Why are American coins so overated?

No - I don't think this is a discussion about Chocolate vs Strawberry (if approached in that manner it is an interesting debate with obvious pros and cons on both sides) although many more intelligent and open minded individuals tried to steer it that direction. The choice of words in the bullets above are insulting and I really don't think that he cared that he insulted people as I really believe that was his sole intent. This just shows a complete lack knowledge and maturity. I do kind of find it funny that he couldn't even spell patriotism, overrated, or interesting correctly.

For the record I'm glad I'm the only one that prefers strawberry. :goofer:

 

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People "over pay" for American coins because it is a strong American hobby and the price they are willing to pay as collectors is a direct correlation of disposable income for items they desire. Some people desire pieces of paper with athletes photos on them and pay big bucks, others like plastic pez dispensers. Desire is built around past memories and interest. As a kid in the mid 1980's I would look and photos of American coins and dream of someday owning many of these. Your desire is for ancient coins because you likely are interested in ancient history and find that link with ancient coins. I have no interest in even hearing the history of Alexander the Greek or some Byzantine leader.

I find it interesting to hold a 1920 gold $20 piece because it is a method of currency that was fazed out by FDR after the US was taken off the gold standard following the great depression. To own something that survived hoarding by a witty American or perhaps locked away in a foreign bank vault amazes me. Even to hold a 1927 Mint State Standing Liberty quarter that survived in such great condition when people people would quickly spend it to keep from eating the leather of their shoes.


Granted ancient coins have their place, but my money along with many others is chasing events that we relate to. The only thing interesting about ancient coins is that many of their civilizations collapsed due to inflation as their leaders just made money as they needed it. Thats why you can get these coins so much cheaper (supply lacking demand) as they are sold many times in bulk as the soil in Europe is full of them.

Heres my short essay for your can of worms.

By the way I am a chocolate guy...............
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Aberlight, that's the best answer I've seen here so far.

And I prefer pie to ice cream. :-D

 

CT tip of the day: Words underlined in red can be right-clicked for spell check.

 

I have a couple of ancients for the novelty of owning a very old piece of history. But, other than that, I find them crude, ugly and uninteresting.

Obviously that is a personal opinion and I have no problems with others not having the same opinion. And apparently unlike the OP, I am not surprised or dumbfounded when someone does have a different opinion than my own.

 

Yeah.

 

Supply and demand. As to why there is the demand, it is becuase most Americans (myself included) are not that cultured and pretty up on themselves... as are people of most nations. It comes with one's sense of soverignity. And because of that, we tend to value those things we know the best. And yes, for me an old Buffalo Nickle reminds me of my grandfather and the old west (homesteader in Montana) who partly started us kids on coin collecting. And so it is a cultural thing. There is no way around that.

You just have to accept that.

It comes down to the old American motto of buying and "made in American" - which maybe is not so popular today but was extremely populat up until the 60's and 70's. It is the same reason Fords and Chevy's were bought by most American families. In the 60's and 70's there were some but not many German or European cars around. Now that is not the case anymore but the culture is still there to a great degree. People gravitate toward the things they know best and that bring back family history and national pride. My favorite coin is the buffalo nickle because it reminds me of the old west. One I got a taste of in my youth. That is how it is for me anyway. It is about family and national values first. Investement second.

Ironically, not everything is about money or profits. There is the integrity of our sense of 'people'. We the People. And our coins remind most of us of the early days of America. Constitution of which most multi-generation American families are VERY proud of. At least up until recently, we were a model democracy for the world and proud of it. Maybe in decline now but we made it to the top of the world for a time. And mostly about who we were back then. And our coins remind us of that.

I know the original poster maybe does not want to hear that, but that is the way it is here in the old west that is still alive in places.

UncleKin

 

lol, I was on my way to google to check the valitity of his claim (fhich I was fairly certain was inaccurate) when I decided to check first to see if anyone else had already refuted it. I'm glad I did, or my post would be redundant to yours.

 

Fresh cut perfectly ripe strawberries laying on top of that nice smooth vanilla is the perfect combination. (essentially Strawberry Ice Cream) - commme-on admit it .


That is unless there is warm apple pie involved then you have to skip the strawberries!!!

 

and I know for the opposite reason, I prefer something other than vanilla. When I get vanilla I always feel like I missed out on someting delicious that could have been added to the ice cream. Then again you collected world coins and I US.