GPA for Coins (GPA) reports that the certified coin market has shown overall strong growth in 2007, but median prices are where they were in the first quarter of 2006. However, the total gold coin segment has shown strong median prices steadily increasing to give a return of almost 40 percent for those who purchased in the first half of 2005.

Bob Green of Park Avenue Numismatics (www.parkavenumis.com) agrees: “It is clear that the rare side of the market continues to have support while the more common date material, dates easily obtainable in quantity, are slipping back to levels seen 12-18 months ago.”

Like any other collectibles market, the perfect time for buying and selling comes down to timing. The second half of 2006 generally saw prices fall, and this was a good time to buy. Almost every coin category saw a large jump in median price paid in 2007, and anyone selling after 2006 purchases would have made an excellent return.