By Mark Ferguson for COIN VALUES

Nobody can predict the future of the coin market with absolute certainty. We’re still in a 5-year-old bull market trend, which is very lengthy in terms of past coin market cycles. And as we all know, the general world-wide economic climate is dismal.

Certain areas of the coin market are feeling the pinch, but overall the market still has solid support from eager buyers. As reported in the June 23 issue, collectors of average means are left with less disposable income to use for purchasing coins because they’re having to struggle with much higher living costs. This reality has slowed business in some areas, but has generally not affected values in the overall coin market.

Few market bubbles are apparent that could burst, taking values down. A possible exception could be in the registry market for modern coins (those struck since the 1960s).

Coins graded as perfect Mint State and Proof 70 lack dealer buyback support, and the supply grows as more are graded as such, which could lead to a correction in market values for particular coins that have advanced to levels beyond ridiculousness, according to many seasoned collectors and dealers.

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By Mark Ferguson for Coin Values

Hearing of a “hoard” of coins conjures up images of surplus, oversupply and the uncommon that suddenly becomes common. This happened in 1962 when hundreds of thousands of the formerly rare Mint State 1903-O Morgan dollars surfaced in the form of $1,000 canvas bags of silver dollars that had been locked in a vault at the Philadelphia Mint since 1929.

The values of the previously few known Uncirculated examples of the 1903-O Morgan dollar quickly plummeted from between $1,000 and $2,000 each all the way down to about $25.

However, the opposite effect occurred when the LaVere Redfield hoard of more than 400,000 silver dollars, most graded Mint State, of various issues, common and rare, were skillfully marketed and disbursed. Market prices for these coins actually rose substantially during the next several years during the late 1970s in an expansion of the collector and dealer demand for silver dollars in general.

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By Mark Ferguson for Coin Values

We’ve seen tremendous price appreciation for coins during the bull market of the past five years.

But with all the talk in the mainstream news about the credit crunch, a recession, possibly even a depression, or at least the most difficult of economic times facing us since the Great Depression, is there really still potential for price appreciation in the coin market?

The general sentiment of players in this market, who are both collectors and dealers, is a resounding “Yes, most definitely!”

The whole coin market may not be poised to appreciate, but in speaking regularly with coin people I have found that most who are involved in this market agree: particular areas show potential for appreciation.

The primary thinking is that we’re in for another round of general economic price inflation.

Historically the coin market does very well during times of inflation. The signs are obvious that living costs are in a rising trend, beginning with our need for transportation, both personally and in shipping goods.

Even if the costs of particular goods themselves are not appreciating yet, many vendors in today’s economy are adding a fuel surcharge. Read Full Article Here

By Mark Ferguson COIN VALUES Market Analyst

Even though the Seated Liberty 20-cent series has two things going for it that other series don’t, it’s still indicative of the market for Seated Liberty era coins.

The 20-cent series is a short series. It encompasses just four years in total, 1875 through 1878. It is also an unusual denomination, making at least one a must-have for type collectors.

The 20-cent coin is technically not of exactly the same design as the other denominations of Seated Liberty coins because Liberty varies slightly and the eagle on the reverse is of another design than those used on the larger Seated Liberty denominations.

The designers are also different – William Barber designed the 20-cent coin and Christian Gobrecht designed the earlier Seated Liberty coins.

Seven coins comprise the 20-cent series, but one of them, the 1876-CC, is untouchable for most collectors. Only about a dozen to 20 pieces are known to exist, mostly in Mint State, and prices for this issue run well into six figures. So, most collectors forego collecting this date and Mint mark. Read Full Coin Vales Article

Demand is pushing up values for circulated coins virtually across the board. Exceptions include circulated early commemoratives, those minted between 1892 and 1954, and, of course, coins struck after the silver era ended in 1964.

The market price of silver bullion has pushed up values for silver coins such as dimes, quarter dollars, half dollar and dollars. But in addition to climbing silver values, real demand from collectors is being experienced for these relatively inexpensive coins.

The grades of Extremely Fine and About Uncirculated are most popular because these coins show almost all of the original details of the coins. About Uncirculated coins should show minimal friction on their high points, but no flattening wear.

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