There are literally thousands, if not millions of people who make their livings calling people to solicit contributions for the policeman’s benevolent fund, (if there is such one), some politico’s run for the next election, or whatever a telephone caller solicits you for your dollars. Once again, WE CALL NO ONE, AS TO US, IT IS A SHADDY WAY TO MAKE A LIVING. YOU WANT SOMETHING, YOU CALL US, BECAUSE YOU WANT WHAT WE HAVE. If they call you, they care nothing about your welfare or desire. They want to create a desire in you to buy what they have to sell, and of course make a commission on the sale. There are callers by the dozens or more, calling the unwary, to sell numismatics. What are numismatics? They, in the coin field, are similar to antique cars, paintings, furniture, stamps, and yard sale junk even. All of the previous, and any others you may add, are totally dependent on condition and rarity. I’ve had 105 cars In my life, from 1918 to my 2014 Mercedes. My first car was a 1041 Crosley, which no one can remember or has even heard of, but it had a two cylinder engine and had barely enough power to get out of its own way. Paid $25 for it. That was 68 years ago, and today, it might be worth $1,000, which isn’t much of a return on a $25 investment 68 years ago, since I would have had to keep insurance and tags on it for 68 years. I sold it for $25 and good riddance.
Condition of anything old, is what makes it valuable. Antique U.S. Double Eagles ($20 gold pieces), regardless of condition, are so plentiful that they will probably never be worth more than their .9875 ounce of gold in them. Examples? The 1928 issue had 8,816,000 made. The 1924 had 4,323,500 made, and others less, but mostly the hundreds of thousands and millions. Rare? Absolutely not. I have an 1878 $3 gold piece, and there were only 82,000 of them made. I bought from someone, years ago, and I can’t remember what I paid for it. I sent it to PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), and had it graded for $25. It came back “Genuine, not gradable.” It is in like new condition, and know what? It had evidently been cleaned professionally, and that removed its value. It is probably worth $850, and if it had not been cleaned, maybe twice that. Beware of anything antique, and those who proffer them on the telephone. Want to keep an old piece of furniture valuable? Never refinish it!
Gold and silver coins have no serial numbers on them, and are not registered with anyone or any government. Want to trade bit-coins? Be sure to have your social security number handy when the solicitor calls. Why not go to Las Vegas and pull a slot machine lever, if you want to gamble, but not with rare coins. Antique cars can be driven, and shown off, and antique furniture, especially in Antique homes, are useful, comfortable, and show-off-able. You buy gold and silver to provide safety for any future happening. No one knows you have them, and when necessary, you can sell them, or leave them to your kids with no inheritance taxes. You need gold and silver’s universal value in any currency. When you have gold and silver, it makes ever so much sense to get the most gold and silver for the least dollars, which is just simple common sense, and it isn’t numismatics. 40 years ago, I bought a Roman Denarius, framed, from a guy for $25, and it hangs on my wall to this day. What’s it worth? The Roman Denarius is like Double Eagles. There are plenty of them around. I have no idea of its value, but I’ll guarantee you that my $25 40 years ago, hasn’t proven to be great investment. I’ll just let it hang there.
We all have a certain amount of pride, or we wouldn’t get haircuts, and wear nice, clean clothes. We want our cars to be clean, and our lawns trimmed and watered. Pride of ownership in cars and homes, is natural. They are both extremely visible, and are noticed. Pride in an antique coins or stamps, which no one sees, and are of questionable value over the years? Not me. Go to a coin shop and see the glittering numismatics in their showcase. Expensive? Sure, because that coin shop owner has bought those coins with his own capital, and they sit there till sold, and that coin shop is trying to get a return on his investment in those numismatics. In order for him to get a return, he must mark them up a minimum of 30-40%, just to get a return on his investment. A coin shop has to pay rent, sales tax forms to fill out, insurance, business license, sign permit, and employee payroll probably. Advertising? Maybe. Guess what? Colorado Gold has no coin shop, no payroll, and no advertising. We get a 1% return less shipping on our sales to you, when you call us to buy. We call no one, and don’t advertise on TV. Those TV ads make me nauseous. One says that when you call them, you get a free one gram silver bar. Worth about a nickel, since it is less than a thirtieth of an ounce of silver. Microscopic. Probably worth a nickel, so they have your phone number and the sales force in their cubicles can drive you nuts. Through the years, I have used the expression many times: “We’re so honest, we squeak.” Don Stott – 1-888-786-8822