Are Collectible Coins a Good Investment? — Reclaim, Recycle, and Sell your Precious Metal Scrap (2024)

“Over the last few years, my mother has spent about $500.00 to buy collectible coins she has seen advertised on television. They weren’t made by the U.S. Mint and seem to be base metal coins covered with an ultra-thin layer of gold or gold-toned metal. She is sure they are going to appreciate in value because they were advertised as rare. Should I tell her that she has made a bad investment or just wait for her to find out when she tries to sell them?”

- James, from Columbus, Ohio

Dear James . . .

We cannot advise you about what you should tell your mother. If she has her “collectible” coins in a display cabinet or tucked away for safekeeping and enjoys having them, then there is probably no need for you to upset her by pointing out that she made a bad investment.

But for the rest of our blog readers, we would like to explain why the kind of coins that James is describing are not a good investment.

Not All “Mints” Are the U.S. Mint!

Any business can set up an operation to produce coins and call itself a “mint.” But that doesn’t mean that if you buy coins from them, you are dealing with the U.S. Mint, which is the government department that issues genuine currency that can be circulated. The quality of the coins made by these private mints is not necessarily bad – but the quality of the coins they make is not the point. Please continue reading.

Many Manufactured “Collectible” Coins Contain Very Little Gold or Silver

Some advertisers like to pitch the idea that the coins they sell are plated with “genuine 18K gold,” or with gold of another karat rating. Claims like that might convince people who do not know their way around precious metals to dial those toll-free numbers and buy, but how much gold do those plated coins really contain? Very little. They might look shiny, but there is really no point investing in them.

“Rare Uncirculated” Coins from the U.S. Mint Might Be Worth a Little Bit More

You have probably seen commercials and ads for them. The pitch is that you have the chance to buy a “rare, uncirculated” coin – perhaps a silver dollar. If you are tempted to buy this kind of coin, remember that the seller is only trying to sell you something for a price that is higher than what that coin is really worth. (Otherwise, why would they be selling it?)

Sometimes sellers will bundle together a batch of coins and sell them as an “uncirculated” set of coins and say that these sets were issued by the U.S. Mint. Remember that even if a batch of coins of different values were issued by the U.S. Mint in the same year, they are not necessarily a “set” that the U.S. Mint created. They are probably a batch of coins that a company that sells collectibles bundled together and sells as batches – it’s a way to get, say, $100.00 for a handful of coins that are worth much less than that.

Defend yourself. Before you spend money on any genuine coins from the U.S. Mint, call a rare coin dealer in your area or look online to see what that coin is really worth. In nearly all cases, dealers who sell these “sets” are only trying to increase the prices of what they have to sell.

How about “Genuine” Coins that the U.S. Mint Did Not Make?

You have probably seen advertisem*nts for them too. They could be coins that were manufactured to look like genuine quarters, half dollars or silver dollar coins, or something else. You will also notice that the word “copy” is stamped on them somewhere, indicating that they are not genuine U.S. currency. (It is illegal to sell copies of U.S. coins that are not stamped in this way.)

How about Other Commemorative Coins?

You have probably seen ads for these too. They could be “collectible” coins made by companies to honor Abraham Lincoln, JFK, the World Trade Center, or anything or anyone else. Remember, as we pointed out earlier in today’s post, that not all mints are the U.S. Mint! Most, if not all, of the commemorative coins these private companies make, have very low value. So when it comes to investing, skip them.

This leads us to a similar kind of “collectible” coin – the replated or modified genuine coin. You have seen ads for these too. They are made when a private company buys up a batch of genuine coins from the U.S. Mint and thinly replates them, or partially replates them, with gold or silver, and then sells them as collectible coins. This is another form of the collectible coin to avoid.

What Precious Metal Investment Will Make You Much More Money?

In our experience and opinion, coins are never the best investment you can make in precious metals!

Even if you buy a genuine gold coin that was made for investment purposes, its value will always be tied to current trading prices. So if gold prices rise, your investment will rise in value – and vice versa.

