I figured, it is time I lend my "expertise," actually my passion and love of American Minted Coins. If you have a question, an observation or just a curiosity as to what is valuable, cheap or just too damn expensive, ask!
Most collecting is done by novices, with no idea as to what is worth having and what is junk.
I now go on record as saying, "Anything offered on TV, in an infomercial as a 'way to add value to your children's future' is just plain BS.
Presidential Dollars, State Quarters, whether they are plated in gold, silver or platinum or even jelly are worth the intrinsic value of the coin, itself. In other words, "a dollar is a dollar and dime is a dime, we'd sing another chorus but we haven't got the time." Socrates is supposed to have said, "If you give me a pound of gold, I could plate the whole world". So, save your money on the "collections!" If you want to buy a roll of quarters or dollars, go to the U.S. Mint's website, buy a roll and make your own collections. I know the mint is not selling many past issues, have sold out but I can always steer you in the direction of reasonable priced items for any budget.
NO! I don't sell coins! This is not a sales pitch. I collect for my own enjoyment and pleasure. I will never tell anyone to buy something because it will be worth a fortune, someday. However, I will tell someone to buy something if you want to be someone with a piece of history, that few others will have a chance to own.
Also, know what the economy is like and the fact that many of you are on restricted incomes, I can suggest small ways to be a collector without breaking the bank.

If you don't want to ask here, e-mail me. namvet3@citlink.net

++http://www.hsn.com/collectibles/1999-to-2009-p-mint-and-d-mint-state-complete-quarter-set-in-frames-with-album_p-5788927_xp.aspx

Pitfall?

You mean the full color Obama dollar won't be worth anything?

quote:

SSGTDeCurtis

So what would you say about Kugarands? My Father purchased these damn things for whatever reason and all I remember it was a beotch to sell them after he passed away. He had some broker guy in Europe handling this.

We managed to keep it off the UBS list so President Obama wouldn't find out (OK kidding on this part but had to slip it in for laughs).

How would you go about buying and selling these things in the United States? What the guy told me in Europe when we asked (WTF is this doing in Europe?). His response was the European Gold Coin market was more developed and you could fetch better prices there......is that true or BS?

I surfed the Internet and the Gold Coin websites that sell Kugarands look like a potential scam to me.

So curious in this area. I know Gold Coins are beyond most peoples reach and definitely beyond my reach right now. But I'm curious if you know the answer to this?

Buy it now on EBay. ++http://cgi.ebay.com/1999-2008-P-D-STATE-QUARTERS-SET-IN-7143-DANSCO-ALBUM_W0QQitemZ200395595099QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCoins_US_Individual?hash=item2ea8821d5b

In a dansco album. For a total of US $75.00 to the EBay merchant, NO SHIPPING and then get the territorial quarters from this merchant ++http://cgi.ebay.com/2009-P-D-Satin-Finish-Territorial-Quarters-12-Coin-Set_W0QQitemZ230387572449QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCoins_US_Individual?hash=item35a42b5ee1 for $9.95 plus $1.00 postage and you will have the whole set in a very nice Dansco album for a total of $85.95.
Same quarters but a lot cheaper.

Krugerrands are a way to buy gold at the prevailing spot price as a hedge against anarchy and civil unrest. U.S. Gold coins have come to mean the finest of the minter's art. Krugerrands will never be worth more than spot price + a small commission, except for some rare ones, that came about when it was illegal to buy them here in the U.S.A.
American Gold coins, as a rule are also available for a little over spot except there are a lot more rare coins. Many buyers want the finest coins available, designated as MS-69, MS-70, PF-69 or PF-70. These sell and trade for a substantial premium over the spot price, but they are the finest examples to be found.
If it's just gold you want, and at the least cost, buy 1oz bars from Gainesville, Mint Products, or any one of several reputable dealers. Remember, gold is gold is gold! Stay away from the T.V. hucksters.

hehe, done and done.

quote:

Krugerrands are a way to buy gold at the prevailing spot price as a hedge against anarchy and civil unrest. U.S. Gold coins have come to mean the finest of the minter's art.

Let's take this as a hypothetical.

IF there was civil unrest, a 1 OZ. Gold Krugerrand, would be worth the same as a 1 OZ. Gold Double Eagle. Those taking these, during a civil unrest, would care ZIP about numismatic value. All they will care about is how much gold content there is.

There have been many times in the history of civilized man, where we have had civil unrest. It's true that having precious metals and stones is far preferred over paper money. But it's not true that anyone respects numismatic value.

"hedge against anarchy and civil unrest" is a purely marketing strategy. If one is truely interested in such a hedge, pure gold (not in coin form), is probably just as good an investment.

In a pure civil unrest situation, one need remember two things. There are "takers" and there are "those being taken".

My goal s to have all of the state and territorial quarters as well as all of the "America the Beautiful" sets coming out in 2010.

