Coin collecting dates back to the 12th century, and it remains a popular hobby for people of all ages around the world.
Commonly known as ‘numismatics’ by enthusiasts, there are many different reasons for starting a coin collection.
One of the cheapest ways to begin collecting is by saving specific £1, £2 or 50p coins which are found in pocket change. After all, they’ll never lose value and can be spent if you grow tired of the hobby.
For some collectors, the thrill comes from holding a beautiful piece of craftwork in the palm of their hand, where they can fully appreciate its age, weight and history.
For others, coin collecting is far more than a hobby, it’s a way of life. Rare artefacts are sought-after, sometimes by using metal detectors, and cherished for their beauty and scarcity.
It doesn’t matter why you’re interested in numismatics, this introduction to coin collecting will help you learn a few basic rules so you can create a collection you’ll be proud of.
Before starting a collection, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the basics – such as the different areas of a coin.
The head: Also known as the ‘obverse’, this side usually has an image of a bust or portrait and the year when it was minted.
The tail:Also known as the ‘reverse’, this side features the coins face value.
The rim: The raised-up area which encircles the diameter of the obverse and reverse sides.
The relief: The part of a coin’s design which is raised above the surface.
The edge: Sometimes known as the ‘third side’, this is often grooved but can be ornamental or plain.
The legend: The lettering or inscription which identifies the country of issue and its face value. It may feature the initials of the designer.
The field: Any flat surfaces of areas with no inscriptions, which provides the background for the coin.
The different types of coins
When you’re just starting out in numismatics, you probably won’t know all the different types of coins available to collect.
Here are some the most common types you’ll come across:
Error coins: Any coin with a flaw which distinguishes it from other similar examples. These are often extremely rare, difficult to acquire and carry a high price tag.
Proof coins: Specially minted for collectors and prized for their distinguished visual appeal. They have immaculate design and finish made to the highest quality. The pinnacle of coin collecting.
Brilliant Uncirculated coins: Coins with a fine mint appearance and lustre because they’ve never been in circulation. Slightly lower in definition to a proof coin.
Commemorative coins:Issued to mark a special event or tribute to an important person, Commemorative Coins can often prove to be valuable in their own right.
Bullion coins:Coins crafted from precious metals such as gold, platinum and silver.
Ancient coins: Exceptional pieces of history, often handmade, which can date back to Roman or Greek times.
Circulating coins or business strikes:The coins in general circulation for daily use.
Worldwide coins: Any coin which is from a country which is outside the UK.
How to start a coin collection
With such a wide range of coins available, starting a collection can initially feel a little overwhelming.
Before spending money on coins, learn everything you can about them. Start with the loose change in your pocket and familiarize yourself with their parts, inscriptions, images, the material it’s made from and what type of coin it is.
Having mastered the basics, you’ll soon be able to weigh up the best approach for compiling your collection.
Collectors usually choose to specialize in one of four principal categories:
Theme
Collecting by theme is probably the most common way to get started with numismatics – the possibilities are endless. Simply choose a topic which has been depicted on a coin and away you go. It could be an imaginary character, famous person, animals, cars, railways, flowers, buildings, landmarks, sport or sporting event. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the most popular coin collecting theme in the world is the Olympic Games, closely followed by football and military history.
Historical enthusiasts love to collect coins which relate to a specific period. You may be interested in a time period (e.g. WW2 from 1939 to 1945) or a year which has significance for you, such England’s World Cup win in 1966. Perhaps you could acquire each coin issued from one particular year, like the Crown through to the Farthing, before doing the same for another year. Collecting coins with different mint marks is also another interesting way to collect by year.
Type or denomination
If you choose to collect based on a coin’s value, it opens the possibility of acquiring every major design ever featured, such as those on a Penny or Farthing. Or you may want to collect all the year types or different mint marks.
Country of origin
If you want to learn about the culture and history of a country, collecting coins is a great way to do it. British coins are obviously very popular, but those issued in Canada and America also offer great insight into their Presidents and historic periods like the Gold Rush, Civil War or Wild West era.
What’s your motivation for collecting?
When starting out on this fantastic journey, it’s important to understand why you’ve been motivated to do so.
Here are some of the most common reasons we’ve come across:
Interest passed from one generation to another
Interested in certain themes (queens, wars, sport, films etc)
Enjoy the visual reference coins offer
Found an interesting coin by chance
Save foreign coins from trips abroad
Admire coins for their artistic value
Like following work of the Royal Mint
Collect for their bullion value
See it as a long-term investment
Although there’s no right or wrong answer for starting a coin collection, unlocking the secret may help to shape your thoughts and collecting habits in the long term.
In our experience, the golden rule of collecting is to only acquire coins that you like or find interesting. Stick to this principle and you’ll never grow tired of your new-found hobby.
If you’re keen to learn more about old coins, see our Coin Grading guide for more information!
How to store coins
Coins may be made from metal, but they can easily get damaged so it’s important to handle and store them well.
When starting out your coins are likely to be of lesser value, and the easiest way to store them is by putting them in a coin tray (pictured below) or cabinet.
If you begin to acquire coins which are more valuable, they’ll require a better storage solution.
Coin envelopes, made from acid-free paper, are ideal for storing single coins. Special air-tight envelopes or albums can be used to store or display a collection of individual coins, preventing oxidation or scratches.
How to clean coins
There is a proper way to clean coins and using the wrong method can often reduce its value.
At Warwick & Warwick, we do NOT advise cleaning a coin unless it is absolutely necessary.
If you really do want to clean a coin, consult a numismatic expert to do it on your behalf. But never use chemicals or abrasive cleaning products on coins.
Collect, learn and enjoy – a summary
It doesn’t matter whether you want to collect for pleasure or treasure, this enthralling hobby can very quickly get a grip of you.
When starting out, very few collectors actually know what types of coins they want to collect. Most begin by buying a wide range of denominations or types until they find a specific area of interest.
As with any hobby or specialism, novices are more inclined to make mistakes compared to collectors with more experience. But this is not something beginners should worry about.
However, you should think long and hard before buying any coin. Is it the type you like and within a price range you can afford? If you answer ‘no’ to either of these, it’s probably not the right one for you.
Depending on your budget, it’s always wise to try and buy the best quality coin you can afford at the time. In the long run, adopting this attitude will reap its rewards. After all, it’s usually better to own a few valuable coins which are of interest to you rather than a larger collection which fails to capture the imagination.
Remember, coin collecting should be an enjoyable experience. Take your time, do your research and learn about all the different coins which are available. It may take months or years to amass a collection – and coin knowledge – that you’re proud to display.
Over the past few months, I’ve started to build out my YouTube card-collecting channel. In doing so, I’ve had to focus on who my audience is and what my point of view truly is, which has slowly been refined by the commenters on these articles I’ve been writing for The Athletic. I thought I’d share what I’ve observed! This article series and my YouTube channel are meant to help new and returning collectors get a better understanding of the hobby right now.
Something I’ve noticed is there are currently several different segments of collectors. They’re like a pack of cards! Some are future Hall-of-Famers who have been collecting for decades, some are All-Star veterans, some are rookies, and a few have dinged corners, but we still like them!
New Collectors: They love sports and decided this is a nice extension from their fantasy teams, which is very true! But because they’re new, they are apt to fall prey to unscrupulous people in this industry. Like all industries, we have good guys and bad guys. The “bad guy†card collector ranks among the lowest forms of villain, taking advantage of young collectors, new collectors and collectors whose nostalgia sometimes clouds their judgment on good business.
Things New Collectors might be heard saying: “I just bought a rookie LeBron on Twitter for $50 shipped! It wasn’t graded, the picture was blurry and the seller was new to Twitter with zero followers, but still, what a deal!â€
Investors: This version of “collectors†just wants to diversify their portfolio. Old school collectors aren’t particularly fond of these folks, but in reality, they’re great because they bring a lot of money and interest into the hobby. There are many more cards available to collectors because these Wall Streeters like cards. Also, since a lot of money is involved, more unscrupulous people get uncovered, which helps everyone.
Things Investors might be heard saying: “I just bought a 1/1 tri-colored rookie patch auto card of Gandhi. I have it locked in a vault, surrounded by a moat, guarded by a team of ninjas. No human eyes have ever seen this card. I heard it’s beautiful.â€
Card Flippers: While these folks are essentially a subset of the investor category, card flippers are the day traders of this industry. They’ll buy cards for short-term investments, which usually means they’re prospecting. They buy cheaper cards/players with plans to sell them as soon as they have big games/weeks.
Things Card Flippers might be heard saying: “Zach Wilson’s hurt! Buy, buy!… Zach Wilson returned and ran for a touchdown? Sell, sell!†“I trampled six little kids and a pregnant mother at Target to get these 25 blaster boxes! Now pay me double!â€
Renewed Collectors: Finally, we get to this group, which is where I sort myself, and likely many of our readers do, as well. We collected in our youth, maybe buying some packs or singles once in a while when we came across them during a nostalgic moment, but buying boxes was in our rearview mirror. As mainstream media started reporting on the most recent card boom, we remembered our stowed away collections, and we brought them out to find some gems that others now appreciate as much (or more) than we did!
Things Renewed Collectors might be heard saying: “I’m so glad I kept all those 1991 Upper Deck hologram inserts! I gotta get those graded!â€
Old School Collectors: These men and women have continued to buy singles, packs and boxes over the years, even before it became a hot asset class just a couple years ago. For many of these collectors, graded cards were more of a luxury than the necessity they’ve become to current collectors.
Things Old School Collectors might be heard saying: “I hate card investors, card flippers and these renewed collectors that just found all their childhood cards somehow still in mint condition. I hate them all.â€
Before you go too far, you should consider which type of collector you are, and formulate a strategy based on that. A new collector should try to focus on what exactly they’d like to collect, whether that’s by the sport, by the brand or even by the player. If you are a flipper, then daily/weekly production by players will matter much more to you than a long-term collector. A renewed collector might be working on filling holes in their old collection, while adding great cards from the past decade or so.
While this article series is for everyone in a generic sense, my hope is that something in each column is helpful for each type of collector. I’m curious, though, to know which type of collector you consider yourself? Let us know in the comments!
Which Sports? Which Manufacturers? Which Brands? Which Boxes? Which Cards?
There are a lot of things to sort through if you just got back into collecting.
Which Sports?
While Fanatics will soon unify the three main sports again, you currently have to look to Topps for baseball cards, and Panini for basketball/football cards. (Upper Deck still has the NHL license for hockey cards.) There are some exceptions to both (Panini, for instance, makes baseball cards but they have no MLB contract so the logos are all airbrushed out), but for the most part, these sports are owned by each of these manufacturers. As you can imagine, the Topps cards are more sought after for MLB, although, autographed cards are still nice in any box, and that goes for Leaf Baseball, too.
Which Manufacturers?
Fanatics recently purchased Topps, which means status quo for now in the baseball card world, since Topps was still going to produce baseball cards for the next few years anyway. But we should see innovations in baseball cards sooner than we will in basketball/football. Fanatics will be the prime license-holder for MLB, NFL and NBA leagues and players’ associations.
Panini currently still has the league licenses to produce NBA and NFL cards until Fanatics takes over in 2025.
Leaf doesn’t have a license with any of the major sports, but they do get licenses with individuals and will often produce some great autographed cards.
If you’re into F1, soccer, or college hoops you may want to check out Topps Now. And with the World Cup around the corner, we’ll seethe ubiquitous Panini stickers again soon!
Which Brands?
Both Topps and Panini produce multiple brands each year, but new collectors might be overwhelmed by all the different sets. Here’s a quick look at the main ones to consider:
Topps:
Topps (Flagship): This is the main paper series that will be celebrating its 71st anniversary in 2022 (Series 1 comes out Wednesday, Feb. 16!). You’ll see Topps Series 1, Topps Series 2 and Topps Update under this flagship series. A player’s first card in their pro uniform in this series is generally considered their true rookie card. While other series (like Topps Heritage, Topps Archives, etc.) will still have rookie cards, Topps and Topps Chrome are considered their true rookie cards. There is a great recap in Susan Lulgjuraj’s Card Chat newsletter about what makes a rookie card, as there’s currently a debate raging about which set Wander Franco’s “real†rookie is in.
Topps Chrome: The chromium version of Topps flagship – which means it’s a shiny, premium stock and more expensive than the paper Topps. The rookie base cards in this set are generally considered the most desirable. There are fewer cards in the set, and fewer cards per pack/box.
Bowman (prospects): This is where things get interesting, because Bowman “1st†Cards are highly sought after, too. These are usually a player’s first cards in a professional uniform, and this extra layer of collectability makes baseball card collecting different from other sports. For instance, a Bowman 1st card for a player can often be as valuable as that player’s Topps rookie card once he eventually makes the majors. But there are a couple years in between those two cards, where a player will still get some Bowman cards, but aren’t his “Bowman 1st†or his Topps RC. It’s also important to note that Bowman will also produce some rookie cards – denoted with the RC logo – for players who end up reaching the majors. Those, however, are not usually as valuable as Topps RCs. Note: If you’re buying Bowman 1st cards on eBay, make sure you know the difference between this cheaper set, known colloquially as “paper,†and the more desirable…
Bowman Chrome (prospects): Obviously, this is the more sought-after product for prospect card collectors, and it is more expensive because of the chromium finish. Again, fewer cards in the set, with fewer cards per pack/box.
While there are other brands that Topps puts out, both lower end (Topps Fire, Topps Opening Day, etc.) and higher end (Topps Gold Label, Topps Chrome Black, etc.), the Topps flagship and Topps Chrome products are what most baseball card collectors seek.
Panini:
Prizm: This is essentially the flagship product for Panini, and along with Select and Optic, these are the mid-tier products that Panini’s foundation is built on. When people refer to specific rookie basketball cards, they are generally referring to their Prizm base or Prizm Silver cards (which are the premium cards of this premium product). Select also has Silver versions, as well as three different sections, like Concourse (common), Premier Level (uncommon) and Courtside (rare).
National Treasures: Ultra premium sets with thick card stock, these cards are for the big ballers in the hobby. Boxes can run into the thousands of dollars.
NBA Hoops and Donruss: These are paper cards (less premium), but they’re usually among the first releases of newer seasons.
Chronicles Draft Picks: These are also among the first releases, and they usually have players still in their college uniforms. Chronicles also sets itself apart from the other sets because it has multiple base sets under its umbrella. So if you buy a blaster of Chronicles, each player has multiple cards in different formats, like Luminance, Flux, Essentials, Gala and others.
