Keeping Fresh Coins in Stock a Challenge

The attendance at coin shows continues to grow. Likewise, the attendance at local and regional coin club meetings remains high and enthusiastic. The number of active bidders participating in auctions has been increasing noticeably for some time. Coin collections salted away years ago continue to be dusted off and consigned to these auctions due to the temperature of the bidding. New collector products issued by the U.S. Mint continue to sell out quickly, then hold their value in the secondary markets. The spot prices of gold, silver and platinum remain relatively high. All these factors point to a healthy market for coin collecting enthusiasts. These factors also point to a continuing interest in both bullion and collectible coins among investors and speculators.

If there is any fly in the ointment it is the news that an ancient Roman gold Ides of March coin of Brutus bragging about the assassination of Julius Caesar was recently seized and returned to Italy as having been illegally imported. Since this isn’t a coin that overly concerns most of us, it is doubtful it will have any negative impact on the business or hobby of coins. If anything, the attention this gave to the hobby may encourage more people to collect.

The greatest challenge to the business of coins continues to be finding fresh material to stock. Better material, be it rare or relatively available, quickly flies off the shelf. Auction houses are as hard-pressed to restock as are over-the-counter dealers. Discussions regarding if our society should go cashless continue, but you wouldn’t know it if you look at the activity in the realm of coin collecting.