Gold scrap, silver scrap, and platinum scrap are the investments that provide investors with the highest return for every dollar they invest. Alert buyers can buy scrap for pennies on the dollar, have us extract the precious metal it contains, and pay the full value of those metals at current trading prices.

Want to know more? Call our advisors at 800-426-2344.

And if you have a relative who is interested in making money by buying things that have more real value than coins that are sold on infomercials, perhaps it is a good idea to show them today’s post. We hope they will see the light and begin to invest in more solid forms of gold, silver, and platinum.

Are Collectible Coins a Good Investment? — Reclaim, Recycle, and Sell your Precious Metal Scrap (2024)

FAQs

Are coins a good investment? ›

Investing in rare coins can potentially provide long-term gains, but it is not ideal for short-term profits. The rare-coin market can fluctuate like the stock market as demand for a particular coin increases and wanes. In general, rare coins are a fairly nonvolatile asset type.

Are precious metals considered an investment? ›

As an investment, precious metals are often sought after to diversify portfolios and as a store of value, particularly as a hedge against inflation and during times of financial uncertainty. For commercial buyers, precious metals may also be an essential component for products such as jewelry or electronics.

Why precious metals are a good investment? ›

Precious metals offer unique inflationary protection. They have intrinsic value, carry no credit risk, and cannot be inflated. That means you can't print more of them. They also offer genuine upheaval insurance against financial or political/military upheavals.

Why precious metals are a bad investment? ›

Risks of investing in precious metals

One of the biggest is price volatility. Several factors can drive precious metals prices, including changes in the economy, Federal Reserve policy, investor demand, mining supply, and inflation.

Are collector coins worth it? ›

Uncirculated collectible coins often draw more interest and, thereby, are awarded a higher value. This isn't to say that circulated coins are not a good investment, but an investor should expect a lower return as it comes to coins that display or suggest usage.

Which metal is best investment? ›

Gold has long been considered a safe haven asset due to its limited supply and historical stability. It's also seen as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation, which makes it especially appealing during periods of economic uncertainty.

Are precious metals a high risk investment? ›

Precious metals are subject to market risk like most other investments, but again they prove to be more robust than most assets.

How much of your investments should be in precious metals? ›

In general, though, financial experts often recommend putting between 5 and 20% of your portfolio into gold or other precious metals, though some suggest an even greater allocation.

What precious metal holds its value best? ›

If you want some assurance with precious metal investments, platinum can be a great portfolio addition. It can easily hold its value even during economic volatility; even a small amount is enough for high returns. Platinum is mostly popular as a bullion metal investment.

How much silver should I own? ›

The affordability of silver makes it possible for anyone to buy small quantities regularly to build a sizeable portfolio over time. As a result, many experts recommend a precious metal portfolio that ideally consists of 75% gold and 25% silver.

Are precious metals a good buy right now? ›

The answer is yes, based on the current economic conditions and potential market volatility. Investing in precious metals such as gold and silver can help protect your portfolio against inflation and economic uncertainty.

Should I buy silver bars or coins? ›

Silver coins offer several advantages over investing in silver bars, such as easier selling of smaller quantities at once, higher resale value due to collectible value and rarity factors, and better protection against counterfeiting or fraudulent products.

What is the best metal to invest in 2023? ›

Is gold the best precious metal to invest in for 2023? The best-known of the precious metals, gold is considered by many to be an excellent asset to add to an investment portfolio. Gold is a key material for jewelry, and is also used as a store of wealth by investors around the world.

How much is an ounce of silver? ›

Monex Live Silver Spot Prices
Silver Spot PricesTodayChange
Silver Prices Per Ounce$24.03-0.33
Silver Prices Per Gram$0.77-0.01
Silver Prices Per Kilo$772.56-10.61

Should I clean my coins before selling? ›

Generally, it is better to leave your antique metal currency alone than it is to try and erase all the grime and grit off of those coins. Cleaning or polishing rare coins devalues them. So, if you're planning on selling them, get an appraisal before attempting to clean your coins.

What coins are most in demand? ›

The top 10 most expensive coins are in this article, including the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, Flowing Hair Silver Dollar, Brasher Doubloon, Edward III Florin, Umayyad Gold Dinar, Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, 1943 Liberty Head V Nickel, 1894-S Barber Dime, Lincoln Head Copper Penny, and 1893 Morgan Silver Dollar.