Donruss Optic: For collectors from the ‘80s, they might want to lean toward this premium brand, as their Rated Rookie subset harkens back a fondness for our youth, while also holding great value for good players. Personally, I seek out the Optic RR cards over the Prizm rookies because I love the look and the uniformity.
There are dozens of Panini products (Ed. note: We very much likey Mosiac for football), but those are some of the major ones. Panini is still relatively new to the industry, compared to Topps, so they can’t really do a lot of throwback cards, like Topps does with Heritage and Archives. But their cards are generally tougher to find in retail stores or in local card shops, so that scarcity certainly adds value, too.
Which Boxes?
Even after you decide which sports to buy and which brands, now you have to decide which boxes to get! Basically, in which vehicle do you want your cards delivered?
Hobby Boxes vs. Retail Boxes: The hobby boxes are only through distributors, online or through local card shops, whereas retail boxes are available at retail stores like Wal-Mart and Target. The major difference between the two are the amount of “hits†you can get. Hobby boxes are usually more expensive, tougher to find and they usually have better chances at autographs, relics, parallels and special hobby-only cards. Retail boxes often have exclusive parallels in their boxes, too, so they’re still good to buy. They’re just more plentiful, usually. Jumbo boxes are also considered hobby boxes, but they usually have more cards.
Lite Boxes: These are hobby boxes with fewer cards and hits, but with a cheaper price tag and different exclusive cards.
Mega Boxes vs. Blasters: Both are often available in retail stores and have less cards than hobby/retail boxes. There are usually more cards in a Mega box, with different exclusive cards.
Hangers, Fat Packs and Cello Packs: These are just big packs of cards, with hangers usually having more cards than fat packs, but both have less than blasters. Cellos are usually one pack with packs inside it.
There are certainly more that I haven’t mentioned, and there will probably be even more types of boxes/packs created in the coming year. But this should give you a good start!
Which Cards?
When our grandfathers collected, each pack was filled with just regular cards from the base set. The best they could hope for was to get a card with their favorite player or a card with a player from their favorite team. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, inserts were introduced, causing us to chase cards in hopes of getting a special card that’s not among the common set.
Things have escalated since then. They’ve escalated so much, in fact, that many collectors frown on base cards altogether. While a rookie card in the base set is coveted, many believe that over-production has killed the value of base rookies, which makes the rare and super-rare cards the chase cards of the 21st century.
Base: These are the common cards that are part of the main set. True rookie cards come from the base set.
Inserts: Uncommon cards that are part of a subset. There are usually a few different insert sets in each series, with different themes, like celebrating a historic anniversary, or highlighting a Hall-of-Famer’s career. Some of my personal favorites are the “throwback†cards which harken back to a previous set a few decades ago. In the 2022 Topps series, they’ll have an insert set of current and former stars in the 1987 Topps set format, with the wood border. As an old school collector, seeing a Wander Franco card in that 35th anniversary set is going to be special.
Parallels: These cards have the same look as their base cards, but with a different color border, or a different finish or card stock. They’re also usually serial numbered, which makes them more attractive for card hunters. Unfortunately, there are often so many different parallels, that the rarity is muddied a bit. Getting a parallel whose color (red, purple, gold, black, etc.) matches a player’s team colors, called a color-match parallel, is sought after more than many of the other colors. Also, some colors are just generally more attractive, like the black, gold or red colors. Numbered cards can range from 1 / 2022 (Topps’ Gold parallels are usually numbered to the current year of that set), down to 1 / 1, which are obviously ultra-valuable.
Relics: These cards have a swatch of game-used memorabilia on the card, like a jersey or bat. Some collectors put more value on “game-used†rather than “player-worn,†as the latter could just mean a player, any player, put the jersey on for a second and took it off immediately. They’re gimmicks, for sure, but they’re still fun to get! Getting a multi-color game-used jersey patch is a bigger deal, and if you get a patch with part of a logo, it’s even better.
Image Variations, Short Prints, Super Short Prints: The image variations make for another version of chase cards, as they are usually short-printed and rare. An example of an image variation might be Shohei Ohtani pitching on the base card, but swinging a bat on the image variation. But they both have the same card number. The only way to know they’re different is by checking the serial numbers, which are different from the base set. And SSPs are like finding a restaurant where everyone in your family is happy with what they got. Always check the serial numbers, as you may not know you got a SSP!
Autographs: This is what everyone’s chasing. This is why many people buy hobby boxes, since they’ll often guarantee one or two autographs per box. (Beware of some boxes that just say, “Find an Autograph†as they are not actually guaranteeing anything.
RPAs: Finally, these are considered the most sought-after rookie cards. “Rookie Patch Autos†are signed cards for a player’s first year, with a jersey patch. The trifecta! It’s not unlike someone bringing you a pizza, beer and garlic knots!… I think I’m hungry. RPAs that are numbered first, or the same number as the player’s jersey or one with a multi-color patch are the most hunted.
Which Grading Companies?
Many renewed collectors have returned to find a bevy of grading companies, so it might be difficult to figure out which ones they should use. Here’s a quick breakdown of the major grading companies, but just know that there are several unnamed ones you could choose as well.
The three main reasons you should get a card graded is to authenticate, encapsulate and to get the condition appraised. You want it authenticated to know it’s not a fake. You want to encapsulate it to make sure it never gets altered and the condition never worsens. Finally, you want the condition appraised to make it easier to value, whether you are selling it, trading it or leaving it as an inheritance to your family members. Grading your cards removes sales friction, as a third party has determined the condition of the card you are buying or selling.
PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator): They are the original card-grading company, starting in 1991, and they’ve certainly set the standard. Resale of these “slabs†(graded, encapsulated cards) is generally higher than the same card in a comparable grade from another grading company. They are so popular, however, that they had millions of cards sent to them in 2019 and 2020, forcing them to stop taking submissions in the spring of 2020. They have begun taking submissions again, but the lower-tiered value pricing is still not available. Many people are still waiting on slabs to come back, which means a lot more graded cards from 2019/2020 will be hitting eBay (I have 45 cards I submitted just before the doors closed that I’m still waiting for. I’ve forgotten their face. My cards never write me or anything.)
BGS (Beckett Grading Services): Outside of Topps, Beckett might be the most known brand name for any collector raised in the ‘80s/’90s. They began grading cards in 1999, and they introduced the collecting world to subgrades, which gives four individual grades on each slab for centering, corners, edges, and surface grades. They also introduced half-point grades to help differentiate an “8†that’s actually almost a “9.†Interestingly, a BGS 9.5 is generally considered equal to a PSA 10, and a BGS 10 is considered better than PSA 10. Remember that classic Dudley Moore comedy with Bo Derek, “9.5�
SGC (Sportscard Guaranty Corporation): In the past couple years, SGC has clawed their way into the top three grading card services, and many are even starting to prefer them. Their quick turnaround times, consistent pricing and gorgeous tuxedo slabs are three of the main reasons a lot of people are yelling, “It’s Tuxedo Time!†when their slabs come in. I’ve graded with them three times so far, and I’ve had a great experience each time. If you have an autographed card, they’ll give the signature a separate grade along with your card’s grade – for free. Other companies charge you for the autograph grade. They started grading cards in 1998, but they changed their slabs in 2018, which was key in their ascension in collector’s eyes.
CSG (Certified Sports Guaranty): As part of the Certified Collectibles Group, CSG began grading cards in early 2021, and they’ve quickly moved into the top-five grading companies. They hired two veteran graders from Beckett who have a combined 30 years of experience in card grading. Their parent company has been grading other collectibles, like comics, coins, stamps and currency, for about 30 years. Their green label is a turnoff to many, but they do offer subgrades, and they have the clearest acrylic slabs in the game. (I got a submission back recently and I reviewed the pros and cons of submitting with CSG here.) My guess is they change the color of the label relatively soon, which will increase their grading company profile. They do have great pricing and turnaround times, as well.
HGA (Hybrid Grading Approach): Another new company launching in early 2021, HGA entered the industry like the rich, new kid in school. HGA uses high-def scanning technology to help their graders determine a card’s condition. I recently submitted five cards to them, but haven’t gotten them back yet to deliver a real opinion. I will say I own HGA slabs, and they’re gorgeous. This company is on my radar as an innovative disruptor, already adding features I’m shocked other companies haven’t thought of. For instance, you can choose the color and style of your label, and even have custom labels created. They also caught my attention because they now have horizontal slabs for horizontal photos on cards. Brilliant! Unfortunately, HGA was recently in the news for grading a counterfeit Patrick Mahomes autographed card. The good news is – they’re hopefully more alert now than ever.
nth, but instead, I’m going to share fan favorites that common folk like myself can afford!
The American Silver Eagle coin is one of the most iconic and sought-after silver coins in the world. First introduced in 1986, this coin has become a staple for collectors and investors alike. Its blend of historical significance, beautiful design, and intrinsic value makes it a fascinating subject for anyone interested in precious metals. This article explores the history, design, and importance of the American Silver Eagle coin, shedding light on why it holds such a revered place in the numismatic world.
The Origins of the American Silver Eagle
The American Silver Eagle was born out of a combination of economic and political factors. The idea of a new silver bullion coin was first proposed in the early 1980s as a way to dispose of the massive stockpile of silver held by the U.S. government. During this time, the federal government had accumulated large quantities of silver, particularly as a result of the Defense National Stockpile Center’s purchasing programs. By the 1980s, it was determined that these stockpiles were no longer necessary for national defense, and a plan was needed to liquidate them.
The result was the Liberty Coin Act, signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on July 9, 1985. This legislation authorized the production of the American Silver Eagle, with the first coins being minted and released in 1986. The United States Mint was tasked with the production, and the coin was quickly embraced by both investors and collectors.
Design of the American Silver Eagle
One of the most striking features of the American Silver Eagle is its design, which combines historical imagery with modern aesthetics. The obverse (front) of the coin features the Walking Liberty design, originally created by sculptor Adolph A. Weinman for the half-dollar coin minted from 1916 to 1947. The Walking Liberty design is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful in American coinage history, and its inclusion on the Silver Eagle pays homage to this classic design.
The obverse depicts Lady Liberty striding towards the rising sun, draped in the American flag, with her right hand extended and a bundle of oak and laurel branches in her left hand. The image symbolizes freedom, strength, and hope, resonating with the ideals of the United States.
The reverse (back) of the coin, designed by John Mercanti, the 12th Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, features a heraldic eagle behind a shield, clutching an olive branch in its right talon and arrows in its left. Above the eagle are 13 stars, representing the original 13 colonies. This powerful imagery evokes the nation’s strength and readiness to defend its freedom while also symbolizing peace.
Minting and Specifications
The American Silver Eagle is struck in one troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver, making it a substantial and valuable coin. The coin has a diameter of 40.6 mm, a thickness of 2.98 mm, and a face value of one dollar, although its market value is much higher due to the silver content and its collectible status.
The coins are minted in three different versions: bullion, proof, and uncirculated. The bullion version is intended for investors and is sold at a small premium over the spot price of silver. Proof coins are struck with a high-polish finish and are targeted at collectors, often sold in special packaging. The uncirculated version is also aimed at collectors and features a matte finish.
The American Silver Eagle has been minted at various U.S. Mint facilities, including Philadelphia, San Francisco, and West Point. Each minting location sometimes places a small mint mark on the reverse of the coin, such as a “P†for Philadelphia, an “S†for San Francisco, or a “W†for West Point, helping collectors identify the coin’s origin.
The Significance of the American Silver Eagle
The American Silver Eagle holds significant importance in both the investment and numismatic communities. For investors, it represents a tangible asset that serves as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. Silver has historically been a store of value, and owning American Silver Eagles allows individuals to hold physical silver in a form that is easily recognizable and tradable.
For collectors, the American Silver Eagle is a piece of modern American history. The coin’s design connects it to the broader history of U.S. coinage, particularly with the use of the Walking Liberty motif. Collectors often seek out different versions of the coin, including those with special mint marks, low mintages, or unique finishes, making the Silver Eagle a central piece in many collections.
The American Silver Eagle has also been used to commemorate significant events. For example, in 2021, the U.S. Mint released a special version of the coin to mark the 35th anniversary of the series. This version featured a new reverse design, showcasing an eagle in flight, symbolizing the ongoing legacy and evolution of the coin.
Collecting and Investing in American Silver Eagles
Collecting American Silver Eagles can be a rewarding endeavor. The coin’s consistent quality, combined with its beautiful design and historical significance, makes it a favorite among collectors. Additionally, the wide range of options from bullion to proof and uncirculated versions provides opportunities for both novice and experienced collectors to build a collection that suits their interests and budgets.
For investors, the American Silver Eagle offers a way to diversify a portfolio with physical silver. The coin’s liquidity, coupled with its global recognition, ensures that it can be easily bought or sold in the marketplace. Many investors also appreciate the coin’s role as a hedge against inflation and economic instability, providing a sense of security in uncertain times.
Conclusion
The American Silver Eagle is more than just a silver coin, it is a symbol of American heritage, artistry, and economic resilience. Whether you are a collector drawn to its beauty and history or an investor seeking a reliable store of value, the American Silver Eagle offers something for everyone. Its continued popularity and significance in the world of precious metals ensure that it will remain a treasured piece of American coinage for generations to come.
From $2 million Jordans to $1.8 million Yeezys, these are the priciest kicks to ever hit the auction block.
By Calum Marsh
In July 2019, the paradigm for the most expensive sneakers ever sold shifted forever. That’s when Sotheby’s registered its first-ever sale of a pair of sports shoes at auction: vintage Nike “Moon Shoes†from 1972, which hammered for a record-setting $437,000—nearly triple the expected sale price of $150,000. Less than a year later, in May 2020, the auction house moved a pair of autographed Air Jordan 1s for an eye-watering $560,000, making it clear that this was not a one-off fluke.
“Loco prices like these are not just a high-water mark for collectors,†the Sneaker Freaker editor-in-chief Woody writes in TheWorld’s Greatest Sneaker Collections. “They also represent an influx of moneyed investors looking at sneakers as blue-chip investments.†In the sake of these legitimized auction-house trades, private sales of rare sneakers have exploded on the market, reaching some truly dizzying heights. “Today, both prices perversely look like bargains,†Woody writes of those first two sneaker sales, “if you can stomach the idea of old sports shoes worth as much as a house.â€
Some of these astronomical rarities are available to purchase right this very minute. On the Sotheby’s auction website, for instance, it’s currently possible to bid on a pair of Virgil Abloh-designed Nike Air Force Ones, released in collaboration with Louis Vuitton and limited to only 200 pairs—they’ll just set you back $190,000. (It’s a size 11, which is what I wear, in case anyone wants to get me a present.) If that isn’t fancy enough for you, there’s also this recently listed pair of signed Air Jordan 11s, which were actually worn by MJ during the 1996 NBA Finals; the current bid stands at $380,000, but it seems likely that it could go higher still.
