A guide to assist you in assembling a U.S. Rare Gold & Silver coin collection of a Lifetime!
My passion for American history lead me to a career as a Numismatist, I am now celebrating my 30th year as a rare gold and silver rare coin dealer.
Our guide to collecting and investing United States Rare Coins is created to inform you and help you avoid the mistakes I've made collecting and investing in United States gold & silver rare coins over the past 30 years.
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I'm purposely leaving images out of this post for a specific reason. If your serious and passionate about American history and its historical coinage then you need to read this, not just look at it!
So let's get to it!
Successfully collecting and investing in U.S. Rare Gold & Silver coins is not a simple task, it's a form of art. The most successful collectors and investors have a long-term vision when assembling a historic, valuable, rewarding, AND profitable Pre-1933 United States Rare Gold & Silver coin collection.
There is no "one way" or "right way" to assemble a magnificent "eye-opening" United States Rare Gold and Silver coin collection.
But there are 4 key things I keep in mind whenever I acquire a coin or coins for my personal collection or assisting clients with their acquisitions, or when buying coins to add to our inventory. Let's explore them.
HERE ARE 4 KEY TIPS:
VALUE, REWARD, PATIENCE, PROFIT
1.) VALUE:
Always acquire the highest quality coins you can afford is #1 for a reason. I'm guessing you work hard for your money. Whatever your budget is, never choose quantity over quality, scarcity, or rarity. You want to get the most value for every one of your dollars that you spend.
Every astute collector and investor acquires the best coins they can afford.
Value doesn't always mean acquiring the "highest graded" coin available. There can be 2 coins with the same exact grade BUT there are always subtle differences between coins. Think of them as snowflakes. There are no two alike.
I will give you an example: The 1909-O $5 Half Eagle is an extremely valuable coin and is highly sought after by collectors and investors around the world in almost any grade. It has the lowest mintage in the gold $5 half eagle series
It was the year the
New Orleans Mint closed its doors forever, and it has a very low survival rate, not just in Uncirculated Mint State condition, but in all grades.
But you can take two 1909-O's in the same grade and condition but one coin will have a subtle difference that makes it a better coin than the other. Most of the time that difference is "eye appeal." Or you may find that a coin one grade lower just looks better than the higher graded coin which costs a lot more money.
In this case you are getting better value by going with the lower graded coin. You are saving money and you are getting a coin that just plain looks better! That is value!
2.) REWARD:
The reward in collecting and investing in rare coins is not just about financial reward, it is about enriching your life, bringing joy for generations to come. It should not only be fun, but it should also be profitable!
One of the most satisfying reasons to collect and invest in United States rare coins is their ability for you to hold on to and own historic American symbolic treasures.
Each coin you add to your collection encompasses your individual passion and tells a story, of a particular era, event, or historical figure.
Whether it's a Morgan Silver Dollar from the late 19th century and their connection to the "heydays" to the "Wild West" or an Early 20th century gold coin typeset that represents a dramatic transformation of the design of U.S. gold coinage, these coins offer a tangible connection to America's past.
By collecting and investing in these numismatic treasures, collectors and investors play a vital role in safeguarding our heritage for future generations.
Follow your interests. For example, if you are passionate about one of America's most legendary eras, the "Wild West," then your focus should be on acquiring and assembling the finest and most valuable gold and silver coins minted at the Carson City, San Francisco, and Denver branch mints.
A combination such as this makes for a magnificent eye-opening collection.
If you are passionate about the Civil War era, concentrate on U.S. coinage from 1861 to 1865.
One of my U.S. rare Gold and Silver collecting passions is the coins produced at the three Southern Branch Mints in Dahlonega, GA. Charlotte, NC., and New Orleans from 1838 to 1861.
They are rich in American history and have fascinating stories behind them.
I have assembled a vast and valuable collection of rare, unique, and historically significant coins from the three Southern Branch Mints.
Whatever type of rare coins you choose to focus on or approach you take to assemble a valuable and "Great collection," to increase your chances of success, always remember that the best coins to acquire are authenticated, certified, collector-grade, investment quality, historical, rare, key date coins with low survival rates that you can afford.
