By Harry Miller, Coins Magazine November 02, 2009

Gold, silver and platinum have surged over the past month and we are again seeing higher premiums on nearly all older U.S. gold type coins, especially the Type 1 $20 Liberty issue. Those of you who collect the modern issues of Eagles will enjoy the current higher premiums. This is especially true on the proof issues and there is just simply a stampede going on in the gold Buffalo herd. Dealers are continually complaining there is not enough product available to satisfy customer needs.

That million dollar large cent auctioned by Goldbergs is indicative of how strong early type coins are, especially copper. It was a 1795 reeded edge cent in Very Good-10 (VG-F) and it is the finest of only seven known. Even more noteworthy, especially if you consider the current economic climate was the overall strength of all the early copper sold in that particular sale. When it comes to good coins, there seems to be no shortage of financing.

The surge in the precious metals is adding strength to the entire market and many prices in this guide are already low and increasingly so with each new jump in the metals. While we are continually updating, remember print deadlines do not allow immediate updates so check online at www.NumisMaster.com.

Proof sets and mint sets have become more active as we approach the holiday gift season and several are also receiving a boost from the increase in silver. Many of the less expensive non-silver sets are on many buy lists.

The first half of the Mercury dime series has been experiencing very strong demand in VF to mint state grades with an emphasis on the mintmarked 1923 through 1927 issues and the 1921 duo. I believe the 1927-D is very undervalued as is the 1929-D in mint state.

Walking Liberty halves are very similar to the Mercury series in that there is strong demand for the early dates in Fine and above and heated demand for any fresh-looking mint state issues. The 1921-S has again increased in high grade and although there are often About Uncirculated coins available, a great percentage are cleaned or doctored to hide minor problems. So when a truly fresh example becomes available it will disappear quickly at a strong price.

Lincoln cents remain active although there is some increased availability in the key dates with slight discounting evident. This may just be market adjustment after the steep rises of the past couple of years, since there is still very strong demand for promotions.



E-mail harrymkrause@optonline.net.

More Resources:

• Ultimate Standard Catalog of World Coins 5-CD Set (1600-Present)

• 2010 U.S. Coin Digest, The Complete Guide to Current Market Values

• Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Paper Money, 1928 to Date