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.

Read full story by Mark Ferguson from COIN VALUES

By Mark Ferguson for COIN VALUES

“Recession!” That’s the hot topic in the news these days. Some economists say we’re in one, some say we’re just close.

I often get asked what the coin market in general does when stock prices go higher or lower, when interest rates are high or low, and what coins do when the economy is good or bad, for example.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that there are no rules.

I am not an economist, but speaking as a numismatist I can point out what’s happened to the coin market during modern times.

We used to see coin prices rise and then plateau, rise again and plateau again. However, in early 1980 after gold hit the then record high of $850 most “investment grade” coins, namely Mint State 65 pieces, continued to rise and then promptly proceeded to fall by about 50 percent, beginning around income tax time in early April that year. Read Full Story

By Mark Ferguson for COIN VALUES

Coronet gold $20 double eagles, also known in as the “Liberty” $20, have seen the most dramatic trading action so far this year in the entire coin market.

The “better dates,” which are scarcer than the most common issues, and the ultra rarities in this series began the year with strong price increases at the major auctions surrounding the Florida United Numismatists convention. Then a week later in New York City, Stack’s held an auction featuring a virtually complete collection of circulated, Mint State and Proof Coronet double eagles.

Prices in the Stack’s auction soared even higher than the previous week’s round of auctions for these coins. Read Full Story

By Mark Ferguson for COIN VALUES

While the overall coin market can be described as continuing in a long bull market phase, many U.S. coin series have become stable in their price rises, but continue to be in strong demand.

The Winged Liberty Head dime series, commonly known as “Mercury” dimes, has been generally stable with the exception of several scattered, steady price rises.

Currently the most active area of these dimes is in the circulated grades. Coins graded problem-free Good and Very Good are being bought up by at least one large mail-order firm to supply current and expected demand for these coins. The company’s grading standards are tough, but its buy prices are strong, pushing up the series retail values. Read Full Story