Now, ....I realize I'm going to capture the 'ire of some purist here when I ask this question cause well, this is a "coin forum" and just because something is small, round, flat, shinny and made of a precious metal does not constitute "coinage" or earn special rights in a "coin forum". But, really, is there such a thing as "medal forum"? So, here is my question: What happened to the frenzy over the first ever National Wildlife Refuge series "SILVER" medal series from the Mint ? The fish, the eagle, the elk, ....the coveted duck. Not the medals...the frenzy. I thought they were pretty neat though I don't collect medals -never have but, they were round, flat, shinny, and made of real silver (for the first time too, and from the US Mint -whoa) so I proceeded to collect all 3 .....out of 4. You see, I couldn't get the duck number 4, because the Mint ran out and my order was cancelled. Mean while, in the nether-web-world unbeknownst to me, there was a frenzy going on. These medals were selling for 2 times their original selling price ! I was excited but at the same time a bit bummed, cause that meant the only way to obtain a quack was on ebay and it would be costly. Eventually, the duck landed on ebay for 3 times its selling price ! So much for completing the series. At that point, I remembered that I really didn't collect medals and so I abandoned the duck hunt. A year later, I decided that 3 out of 4 in a series did not make a neat collection and so decided to sell my 3 shinny medals. Went to ebay to check prices and was shocked again. They were offering free trips to Orlando with each medal purchase ! Where did all the medal frenzy folks go? These babies are low mintage (25,000), made of genuine silver, first time ever from the Mint, a 2003 exclusive,......... and no one is bidding ! ? or worse, they are selling for less than what I paid? Just don't add up. Can't sell um for less than I paid that'l only make me feel worse. Reckon I'm stuck with 3/4 of a collection. Yea, I know -should just stick to coins. Your right -lesson learned -collect what you like.
First of all, I don't see any problem with discussing medals here. Why not? We've had plenty of tokens, medals, currency, and a million other discussions - it's all numismatic, so it's all welcome. I don't have any answers for your questions, but have you considered buying the duck now that the prices are low and you could have your complete set? Seems like this would be a great time to do that if the price is right
jeff - The situation you described with the medals happens all the time with coins. It's a question of popularity - nothing else. With some items it last longer than it does with others - but in most cases it gradually fades away.
AMEN I agree with that too--I know guys that just don't collect US coins (I didn't say any names ) and I know guys that collect paper money, but for me it's coins. I dabble in everything but I think that coins (US) are the way to go. Speedy
Welllllll - so far anyway. But you're young - and there is still hope that you may yet seek enlightenment in the dark
The fun of it is whatever stokes your imagination. I purchased U.S. mint and proof sets for years and years. Very nice coins all of them, but they have become somewhat the same old and old. Now my imagination is going haywire awaiting the 2005 $20 Canadian Natural Wonders coin with the first-ever three-dimensional hologram!! So different and exciting; I feel like I did with my first coin purchases as a young boy. Collect what excites and interests you!!!
My wife sold her extra set of wildlife medals to our local dealer just a few weeks ago and made a tidy profit on them! He sold them within minutes of taking possession so I wouldn't say interest has disappeared----The medals have!!!
GDJMSP is correct! Give in to the dark side!!! The force is strong so why resist as your efforts will be futile! Give in while you still have all those years ahead of you. (Actually I fought it for years and years and now I hate myself for being so darn foolish! Hind sight is always better than far sight!)
Yes I did consider it and occassionally chime into ebay -but though they are lower in cost (about the same as from the Mint) they are still fairly elusive -I've bid on a few. thanks for your input
See fads and herd mentality. When a few people start chasing something that is hyped prices start rising which catches the attention of others. This leads to more chasing the same thing, prices rise even more and a vicious cycle begins. Eventually something happens to break the up cycle, interest wanes or is directed elsewhere, prices fall discouraging others. Eventually all who aren't seriously interested in the item for what it is and not what it is worth are gone and the item reaches a price level commenserate with the actual collector demand. Prices then tend to remain flat from that point on, only changing as new collctors become interested. In the case of the Wildlife medals you have the problem that there are very few medal collectors and most coin collectors are only interested in coins. So even with a mintage of only 25,000 there are probably plenty of these to meet the actual demand. I would not be surprised to see these eventually fall to not much more than the bullion value.
Wow, cool! I have only begun collecting, and as an avid wildlife enthusiast and hunter I was thinking about looking into coins and medals with wildlife depictions. I think I'll put these on my wish list... thanks for bringing them to my attention! ~neuron