Even those look like rookie numbers compared to some of the real heavy hitters out there. From more rare game-worn grails to insane one-of-one gems, here are the most expensive sneakers ever sold.
1. The Dynasty Collection, $8 million
Earlier this year, Sotheby’s registered the most lucrative sneaker sale in the history of the auction house, when the eight-shoe pack known as the “Dynasty Collection†racked up an impressive $8 million sale.
The Dynasty Collection included eight sneakers actually worn by Michael Jordan during the NBA playoffs across eight different seasons. Tim Hallam, the public relations officer for the Chicago Bulls for many years, asked MJ for one of his game-worn shoes after the Finals in 1991—a practice Jordan continued after every playoffs performance thereafter, perhaps out of superstition. These eight shoes represent the other sneaker that Hallam did not receive in these cases.
What’s especially impressive about this sale is that none of the sneakers came in pairs. The lot also included a set of signed photos by Bill Smith of Jordan following each of the Finals, in which he can be seen wearing a shoe on just one foot.
2. “The Last Dance†Air Jordan 13, $2.2 Million
After the runaway success of ESPN’s Jordan documentary The Last Dance in 2020, interest in Air Jordan sneakers worn during MJ’s final season with the Chicago Bulls surged. Last year, a buyer completed a sale at Sotheby’s for an ultra-rare pair of Jordan 13s that were on His Airness’s feet for the iconic final game of the 1998 NBA Finals.
The grand total? A staggering $2.2 million, negotiated in advance and in line with estimates from the auction house. It was a landmark sale for a single pair of sports shoes and a reminder that when it comes to sports memorabilia, it’s hard to beat Michael Jordan. The kicks were in the “Bred†colorway and appeared to be in good condition, especially considering they saw some serious action on the hardwood.
3. Nike Air Yeezy Samples, $1.8 Million
Of course, it’s not just Jordans making noise on the high-end sneaker market, as this monumental sale proved. In the spring of 2021, Sotheby’s registered a sale at auction of a one-of-a-kind pair of Nike Air Yeezy prototypes, which Kanye West debuted onstage at the Grammys in 2008. The sneakers were the first-ever pair sold for more than a million dollars.
The Yeezys were purchased by the investing platform RARES. The company’s CEO and founder, Gerome Sapp, told the press that the shoes were acquired “in order to increase accessibility and empower the communities that birthed sneaker culture with the tools to gain financial freedom,†adding that buying them was like securing “a piece of history.â€
4. Nike Air Ship, $1.4 Million
When this pair of Nike Air Ships sold for nearly $1.5 million at auction via Sotheby’s in late 2021, they briefly became the most expensive sports shoes of all time and remain one of the most expensive pieces of sports memorabilia ever sold. Worn by Michael Jordan during his fifth-ever NBA game in November 1984, they are a definitive part of sneaker history.
Serious sneaker fans know the Air Ship as the first model Jordan sported in the league, while the design for the Air Jordan was still being finalized by Nike. This particular pair of Air Ships would have been one of the first and only shoes Michael ever wore on the court that weren’t part of his signature shoe line, making them in some ways even more special.
5. “Flu Game†Air Jordan 12, $1.3 Million
Following Game 5 of the 1998 NBA Finals, a Utah Jazz ball boy by the name of Preston Truman was given a once-in-a-lifetime gift: the sneakers Michael Jordan wore during the game. In 2020, in the wake of the release of The Last Dance and the uptick in collectors’ interest in Air Jordans, Truman sold the shoes to Grey Flannel Auctions for a little over $200,000. Just three years later, in early 2023, they sold again at auction for an incredible $1.38 million.
It helped that the shoes were worn during the legendary Flu Game, in which Jordan overcame a debilitating bout of food poisoning to deliver one of his most clutch performances ever. To this day, the black-and-red Air Jordan 12s are known as the “Flu Game,†which means that these sneakers are the OG version of one of the most beloved Jordan colorways of all time, too. Few game-worn sneakers have as much illustrious history attached to them.
The story does have a down side: Truman launched a lawsuit against Grey Flannel in 2023, claiming that they pressured him into selling the shoes. The lawsuit is still ongoing.
6. “Glass Shard†Air Jordan 1, $615,000
In August 2020, as post-Last Dance Jordan hype was reaching record levels, a single pair of game-worn Air Jordan 1s turned heads when it sold at auction via Christie’s for more than half a million dollars. Worn by Michael Jordan during an exhibition game in Italy, according to the auction listing, they were actually estimated to fetch an even higher figure, closer to $850,000. (Still, the price was impressive.)
What made this particular pair of Jordan 1s so unique was what else was included with them: a shard of broken glass, embedded directly into the shoe and apparently caused by Jordan shattering the backboard during a slam dunk. (These, of course, are not to be confused with the “Shattered Backboard†Jordan 1s.) During the same auction, a pair of sneakers worn by Jordan during Team USA’s gold medal game at the 1992 Olympics fetched over $100,000.
7. Game-Worn Air Jordan 1, $560,000
Mere months before the previous entry, another pair of Air Jordan 1s hit the auction block and shattered the previous record for the sale of shoes, which was set in 2019 (see below). Signed by Michael Jordan, the shoes were worn during a game in his rookie season. Like MJ’s vertical, the bids for the sneakers were downright explosive in the final hours of the 10-day auction, rocketing up by $300,000 to close at an incredible $560,000.
8. Nike “Moon Shoe,†$437,500
In 1972, when Nike was still just a fledgling upstart, the company’s co-founder and running guru Bill Bowerman cobbled together one of the Swoosh’s first-ever performance shoes. Dubbed the “Moon Shoesâ€â€”because their waffle-tread soles left astronaut-like footprints in the dirt—only about a dozen pairs of these crude prototypes were made and handed out that year to competitors at the US Track & Field Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. They eventually served as the inspiration for Nike’s legendary Waffle Trainer, which launched in 1974.
Forty-five years later, the sneakers made history all over again by becoming the first collectible sport shoes to be sold at auction by Christie’s. The 2019 sale helped establish the precedent for the market, which continues to expand and grow even now. At the time, no one expected sneaker auctions to be quite so coveted: initial estimates placed the Moon Shoes at a conservative $160,000, but the pair hammered for nearly triple that. Canadian business Miles Nadal, who scooped up these mammoth grails in the auction, called them “a true historical artifact in sports history and pop culture.â€
9. “Broken Foot†Air Jordan 1, $422,130
The “Broken Foot†Air Jordan 1s are yet another historic pair of game-worn Js that absolutely smashed the initial estimate. They sold for a jaw-dropping $422,130, almost double the starting bid of $250,000 in an auction at Leland’s in January 2022.
The shoes take their name from an infamous game between the Bulls and Golden State Warriors on October 29, 1985, during which Michael Jordan fractured a bone in his left foot. The injury would become career-defining for Jordan, derailing his second season and igniting the fire that drove him toward his first championship, as detailed in the ESPN documentary The Last Dance. Leland’s said it acquired the shoes from “a cosigner whose father was gifted the game-worn sneakers personally from Jordan at the time,†according to a report in Complex. The sneakers come in Jordan’s own slightly mismatched sizing: size 13 on the left, size 13 and a half on the right.
10. Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force One, $352,800
In February 2022, just months after the tragic passing of Virgil Abloh, Louis Vuitton auctioned off 200 pairs of the late visionary’s most coveted sneaker designs: a Nike Air Force One entirely covered in LV’s iconic monogram and Damier check. The auction at Sotheby’s was organized in support of Abloh’s acclaimed scholarship fund “Post-Modern,†which was founded to “support the education of academically promising students of Black, African American, or African descent.â€
Most of the pairs sold in the low six figures. This particular pair, a US size 5, sold for nearly 25 times the original auction estimate and for twice the price of the second-most expensive pair sold, a US size 5.5 that went for $176,400. Demand for Abloh’s work only continues to skyrocket, and it seems likely that other rarities bearing his signature will sell for increasingly high figures as time goes on.
11. Nike Air Mag, $200,000
“Power laces! Alright!†There’s perhaps no more famous sneaker scene in movie history than Marty McFly slipping on his futuristic, auto-lacing Nike Air Mag kicks in 1989’s Back to the Future: Part II. After decades of lobbying from fans, Nike finally released the fictional sneakers to the public via two highly limited drops: first in 2011, without the power laces; and then again in 2016 with them. All of the proceeds from both launches went to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which supports the search for a cure for Parkinson’s disease. The 88 pairs of the 2016 version alone raised more than $6 million for the charity, including a single pair auction off at a gala for a whopping $200,000.
12. “MJ’s Secret Stuff†Air Jordan 11, $176,000
For sneakerheads of a certain age, there’s no more covetable shoe than the Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam,†named for its appearance in the movie and worn by MJ during his post-baseball return to the NBA playoffs in 1995. And the rarest, most alluring version of the “Space Jam†is this deadstock sample created for the film and signed by Jordan himself. Dubbed the “MJ’s Secret Stuff†Jordan 11s, they sold at auction in 2021 for an impressive $176,000.
Gold’s price performance in 2024 has been extraordinary. The upward price surge first started in early March when the price of gold hit about $2,160 per ounce, and since that time, gold’s price has shattered records almost continuously. In total, gold’s price has climbed by about 33% since January 1, 2024 — and the price of gold just shattered another record this week, reaching $2,776.10 per ounce, a new peak in an already remarkable bull run.
For early investors, this year’s meteoric rise in gold prices has led to impressive returns. Those who bought gold at the $2,160 price point in March have already enjoyed substantial gains and even recent investors who entered the market at slightly higher levels have benefitted from the upward trend. This surge has also brought renewed attention to gold as an asset, not only as a long-term investment but as a tool for turning a quick profit in the current market.
If you’re contemplating entering the gold market amid these soaring prices, though, it’s important to make strategic choices on what you invest in. In this environment, certain gold assets may offer bigger advantages than others — so you’ll want to pick your gold investments wisely.
When looking for investment options, gold coins should rate at the top of your list. It is, arguably, the best option for collectors and investors alike. Gold provides physical, easily liquidated assets and is indispensable in engineering and electronics, as well as the health, environmental, and jewelry industries. In coins, rounds, and bars, gold promises to be in constant demand.
According to the World Gold Council, “The modern gold market is a picture of diversity and growth.” The council claims that gold production has tripled since the early 70s. Meanwhile, the amount of gold purchased annually has quadrupled.
Gold resists corrosion, can be stored in a relatively small space, and holds its value well. Additionally, investors need not pay capital gains tax on gold purchases – only upon sale.
We recommend purchasing one-ounce coins for the lowest premium above Spot price, but many coins below come in smaller versions as well.
Gold American Eagle Coin
Available in one-tenth-ounce, quarter-ounce, half-ounce, and one-ounce coins, the American Gold Eagle should be at the top of your “must-have” list. It was designed and first minted in 1986 and has stood the test of time. The American government releases a limited number of these coins per year. You can purchase them as proofs, uncirculated coins, or proof sets.
The American Eagle contains 91.67 percent gold (22 karats), 5.33 percent copper, and 3 percent silver. The U.S. Government guarantees the weight, content, and purity of these coins, making the American Eagle one of the most popular investment coins you can buy. They are easily valued and highly liquid.
While the spot price of gold determines the value of any investment coin, they also carry a legal tender value ranging from $50 for the one troy-ounce coin to $5 for the one-tenth-ounce piece. The American Eagle is also available in silver.
The coin’s face features a strong Lady Liberty, her hair tumbling in a brisk wind. She holds her torch high in her right hand and has an olive branch in her left. She stands before the Capitol building on a field of rays. Stars march around the outer edge of the coin. The face of the coin shows the year it was minted.
The reverse side holds a touching vignette of a family of eagles. The male furls his wings, preparing to land in his nest where his mate and their hatchling await. He holds an olive branch in his claws.
American Eagle coins are scheduled to be redesigned in 2021 to introduce more up-to-date counterfeiting measures, making this coin an even better investment.
Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
The one-ounce Canadian Maple Leaf gold coin is one of the most secure investments in the world. This security allows the stunning Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coin to give even the Gold American Eagles a run for their money.
The award-winning Royal Canadian Mint is always on the cutting edge of technology. Bullion DNA (Digital Non-destructive Activation) technology, introduced in 2013, is one of their most significant advances.
This technology consists of micro-engraved images on the face and reverse of their 1-ounce gold bullion Maple Leaf Coin. The Mint takes high-resolution photos of every one of these beautiful coins, storing them on secure servers. A special reader, released only to authorized dealers and distributors, allows real-time authentication of one-ounce Maple Leaf coins struck after 2013.
These anti-counterfeiting measures have boosted buyer confidence. The Mint has subsequently begun striking one-ounce silver and one-ounce platinum Maple Leaf coins with the same technology.
Made of .9999 fine gold, the Canadian Maple Leaf is available in fractional sizes up to five ounces.
On its face, the coin displays a right-facing bust of Queen Elizabeth in pearls. The reverse features a single maple leaf, Canada’s national symbol.
These coins are guaranteed by the Canadian government, making the Canadian Maple Leaf gold coin a solid investment for beginners and experts alike.
American Buffalo Gold Coin
The American Gold Buffalo is the first 24-karat coin minted in the United States. It was released by the U.S. government in 2006 which required the coins to be minted from gold mined in America. It gets its classic looks from the original James Earle Fraser design for the Buffalo Nickel. This design was commissioned in the 1900s by President Franklin Roosevelt.
Its face holds the austere, aquiline features of a Native American Chieftain with two feathers tied high in his hair. On the reverse is the proud profile of an American Buffalo gazing westward.
The U.S mint released the Buffalo coin to compete with the Canadian Maple Leaf, the Austrian Philharmonic, and other 24-karat coins available to collectors and investors alike. The coin’s purity (.9999 fine gold) makes it softer than the American Eagle. Handle with care to avoid marks and scuffs in the metal.
The Gold Buffalo carries a face value of $50. However, this uniquely American coin — printed on gold mined in the United States, stamped by an American Mint, and backed by the United States government — is a stable value for discerning investors.
We all have those childhood movies we love or that show we’ve binge-watched a thousand times. Typically, one of the biggest reasons we have these attachments and nostalgia around movies and shows is because of the characters, from how we connect with them to the joy they bring us.
Funko Pop is the latest way to connect to characters from all your favorite shows, movies, and pop culture. Let’s find out together all you need to know to start the endless fun of acquiring your favorite Funko Pop collectibles.
