American coins
Collectors Guide: What makes a coin so collectable?
The world’s most expensive coin, the Flowing Hair Dollar, went up for auction yesterday. In 2010 it sold for just under $8 million, three years later it set a world record when it sold for over $10 million. It was bought by a collector to add to a unique collection of Early Silver Dollars – including the 1804 Draped Bust Dollar which made headlines when it sold for over $3 million in 2017.
What makes a coin collectable?
It’s incredible to think that a 1 dollar coin could be worth millions today, but there’s several things that determine the numismatic value and collectability of a coin. So we’ve put together a collector’s guide to help you know what to look out for when adding coins to your collection.
Several things determine the numismatic value and collectability of a coin – usually it’s based on the type of coin, the year it was minted, the place it was minted and even its condition or finish. But the biggest factor is probably the mintage of a coin and its rarity.
Mintage and Rarity
It’s the old rule of supply and demand – the less that are made, the more difficult a coin is to source and the more collectable it becomes. There are thought to be less than 150 of the Flowing hair dollars in existence today which contributes to the value of them.
Or take for example the US 2015 Silver Eagle. This had a mintage of just 79,640, making it three times rarer than the second rarest silver Eagle (this year’s COVID Eagle). As these were snapped up by collectors, they have become more and more scarce, and in higher demand than ever, with collectors willing to pay a premium just to add one to their collections.
Year of issue
This doesn’t always mean age of the coin, but the year can play an important factor in determining the value of a coin. Generally you can expect to pay a premium for historic issues but this isn’t always the case. In fact some Roman coins can be picked up for less than £50, but coins from much more recent times, such as Victorian Crowns can sell for hundreds of pounds! Victorian crowns struck in important years, such as the 1887 Jubilee Head crowns are more desirable because of their links to significant events.
Finish
The finish of a coin, or the strike, is also an important factor to consider. Proof finished coins are struck several times with specially prepared blanks, which gives the design a particularly sharp edge and shows every detail. Proof finishes are highly desired among collectors, as are coins issued in BU – or brilliant uncirculated finish. This means the coin hasn’t been in circulation so is free from all the scratches you’d find on coins in your change.
Minting location
Sometimes the mintmark or location of the mint in which a coin was struck can affect the collectability of the coin. The mintmark on a coin tells us where a coin was struck, and from that collectors use historical records to work out just how rare each coin is. For example, the Morgan Dollar was struck in 5 different mints, but the Carson City issues are the most sought after – they were struck for only 13 of the 43 years in which the Morgan Dollar was minted.
Many collectors specialise in some of these areas and build their collections around rare coins, themes and years of issue, or even mintmarks. But demand can and often will change over time and sometimes that means the value someone is willing to pay for a coin will increase over time – just as we’ve seen with the Flowing Hair Dollar.
If you’re interested…
Own the RAREST EVER Silver Eagle: Three times rarer than this year’s “Covid Eagle” we have managed to source a tiny number of these coins straight from the US. Click here to secure yours with a deposit of JUST £19.50 now >>
Iconic Silver Bullion Coins from Across the Globe
Silver Bullion coins have been a flagship contribution to numismatic history for generations, serving not only as a form of investment but also a piece of art, history, and culture.
Issued every year by the world’s most renowned Mints, a collection of Silver Bullion coins from across the globe is extremely hard to come by.
Read on to learn about the history of the 1oz Silver Bullion coin, what makes it so sought-after, and why this collection has taken years to create…
History of the Silver Bullion Coin
The history of Silver as a form of currency dates back to ancient civilizations. From the Greek drachma to the Roman denarius, Silver played a crucial role in shaping monetary systems across the globe.
In more recent times, the circulation of Silver coins was widespread in various countries. While the world has shifted away from Silver-based monetary systems, the legacy of Silver coins lives on through the modern Bullion coin.
The Britannia from The Royal Mint
The Silver Britannia coin, minted by The Royal Mint, holds a special place in numismatic history. It can be traced back to Roman times when the figure of Britannia personified Great Britain and its virtues.
The modern Silver Britannia coin, first issued in 1997, showcases the majestic image of Britannia as a symbol of strength, protection, and unity.
Each annual release features new and intricate designs, making it a true treasure for collectors. But, this exclusive collection houses the 2023-dated Silver Britannia, which happens to be the world’s first bullion coin to feature the official portrait of King Charles III.
The Krugerrand from the South African Mint
Stepping onto the African continent, we greet the iconic Krugerrand Bullion coin, which hails from the South African Mint.
