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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;pondman, post: 763128, member: 21898&quot;]I think you are viewing coin collecting as an index. I don&#039;t think this is a good strategy. Consider a number of factors:</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>1. Your purchasing power- I assume you are buying in U.S. dollars. In the early 80&#039;s I was living abroad. The dollar almost bought 4 Deutsche Marks. Because of the strong dollar it was common to be able to purchase 1948 5 pesos silver coins for under $3.00 in Europe. At the time, I was thinking about doing something with cash. I started collecting pre 1950 Spanish/ Mexican silver coins.I bought about 1500 silver coins.In hindsight it might seem brilliant, but at the time, the U.S. had come through what I think was probably the most disruptive time in U.S. economic history. Life changed when oil quadrupled in a year. The market was dead. You could get 14% on your money from the bank. Who would be buying coins nobody wanted?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>We are living in different times- today.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>2. The U.S. Economy- Most people in the U.S. have probably lost 14-25% of their assets in 1 year. I personally don&#039;t know anyone who is better off now than they were in 2005. I think more people are selling coins today than in 2005. I consider this the start of a buyers market. The coin market will probably become softer. If you got cash, this might be the time to keep your eyes out for value. I think it&#039;s more of an issue of buying only rare, low issue, popular coins.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>3. Pick your own winner- I personally buy, sell, and trade 1932 D/S Washington quarters. I know this market well, consider it my specialty. I&#039;ve learned how to grade it well, know the market--what times of year to buy and sell, can scope it (yeah I carry a scope with me), so I can see problems. I can buy them in the Mid-west and sell them in California. I know the general consensus for the sheets/guides, but I don&#039;t depend on any generalizations. I definitely don&#039;t need to carry any of them around. It&#039;s just my own pulse. (It&#039;s also softening) </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>4. Do you like coins? First and foremost-- you should like coins and collecting. Because if you don&#039;t there are probably better things to do with your time and money.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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