Press Magnifies the Scarce to Rare Segment of Market

Et tu Brute? We have recently witnessed the sale of an 1804 silver dollar, seen a 1794 silver dollar be offered at an astronomical price but fail to sell, and one of three known gold aureii of Julius Caesar assassin Brutus surface. Now, add to those coins the announcement one of the famous 1943 copper Lincoln cents will be offered in a November auction.

Furthermore, consider that Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association has recently forecast that what they call the “alternative asset classes” of investments will grow globally between 18 and 24 percent by 2025. Coin collecting is getting lots of attention in the general press, this, of course, being a good thing for the future of the hobby.

Since the copper cent has a great story behind it this may once more encourage non-collectors to begin examining their change. All this news also magnifies the scarce to rare segment of the hobby, which is currently in overdrive.

Discretionary money, as well as the duo of political and economic concerns, is driving the market. The same fears drove the intrinsic valued lower end of the circulation strike and the bullion coin market to where they recently crested, then modestly declined. Collector versions of American Eagle coins are outperforming business strike gold and silver Eagles as well as common precious metal commemoratives. These are valued primarily for their bullion.

The modest decline in bullion values has stabilized intrinsically valued coins but has failed to dampen demand for them both by collectors and speculators. Specialist areas such as half cents, half dimes, and such continue to be a mixed bag. While some are increasing in value, others have declined. What to make of all this? It looks like a healthy market continuing to expand.