Introduced in 1967, the Krugerrand was the world’s first modern Bullion coin. Initially minted in Gold, South Africa produced nearly 70% of Gold across the world during the 1960’s.
Silver editions shortly followed, and the Krugerrand’s widespread recognition and historical significance have made it one of the most sought-after coins among collectors worldwide.
The Kangaroo coin from The Perth Mint
Traveling all the way to Australia, we encounter the Kangaroo coin, minted by The Perth Mint. The Kangaroo series, first released in 1986, celebrates one of Australia’s most beloved and iconic creatures: the Kangaroo. Known for its unique design and exceptional purity, the Kangaroo coin is cherished for its representation of the vast Australian landscape and wildlife.
The Maple Leaf coin from The Royal Canadian Mint
Heading north to Canada, we encounter the renowned Maple Leaf coin, produced by The Royal Canadian Mint.
Launched in 1979 to compete with the Krugerrand while South Africa suffered economic sanctions, the Maple Leaf was the first Bullion coin to achieve 999.9 Fineness!
The Maple Leaf coin depicts Canada’s national symbol, a design which is synonymous with Canada’s flag, natural beauty and vibrant seasons.
The American Eagle coin from the United States Mint
Finally, we journey to the United States to explore the American Eagle coin – also regarded as the most popular coin in the world!
First crafted by the United States Mint in 1986, the Silver Eagle sold-out its entire 5,393,005 mintage in its first year of issue. Since then, this iconic coin has continued to break records, selling out of 91 million coins in 2014 and 2015.
If you’re interested in collecting International coins you can find more here >>
The most popular original coin in the world could be yours… Can you guess what it is?
A few weeks ago, I returned from the American Numismatic Association’s World Fair of Money in Chicago. Not only is Chicago famed for its bold architecture, a skyline punctuated by skyscrapers and a rich history of jazz, but it is also the home to international coin trading and developing. And I returned to British turf with more than just my suitcase…
As any collector will know, the original 1986 U.S. Silver Coins are one of the most difficult products to secure. In fact, across decades of SELL-OUTS and over 500 million sales, I have tried for years to get my hands on these coins but was always left disappointed. Until now…
My American partner has FINALLY helped me to specially source just 400 of the original 1986 U.S. Silver Eagle 1oz Silver Coins!
Also known as the MOST POPULAR COIN IN THE WORLD.
Read on to travel back to 1986 America and uncover what makes this coin so sought-after, its consistent sell-out history, and why it is one of the scarcest products we have ever had available…
History
In the U.S., coin collecting is one of the most competitive global markets! This is no surprise when you consider some of the most exquisite and iconic designs emerge from the coins of our American cousins. For years we have seen the increasing demand for U.S. coins, especially in the UK where they are rarely seen, let alone secured.
And November 24th 1986 was no exception! This was the date that the U.S. Mint released 5,393,005 of the original 1986 U.S. Silver Eagle coins with an iconic and patriotic design, never before seen by the American public. In fact, John Mercanti’s innovative reverse design which uses the eagle and thirteen stars to symbolise the strength and unity of the American colonies became the most sought-after design the country had ever seen.
What’s more, records were broken when this entire mintage SOLD-OUT immediately from the U.S. Mint!
DECADES OF SELL-OUTS
The Silver Eagles are undeniably the most sought-after products in coin collecting. And whilst 1986 marked the first year of SELL-OUTS at the U.S. Mint, 36 years later the pattern continues…
For example, the 2021 edition SOLD-OUT 175,000 Silver coins in just 3 days. This followed on from the record-breaking success of 2014 and 2015, which SOLD-OUT 91 million U.S. Silver Eagles over both years…
Interestingly though, during arguably the toughest month we have seen in decades (March 2020), U.S. Silver Eagle sales skyrocketed. In fact, the U.S. Mint ran out of its trademark Silver Eagle bullion coins as revenue increased by a whopping 300%!
JUST £29 Deposit…
But now, we are giving just 400 lucky Westminster collectors the chance to secure the very first edition of the U.S. Silver Eagle in exclusive packaging to guarantee and preserve its authenticity! Considering its title as one of the world’s most popular coins combined with a consistent sell-out history, you must act now to add this record-breaking product to your collection before it inevitably follows suit…
The good news is you can secure yours today with an initial deposit of just £29 (+p&p), followed by four further equal interest-free monthly instalments. This is undeniably the most cost-effective way to secure the first EVER U.S. Silver Eagle and preserve a significant piece of American history…
Click here to add the 1986 U.S. Silver Eagle 1oz coin to your collection before it’s too late>>>>