What is the most sought after coin? ›

There were a total of 445,500 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles minted, with only around a dozen known to exist today. The coin is made of gold and is considered one of the most incredible coins ever made. The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is a highly sought-after coin by collectors due to its rarity and history.

Why do coin collectors not like cleaned coins? ›

Most Cleaning is Destructive: It Can Literally Change the Surface of a Coin. Any cleaning that requires rubbing leaves microscopic scratches. They are not apparent to the naked eye, but a collector will see them. A collector will look for them.

What dollar coins are worth collecting? ›

Seven Most Valuable Sacagawea Dollar Coins
CoinValue
2014-D Sacagawea dollar and presidential dollar mule$84,000
2000-D Sacagawea dollar and South Carolina quarter mule$66,000
2000 Lincoln cent on Sacagawea dollar$35,000
2000-P Cheerios Sacagawea dollar$34,500
3 more rows
Apr 17, 2023

Why don t coin collectors clean their coins? ›

Patina, that green film that forms on old metals due to exposure over the years, is actually desired and appreciated by avid coin collectors. It is best not to clean rare coins as removing the patina can significantly reduce the value of them. For this reason, most coin hobbyists almost never clean their coins.

What metal is most in demand? ›

We can also confirm that demand for all major metals, except lead, is expected to increase continuously by the end of this century, with the largest growth rate for aluminum (470%), followed by copper (330%), zinc (130%), and iron (100%).

What metal is best to sell? ›

Top 7 Most Valuable Scrap Metals
  • Copper. Copper is one of the most common metals you can find around your home and one of the most highly sought after at the scrap yard. ...
  • Brass. ...
  • Silver. ...
  • Aluminium. ...
  • Stainless Steel. ...
  • Gold. ...
  • Lead.

What metal sells for the most? ›

Copper. Copper is one of the most valuable scrap items. Most scrap dealers will buy copper at a high price because it consistently generates high value. Its versatility and high demand also make it a top consideration if you want to make a lot of money from scrapping.

Is it better to buy gold bars or coins? ›

Gold coins are known to have more sentimental value than gold bars both historically and culturally. Simply put, gold coins can be more ideal for you than gold bars if you want to invest in something with a more historical and cultural value. Again, gold coins have more collectible value than gold bars.

What is the average rate of return on precious metals? ›

Average annual return of gold and other assets worldwide 1971-2022. Between January 1971 and December 2022, gold had average annual returns of 7.78 percent, which was only slightly behind the return of commodities, with 8.3 percent average annual returns. The annual average return of gold in 2022 was 0.4 percent.

What investments are better than gold? ›

Returns in Real Estate vs.

The real estate can be an attractive long-term investment option where the property value increases over time. Real estate provides better returns than gold without much volatility. Additionally, when the market improves, so does the value of your property.

What is America's secret currency? ›

Liberty dollar (private currency)
ISO 4217
Rarely used$500, $1000
Demographics
User(s)Individuals and businesses primarily in the United States
Issuance
12 more rows

How much physical gold should you own? ›

Consequently, conventional wisdom recommends holding no more than 10% of your portfolio in gold as part of a well-balanced portfolio. Allocating a slice of gold to your portfolio may help to hedge against inflation. That's because gold has an inverse relationship with the dollar.

What are the cons of investing in precious metals? ›

Should I Invest in Precious Metals? The Pros and Cons
  • Pro: Precious Metals Hold Their Value Against Inflation.
  • Con: It's Expensive to Buy Precious Metals for an Initial Investment.
  • Pro: Investing in Precious Metals Provides Built-In Scarcity.
  • Con: You'll Deal With High Capital Gains Taxes.
Feb 6, 2022

Which precious metal is most rare? ›

The rarest stable metal is tantalum. The rarest metal on earth is actually francium, but because this unstable element has a half life of a mere 22 minutes, it has no practical use.

