Last week, along with the stock market, the price of gold took historic swings. After gold breached the $3,000 per ounce level, stocks tumbled almost 3,000 points. That same day, gold dropped $175. 24 hours after that, stocks rebounded as did gold prices to almost $3,150. No one could fathom what might come next. We still can’t.
Almost 50 years ago, when the nation was preparing for our 1976 bi-centennial, $175 was also a significant figure for gold. The big difference was, then, it was the price for an entire ounce. Add $3,000 to that and you have the 2025 gold price – at least as of last week.
These price fluctuations made me think about any vestige of financial stability. While nothing is guaranteed, it’s notable to see how the values and prices for rare coins over those same 50 years – or even past century or more – have regularly risen....
You can’t say that about some other collectibles. For instance, while ultra-rare stamps continue to bring top-dollar, more common ones that brought premium prices in the 1980s have since lost 50 percent or more of their value. So too for many comic books, figurines and other mainstream collectibles.
Numismatics may have a leg up on other items because they are money in the raw. Certainly, those struck out of precious metals such as silver, gold or platinum have inherent, intrinsic value. The thing is, many struck out of copper and silver have also climbed and continue to set record prices.
The long-term run up in value is certainly attributable to wealthy collectors. After all, many of those bidding at coin auctions are highly successful business people and investors with hefty incomes. Of course, when the stock market takes a massive hit as it did last week, even prosperous investors might take a pause when it comes to discretionary spending. But, not for long. As I said, over the past two centuries, coin prices have rarely retreated.
For wealthy collector/investors, or more readily for those of us who can only aspire to owning fabulously rare and valuable coins, the newest edition of 100 Greatest United States Coins is a dreamers’ guide to the best of the best. Compiled by veteran numismatist Jeff Garrett, the hardcover tome chronicles spectacular rarities and their equally stunning prices.
Though space here doesn’t allow for even a few of the coins to be chronicled, 100 Greatest US Coins showcases each individual inclusion from a “lowly” 1909 Lincoln Penny worth a shade over $3,000, to the majestic 1933 $20 gold St. Gauden’s double eagle valued well north of $21 million.
Each included coin is showcased in full-color along with a detailed description of its legacy and history as a collectible. Most all include fascinating and compelling stories. Especially for coins dating to the early colonial era of the late-1700s and early 1800s, those accounts offer a special peek back to the earliest days of our coinage. Each selection also includes a price history dating back to 1960 and up to today.
The book concedes that to trying to assemble a complete collection of the 100 coins would be next to impossible from both a logistical and affordability perspective. Still, for anyone wondering who might dream of such a feat, a chapter on the greatest collectors and their stories is included. So too is a listing of the top 250 coin prices realized over time.
For those inspired enough by the coins, their stories, histories and continued price increases, other chapters detail what attributes great coins have; the background behind US coins; and how to go about finding and starting a collection. That includes the all-important aspect of grading coins (or having them graded); what to look for at a coin show; and what to avoid in the age of the Internet.
Finally, what’s most compelling and motivating is the simple fact that some specimens of the included coins are still waiting to be found. It’s true. Though they surely no longer will appear in random pocket change, it’s a given a few await discovery in an old drawer or chest. Stranger and equally improbable things have happened and are sure to again somewhere and sometime. The trick, as always, is knowing what you have when you run across it.
Produced by Whitman Publishing, the newest 6th edition of 100 Greatest United States Coins costs $24.95 and is available now from some coin dealers or online at: www.Whitman.com.
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