What Are Funko Pop Collectibles?
Funko Pop collectibles are vinyl figurines of characters from pop culture, movies, and real life. They are unique and immediately recognizable due to their signature oversized heads and black eyes. Funko Pop has become quite popular around the world since its rise to fame in 2010.
Funko Pop originally started in 1998 by a toy collector who wanted to create a toy-like mascot for a restaurant franchise based in Michigan. In 2005, under new ownership, Funko Pop figurines were first created. It is estimated that today, there are over 8,300 Funko Pop designs!
Why Are Funko Pop Collectibles Popular?
Funko Pop figurines cover characters from a vast array of pop culture, movies, and television shows. These fun, adorable figures have also been made for the gaming community and other markets that typically do not have much merchandise.
Simply put, Funko Pop is a way for people to connect to a character they have fallen in love with or a movie or television show they have nostalgia around. We all remember the first time we were introduced to the characters from “Spiderman†or “Harry Potter†or when we binged “Stranger Things.†Funko Pop collectibles are a fun way to commemorate those memories with adorable figurines of your favorite characters!
Funko Pop collectibles are generally affordable and accessible to the public, making it easy for most people to buy as many as they want. Funko Pops usually sell for under $15 but beware – the company makes a limited amount of each character created, so the figures always sell quickly!
Is Funko Pop Collecting Worth It?
Most people collecting Funko Pop do it for the love of the characters they can find and the fun they can have with their collections. Funko Pop collectors have also found a sense of community and belonging with others obsessed with these vinyl figurines; you cannot put a price tag on connection and friendship!
There are some rare Funko Pops that can get youhigh dollar if sold, but if the sole reason you are collecting Funko Pop is for monetary value, you may want to find something more profitable to collect.
Top 7 Rare Funko Pop Figures
“Clockwork Orange†(Glow-in-the-Dark Chase Limited Edition of Alex DeLarge)
“Game of Thrones†(Freddy Funko as Jaime Lannister)
Freddy Funko as Count Chocula
Stan Lee (Superhero)
“Star Wars†(Darth Maul)
Dumbo
Boo Berry
How To Start Collecting Funko Pop
There is no right or wrong way to start your Funko Pop collection. Most people start by choosing characters they love and buying them. It’s hard to stop!
Do you have fond memories of reading “Spiderman†comics and watching the movies? Finding the perfect Spiderman Funko Pop may be just the right way to kickstart your newest obsession. Did you binge-watch “Stranger Things†with your best friend? What better gift for them than a “Stranger Things†Funko Pop character!
Funko Pop collectibles come in many different categories, sizes, and editions. Some collectors choose to hone in their collection in categories, whether it be specific movies or shows, sizes, or Funko Pop finishes. No matter what category you choose to start your Funko collection, you can add to it with more favorites as you find them.
Funko Pop Finishes
Sepia
Black and white
Invisible
Metallic
Translucent
Flocked
Glossy
Glow-in-the-dark
Where Can I Get Funko Pop Collectibles?
Funko Pop figures can be found in mainstream stores, comic/gaming shops, online! There are also many Funko Pop collector’s groups that are online or in person where you can trade and connect with other Funk Pop enthusiasts.
Should I Keep My Funko Pop in the Box?
Once you get your hands on your favorite Spiderman Funko Pop or “Stranger Things†Funko Pop, the great debate is whether to keep it in the box or not. Deciding to keep your Funko Pop collectible in the box or take it out really depends on why you are collecting and what you want to do with your fun figures.
Obviously, Funko Pops will be more valuable in the box among collectors. If selling your Funko Pop collectibles at the highest price possible is important to you, keep them in the box. If you are more interested in the fun of collecting and using them, take them out of the box and let your imagination run wild!
What Can I Do with Funko Pops?
The possibilities are endless with Funko Pop. While collecting, trading, and selling are all great things to do with Funko Pop collectibles, people have also used them to create scenes with characters, take pictures for social media, or create movies and other art. You would be surprised by the social media following some Funko Pop collectors have!
You can display your Spiderman Funko Pop and “Stranger Things†Funko Pop characters on shelves or in specific configurations on a coffee table to reflect a favorite movie scene. If your collection gets big enough, you may need to devote a whole room in your house to it, like some collectors have done!
How Do I Know I Have an Authentic Funko Pop?
Sadly, there can be counterfeit Funko Pops. There are several ways tocheck if a Funko Pop is legit. When buying a figurine, make sure to inspect the box or ask for pictures. Fake Funko Pops often have strange borders, missing logos, or wrong numbering, coloring, and stickers.
Funko Pops always have unique number made up of the year and item number. If a Funko Pop collectible is missing this, it’s most likely fake. These item numbers are easy to look up and verify online.
Funko Pops have the Funko LLC logo on the bottom of the character’s feet, below the back of the skull, or under the character’s chin. If you can’t find the logo, it most likely isn’t real.
There are so many possibilities with Funko Pop collectibles. Connect to the joy and memories the characters from your favorite movies and shows have brought you with these funky, cartoon-like figures. It’s hard not to smile once you have one in your hands!
While the 2024 edition of the New York Yankees fell short of their ultimate goal, fans can console themselves with the 27 other championships the franchise has enjoyed over the years. Mickey Mantle won seven of them during his two decade career as a player and remains among the most collected players of all-time. His best cards will be well represented in the upcoming Heritage Auctions Winter Sports Catalog Auction.
Heritage will offer no less than seven 1952 Topps Mantle cards in the auction, including an autographed copy. The listings range from a PSA 2 to a 7.5 that’s expected to sell for $600,000 or more.
There’s an autographed copy with an Authentic designation but a 10 autograph grade. That one carries a $200,000 pre-sale estimate.
One of the Hobby’s top Mantle rookie cards is also in the auction, with a centered PSA 8 example expected to bring $400,000 or more.
In all there are five Bowman Mantle rookie cards in the catalog.
Other early Mantle issues are also well represented. There are six 1952 Bowmans in varying grades and an autographed 1953 Topps that’s among several autographed cards being offered.
Two non-autographed ’53 Mantle cards are also part of the sale as well as SGC 9 and SGC 8.5 copies of his 1954 Red Heart Dog Food card. The 9 is expected to sell for $20,000 or more.
Full details haven’t been released yet but the auction is expected to open Nov. 14.
Sports memorabilia has long been a popular alternative investment option for those looking to diversify their portfolio beyond traditional stocks and bonds. From autographed jerseys and baseball cards to game-used equipment and championship rings, sports memorabilia can hold significant sentimental and monetary value for collectors. But how does the performance of sports memorabilia as an investment compare to that of stocks and bonds?
To answer this question, we must first define what we mean by “sports memorabilia” and how we measure its value. Sports memorabilia encompasses a wide range of items, including but not limited to autographs, game-used equipment, trading cards, and championship rings. The value of these items is largely determined by factors such as rarity, condition, and historical significance.
One commonly used metric for measuring the performance of sports memorabilia as an investment is the Sports Memorabilia Index, created by PWCC Marketplace. The index tracks the value of a select group of high-end sports memorabilia items, including vintage baseball cards, game-used equipment, and championship rings, and compares their performance to that of the S&P 500 stock index and 10-year US Treasury bonds.
According to the Sports Memorabilia Index, the average annual return for sports memorabilia from 2008 to 2021 was 14.5%. This outperformed the S&P 500, which had an average annual return of 10.9% over the same period, but was slightly below the average annual return of 15.1% for 10-year US Treasury bonds. However, it’s worth noting that the performance of sports memorabilia as an investment can vary widely depending on the specific items being collected and the conditions of the market.
One of the advantages of investing in sports memorabilia is its ability to hold emotional value for collectors in addition to monetary value. Owning a piece of sports history, such as a game-used jersey or autographed ball from a favorite athlete, can provide a sense of connection and nostalgia that traditional financial investments cannot match.
However, the market for sports memorabilia can be highly volatile, with prices fluctuating based on factors such as the popularity of specific athletes and teams, historical events, and trends in the broader collectibles market. This can make it difficult to predict the future performance of sports memorabilia as an investment and requires a certain level of expertise and market knowledge.
In conclusion, sports memorabilia has shown to have the potential to generate strong returns as an alternative investment option, outperforming the stock market in recent years. However, it also comes with its own unique risks and challenges that require careful consideration and research before investing. Ultimately, the decision to invest in sports memorabilia should be based on a careful assessment of an individual’s financial goals, risk tolerance, and personal interests, but make no mistake, it could payout handsomely.
In recent years, the sports card industry has experienced an unprecedented surge in value, with collectors and investors alike clamoring to acquire these tangible pieces of sports history. The realm of sports cards has transitioned from a nostalgic hobby to a booming market, driven by a convergence of factors. In this article, we will delve into the facts and numbers that unequivocally demonstrate the rising value of sports cards, cementing their position as a lucrative investment opportunity.
Record-Breaking Auction Sales: Auctions have become the focal point of showcasing the astronomical value of sports cards. In January 2021, a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card sold for a staggering $5.2 million, setting a new record for the most expensive sports card ever sold. Moreover, multiple high-profile sales in recent years, including LeBron James and Tom Brady rookie cards, have garnered millions of dollars. These record-breaking prices highlight the robust demand and increasing rarity of sought-after cards.
Explosive Growth in Market Size: The sports card market has experienced remarkable growth, with sales reaching unprecedented heights. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global sports card and memorabilia market size was valued at $5.2 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $14.7 billion by 2027, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.8%. This growth underscores the expanding interest in sports cards as both a collectible and investment asset.
Athlete Performance and Popularity: The performance and popularity of athletes have a direct impact on the value of their sports cards. Outstanding achievements, championship wins, and breaking records often drive an immediate surge in demand for cards associated with these athletes. For instance, the rise of basketball sensation Zion Williamson resulted in a surge in the value of his rookie cards, reflecting the correlation between on-field success and card value.
Limited Supply and Rarity: The limited supply of certain sports cards contributes significantly to their increasing value. As time passes, vintage cards become increasingly scarce due to damage, loss, or removal from circulation. Additionally, manufacturers have started producing cards in limited quantities, with special editions, autographed cards, and cards embedded with game-worn memorabilia, further enhancing their desirability and value.
Growing Collector and Investor Interest: The influx of new collectors and investors has played a crucial role in driving up the value of sports cards. With advancements in technology, online platforms and marketplaces have made it easier for enthusiasts to connect, trade, and purchase cards. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has fueled interest in alternative investments, with individuals seeking tangible assets like sports cards as a hedge against market volatility.
Popularity of Sports Live Breaks: In recent years, a new trend has developed where people won’t buy cards in packs from hobby shops or individual player cards from Ebay. Rather they will get into a live break. This way instead of paying for an entire box or item, they will pay for a portion and test their luck that they can get the card they want at a significantly reduced rate.
The surge in value of sports cards is a testament to their enduring appeal as a collectible and investment. Record-breaking auction sales, explosive market growth, athlete performance, limited supply, and increased interest from collectors and investors all contribute to the rising value of sports cards. As the market continues to evolve, it is essential for enthusiasts and investors to stay informed, exercise caution, and conduct thorough research before making any significant purchases. Nevertheless, the undeniable upward trajectory of sports card values suggests that this trend is here to stay, solidifying the position of sports cards as a viable and lucrative investment opportunity.
Silver is a store of wealth but it’s also cheaper and has more industrial uses than gold. If you’re bearish buy gold if you’re bullish buy copper and if you’re confused buy silver. Confusion sums up this environment given negative interest rates and swings in the dollar and markets it seems like now is the time for silver. Silver has been regarded as the poor man’s gold for too long.
The ratio of gold to silver prices is the highest for many years. It’s a great opportunity for investors. Bullion buyers and strategists monitor this ratio as a signal to buy or sell bullion. A lower ratio means gold is a better investment a higher ratio means silver adds more value for your dollar.
The ratio is surprisingly back to where it was in the panic days of the Great Financial Crisis when investors piled into gold. Pre 1900 the gold to silver ratio was stable at 16x. Julian Jessop, head of commodities research at Capital Economics Ltd.in London states silver may climb to US $21 per ounce from the April price of US$16 per ounce. 2018 will be the first time in modern history that silver mining production will drop but demand is expected to increase. Over 50% of demand is from electronics, cars and solar.
Even coin demand is increasing in the USA 44 million silver eagle coins were minted last year compared to 9.2 million in 2000. Canadian maple minted 25 million coins in 2015 compared to 400,000 in 2000.
Negative Interest rates are here to stay and are trigger point to silver price increases. Why leave money in the bank and pay them to hold it for you? I know I’d feel safer with silver under the bed then paying the bank to hold my money.
Silver has been used in coins for centuries.
The ancient Romans made silver coins for the Roman Empire but only Rome was allowed to make silver coins and all the countries that were made part of the roman Empire could only produce bronze, not silver coins.
The British made their pennies before 1797 from silver.
While the ancient Persians ,now Iran made silver coins between 612-330 BC
The Mexican Reales was the most common used silver coin for trade from 1500 to 1800.
The Greeks were the first to use silver coins, the famous Drachmas
Since than, silver has been held in high esteem when used in coins..
All countries have used silver in different percentages in ancient coins
USA coins minted Dime and Quarter coins from 1965 to 2009 have 9.21% silver content.
But after 1965 the USA did not mint any more silver coins till 1985.
The USA had huge stockpiles of silver but depleted these stocks in late 1960s
Some coins have higher silver value today than when the silver coin was made. For example the 1878 to 19212 Morgan Dollar is worth over $10 in silver content alone.
Silver has risen more than gold in the last 20 odd years due to the high demand in industry for silver.
In most corrections silver has doubled the price of gold and that is still true today.
Today more silver is used than mined above ground
.
In the infamous Y2K bug people bought vast quantities of silver coins but after the none event most of these coins were melted down.
Even the Romans at the end of their Empire, melted down their silver coins also as the silver value was worth more. now centuries later we are doing the same.
That is the power and history of silver coins.
Today many countries make Commemorative silver coins to mark a special event like Coronation, independence etc.
The Perth mint coins produces pure 99.99% one ounce silver coins which are very popular with collectors
The Australian 1966 0.50 cent coin has 0.3414 troy ounces so its silver content today is over $6.50
SILVER COINS AND GEMSTONES
The Perth mint has had a very successful range of one ounce silver coins in their Treasures of Australia collection
Coins and Gemstones make the perfect collectors series
Each series had a one ounce 99.99% silver coin with one carats of gemstones,Sapphire,Diamond and Opals.
