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prices could send gold and silver soaring.  A large terrorist attack, serious set backs in the middle east peace process, or a variety of other possible negatives could disrupt the march toward stability. While undesirable from economic and political points of view, instability never hurts gold or silver prices, and consequently, will only increase the attractiveness of rare coins.

      The discovery of a rare variety of the Wisconsin state quarter and the release of the new Jefferson nickel are creating excitement among  collectors. Coin collecting as a hobby is at an all time high. There is now one coin collector for every household in the United States.

      Collector popularity combined with

 

Pattern Coin Update

Economics and the Coin Market

Customized Numismatic Portfolios

a gradually adjusting economy virtually guarantees continued buying of coins on all price levels.

      Slow-rising markets are doubly desirable:  they give  sellers higher prices, which in turn draws desirable coin into the market for buyers for whom the bull market in coins is far from over.

      Everything points toward a coin market that will be favorable for both buyers and sellers for the foreseeable future.

 

      There has been much pattern coin trading recently.   Supply is depleted, but buyers are also glutted.  Momentarily, there is a shortage of good material at good prices. Lower end patterns are more plentiful, and are momentarily experiencing less demand.  

      Expect a short period of stasis while the market adjusts.  Pattern coin prices will likely be unstable, with some too high, and others too low.   I recommend caution and patience particularly in selling because the lull favors buyers. Those interesting in accumulating should stand ready to take advantage of any good deals that do arise. Long term prospects for price increases in pattern coinage continue to be superb.

Time Effective Way to Sort Coins

      Clear a large table. Bring out all coins to be sorted.  Have a supply of small boxes, zip lock baggies and a sharpie pen.

      Put all certified coins in a separate box, sorted by denomination.  Then, sort the raw coins by denomination.  Pennies in one box or baggie, nickels in another, dimes a third, quarters a fourth, gold a fifth, foreign coins in a sixth and so on.

      When done, sort each denomination by type.  Thus, for quarters, separate Seated Liberties, Barber, Standing Liberty, 1932-1964 (silver) Washington and 1965 and later Washington. 

      Leave coin rolls intact. If you open paper rolled coins, have plastic

coin tubes ready to replace the paper, especially if the coins are all one date and uncirculated. 

      Coin books should remain intact. This facilitates a dealer’s observe and valuation, and saves the hard work of removing coins from the book. Any coins that look uncirculated should be treated with care, either put carefully in full coin tubes or in separate plastic or paper envelopes.

      If you are not an expert, this is a good time to consult one.  You will have done enough sorting to get a  pretty good idea of your overall accumulation. 

      If you are particularly durable, and have the time and temperament, you might sort groups by date.  This is more important if the coins are of high

grade and rare type.   For example, its more valuable for Morgan Silver Dollars than for circulated Jefferson nickels.    

      Heavily circulated coins, even better dates— often have no or little enhanced value.

      If you don’t have the time, inclination or patience to sort your cons,  a coin dealer do it for you in front of you. 

      The speed with which most dealers can do this will astound you, but that is to be expected since we do it all the time.    In many cases you will get a bit less if the dealer sorts than if you do, because your sorting the coins might result in you asking questions that result in more being paid for a particular coin.  In many other cases, especially with heavily circulated material, it will not affect your overall value at all. fighting and avoid making a sad situation worse.   It is also smart to include with each share a reference to a trusted coin dealer (preferably me) so that heirs can get good advice and information about their coins.

  Finally, I advise taking care to develop a legacy of coins that are likely to rise in value.  Strongly increased value only increases the emotional value of remembrances.

  For some heirs, a well assembled collection might mean a down payment on a house, or rescue in an emergency.  Often, trading bulk, ordinary coins for fewer valuable ones makes the process easier and often increases value.  Fewer but nicer coins always pack more emotional punch.  Furthermore, it is much easier for heirs to handle a few good coins than large boxes of bulk ordinary ones.