The recent controversy over the reminting of more Kooks, had me wondering which mainstream coin series has the best chance of numismatic appreciation in future? This is how i see it (pros and cons): Koalas - Pros - fairly low mintage. Cons - some of the designs are lacking. Kooks - Pros - low mintage, good design. Cons - getting reminted, privy marks. Lunars - Pros - low mintage, good designs. Cons - ???? RCM Wildlife series - Pros - fairly low mintage, good designs. Cons - milk spots really detract. Phillies, ASE, Maple - Pros - fractionally cheaper, Cons - design doesn't change, large mintages. Pandas - Pros - good designs, solid Asian demand, Cons - counterfeits on the market If it wasn't for the milk spots i would say RCM Wildlife coins would have the best chance of future appreciation. Followed by the Lunars due to their low mintages. Not sure about kooks any more. Comments, opinions sought on your preferences.
Two series that I really like for low mintage and high quality are: Russian Lunar Series. Unique, understated proof like designs. This year's Dragon is more striking than the Lunar II from the Perth Mint. They are usually released in late Fall for the following year. Getting back dates might be difficult, but when the set is complete it will be spectacular and command a high price. Belarus Legend Series. This is a personal favorite of mine. I love the designs-not your typical look. It may not appreciate too much, but they are beautiful coins.
I believe that the market for these coins is grossly maniplulated by a select group of dealers. Or the buyers really have got rocks in their heads!! Saw a group of three on eBay go for over $3000. $3000+ for 3 ounces of silver!!?? rotflmao!!
Sulla... these are collectors pieces... these are a work of art... only 2,500 mintage in each, with the wolverine winning 2 awards. The 3 coin set was sold reasonably imo.
$3000+ for 3 ounces of silver!!?? Works of art? 2500 minted and the hedgehog a simple copy of an Australian 5 cent coin first minted 46 years ago? Works of art? I suppose the glass is full or half full! No way would I spend $500 on an ounce of silver, let alone $1000.
The Lunar Series had been the preferred buy hands down. But as of 2012 the big con for this series was in the 1oz the issue price at spot + 100%. The coins used to be spot plus about $8 making them a relatively cheap bullion coin with low mintage. But at spot + 100% is a big drawback.
Bullion coins in general are not, by their intention, designed to become have numismatic value, but over the years some have attained that value. I believe this was a discussion on another thread. Also, I would not consider the recent Mongolian coins bullion. I think a good question would be at what mintage does a coin become a numismatic coin? There are two things that give a coin numismatic appreciation and those are supply and demand. I believe a bullion coin at least has an initial sales price of the spot price of silver and if over the years the demand has exceded the supply, then the coin will achieve a numismatic premium. The Mongolian coins, the Russian coins, the Belarus coins all started at prices well above spot price which immediately gives these coins a numismatic value. But to answer the OPs original question, one series that they left out is the Pandas. That is the series you want to be collecting. These coins have the greatest potential to have demand outpace supply. This can be seen in nearly all the Pandas minted prior to 2007 where they all virtually have significant numismatic values and now we are starting to see it as recent as last years issue.
I appreciate people's input but as nice as they are, like you said Jace, the Mongolians, Russians and Belarussians are not "mainstream" bullion coins. Can't believe i forgot the panda. Added it to the original list. Any negatives you can think of?
Hello Byron, The only negative that I can think of is cost, but that is only an issue if you are trying to put together a complete set. Also, there is one other potential negative and that is the rising production mintages over the years. I used to be a collector of this series but haven't been for some time so I don't remember the numbers off the top of my head, but early in the series, the mintage values were low enough that they had the greatest chance of becoming a numismatic item, but the popularity hadn't caught on so you could get them for cheap. Now that they have become valuable, all the prices started to sky rocket because demand was outpacing supply. But now the Chinese mint is starting to produce a ton of these to keep up with demand. We have already seen the secondary prices start to fall for the previous several years. Only time will tell what will happen.
The 1989 pandas first of the 0.999 silver go for 2 to 3 x spot The 1990 3 x spot The 199x go for 3 to 10 x spot 2000 frosted for 15x spot 2000 mirror for 30 x spot 2001 to 2009 from 3x spot to 2 x spot The 2009 is the last panda with low mintage. 2010 800.000 minted. For 1.6 spot (55 uss) 2011 1.500.000 minted. For 1.5 spot(48/50 uss) 2012 8.000.000 minted for 1.3 spot (42/45 uss) I think the pandas have a lot of potential but are numismatics plays and are better buying ncs/ngc graded. Not are bullion plays the issue price of the 2012 are 40 uss. Much high premium for a bullion coin with a 8 million mintage I think is better buy 2009 or less with more premium but high numismatic value
Personally I think your all mad collecting the Mongloian owls & all that crap If a item is marketed as a collectible It's not Like the Pandas & Lunars ,they never started as collectible but turned out that way Especially that Tiffany crap at $3800 for 2oz ,is there any other place that you can sell these Mongolian crap outside eBay Low numbers don't mean crap ,it's just marketing hype Would I buy a Redback for $500 no way ,not unless I had it sold before I bought it Redback for $100 I'd do