Mike! You analyze everything to death. For someone who has married a Japanese woman, didn't you ever ask her what it was like in Japan for her family, after the war? Gold and silver were the means to survival. I just said, gold is gold is gold! I also stated that some want the finest example of the Minter's art. Both pay for what they want.
Jews escaped from Germany because they had gold and silver to barter their freedom with. I've never heard of anyone trading an abacus or a stone axe for their freedom.

haha Vic wins.

quote:

Hide Post
You mean the full color Obama dollar won't be worth anything?

anything Obama in the context of a plate or painted dollar coin is crap!

CRAP!

The new quarters will be sold by the U.S. Mint, starting in January. You will be able to get them in uncirculated rolls, Proof clad sets, Proof Silver sets, Uncirculated mint sets, Proof mint sets and Silver Proof sets. Remember this!!! You will pay a $4.95 shipping, whether you order 1 set, one roll or 100 sets or rolls.

quote:

For someone who has married a Japanese woman, didn't you ever ask her what it was like in Japan for her family, after the war? Gold and silver were the means to survival. I just said, gold is gold is gold! I also stated that some want the finest example of the Minter's art.

Good point. But I can say for a fact, they didn't depend on gold and silver to survive. They lived off the land. They farmed the land they lived on. They were pretty much self-sufficient, as was most of the world before 200 years ago, for most of the history of mankind.

quote:

I've never heard of anyone trading an abacus or a stone axe for their freedom.

I hate to break the news to you vic, but we are all here today because of the stone axe... otherwise, we'd probably be kept in a zoo somewhere by some other species who did develop them... either that, or we'd have been food for the stronger mammals.

You know, man didn't suddenly pop up on earth, complete with precious metals and mints to make coins... there was a struggle of mankind along the way, just to survive and they didn't survive by neccessity of gold or silver coins. Rocks came before coins.

You see "art" of mankind and I see "tools of history" of mankind. And "yes" it is true one could buy their way out of trouble, however, if I had to put my life on that objective, I'd rather have a weapon than a coin.

If I had fear for the future, the first thing I'd do is acquire guns and ammo. But I have no such fear, that I'll need to buy my way out of trouble. My collecting now is purely to buy and sell to make money. Buy low, sell high. Since we live in civilized times, I'm more the short term profit kind of person. But coins is a great hobby.

From my view, and basic analysis, gold is now mostly for the short-term investor. For most (nearly all) of the past 30 years, gold has been worth half what it is today. When our economy recovers, and it will, gold will most likely drop back to the $300/oz range, where it has remained for many decades. Only in bad times does it rise. So buying gold right now, is most likely going to be a losing proposition for most people who aren't short term investors.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ipscone,

quote:

Originally posted by ipscone:
You mean the full color Obama dollar won't be worth anything?

Don't be silly, he will personally print you as many billions of Obamabux as you want. You can exchange them at the local ACORN office for nifty painted Obama plates and felt portraits.

I was told this a long time about gold.
An once of gold will buy you a good suit.

quote:

Originally posted by SSGTDeCurtis:
Krugerrands are a way to buy gold at the prevailing spot price as a hedge against anarchy and civil unrest. U.S. Gold coins have come to mean the finest of the minter's art. Krugerrands will never be worth more than spot price + a small commission, except for some rare ones, that came about when it was illegal to buy them here in the U.S.A.
American Gold coins, as a rule are also available for a little over spot except there are a lot more rare coins. Many buyers want the finest coins available, designated as MS-69, MS-70, PF-69 or PF-70. These sell and trade for a substantial premium over the spot price, but they are the finest examples to be found.
If it's just gold you want, and at the least cost, buy 1oz bars from Gainesville, Mint Products, or any one of several reputable dealers. Remember, gold is gold is gold! Stay away from the T.V. hucksters.

Thanks, I'll check that out. Gold is pretty steep right now and I think it's going to fall eventually (I know it's a no sh*t comment). I don't believe what I am hearing though about gold increases. So I'm in waiting mode for a price correction.

woo hoo...

my quarters came in the mail...all 50 state quarters and the 6 territorial quarters.


w00t!

Next stop....National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Forest Service coins!

http://www.usmint.gov/mint_pro...?action=siteRegister

You may not realize it, but the Dansco folder that the quarters are in is a $26.00 item. Glad you're happy and satisfied with your purchase. If ever I can be of help with a coin purchase, let me know.
BTW, my Chronicles set is on the way and so is my daughter's and my wife's. They've been released ahead of schedule.

quote:

Originally posted by SSGTDeCurtis:
If ever I can be of help with a coin purchase, let me know.

Vic,

Has the U.S. Mint ever come out with a silver proof coin set of state quarters?