Remember to stay informed and seek professional numismatic guidance along your rare coin collecting and investing journey. Be sure to check back with our guide to collecting and investing in U.S. rare coins blog often. We post on many different topics, specific types of coins, history, designs, eras and so much more.
3.) Patience:
"Is a virtue," especially when assembling a valuable and rewarding Pre-1933 United States Rare Gold and Silver coin collection.
When a higher graded coin that I have in my personal collection becomes available, it doesn't automatically mean it's an upgrade. For instance, for several years I had been looking to upgrade a coin in my collection. There were two big obstacles in my way.
One was cost. The difference in price from my coin to the next grade up was ten fold. Second was availability. There were only 9 coins graded in better condition than my coin. Of the two finest examples known, only one had been publicly auctioned in the previous 10 years.
I personally knew the winning bidder and they had purchased the coin for a client's "tightly held" collection. Which in layman's terms means, that coin was never going to be back on the market again unless their heirs wanted to sell it.
So that left me a miniscule 7 coins in the next highest grade than my coin to keep my eyes and ears open for. A few years had passed and finally I got the chance to view and purchase one of the 7 coins. The problem?
When I viewed the coin, I liked the one I already owned more than the higher graded coin. My coin spoke to me, it has nice natural coloring and original lustre. The higher graded coin was just plain "dull!"
I also had to factor in the ten times higher cost to upgrade. I had to ask myself, was it really worth it?
When I made my decision it wasn't ultimately the price. I could afford it. It came down to the individual coins themselves.
If you guessed that I passed on the higher graded coin, you are right. My gut instinct told me that I would miss my coin. Or if I simply kept my coin and added the other to my collection, it would lessen the emotional value of my collection, not add to it. There is no doubt in my mind that if I would have made the purchase I soon would have been looking for a buyer.
Never settle for less than what you're looking for. Never impulsively acquire a particular coin just because you "need" it to complete a series, typeset, mint set, or date run.
4.) PROFIT:
Beyond their historical significance, United States rare coins also offer a potential financial investment opportunity.
While the value of coins can fluctuate over time, rare and sought after pieces often hold and appreciate in value.
Their limited supply, combined with the growing demand from collectors and investors have lead to significant price appreciation for certain coins and areas of the rare coin market over the past few decades.
Diversification is crucial "Don't put all your eggs in one basket" Diversification is critical with any sound collection or investment. United States rare coins offer an extensive range of options for collectors and investors looking to diversify their overall investment portfolio that most likely includes traditional investments such as stocks, bonds, and real estate.
There is an abundance of options that ensures collectors and investors can curate a collection that reflects their unique preferences, which enable them the options of various themes, time periods, and coin types.
Completing diverse gold and silver series, typesets, date runs, and mint sets from different eras and designs are essential, as is having a long term vision.
I guarantee you that you will not assemble a U.S. Rare Gold & Silver coin collection of a lifetime in a short period of time. It takes years, sometimes decades, if not your entire lifetime.
I have been collecting U.S. rare coins since I was 9 years old. I began investing in U.S. rare coins in my twenties. It's been 30 years now and I love my personal collection. It has enriched my life, it brings me joy! I love the challenges of the hunt and the chase to find a coin I need or a coin that one of my clients need.
I look at and examine thousands of coins a year, and there are only a very small percentage that I choose to acquire for either my personal collection, clients collections, or for our inventory. Because I am always looking for value and you should also.
The Guide to Collecting and Investing in United States Rare Coins Conclusion:
Whatever type of rare coins you choose to focus on or approach you take to assemble a valuable and "Great collection," always remember that the best coins to acquire are authenticated, certified, collector-grade, investment quality, rare, key date coins with low survival rates.
United States rare coins offer a fascinating blend of historical significance, storage of wealth, potential financial rewards, and enrichment and joy to ones life.
They serve as tangible links to the past, preserving our heritage, while also providing an opportunity for collectors and investors to curate their own unique collections.
Collecting and investing in United States rare coins promises a fulfilling journey filled with discovery, knowledge, and appreciation for rich American history.
Remember to stay informed and seek professional numismatic guidance along your rare coin collecting and investing journey.
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What's the number piece of advice we give our clients?
"Always acquire the best coins you can afford and always choose quality over quantity!"
Sincerely, Edward Walsh
President/CEO
Minuteman Rare Coin
339-222-4571