Next in these series are the pearl and gold coin sets.
This series has the famous patented locket design which encases the gemstones in the coins. The coin is set in Jarrah wood top box with a certificate of authenticity.
The series of Treasures was limited to only7,500 coins per series and demand has been so great that the Mint has sold out several times over
The Treasures of Australia coins are also in gold ½ ounce and one ounce gold coins.
To compliment the gemstone and coin range
Treasures of the world have series of coins and gemstones for a collector’s series
As well as coins and gemstones in presentation boxes, gemstones will be available in beautiful cases also .
Gemstones treasures will include Opals ,sapphire, gold , pearls, Rubies ,Emeralds.
South African gold and diamonds series will include uncirculated south African 5 shillings coin and Australian series will include one ounce silver coin kookaburra and Koalas coins with sapphires and opals.
Silver coins are the most popular way to circumvent against price increase and balance selection risk in these turbulent financial times we live in. It has been traditionally been the most reasonable valuable metal
Silver prices have fluctuated wildly over the last decade and this base metal is used now days in many different industries Speculators come and go in the silver market But long term investors should have part of their portfolio in silver coins as they are easy to sell or trade. The western world ha s gone through periods of low inflation and when inflation starts it is good time to increase spending in silver bullion or coins.
Long term silver has been a reasonable investment but the more important strategy is not is silver increase up or down 5% but fact you hold actual silver instead paper so it is a relevant fall back situation for investors Chartist’s can plot when market starts to increase and when potential for down sizing They follow silver production and demand and lately demand has been high for silver in relation to mining But investors who enjoy the advantage of owing should ignore all these marketing hypes and just buy silver each month or each quarter regardless of the spot price Than easy to average your purchase out over several years.
Do kids still play marbles? If memory serves, we drew a big circle in the dirt and used a shooter marble to knock smaller marbles out of the circle. The phrase “play for keeps†comes from the practice of keeping the marbles that a player knocked out of the circle.
Most of the marbles we see today are glass marbles. Vintage glass marbles are good collectibles. They are easy to display, recall our youth and are relatively inexpensive.
Marble games originated in ancient Rome and Egypt. The name comes from the use of marble stone and alabaster, which is white marble, to make the round game pieces. But real marble was expensive. By the 1800s, clay was the material of choice for marbles. These are the kind I collect.
Local potteries had their young apprentices making marbles in their spare time. A clay marble was made exactly the way you would make a marble if someone handed you wet clay. Small amounts were rolled between the palms of the hand until a round shape was formed. These small clay marbles dried quickly.
Unglazed marbles made from colorful clays were simply poured into pitchers or open jars for firing. Since they didn’t have glaze on them, they didn’t stick together or harm the jars. Glazed marbles were rolled in a flat tin of glaze and then fired on the kiln shelves next to the regular pottery offerings. If you look at glazed clay marbles, you will see round spots where they touched the shelf and other marbles. After firing, they were knocked apart and given away or sold for almost nothing.
In 1846, a German glass blower invented special scissors that could cut hot glass during the glass blowing process. He perfected the technique, added color to the glass and made the first glass marbles. They were an immediate hit. Glass marbles were perfectly round, allowing a marble player to more accurately predict where a marble would hit and roll. Later, hot dollops of glass were dropped onto metal plates, where steel rollers formed the round orbs. Bright colors and intricate patterns were created within the glass. Marbles are being made in virtually the same way today.
An expert marble collector can tell the old ones from the new ones by their size, color and design. But, because glass does not show its age in the same way as wood or metal, it’s best to buy old marbles from a reliable source until you are more familiar with collecting these amazing items. There are several marble game accessories that are fun to collect as well. Vintage board games, shooters, marble bags and other items will make your collection more interesting to display.
Multi-million dollar coins get the headlines when they sell at major auctions, but there are many historically important coins that are attainable by serious numismatists who aren’t billionaires.
This list is taken from several areas of numismatics to show the breadth and scope of US coin collecting. Our overview covers the length and breadth of American numismatics, from the Colonial era to the 20th century.
While we’ve generally used the $1 million mark as the cutoff, many of these coins still fetch eye-watering prices (at least to us!). Setting aside “impossible dreams†like the 1933 Double Eagle, here are 20 rare coins that serious collectors want.
All images courtesy of USA CoinBook unless otherwise noted.
The 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent is probably the most famous US coin among the general public. It easily makes our list of 20 rare coins that serious collectors want.
The Lincoln cent was introduced in 1909 to mark the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. Victor David Brenner was chosen to design the coin. Following the lead of foreign coin artists, he added his name in small letters below the wheat sheaves on the reverse of the cent. Chief Engraver of the Mint Charles Barber replaced Brenner’s name with the initials VDB.
Certain newspapers began agitating over Brenner’s initials, claiming even this was an illegal attempt by the artist to get free advertising on the back of US currency. To prevent delays and make the controversy go away, the Mint buffed out Brenner’s initials on the dies and resumed production.
The Philadelphia Mint produced just shy of 28 million 1909 VDB Lincoln Wheat cents before the change. But only 484,000 1909-S Lincoln cents using the original reverse with the VDB initials were struck by the San Francisco Mint.
Less than 60,000 1909-S VDB Lincoln Wheat cents are believed to survive.
CDN Greysheet gives a price range for 1909-S VDB cents in Brown (BN) of $715 in Good G4 to $4,750 in Mint State MS66. The CDN price range for the same coin in Red Brown (RB) runs from $2,060 for MS61 to $6,880 for MS66. The ultra-rare 1909-S VDB cent in Red (RD) goes for $7,190 in MS65 and $13,700 in MS66.
2. 1943 Lincoln Cent on Bronze Planchet
Auction Record: $372,000
1943 copper Lincoln penny
Here is one of the most famous error coins of all time. The 1943 Lincoln Wheat cents struck on bronze planchets create excitement whenever they appear at auction. Due to wartime shortages of copper in 1943, the US Mint was forced to use zinc-coated steel blanks to make one-cent coins.
From the more than 1.1 billion Wheat cents made that year, approximately 25 were struck on bronze blanks left over from 1942. It is thought that these coin blanks were lodged in nooks and crannies of large bins at the Mint. From there they worked their way loose during the year as millions of steel blanks were dumped in the bins.
Current population estimates are 15 to 20 1943 bronze cents that were struck in Philadelphia and five in San Francisco. There is only a single 1943-D bronze cent known. The public was galvanized into searching for these extremely rare coins by newspaper accounts, including the (false) rumor that Henry Ford would give a new car to anyone who could present him with a 1943 bronze cent.
CDN Greysheet does not have a price chart for any 1943 bronze Wheat cent, due to their extreme rarity. Other sources quote prices in the six figures.
3. 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel
Auction Record: $99,875
1937-D 3 legged Buffalo nickel
The 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo nickel is another rare coin that is famous among the general public. As a result of some overzealous polishing on a damaged reverse die at the Denver Mint, the right front leg of the bison was completely removed from the surface of the die.
The popularity of the 3-Legged Buffalo nickel means that counterfeits and altered coins abound. There are three places to look when determining if a 1937-D Buffalo nickel is a real 3-legged error coin:
The hoof of the missing leg should be present.
The right rear leg should look “moth-eaten,†as numismatist Ron Guth describes it.
A damaged streak under the buffalo makes it look as if he is relieving himself.
The 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo nickel sees robust demand in all grades, yet is more affordable than other coins on our list. CDN Greysheet prices run from $364 in Almost Good AG3 to $39,000 in MS66.
4. 1893-S Morgan Dollar
Auction Record: $2,086,875
1893-S Morgan silver dollar
The 1893-S Morgan dollar is the absolute key date of circulation strike Morgans. A tiny 100,000 mintage and the popularity of “hard money†in the Western US means that perhaps one in ten have survived to the present day. Most are heavily worn.
Because so few were put aside, Mint State 1893-S Morgan dollars are by far the rarest coin in Morgan dollar history, aside from the proof-only 1895. Collectors able to get an 1893-S in any condition should feel fortunate.
CDN Greysheet prices for the 1893-S Morgan run from $2,250 in AG3 to $1,020,000 in MS66. The sole coin graded higher is an MS67 that sold in 2021 for $2 million. It’s previous appearance was ten years earlier, when it sold for “only†$546,250.
5. 1895 Proof Morgan Dollar
Auction Record: $150,000
1895-O Morgan dollar proof
The 1895 proof Morgan dollar is often called the “King of Morgan Dollars.†Although Mint records indicate that a mere 12,000 Morgan dollars were struck in 1895, none have ever been found. This has left collectors with only the 880 proof 1895 Morgans struck that year to fill that spot in their collections.
Theories on the missing 12,000 business strike 1895 Morgan dollars range from the entry being an inventory adjustment to 1894 Morgan dollar production, to all twelve sacks of 1895 Morgans being melted under the Pittman Act of 1918.
With more than half the 880-coin mintage surviving, the 1895 proof Morgan is not as rare as many other famous mintages. However it never fails to garner attention when it comes up for auction.
CDN Greysheet quotes the 1895 proof Morgan dollar at $31,200 in G6 to $168,000 in MS68.
6. 1921 High Relief Peace Dollar
Auction Record: $132,000
1921 High Relief Peace silver dollar
The 1921 High Relief Peace dollar is another historically important rare coin. Even though production didn’t begin until December 28th, a little more than 1 million silver dollars were struck in Philadelphia by the end of the year.
Like many other new coin designs at the turn of the 20th century, the initial Peace dollar had very high relief features. This led to there not being enough silver in the blank to completely fill the highest point in the design when struck under normal pressure. For this reason, fully struck Mint State coins command a premium.
CDN Greysheet lists $130 for a 1921 Peace dollar in AG3 and $115,200 for one in MS67
7. 1916 Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter
Auction Record: $48,300
1916 Standing Liberty quarter
A low mintage and surprise release combined to make the 1916 Standing Liberty quarter another big rarity in 20th-century US numismatics. A protracted design process meant that the first 1916 Standing Liberty quarters weren’t struck until December 16th. Only 52,000 were made. They weren’t released until the next January when they entered circulation mixed in with 1917-dated coins.
The lack of a big formal announcement led the public to believe at first that the 1917s were the first year of issue. Coin collectors knew about the 1916-dated Standing Liberty quarter, but finding one of the 52,000 that was mixed in with all the 1917s was a classic needle in a haystack problem. This has led to even fewer Mint State examples than might be expected from the tiny mintage numbers.
The initial Type 1 Standing Liberty quarter portrayed Liberty with an exposed right breast, in the French style. This of course triggered an uproar in the American press. The US Mint took the expedient measure of converting the dies to show Liberty with a chainmail shirt, instead of spending the time it would require to make completely new hubs with a different dress design.
The problem of details on the obverse quickly wearing away only made finding high grade 1916s lurking in circulation that much worse.
CDN Greysheet prices for the 1916 Standing Liberty quarter range from $3,120 in AG3 to $37,200 in MS66.
8. 1919-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Auction Record: $270,250
1919-D Walking Liberty half dollar
While the mintage of the 1919-D Walking Liberty half dollar is far from the lowest in the series, it remains THE conditional rarity. Most of the more than 1.1 million 1919-D Walkers went directly into circulation, which pushes the average grade for survivors down to VF35. The strike is almost always weak in the center, especially on the highest points like Liberty’s left hand.
This means finding a Mint State 1919-D is far more difficult than any other Walking Liberty mintage. It can be years between appearances of a Gem uncirculated 1919-D Walking Liberty half at auction.
CDN Greysheet puts the 1919-D Walking Liberty half at $20 in AG3, to $144,000 in MS65. Only one single 1919-D is known in MS66.
9. 1856 Flying Eagle Cent
Auction Record: $172,500
1856 Flying Eagle cent
Another American numismatic first, the 1856 Flying Eagle cent was the first “small†cent. Technically a pattern coin, so many were made and distributed that some collectors consider it a circulation issue.
The Flying Eagle cent is credited for the birth of American coin collecting by the general public. When people learned the large cent was being discontinued, they began keeping them instead of using them.
Opinions of the actual 1856 Flying Eagle mintage range from 1,500 to 2,150 coins. An estimated 800 1856 Flying Eagle cents survive today.
CDN Greysheet quotes the 1856 Flying Eagle cent at $8,600 in Very Good VG8 to $120,000 in Mint State MS66.
10. 1916-D Mercury Dime
Auction Records: $29,000; $207,000 Full Bands
1916-D Mercury dime
The 1916-D Mercury dime is a key date in the series, both for being a first-year issue and the extremely small mintage of 264,000 coins. In comparison, more than 22 million 1916 Mercury dimes were produced in Philadelphia, and more than 10 million by the San Francisco Mint.
The number of surviving 1916-D Mercury dimes is far fewer than even this minuscule mintage might suggest. For some reason, they were not set aside like most first-year mintages. As a result, it is estimated that only around 10,000 remain.
1916-D Mercury dimes, when they are available, are usually heavily worn. Most of the surviving population grade VF or lower. Prices for attractive examples reflect the heavy demand among serious coin collectors. Competition is intense whenever an even more rare Full Bands 1916-D is seen at auction.
CDN Greysheet prices for the 1916-D Mercury dime range from $663 for an Almost Good AG2 to $30,000 for an MS65. Full Bands 1916-D Mercury dimes are priced at $12,000 for Almost Uncirculated AU55 to $48,000 in MS65.
11. 1901-S Barber Quarter
Auction Record: $550,000
1901-S Barber quarter
One of the rarest non-error coins in US numismatics, the 1901-S Barber quarter had a mintage of only 72,644 coins. Most of the few survivors today are extremely worn to where only the outlines of the features remain. There are around 2,000 surviving coins.
The 415 NGC-graded 1901-S Barber quarters have a median grade of AG3. The 981 graded by PCGS have a median grade of G4, illustrating how incredibly rare unworn coins are among the survivors. This is a mintage where collectors who can find an example with any detail at all should feel fortunate.
CDN Greysheet prices for the 1901-S Barber quarter run from $3,500 in AG3 to $450,000 in MS68.
12. 1871-CC Seated Liberty Dime
Auction Record: $270,250
1871-CC Seated Liberty dime
The 1871-CC Seated Liberty Dime holds a prominent place in Carson City coin collecting. 1871 was the first year the Nevada mint produced dimes, and only a mere 20,100 were struck. They quickly disappeared into the cash-starved economy of the Southwest. Very few were saved, either accidentally or deliberately.
There are probably less than 150 survivors of the 1871-CC Seated Liberty dime today. Most were salvaged after decades of circulation, and competition is fierce when one of the few Mint State samples comes up for auction.
