-$30, when was that?

Never realized they went that high!

 

Like I said, the 50d was one of the most actively sought after issues of the roll craze "investors". Roll buyers never really bought scarce issues, since they are scarce, but bought what they believed were going to be rare issues by the roll.

Interesting reading if you ever have a chance. Personally I believe anyone who reads about this era and what the market is like today will walk away with some different opinions on some of the latest crazes in today's marketplace. Humans are humans, and like to travel in packs.

Back then the assumption was that future collectors will value very highly "scarce" issues in BU condition. Their error was in not taking into account so many rolls of these issues were being put aside that any future demand would never use all of them. What current market currents do you happen to see where the future demand for certain things probably will not be nearly as high as current saving?

 

At their high the 50-D rolls topped out at a little over $1000 a roll.