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Message:: [QUOTE="kaparthy, post: 25029, member: 57463"]This was how I got interested in "coins" generally before I collected. From 1971 to 1991, my interest was mainly in the bullion value, but I also liked having an array of examples and better examples look nicer.  As a result, the Angels, Sovereigns, etc., that I bought for close to bullion, I sold for more than spot gold.  To do that, however, requires actually seeing the coin and grading it.  Not all "Mint state" coins are equally attractive. There are active collectors of Sovereigns, so if you know the series, you can find nominally better dates, etc. For aesthetic appeal, the Angels outshine Nicholas 5 Rubles.  For "rarity" in a common coin, again the Angels take the lead over 20 Coronas.  One little area that is not well appeciated is Romaion ("Byzantine") Gold.  Those coins were struck in large volumes to pay off invaders and can be found for less than double the spot price of gold, which is seldom true of any other coins so old. Again, you need to be able to see the coin to grade it and you have to know the history and the collectibility of the series. The bottom line is that you cannot just go out online, click up a bunch of transactions, and sit back and watch the profits accumulate. Lenin said, "He who does not work, shall not eat."  I think that applies here, also. [/QUOTE]