What is the least valuable precious metal? ›

Silver: The least costly of the precious-metal group, silver is also very malleable, ductile, and corrosion resistant. Because it is not attacked by alkaline solutions, it is used to contain caustic soda and potash in all concentrations. Silver has the highest thermal and electrical conductivity of all metals.

What is the most undervalued precious metal? ›

In the post, he echoed the statements of Andy Schectman, president of precious metals investment firm Miles Franklin, sharing, “Andy Scheckman says: 'Silver is the most undervalued asset of a generation.

What will 1 oz of silver be worth in 10 years? ›

We can rely on these data to suggest that in ten years, Silver can grow to a minimum of $150 an ounce from the current price of $20.75 an ounce. On the upside, it could reach up to $750 an ounce if the conditions are right.

How many ounces of silver can you get for $1000? ›

Bag Content. Our $1,000 face bag of 90% silver coins contains approximately 715 troy ounces of pure silver.

How much silver is in $100 face value? ›

$100 Face value of coins. All coins contain 90% silver and 10% copper. Approximately 71.5 Troy oz of silver in each bag.

What are precious metals selling for today? ›

Current Gold, Silver And Precious Metals Spot Prices
  • Gold. $1,952.84. -21.77. View Gold Graph.
  • Silver. $23.71. -0.19. View Silver Graph.
  • Platinum. $1,034.63. -18.03. View Platinum Graph.
  • $1,440.70. -25.82. View Palladium Graph.

How much is an ounce of gold? ›

$ 1,972.97

Will precious metals go up in 2023? ›

A Kitco News' online survey showed gold could top out at a record $2,100 an ounce in 2023, and silver could jump more than 50% to reach $38 an ounce this year.

Should I keep my silver coins? ›

It is always best practice to keep the coins in their original packages to ensure they're protected. Keeping the original monster boxes of silver coins sealed can also ensure you get the best re-sell value when the time comes to sell them.

Is it better to stack bars or coins? ›

Silver coins can be more inexpensive in the case of junk 90% silver dimes, quarters, and halves. Yet you'll get more silver for the same price if you buy it in bar form. You can stack more silver for less money buying bars. But silver coins guarantee the option of spending them if times ever get tough.

Are Silver Eagles worth buying? ›

American Silver Eagles make great investments because they carry an intrinsic value and won't fall in value like other currencies. Silver Eagles come with a limited mintage. This means American Silver Eagles produced under specific conditions guaranteed their rarity.

Which metal will have the most demand in the future? ›

Assuming the recent trend in intensity of use is maintained during our forecast period, nickel will see the fastest growth, with demand growing by 123 per cent from 2020 to 2035. Aluminium and steel will also see significant growth of 57 per cent and 50 per cent respectively, with copper increasing by 26 per cent.

Where to invest $25,000 in 2023? ›

What are the best types of investments of 2023?
  • High Yield Savings Accounts. ...
  • Short-Term Certificates of Deposits. ...
  • Short-Term Government Bonds Funds. ...
  • S&P 500 Index Funds. ...
  • Dividend Stock Funds. ...
  • Real Estate & REITs. ...
  • Cryptocurrency.

Which metal is best for future? ›

Titanium is called the metal of the future because It is stronger than steel with 45% lighter weight and also free from rust which is known to be the best properties for a metal to have.

Will silver ever hit $100 an ounce? ›

Silver will reach $100 per ounce the quickest if inflation approaches double digits in 2022 and 2023. The inflation rate is expected to be around 5% in 2021. Since 2008, this has been the most remarkable rate of inflation. Inflation will probably climb, drawing more investors to precious metals as a haven.

What is highest price of 1 oz of silver? ›

On January 18, 1980, silver reached an all-time high price of $49.45/troy ounce.

How much is a 1oz bar of silver worth? ›

Sell to Us Price: $24.94 each.

Which coin is best to invest now? ›

Bitcoin: A Currency with the potential to be among the most lucrative crypto coins. The first digital asset to exist in the cryptocurrency industry was Bitcoin. BTC has been the most profitable cryptocurrency to invest in for its early investors.

