Coins Faring Well Despite Economic Downturn

The demand for truly rare coins continues to outstrip the available supplies. This is not only true for date rarities, but for condition rarities as well. The high end of the entire collectible and antique markets, of which coins are a part, is thriving at a time when interest rates are also high, consumer savings are dwindling due to inflation and the stock markets remain in the doldrums. The record prices being realized not only at auction, but in over-the-counter sales as well for the most desirable coins are being fueled by serious collectors and astute investors who have deep pockets and aren’t afraid to empty them. Buyers are aware that many of the rarities for which these shoppers duel have not been available for years.

The market for generally more available yet collectible coins continues to thrive as well, although here it is detectible that economic pressures meant to slow inflation are taking their toll to a modest degree. The area where the demand is mixed is for bullion and for intrinsically valued coins. Here the spot price of gold and silver has whipsawed back and forth, some investors taking this as a dip on which to buy, while others have stepped aside awaiting a clearer definition of what might be anticipated to be a new trading range.

New made-for-collector U.S. Mint products continue to sell well both in their initial release and in secondary markets. Older made-for-collector products such as the classic half dollars that ends in the 1950s, early mint sets and early proof sets appear to be under-performing.

Despite the current state of the domestic economy and the strength of the U.S. dollar on the world market, the market for coins continues to perform well.