CDN Greysheet prices the 1871-CC Seated Liberty dime from $2,060 in AG3 to $300,000 in MS65.
13. 1871-CC Seated Liberty Quarter
Auction Record: $352,500
1871-CC Seated Liberty quarter
One of the rarest mintages in the history of the Carson City Mint, only 10,890 1871-CC Seated Liberty quarters were struck. These were all snapped up and put to work in the regional economy. As a result, even worn out and damaged survivors are worth thousands of dollars today. There are certainly fewer than 75 left in any condition.
CDN Greysheet shows an estimate of $5.940 for a 1871-CC Seated Liberty quarter in AG3, up to $480,000 for MS65.
14. 1838-O Capped Bust Half Dollar
Auction Record: $763,750
1838-O Capped Bust half dollar
The 1838-O Capped Bust half dollar is a rare and historically important coin that was never officially struck. The 20 or so coins minted were an experiment by the Superintendent of the newly-opened New Orleans Mint. He wanted to see if half dollars could be produced on the coin press intended to strike silver dollars.
Equipment failures would plague the New Orleans Mint for much of its history. Yet the first year of operations was especially fraught. The press intended to coin quarters and half dollars was out of commission for the entire year in 1838, and the Mint was under orders to strike as many half dollars as possible.
In January 1839, Mint workers attempted to make an extension that would allow the unused 1838-O half dollar dies to be used in the dollar press. (The 1839-O dies had not yet arrived from Philadelphia.) Efforts were abandoned after ten coins were struck, as the reverse die kept coming loose. Requests from well-heeled collectors for examples for their collections led to approximately ten more 1838-O being struck. None of these coins were ever entered into the official records.
The 1838-O half dollars are classified as proofs, since they were carefully made one by one while testing the jury-rigged dies, and were never intended for circulation. It is thought that half of the 20 coins struck are still extant.
CDN Greysheet lists 1838-O half dollars at $330,000 in PR40 up to $690,000 in PR64.
15. 1848 CAL Liberty Head Quarter Eagle
Auction Record: $402,500
1848 “CAL.” Liberty Head gold quarter eagle
The 1848 “CAL†Liberty Head quarter eagles were the first coins made from gold from the California Gold Rush. In late 1848, Military Governor of the California Territory Colonel Richard B. Mason sent 228 ounces of the first gold mined in California to the Secretary of War in Washington DC, along with his letter describing the discovery.
The gold was forwarded to the US Mint with instructions to make Congressional Gold Medals for generals Winfield Scott and Zachary Taylor, heroes of the recently concluded Mexican-American War. The leftover gold was used to strike special 1848 gold quarter eagle coins, stamped on reverse with “CAL.†A total of 1,389 of these special quarter eagles were struck.
Many collectors consider the 1848 CAL quarter eagle the nation’s first commemorative coin. They are undeniably the first coins made from 100% California Gold Rush gold, and perhaps the only coins for which that distinction can be made.
Needless to say, 1848 CAL quarter eagles command attention whenever they appear at auction. Even improperly cleaned examples can go for tens of thousands of dollars. Because of their special nature, many were kept in uncirculated condition, but a surprising number ended up in circulation over the years.
CDN Greysheet reference prices for the 1848 CAL quarter eagle range from $3,850 in G6 to $360,000 in MS68.
16. 1933 Indian Head Gold Eagle
Auction Record: $881,250
1933 Indian Head gold eagle
The 1933 Indian Head gold eagle is a famous numismatic rarity that almost didn’t survive government gold confiscation. 312,500 gold eagles were struck in January and February 1933, but only a handful made it out of the vaults at the Philadelphia Mint before the government ordered all gold coins be melted down. Unlike the famous 1933 double eagle, the 1933 gold eagle is completely legal to own.
Resourceful Mint employees took advantage of the gap between the announcement of Executive Order 6102 and its implementation to trade back-date $10 gold eagles for 1933s, and flip them for a profit to Philadelphia coin dealers.
This means that all survivors, estimated at between 30 and 40, are Mint State. Some of them were not treated carefully at the Philadelphia Mint, showing bagmarks that limit their grade.
CDN Greysheet lists $162,000 for a 1933 gold eagle in AU50, and $600,00 for MS65.
17. 1861-S Paquet Reverse Liberty Head Double Eagle
Auction Record: $223,250
1861-S Paquet reverse Liberty Head gold double eagle
In 1860, Assistant Engraver of the Mint Anthony C. Paquet designed a new reverse for the $20 gold double eagle. A new typeface for the lettering was intended to extend die life, but Mint officials decided after the fact that the rims on the new design were too narrow, inhibiting the stacking of the coins.
The Philadelphia Mint halted production of the 1861 Paquet reverse double eagles in January, melting down all but a couple of pieces. Notice was sent to the branch mints in New Orleans and San Francisco to use reverse dies left over from 1860 until new ones of the original design could be sent.
Word didn’t reach San Francisco until February 2nd. By then, 19,250 Paquet reverse double eagles had been struck and released into circulation (with no apparent problems.) The public at large did not even notice the changed back side of the few 1861-S Paquet double eagles that made it into circulation. No one at the San Francisco Mint had thought the change important enough to save samples.
Another 748,750 double eagles were struck in San Francisco in 1861, further masking the release of the Paquet reverse coins. It wasn’t until 1937 that the coin was recognized as a variety of the Liberty Head double eagle. By this time, they had all been circulating for decades, with many survivors hidden in European bank vaults as part of currency reserves.
The finest known 1861-S Paquet Reverse double eagle is a single coin graded AU58+. CDN Greysheet prices the 1861-S Paquet reverse double eagle at $36,000 in VF20 up to $216,000 in AU58.
18. 1907 High Relief Wire Rim Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle
Auction Record: $660,000
1907 High Relief Saint-Gaudens double eagle obverse
The 1907 High Relief Wire Rim double eagle is one of the most sought-after rare coins in American history. It was the first Saint-Gaudens double eagle to be released to the public.
Unlike the handful of Ultra High Relief examples, which start at $1 million, the nicest 1907 High Relief Wire Rim is valued in the high six figures.
The 1907 High Relief Saint-Gaudens double eagle wasn’t deliberately made with a wire rim. The excessive pressure needed to force the gold in the coin blank to completely fill the die pressed the collar die out just enough for a narrow fin of gold to form along the rim, between the collar and the obverse and reverse dies.
11,250 Wire Rim High Relief double eagles were struck, and nearly all of them were saved before they could circulate, at least at first. PCGS has graded nearly 100 of them at XF40 or below. The finest graded by PCGS is a single coin at an astounding MS69.
CDN Greysheet quotes the 1907 High Relief Wire Rim Saint-Gaudens double eagle from $7,600 for VF20 to $285,000 for MS68.
Just as the New England Shilling was the first coin minted in North America, the 1792 half dime is equally important as the first coin minted by the United States. Legend has it that President George Washington offered up his sterling silver dining set for the silver to mint the 1792 half dime.
What we do know is that the silver was hand-delivered to the Mint on July 11, 1792 by Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State. Two days later he logged the receipt of “1,500 half dismes of the new coinage.â€
Technically, these coins pre-date the Mint. The Mint building was still under construction and wouldn’t be ready until December. The government leased the basement of Philadelphia toolmaker John Harper for use as a temporary Mint location in the meantime.
The strange spelling of disme was actually pronounced “deem” at the time. Sometimes you’ll still here it referred to as a “diz-mee.” The coin carried a face value of five cents (i.e. half of a dime).
The 1792 half dime was a single-year mintage, being replaced by the 1794 Flowing Hair half dime two years later. There are around 300 surviving 1792 half dimes, including a singular spectacular MS68 example. It was once owned by the first Director of the Mint David Rittenhouse that sold for $1,985,000 in 2018.
CDN Greysheet lists the 1792 Half Disme from $48,000 in Good G4 to $720,000 in Mint State MS66.
This is perhaps the most numismatically important American coin. The 1652 New England Shilling was the first government coin minted in the original thirteen colonies that would become the United States.
The lack of hard currency in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1652 led the government to commission John Hull and Robert Sanderson (who happened to be the only two silversmiths in North America) to strike silver shillings, sixpence, and threepence to support the local economy.
Made in a roughly circular shape, the New England Shilling had a stylized NE stamped near the edge on one side, and the Roman numeral XII stamped at the opposite end on the other side. The irregular shape made clipping the coins a trivial matter. They were discontinued after a few months in favor of the more traditional-looking Willow Tree shillings in 1653.
There are an estimated 40 New England Shillings surviving. CDN Greysheet prices the 1652 New England Shilling from $120,000 in Fine F15 to $360,000 in About Uncirculated AU58.
Table Checklist: Top 20 Rare Coins Wanted By Collectors
Coin Type
Auction Record (U.S. dollars)
1909-S VDB Lincoln cent
$117,500 (Red)
1943 Copper cent
$372,000
1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo nickel
$99,875
1893-S Morgan dollar
$2,086,875
1895 Morgan dollar (proof)
$150,000
1921 High Relief Peace dollar
$132,000
1916 Type I Standing Liberty quarter
$48,300
1919-D Walking Liberty half dollar
$270,250
1856 Flying Eagle cent
$172,500
1916-D Mercury dime
$207,000 (Full Bands)
1901-S Barber quarter
$550,000
1871-CC Seated Liberty dime
$270,250
1871-CC Seated Liberty quarter
$352,500
1838-O Capped Bust half dollar
$763,750
1848 CAL Liberty Head quarter eagle
$402,500
1933 Indian Head gold eagle
$881,250
1861-S Paquet Reverse Liberty Head double eagle
$223,250
1907 High Relief Wire Rim Saint-Gaudens double eagle
Welcome to the ultimate haven for all superhero geeks! Yes, we are talking about the infamous Marvel collectibles, targeting everyone who yearn to hold a piece of superhero history in their hands. It’s a realm where heroic legends come alive and where the ordinary meets the extraordinary.
To sum up what this article involves, we’re going to be talking about the following in more detail:
Hot Toys Marvel CosRiders
Hot Toys Scale Figures
Marvel’s Mini Co Figures
With these collectibles, prepare to be transported into a world where Spider-Man’s web-slinging adventures are waiting to be unlocked, Captain America’s iconic shield gleams with patriotic pride, and the mighty Thor’s enchanted hammer rests, waiting to be claimed.
What better way to celebrate your love for these superheroes than by adding some extraordinary Marvel collectibles to your prized collection? Unleash your inner hero by getting your hands on Just Geek’s wide range of Marvel collectibles.
From Spider-Man’s Green Goblin to President Loki’s Hot Toys, there is something for everyone here. This is where the Marvel Universe comes alive, and you hold the power to bring its heroes home.
Our extensive range of Marvel collectibles can be a little overwhelming. To help you out, we’ve made a list of our favourite Marvel collectibles, bound to look absolutely marvel-ous in your home.Â
Let’s get started!
1. Hot Toys Marvel CosRiders
If you are a superhero geek who loves both collectibles and unique displays, then Hot Toys CodRiders are a fantastic addition to your collection. There’s something really enchanting about having miniature versions of your favourite Marvel characters.
Perhaps it’s the combination of your favourite Marvel characters with their signature, retro-style motorcycles. A perfect blend of adorable and badass, you can find these Marvel CosRiders on the Just Geek store.
It isn’t just limited to Marvel CosRiders, there are also Captain America CosRiders, featuring the First Avenger riding an old-school motorcycle from his debut movie. Similarly, you can find characters like Loki, Star-Lord and Black Panther to name a few. Â
These are meticulously crafted with highly detailed illustrations and intricately designed motorcycles, creating a visual delight. Its attention to detail and great quality are just some of the factors contributing to their desirability.
CosRiders capture the essence of each character’s personality perfectly, and bring an element of action and adventure to your collection. Impressive features, such as rocking motion, sound and LED light-up function add a sense of adventure to these collectibles. Hurry up and get your hands on these irresistible CosRiders on Just Geek’s store!
2. Hot Toys Scale Figures
No Marvel collection is complete without the addition of Hot Toys 1:6 Scale Figures. These highly sought-after collectibles are a true testament to the unparalleled craftsmanship and attention to detail, a feature Hot Toys is reckoned with.
Each figure is crafted with utmost care to recreate the iconic suits worn by various Marvel’s superheroes. Not only will scale figures allow you to claim a piece of cinematic history but add a layer of uniqueness and exclusivity to your collection. From Spider-Man’s Miles Morales to Marvel’s Winter Soldier, you can own it all!
The intricate and detailed skin textures of Marvel’s War Machine or the sleek web patterns on Spider-Man’s costumes, these figures never fail to bring the Marvel Cinematic Universe to life thanks to their astonishing detailing.Â
Pre-order your favourite Scale Figure on our store and watch your collection become a breathtaking tribute to iconic heroes!
3. Marvel’s Mini Co Figures
Have you heard this saying, ‘Sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest impact’? This stands true when it comes to collectibles, especially our Marvel’s Mini Co-figures. In fact, Spider-Man’s Minifigure from the 2013 Comic-Con is worth a fortune. This shows just how loved mini figures are among fans.Â
These adorable yet highly detailed figures perfectly capture the essence of Marvel’s iconic characters in a compact size, making them a great addition to your display.
However, don’t be fooled by their size. They boast impressive craftsmanship with intricate sculpting and vibrant colours. They capture your faction hero’s personality beautifully. From Captain America to Endgame’s Thanos, our extensive range has something that caters for all, geek or not!
Whether you’re looking to create a charming display or add a touch of Marvel magic to your workspace, these Mini Co Figures are a delightful addition to your superhero geek’s collection.
If you are a die-hard fan of the Marvel Universe, then you know that collecting memorabilia is not just a hobby; it’s a way of life. And Mini Co figures are a definite keep in our eyes!
Putting together a collection of the most valuable coins can be a rewarding trip through the history books and a smart investment. Coin collecting is a fun pastime for enthusiasts of all ages, but it can also pad out a portfolio if curated with an eye toward valuable coins that have the potential to increase in value. When creating a collection that will build worth, it helps to understand not only what people are looking for now, but what they may be looking for in the future.
Current Valuable Coins to Look Out For
Coin values can skyrocket for the rarest issues. The most valuable coins are sold primarily at auction, and due to their scarcity, once a specimen sells, another may not be available for decades. When building your collection or taking your collection in a new path, it can be more rewarding to start with more readily available coins that still offer excellent value.