Hell yes! From 1999 to 2004, the silver proof sets had silver editions of all coins, traditionally made of silver, except for the dollar, which is now a Manganese metal. The dime, the Half and all five quarters were minted in silver(90%), the penny in bronze, the Nickle in Nickle and the dollar in Manganese alloy. Starting in 2005, the mint produced, not only a silver proof set of the traditional silver coins, but also a separate set of quarters only in silver. So, this year there is a Silver Proof set with just the territorial quarters:


And a silver proof set, consisting of all the coins minted for general circulation with the traditional coins minted in silver and the quarters:


I hope that answers your question.

And, before I forget, this is the mint set of all the coins made for general circulation in 2009. This is the largest mint set, ever made. It is also the only way to get uncirculated pennies in bronze and the Kennedy half dollars.

Do you know if it's possible (I doubt it, since I couldn't find it on the mint site) to get a complete set of silver proof quarters (only), for all 50 states and territories, from the U.S. Mint or have those long ago been sold out?

From the mint, only the 2009 silver quarters are available. Either as a 6 coin set or the 18 coin set. If you were to order just the 6 coin set, there will be a $4.95 s&h. If you were to order the 6 piece set and the 18 piece set, there is just a $4.95 s&h. Order one, pay $4.95. Order 100, pay $4.95.
Want me to look for some good deals or are you sure enough to find them?

1999-2008 silver quarters.
+++http://cgi.ebay.com/1999-2008-Silver-Proof-100-State-Quarter-Set-Plastic_W0QQitemZ330369819275QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCoins_US_Individual?hash=item4ceb93628b

And the 2009 is available at the U.S. Mint. Good price!

Excellent set, framed, all coins encapsulated and free shipping. $719.10


+++http://cgi.ebay.com/1999-2009-S-SILVER-PROOF-STATEHOOD-QT-GIFT-SET_W0QQitemZ180404778060QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCoins_US_Individual?hash=item2a00f6744c

Do you know of a cheap place to get the Marine Corps comemoritive silver dollar? My coin somehow grew legs and left the case. All I found on ebay was sets and they range from 40-150 bucks. I havn't seen any that are just the coin. I don't know what the initial cost was, but I would rather not spend $40 to replace it.

Mint Products .com $48.99 Proof Coin.

+++http://www.mintproducts.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=879


Mint Products .com $39.99 Uncirculated Coin.

+++http://www.mintproducts.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1245


The "issue" price for the Proof was $39.00 and for the Unc. it was $33.00. So, for waiting four years, it has only gone up a few dollars. These are original coins in the original government packaging and the certificate of authenticity.

Don't say you weren't told!

Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act Passes Senate

Legislation seeking to recognize and celebrate the establishment of the Medal of Honor was approved in the U.S Senate Thursday by Unanimous Consent. The bill, H.R. 1209, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives back on May 14, 2009.

Following a procedural clearance step, the Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 2009 will make its way to President Obama who is expected to sign it into law. That will authorize the United States Mint to strike up to 500,000 $1 silver coins and 100,000 $5 gold coins in proof and uncirculated conditions in 2011.

H.R. 1209, which was introduced by Rep. Christopher Carney, calls for gold and silver coin designs to be "emblematic of the traditions, legacy, and heritage of the Medal of Honor, and the distinguished service of its recipients in the Nation’s history."
The coins will include motifs that represent the 3 Medal of Honor designs (Army, Navy, and Air Force) and specifically honor the Medal of Honor recipients of both today and yesterday.

The Medal of Honor was authorized by Congress in 1861 and is America’s highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Fewer than 3,500 Medals of Honor have been awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces.

Included in the legislation is language mandating a surcharge of $35 per $5 gold coin, and $10 per silver dollar to be paid "to the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation to help finance the educational, scholarship and outreach programs of the Foundation."

The coin bill is the second to pass in the Senate this week, as it follows Tuesday’s passage of Girl Scouts coin legislation which will introduce 350,000 silver coins in 2013.

I'm curious. Why such a difference.

In the post (4 above) there is a 100 proof silver coins for $429 and 56 proof silver set for $719.

The former is apparently 2 mint marks of just the states, while the latter is state and territory. But other than that difference it would seem that 100 silver coins should be much more than 56. Isn't the 2nd set (with the exception of the 6 territory quarters) a subset of the first price (which is only $429). Why the price difference?

Great topic Vic! Interesting stuff.

The first one is just the silver quarters in the individual plastic frames, from the mint. The 2009 has to be purchased, separately from the mint.

The second is all 56 silver quarters, each one in an "air tite" holder, inserted into a backboard and framed behind glass. This is for displaying and the former is for putting in a drawer and telling people about them. A lot of work and effort was taken for the latter. Each "air tite" costs .20. It adds up.

I just received my Chronicles set, from the U.S. Mint. All I can say is, WOW! The picture does not do it justice. Unless I miss my guess, every coin in the set is flawless and would grade as PF-70, if I were to send them in to NGC for grading. The picture of Lincoln looks like it was just taken and the copy of the Gettysburg address in his own handwriting is like being on that train, proof reading it for him.