Can you really make money from coins? ›

The simplest answer to this question is, yes you can make money buying and selling coins. All you have to do is gain some coin knowledge and acquaint yourself with the coin conditions, grading standards, coin values, and of course, the coins you want to collect. As easy as it may sound, do not rush.

Is it smart to save coins? ›

You may not think a whole lot about your loose coins, but they can make a big impact on your life. By putting all your change away in a jar, you can save money over time to use on a new outfit or a nice dinner. You can even continue putting change in your jar and save for a larger purchase!

Which coin is profitable to invest? ›

9. Bitcoin – Coin With the Potential to Become one of the Most Profitable Crypto. Bitcoin was the first digital asset to come into existence in the crypto space. In fact, for its early investors, BTC has been the most profitable cryptocurrency to invest in.

Which coin is going to pump? ›

We have narrowed down our choice of crypto coins that are expected to pump 30x before 2024 to eight. Prime suspects among them are Love Hate Inu (LHINU), DeeLance (DLANCE), Metropoly (METRO), Ecoterra (ECOTERRA), and RobotEra (TARO), as these tokens represent a new era in crypto development.

What coin will go up the most? ›

8 Best Crypto Coins With 50x Potential In 2023
  • Metacade (MCADE)
  • Ripple (XRP)
  • Shiba Inu (SHIB)
  • Polygon (MATIC)
  • The Sandbox (SAND)
  • Polkadot (DOT)
  • Solana (SOL)
  • Dogecoin (DOGE)
Jan 23, 2023

Which coin is best for low investment? ›

The other options like VeChain, Stellar, Basic Attention Token, and Shiba Inu are also worth considering for those looking to invest in the crypto world on a budget. Each of these coins has its unique offering and growth potential, making them good choices for goal-centric investors.

What coins make $100 dollars? ›

10,000 pennies are in $100. Every dollar is 100 pennies, and 100 x 100 = 10,000.

How do I turn a lot of coins into cash? ›

To exchange coins for bills, try taking them to a local bank or retailer that offers coin-counting services. With some coin-counting machines, like Coinstar, you can also exchange coins for gift cards for free or donate your spare change to charity.

What 1970 quarter is worth $35000? ›

The Most Valuable 1970 Washington Quarter: The $35,000 Quarter. The most famous and most expensive 1970 quarter is the 1970-S quarter struck on an 80% silver 1941 Canadian quarter.

How much money can you put in a bank without questions? ›

A cash deposit of more than $10,000 into your bank account requires special handling. The IRS requires banks and businesses to file Form 8300, the Currency Transaction Report, if they receive cash payments over $10,000. Depositing more than $10,000 will not result in immediate questioning from authorities, however.

How much cash should you keep at home? ›

Keep Cash to a Minimum

Danielle Miura, CFP, the founder and owner of Spark Financials, suggested, “You should keep enough money on hand to get you a couple of gallons of gas, pay for a delivery tip, or to help in unfortunate events,” or around $100-$200 at a time.

Is it better to keep cash or put it in the bank? ›

Usually, you would choose to invest your money for long-term financial goals like retirement because you have a longer time frame to recover from stock market fluctuations. If the financial goal is short term, say five years or less, it's usually smarter to park your money in a high-yield savings account.

Which coins will boom in 2023? ›

We have excluded stablecoins since they are designed to maintain a stable price and are not typically considered to be a speculative investment.
  • Ethereum (ETH) Market cap: $205 billion. ...
  • Binance Coin (BNB) Market cap: $49 billion. ...
  • XRP (XRP) ...
  • Dogecoin (DOGE) ...
  • Cardano (ADA) ...
  • Polygon (MATIC) ...
  • Litecoin (LTC) ...
  • Polkadot (DOT)
May 5, 2023

What is the best coin to invest in 2023? ›

What are the 12 Best Crypto Coins to invest in 2023 and why?
  • ApeMax. The presale for ApeMax coins has recently started, providing an excellent chance to buy them at the most affordable rates ever offered. ...
  • AiDoge. ...
  • BNB. ...
  • Cosmos. ...
  • Decentraland Coin. ...
  • Ecoterra. ...
  • Ethereum. ...
  • Solanna.
May 30, 2023

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