One of the most popular United States Coins, the Morgan Dollar was primarily minted from 1878 until 1904, with a single one-off year of production in 1921 to cap off its run before giving way to the Peace Dollar. Struck in 90% silver, these dollars are still sought after for their metal content and even poor examples hold their value as bullion. Along with the more common Denver, San Francisco, and Philadelphia minted coins, this dollar saw some coins struck in Carson City and New Orleans, which are highly collectible.
Seated Liberty Dollars are some of the most valuable coin specimens on the market, and they’re fairly accessible for collectors looking to get started. These coins were struck in Philadelphia, San Francisco, Carson City, and New Orleans between 1840 and 1873. Production was ended by the Coinage Act of 1873 which both established the gold standard and eliminated the ability for anyone with silver bullion to deliver it to the mint and have it struck into coins.
From 1907 until 1933, the United States Mint produced what is widely regarded as the most beautiful coin it ever created and some of the most valuable coins on the collectors market. Designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens at the invitation of President Teddy Roosevelt, the resulting image was a piece of art that was then cast in 90% gold.
Struck at the Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver mints, the coin saw several slight changes throughout its run, giving collectors plenty to chase down if they’re putting together a type collection, but as highly collectible gold coins, they stand on their individual merits just as well.
What Coin Collectors Are Looking For
W Mint Marks
While most collectors are familiar with the S, D, and P mint marks on everyday coins, watch out for W, which signifies coins struck in West Point’s mint. These coins won’t show up in the change you get at the store but are often seen on bullion and commemorative issues. West Point has also struck some special edition coins for mint sets. Because it is often used by the mint to help encourage interest in coins and collecting, you can’t rule out its potential for additional runs in the future and possibly some strikes meant for circulation.
Bullion
Bullion coins, like the silver and gold American Eagles and Buffalos, are in current production and make beautiful additions to any collection. Bullion strikes have proven popular over the years, and since they’re offered in a set weight of precious metal, there is a floor to their price of that metal’s spot. More importantly, the potential ceiling for these investment-grade coins is incredibly high.
Errors
Errors are and will remain some of the most valuable coins to collect. With the United States Mint’s stringent quality control guidelines, relatively few make it into circulation. With more limited releases coming in circulation coins, such as the National Parks Washington Quarter, each with its own sets of dies, the opportunity for error to make it into circulation is higher than in any other time in the modern era.
Adding these gems to your collection can be both a rewarding hobby and incredibly lucrative. While you can acquire errors through the secondary market, they can also be found in your pocket change and rolls of coins you can buy at your bank for face value. There’s no risk involved because each coin is worth exactly what you paid for it if your search comes up empty.
Protect Your Valuable Coins
Coin collecting is an iterative passion. Enthusiasts invest significant amounts of time and money to curate their collections, but it can all disappear in a fire, natural disaster, or in the hands of thieves. It’s important to protect the value of your collection so you have the peace of mind to focus on finding the next addition.
Although it’s often referred to as the “Hobby of Kings,†coin collecting doesn’t discriminate between the rich and the poor (or between the regal and the common folk). While buying known rare coins can be a costly venture, you can start collecting for little to no money.
And you don’t need to be of a certain age to take up the hobby. In fact, according to the American Numismatic Association, “Interest in coin collecting has exploded over the last year or two, and many more young collectors are starting to enter the picture.â€
The chances of finding a million dollar coin in your pocket is extremely rare, but it’s still worth your while to check attics and antique shops, with collectors and dealers or through buying coin rolls from the bank for coins still in circulation. Acquiring the increasingly valuable vintage coins listed here will either come from a lucky find or at an auction and only if you have millions to bid.
A news release from the U.S. Mint in 1999 estimated that 40 copper-alloy cents were thought to exist, but it’s thought that number is closer to 20. In 1943, copper and nickel were needed for the Allied war effort, so most pennies from this era were struck in zinc-coated steel. However, a copper batch was released and can fetch between $240,000 and $336,000, according to CoinWeek.
Demand for the more common 1795 Silver Dollar keeps prices high, but the first silver dollar struck by the U.S. mint one year earlier is one of the rarest and most valuable of all U.S. coins, period. This “national treasure†sold for more than $10 million in 2013.
1969-S Lincoln Cent With Doubled Die Obverse
Still in Circulation: Yes
Approximate Value:$126,500
Worth upwards of $126,500 in near-perfect condition, according to Invaluable, there are less than 100 known examples of this Lincoln penny, and less than 40 have been authenticated. As such, any discovery of a 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse cent is big news in the coin hobby.
1913 Liberty Head Nickel
Still in Circulation: No
Approximate Value:$1.4 million
The coin is considered the holy grail of numismatic collectors because it was created in Philadelphia without the approval of the U.S. Mint and are as rare as hen’s teeth. Only Buffalo nickels were meant to be produced in 1913, but apparently five Liberty designs made them through. If, for some reason, you find a sixth that can be authenticated, you’ll be a new millionaire.
1982 No Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime
Still in Circulation: Yes
Approximate Value: $30 to $300
Mint marks are letters on coins that identify where they were made (“P†for Philadelphia, “D†for Denver, etc.), but this 1982 dime is missing a mint mark. Not significantly valuable, they are still worth way more than its face value ($30 to $300, depending on condition, per CoinWeek).
1927-D St. Gaudens Double Eagle
Still in Circulation: No
Approximate Value:2.5 to 7 million
As Heritage Auctions noted, when President Roosevelt recalled all gold coins in 1933, about 180,000 Double Eagles were in circulation. Today, the 1927-D Double Eagle is considered to be the rarest U.S. gold coin of the 20th century. According to the Professional Coin Grading Services (PCGS), a grade 67 specimen (uncirculated, with only minor imperfections) is worth about 7 million on the open market.
2005-D 5C Speared Bison Jefferson Nickel
Still in Circulation:Yes
Approx. Value:$150 to $450
Look closely at any 2005 Bison nickels you come across. If you find one with what looks to be a spear through the back of a buffalo, caused by a severe die break when stamping, keep it safe. While not terribly valuable compared to other coins, you should be able to get between $150 to $450 for one in decent condition (one went for $1,265 at an auction in 2010, per Invaluable). This is a good example of a recent coin that will increase in value over the next five years and a perfect starter coin for the burgeoning collector in your life.
1838-O Capped Bust Half Dollar
Still in Circulation: No
Approximate Value:$350,000 to $630,000
One of the first coins produced at the newly established New Orleans Mint, only about 20 of these coins were ever made because the new Mint experienced numerous mechanical breakdowns. According to USA Coin Book, 1838-O half dollars were actually produced in early 1839 using the old die, which is why so few of them were produced and known to exist today. They are worth hundreds of thousands if you’re lucky enough to find or inherit one.
1955 Doubled Die Penny
Still in Circulation: Yes
Approximate Value: $1,800
Most of these double dies (basically a misaligned striking of a coin, resulting in a duplicate image) from 1955 were distributed as change from cigarette vending machines. Doubling on the numbers and letters mean these are worth around $1,800 a piece.
1873-CC Liberty Seated Dime
Still in Circulation: No
Approximate Value: $1.8 Million
Last sold for $1,880,000 at auction in August 2012, this unique “No Arrows†dime from a Carson City (CC) mint is the only specimen of its kind. As with many of these coins, the story behind their creation and ownership history are worth reading.
You’re looking to expand your knowledge of coin collecting, but you are bumping up against some terms you aren’t quite familiar with. Specifically, you’re wondering about numismatic vs. bullion coins. What is the difference, and how will it affect your collection and investments?
Today we’re demystifying these two. Discover the distinct features, investment potential, and historical context of each, paving the way for you to make informed decisions that resonate with both your passion and financial goals.
Understanding Coins
When we dive into the world of coins, we find two main types that catch the interest of collectors and investors alike: numismatic coins and bullion coins. Each type holds its unique appeal and value shaped by different factors.
Numismatic coins are treasures from the past. They tell stories of ancient civilizations, forgotten empires, and pivotal moments in history. What makes these coins valuable is not just the material they’re made of but their rarity, condition, and the historical significance they carry.
Collectors prize these coins for their connection to history and culture, often willing to pay high prices for coins that are rare or in exceptional condition.
On the other hand, we have bullion coins. These coins are known for their purity and the amount of precious metal they contain, such as gold, silver, or platinum.
Unlike numismatic coins, the value of bullion coins is closely tied to the current market price of these metals. They are a favorite among investors who look to precious metals as a way to protect their wealth against inflation or economic downturns.
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On the other hand, we have bullion coins. These coins are known for their purity and the amount of precious metal they contain, such as gold, silver, or platinum.
Unlike numismatic coins, the value of bullion coins is closely tied to the current market price of these metals. They are a favorite among investors who look to precious metals as a way to protect their wealth against inflation or economic downturns.
Bullion coins are typically minted by governments and come with a guarantee of their weight and purity.
The production of these coins is a meticulous process. For numismatic coins, it’s often about preserving the details of their design, which can tell us a lot about the time and place they come from.
Bullion coins, however, are produced with a focus on ensuring the precise content of precious metal, reflecting their role as a stable investment.
The Allure of Coin Collection
The world of coin collection is rich and diverse, offering something for everyone. At the heart of this hobby is the deep connection collectors feel to the coins they acquire.
Numismatic coins, with their rich histories and unique stories, offer a window into the past. Collecting these pieces is like holding a piece of history in your hands.
It’s not just about the physical coin but the journey it has been on and the stories it could tell. This emotional connection is what draws many to numismatic collecting. Each coin is a treasure, valued not only for its material but for the historical narratives and artistic craftsmanship it represents.
Bullion coins, on the other hand, appeal to those with an eye on the present and future. These coins are prized for their purity and the precious metals they contain. Collectors and investors alike are drawn to bullion coins as a tangible investment.
They offer a sense of security, acting as a hedge against economic uncertainties. Unlike numismatic coins, the value of bullion coins fluctuates with the market price of metals like gold, silver, and platinum. This makes them an attractive option for those looking to invest in physical assets that can withstand the test of time.
Investment Potential
Numismatic coins are a fascinating area for investment. Their value is determined by more than just the metal they contain; rarity, condition, and historical significance all play crucial roles.
A coin from a limited minting that once belonged to a historical figure, for example, could fetch an impressive sum. The market for these coins is driven by demand, with collectors often willing to pay a premium for pieces that complete or enhance their collections.
However, investing in numismatic coins requires a deep understanding of the market. The rarity and condition of a coin can significantly affect its value. A rare coin in poor condition might not fetch as much as a more common coin in excellent condition.
Similarly, historical significance can add to a coin’s allure and value, making some coins highly sought after by collectors.
Bullion Coins
Bullion coins, by contrast, offer a more straightforward investment proposition. Their value is directly tied to the precious metal they contain, making them subject to fluctuations in the global markets for these metals.
For investors, bullion coins offer tangible assets that can serve as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation. Gold, silver, and platinum are all popular choices, with their prices influenced by economic indicators, geopolitical stability, and supply and demand dynamics.
The appeal of bullion coins as an investment lies in their liquidity and the stability of precious metals as an asset class. Unlike numismatic coins, the investment value of bullion coins is easier to quantify, making them a suitable option for those new to coin investing.
Additionally, bullion coins are often produced in larger quantities, making them more readily available and easier to trade.
Investment Stability and Potential Returns
When comparing the investment stability and potential returns of numismatic and bullion coins, it’s clear that each offers distinct advantages and challenges.
Numismatic coins can yield high returns, especially for rare and historically significant pieces. However, their market is more specialized, and values can be more volatile, influenced by trends in collecting and the availability of specific coins.
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Bullion coins, on the other hand, offer more stability. Their value is anchored in the price of precious metals, which tends to be more predictable over the long term.
While they may not offer the excitement of discovering a rare numismatic gem, bullion coins are a solid choice for those looking to preserve wealth and protect against economic uncertainties.
Coin Production and Minting Processes
The journey of a coin from concept to collector’s item is fascinating and involves meticulous processes, whether it’s a numismatic treasure or a bullion piece. Understanding how coins are made can give collectors and investors deeper insight into their value and the reasons behind it.
Coins are minted, which means they are produced by official government mints or authorized private entities. The process begins with the design, which is carefully chosen to reflect historical significance, cultural values, or economic importance.
For numismatic coins, the design is especially crucial because it often commemorates a specific event, person, or period in history. These coins are minted in limited quantities, which adds to their rarity and potential value. The minting process for numismatic coins also emphasizes precision and detail, ensuring that each coin is a work of art.
Bullion coins, while also beautifully designed, are produced with a different focus in mind. Their primary value comes from the precious metals they contain. As a result, the minting process ensures the purity and weight of the metal meet strict standards.
These coins are usually minted in larger quantities than numismatic coins, making them more accessible to investors. Governments often guarantee the weight and purity of bullion coins, providing investors with confidence in their physical gold, silver, or platinum investments.
The production volume of these coins plays a significant role in their market. Numismatic coins’ value is boosted by their scarcity, while bullion coins’ value is more directly tied to the current market prices of precious metals.
However, both types of coins undergo rigorous quality checks and are crafted with a high level of expertise.
Resale Value and Market Dynamics
Numismatic coins are prized for their historical significance, rarity, and condition. These coins often have a resale value that can significantly exceed their face value or the value of the metals they contain.
The market for numismatic coins can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the coin’s age, its historical context, and its rarity. For instance, a coin from a limited minting that was part of a pivotal moment in history can attract high interest from collectors, driving up its price.
Condition also plays a crucial role in a numismatic coin’s value. Well-preserved coins, with clear details and minimal wear, are more desirable and command higher prices.
Collectors often refer to professional grading services to determine a coin’s condition, which is then used to gauge its market value. The provenance of a numismatic coin, or its history of ownership, can also add to its allure and value, especially if it was previously part of a renowned collection.
Precious Metal Markets
The resale value of bullion coins is more straightforward, primarily determined by the current market prices of the precious metals they contain.
Gold, silver,and platinum markets fluctuate based on global economic conditions, demand for industrial and jewelry use, and investor sentiment. Bullion coins, therefore, serve as a liquid investment, easily converted into cash based on the prevailing metal prices.
However, even within the bullion market, certain coins can fetch a premium over their metal content due to their design, minting quality, or the reputation of their issuing mint. For example, bullion coins issued in limited editions or featuring commemorative designs can become collectible over time, blending the lines between bullion and numismatic value.
Strategies to Maximize Resale Value
To maximize the resale value of their coins, collectors and investors need to stay informed about market trends and maintain the condition of their coins. For numismatic coins, this means proper storage and handling to preserve their condition and, by extension, their value.
For bullion coins, timing the sale to coincide with high metal prices can lead to better returns. Additionally, building a diverse collection can help mitigate risks associated with market fluctuations, ensuring that the overall value of the collection remains stable or grows over time.
Challenges and Considerations
Collecting and investing in coins, whether numismatic or bullion, comes with its own set of challenges and considerations. Navigating these can be key to building a valuable and satisfying collection.
One major challenge in the world of numismatic coins is determining authenticity and condition. With older and rarer coins, there’s always a risk of counterfeits. To protect against this, collectors often rely on reputable dealers or third-party grading services, which can authenticate and grade coins.
This grading process assesses a coin’s condition on a scale, and a higher grade can significantly increase a coin’s value. However, getting a coin graded involves additional costs and the risk that the coin might not grade as highly as expected.
For bullion coin investors, market timing and liquidity are important considerations. Precious metal pricesfluctuate due to various global economic factors. Buying when prices are low and selling when they are high sounds simple, but it requires knowledge of market trends and sometimes a bit of luck.
Additionally, while bullion coins are generally liquid assets, market conditions can affect how quickly and profitably you can convert your coins to cash.
Diversification is another strategy that both numismatic collectors and bullion investors should consider. Just as with other types of investments, putting all your money into one type of coin or metal can be risky.
Enhancing Your Collection
Building a coin collection that is both personally satisfying and potentially profitable requires strategy, knowledge, and connections. Whether you’re drawn to the historical allure of numismatic coins or the tangible value of bullion, certain practices can help you enhance your collection and safeguard its value.
A solid foundation of knowledge is crucial for any collector or investor. Understanding the history, rarity, and market value of coins can help you make informed decisions.
This means doing your homework-reading books, attending seminars, and following market trends online. Joining coin-collecting forums and societies can also provide valuable insights and access to a community of like-minded enthusiasts.
Building Relationships
Establishing relationships with trusted coin dealers and auction houses can provide several advantages. These professionals can offer expert advice, authenticate coins, and alert you to new opportunities.
They can also help you sell your coins when the time comes. When choosing dealers or auction houses to work with, look for those with established reputations and positive reviews from other collectors.
Whether you like Mark Rothko’s large abstract paintings or not, there’s no doubt that they’re valuable. In 2012, a Rothko canvas fetched a record $87 million at auction. More recently, a collection featuring other American abstract expressionists, including one piece by Willem de Kooning and one by Jackson Pollock, set new records. The collection sold for $500 million in one of the highest-priced private art deals ever.
Such multimillion-dollar price tags are apt to draw some opportunistic investors into the art market for the first time. But investment experts and art curators alike caution would-be art investors considering this potential asset class to beware. Investing in art is not for the faint of heart.
Art can be a risky investment. Like fashion, artists and their work go in and out of style, affecting the resale value and return on investment. Art acquisition comes with considerable extra costs, such as commissions and insurance. Perhaps the greatest risk, however, is that there’s always a chance of forgery, theft or damage.
“Most people start collecting because they’re interested in and want to learn more about the visual arts,†says Robin Anthony, curator of the Royal Bank of Canada’s 4,500-piece corporate art collection in Toronto. “Some collectors become investors.â€
A growing number of wealth managers — 78 percent in 2015 versus 55 percent in 2014 — think art and collectibles should be part of an overall wealth management strategy, according to Deloitte’s Art & Finance Report.
Still, fine art and other collectibles owned by ultra-high net worth individuals globally account for just 2 percent of total portfolio allocations, according to a Knight Frank report. Â
That disconnect doesn’t surprise Don McNeil, curator of RBC Wealth Management-U.S.’s 400-piece art collection on display at its downtown Minneapolis headquarters. “Investors should buy art for personal reasons,†says McNeil. “To expect that works of art will have some significant appreciative value in your lifetime, that’s different.â€
Understand the art market
Some investors may look to art as a way to diversify their portfolio away from traditional stocks and bonds. Indeed, in addition to a “passion for the investment,†investors surveyed by Knight Frank cited a desire for “further diversification†as a top reason for wanting to invest in fine art and collectibles.
But the illiquidity of art and a thinly traded market can make art a riskier investment compared to stocks, says Liz Jacovino, a wealth strategist for RBC Wealth Management-U.S. based in Connecticut. “We know that stocks trade Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time,†she says. “The art market doesn’t have a specific time frame. You might have a piece you’d like to sell, but there might not be a market for it.â€
In fact, global art sales declined 7 percent from $68 billion in 2014 to $64 billion in 2015 due to weaker world economic conditions, according to the European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF) Art Market Report by Dublin-based Arts Economics. However, U.S. art sales rose 4 percent to their highest ever total of $27 million.
“If investors insist upon art being part of their portfolio, I suggest they work with an art investment advisor – someone who understands the art investment environment and the intricacies of art,†says Jacovino. “As a general rule, I don’t recommend it.â€
Approach art as an investment
To invest in art, a person should abandon notions of “what you like and don’t like,†says McNeil. Yet that approach is fraught with risk. Trying to predict emerging trends is a considerable challenge, particularly for those new to the art market. And you may end up with a piece of art that you don’t enjoy or appreciate.
Picking a winner is, well, more art than science. Just 1 percent of all artists generate more than half of all artwork sold globally, according to the TEFAF Art Market Report. There is no magic formula to identify which artists will be the most sought-after or successful, and no guarantee of a positive return on investment.
Still, research is key – just as it is for other investments, from stocks to bonds to real estate – says RBC’s Canadian curator. Anthony advises would-be art investors to read about art and artists, visit museums and galleries, and establish relationships with artists and art professionals.
And how much should they be prepared to spend? A contemporary piece at auction is likely to sell for $1 million or more, says McNeil. For those who just want to dip their toes rather than dive into the art market, they can spend $5,000 or less for a work by an up-and-coming artist represented by a reputable gallery.
Another option is to invest in mutual funds that invest specifically in works of art. RBC Wealth Management-U.S. does not offer third-party art funds, but there are some such funds that investors can explore with their investment manager.
Concerns about authenticity and forgery exist in certain markets, such as classical art, but those risks may be decreasing. In 2015, 62 percent of wealth managers told Deloitte that a lack of regulation was the main challenge to offering art investment services, down from 83 percent in 2014.
Compare returns over the long term
Art investors must contend with a high degree of uncertainty. “Who knows what’s going to happen to any particular artist?†says McNeil. “As far as the investment goes, the value is in the resale value.†Take Vincent van Gogh as an example. The painter apparently sold only one painting in his lifetime, but nearly 100 years after his death, one of his “Sunflowers†sold at auction for almost a million.
Popular art is largely based on what sells. Currently, contemporary art is hot: it accounted for 46 percent of the value of global art sales in 2015, according to the TEFAF Art Market Report. “The vast majority of art produced in the world has no resale value at all,†cautions McNeil. Would-be investors can educate themselves by researching prices through auction houses or online databases such as ArtNet.
Another key consideration is long-term financial performance. Data shows that equities perform better than art over the long term. Over the past 20 years, the Mei Moses World All Art Index posted a compounded annual return of 5.3 percent versus 8.3 percent for the S&P 500 Total Return Index. That gap narrows over the past 50 years: the All Art Index returned 7.9 percent vs. 9.7 percent for the S&P Index.
Similarly, a 2013 Stanford Graduate School of Business study found that art investments don’t substantially improve the risk-return profile of a traditional portfolio. It found that the average annual return of paintings sold at auction from 1972 to 2010 was 3.5 percentage points lower than thought, after adjusting for art that sold more frequently and at higher prices.
Other advantages, such as the cultural benefits of art, are harder to measure. “Art creates conversations and engages people to think,†says Anthony, adding that RBC’s entire art collection, including work by Canadian artists Geoffrey Farmer and Julia Dault, is displayed for employees and customers to enjoy.
Collectors are increasingly combining their love for art with investing. Nearly three-quarters of art collectors said they buy art for passion, according to the Deloitte report.
For Jacovino, her recommendation is to buy art “you like because it will be in your house for you to enjoy everyday.†It might appreciate in value one day, but don’t invest in art as a way to save for your kid’s college education.
5 tips for investing in art
Research art and artists
Visit art galleries, museums, fairs and artists’ studios to determine what you like and develop an understanding of art’s market value. Read art critics to find up-and-comers, and review art prices from auction houses.
Establish contacts
Build relationships with gallery owners, art critics, artists and other collectors to educate yourself. Join a museum collector’s club. Check if an art advisor or dealer belongs to the Association of Professional Art Advisors and the Art Dealers Association of America.
Ignore the hype
Buy art based on the quality of the work, not trends. And do your homework upfront, so that you know the provenance of the art you’re considering.
Don’t limit yourself
Artwork can take many forms beyond canvases. Consider investing in other formats, such as photography, costumes and archaeological items.
Buy what you like
The artwork you purchase will most likely be displayed in your home or office for years to come. Above all, make sure you like it.
Are mint errors and varieties the same thing? What’s the difference between the two? Mint errors are mistakes that happen during the manufacturing process. Varieties come from variations in the different dies used to strike the coins.
Mint Errors
Let’s start with mint errors. What are they anyway? A mint error is a mistake that happens during the manufacturing process. They are impediments or imperfections in the minting or striking process that impact the appearance of the coin. Since these are made by mistake, each error is unique, and no two will look exactly the same.
PCGS certifies most of the common mint errors but we do not certify any error coins that appear to be human-made instead of mint-made.
Here are a few of the common mint errors PCGS will grade:
Rotated Dies – This error occurs when one of the coin dies rotates leaving the front and back of the coin unaligned. PCGS will only grade coins with a die rotation of 20 degrees or more.
Mules – This error occurs when a coin is struck by mismatched dies. This means that the front of one coin is paired with the back of another or vice versa. The planchet used will tell you what denomination the coin was supposed to be. If the mule has a Lincoln Cent front and Roosevelt Dime back but was struck on a copper planchet, the coin was supposed to be a Lincoln Cent.
Brockages – This error occurs when a coin is struck with another coin. This happens when a coin gets stuck to the die and strikes the next planchet. This leaves the new planchet with an incuse mirror image of the design.
Broadstrikes – This error occurs when a coin is struck outside of its collar. The collar is the retaining ring in which a coin is struck, keeping it the correct diameter upon strike. When a coin is broadstruck, it expands beyond that ring or is struck without the retaining collar present, making the coin larger than intended.
Off-Center Strikes – This error occurs when a planchet is not perfectly placed between the two dies and is struck off-center. These coins are unusually shaped and are always missing part of the design. The off-center percentage is determined by how much of the blank planchet is visible. For example, if you can see 40% of the planchet, the coin is 40% off-center.
Wrong Planchets – A wrong planchet error occurs when a coin is struck on a planchet meant for a different coin. For example, an Eisenhower Dollar struck on a Kennedy Half Dollar planchet.
Varieties
Varieties are variations or slight differences in the different coin dies. They are often less obvious than mint errors and may include differently shaped mintmarks, different-sized dates, or missing elements – for example, the missing buffalo leg on the 1937 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel. Another very popular kind of variety is none other than the doubled die!
The United States Constitution is the foundational document that legally provides for so many of the rights that shape the unique freedoms Americans enjoy. The U.S. Constitution was created in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, ratified on June 21, 1788, and went into effect on March 4, 1789. It has been amended 27 times, with the first 10 amendments forming the Bill of Rights. The latter amendments cover a variety of other protections now enshrined in the federal Constitution.
The 200th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution in 1987 inspired a flurry of commemorative collectibles honoring the bicentennial of one of the nation’s most important documents. Among these special issues were two U.S. commemorative coins paying homage to the Constitution. These are a silver dollar and gold half eagle, both of which were struck in proof and uncirculated formats.
The 1987 U.S. Constitution Bicentennial Silver Dollar was designed by Patricia Lewis Verani. The obverse carries a motif centering on a large quill pen and a sheet of parchment paper; emblazoned across the devices are the words “WE THE PEOPLE†in classic font. The reverse shows an arrangement of people representing all walks of life. Meanwhile, the 1987 U.S. Constitution Bicentennial Half Eagle designed by Marcel Jovine showcases a stylized eagle clutching a quill pen, with an upright quill pen shown on the reverse and superimposed by the words “WE THE PEOPLE.â€
The Philadelphia Mint struck 451,629 of the uncirculated silver dollars along with 2,747,116 proofs from San Francisco. As for the half eagles, the West Point Mint produced both the uncirculated strikes and proofs, with 214,225 of the former and 651,659 of the latter. All told, the U.S. Constitution coins represent among the largest mintages seen with the modern U.S. commemorative coin program; though higher mintages were seen with the 1982 George Washington and 1986 Statue of Liberty coin programs, production figures for the U.S. commemorative program as a whole started dropping off significantly over the next several years after the 1987 U.S. Constitution issues.
Collectors wishing to add the 1987 U.S. Constitution commemorative coins to their PCGS Registry Sets have many avenues for doing so. These options include a specialty set dedicated to only the 1987 Constitution dollar and half eagle known as Constitution Modern Commemoratives, Circulation Strikes and Proof (1987). There are also more than a dozen other PCGS Registry Sets that accommodate the 1987 U.S. Constitution coins, giving collectors ample opportunities to numismatically nod to one of the most important documents in United States history.
Bags and rolls containing Uncirculated 2025-P and 2025-D American Women, Ida B. Wells quarter dollars went on public sale by the United States Mint at noon Eastern Time Feb. 4.
Ida B. Wells was a prolific educator, investigative journalist, suffragist, and civil rights activist. She fought for justice and equality throughout her life and used her powerful voice to expose violence against African Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The coins are offered in 100-coin mini-canvas bags from either the Denver Mint or the Philadelphia Mint; a two-roll set of 40 coins per roll from each of the two production facilities; and a three-roll set additionally including a 40-coin roll of Uncirculated San Francisco Mint quarter dollars.
U.S. Mint customers could register and place advance orders for the numismatic products through the bureau’s subscription option.
A limit of 8,250 bags each from the Denver and Philadelphia Mints were available, priced at $47.25 each. Bags in 2024 were priced at $45.
The two-roll sets, limited to 7,000 sets, were priced at $42, up from $40 in 2024.
The three-roll set, limited to a release of 18,625 sets, was priced at $63, up from $60 in 2024.
Most of the three-roll sets available were ordered by subscription, although the U.S. Mint set aside an undisclosed number to be available for the Feb. 4 sales opening.
First-day orders were restricted to 10 each of the 100-coin bags and three each of the two-roll and three-roll sets. After the first day, restrictions were lifted.
First day sales by option totaled * 100-coin 2025-P bags, 1,215. * 100-coin 2025-D bags, 1,015 * Two-roll sets, 2,165. * Three-roll-sets, 9,230.
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