2008 W Better Buy, PR or UNC?
 

I'm going to pick up a 1/4 oz 2008 gold eagle, but am wondering what the opinion is which would be the better buy, the 1/4 proof, or the 1/4 uncirculated? It's the last year for both, but I'm trying to figure out which might be the better buy for relatively long term appreciation, which at my age means in the next 2-5 years.

Anyone have an opinion? I'm pretty sure nobody has a crystal ball, so opinions are all I'm soliciting . . .

And . . . better to buy as is from the mint, or already graded?

Re: 2008 W Better Buy, PR or UNC?
 

I think proof gold coins are a scam, but then again, I'm not really into numismatics. There is something about the last year minted, I suppose, but I think you're better served by getting a uncirc, unslabbed 1/4 ouncer from the Mint.

Re: 2008 W Better Buy, PR or UNC?
 

I think proofs hold their value more.

Re: 2008 W Better Buy, PR or UNC?
 

Proofs are shiny!

I like the look of gold proofs. They may cost a little more, but they sure look nice. I went cheap and picked up some proof Sovereigns- one with the box and CoA and one without. They have almost 1/4 oz. gold (.2354). Of course, the box and CoA don't stack and stash nicely with my non-proofs :wink:

Proofs should always have a higher premium than the non-proof version. The mint will charge more for it due to the preparation of care of minting. This extra charge is reflected in the future premiums for that coin. Numismatically speaking, the proof would be the more "collectible" coin.

If you already have some un-circ eagles go for the proof version. The un-circs are meant to stack and the proofs are to look at. If you don't have any GAEs get the proof AND un-circ. :biggrin:

Re: 2008 W Better Buy, PR or UNC?
 

Go uncirculated.

Also, don't buy a 2008, there were lots of them made. The 2007 however, if you can find one, only minted 34,004, the lowest EVER.

Happy Hunting!

Re: 2008 W Better Buy, PR or UNC?
 

I recommend the 2008 Uncirculated. I think Waypoint-Trading may be referring to the 2007 Uncirculated Bullion rather than the Uncirculated W, because the numbers I see for the 2007 Uncir W between the 4 coin set and the 1/4 oz option is 11,551.

As of 12-23 the 2008 Proof 1/4 is at 14,883 while the 1/4 Uncirculated is at 5,092. Both options are still selling, so these numbers will change, but with the Proof version at almost 3 times the number of the Uncirculated version, it is probably safe to say that the Proof version will out sell the Uncirculated version.

Then again, numbers alone do not determine the perceived value of a collectible, so it still comes down to which you think will be more valuable over time.

Good Luck.

Re: 2008 W Better Buy, PR or UNC?
 

Thanks, guys. :) Az Ag - those numbers are what I was trying to figure out. I like the looks of the proofs better, but when it comes to the 2006-2008 W uncirculated, it's profit I have in mind, and it looks to me like the profit may lie with the uncirculateds.

I got lucky and picked up several 2006W and 2007W gold fractionals in the past couple of months . . . now I just need to be sure I have a few 2008Ws to go with.

I have one uncirculated $5 1/10th gold eagle . . . had forgotten what I paid for it in the first part of Nov., and when I checked my ebay records I sure was pleased to see I'd picked it up for under $100. :) Too bad it's the only 2008 W I have so far . . .

Re: 2008 W Better Buy, PR or UNC?
 

I am not impressed by the resale numbers for proofs. Even the good stuff is unpredictable. Buy gold, it's a much more predictable investment than numismatic stuff.

Some people do very well with numismatic coins because they know what they are doing. If you were one of those you wouldn't be asking for advice from strangers on the internet. Stick to what you know.

Re: 2008 W Better Buy, PR or UNC?
 

Good point on the Proofs. I think too many people buy them just because they are the more expensive coin, and therefore, should be worth more in the future.

However, I don't agree with you on asking questions about the collectible coins from Gim'ers. The only way to learn is to start asking questions. Also, there is a difference between strangers and GIM'ers. Our little community is usually very helpful to each other. Of course, there are the strange GIM'ers (insert Twighlight Zone music here), but those guys are readily identifiable after awhile. :biggrin:

Re: 2008 W Better Buy, PR or UNC?
 

I thought I was pretty clear that what I was soliciting were opinions, not advice.

I'd be way too ignorant still if I'd never learned to ask questions. . .
and along the way I also learned to use more than a grain of salt when contemplating the answers, too.

Since the proof 1/4 gold eagles aren't available any longer now (and I don't trust that 'shipping in xxx days/weeks' thingy), I guess the question is moot anyway . . . I think I'll buy an uncirculated 2008W 1/4.

I never ask for advice . . . but when I encounter a group of people whose opinions might have some value, I'm usually interested in learning what those opinions are. Doesn't for a minute mean I'd actually spend money on anybody's opinion, other than the one I formed after collecting as much information as I could wrap my little mind around.

Re: 2008 W Better Buy, PR or UNC?
 

Numismatic vs. bullion

If you purchase legal tender PMs IMO you have to at the very least understand the NUMI value.
The reasons why... a person could sell a US Au/Ag coin knowing the spot price and never realize the premium of the coin due to
- mintage
- errors
- sets
- dates
etc.

Examples...
- 1996 Bullion ASEs: lowest mintage of all ASEs (3.6 million)
- 1995 W-mint mark ASE: (30,125 minted)
- 2008 w/reverse 2007 Unc. ASE: (error coin)
- 2008 Unc and fractional Au Buffaloes: (Only minted for 6 months)

"Modern" legal tender coins tend to grade higher due to the minting process, so a slabbed modern is not as crucial than coins minted in the 50s and earlier.

Ask any reputable coin dealer...

If you want to invest and not 'worry' about other factors outside of the assay... I'd go generic rounds and bar.

And as far as the question… from an ‘investment’ (my opinion only) view, the Unc is the way to go. IMO, the Proof is the more eye pleasing coin but un-circulateds hold their value primarily due to the mintages.

Re: 2008 W Better Buy, PR or UNC?
 

Considering that today the UNC's just went backordered across the board, definitely go with the UNC's as per the latest mint stats it looks like the '08 mintages will come in well below the 06's and 07's. They will be cemented as keys as the fractional unc's are discountinued.
Latest mint stats:
http://numismaster.com/images/upload...lemint0113.jpg

Re: 2008 W Better Buy, PR or UNC?
 

Very interesting that all the Uncirc GAE W's are showing as not currently available, but the 8-8-08 Double Prosperity set is still showing as available on the Mint website. I ordered the 8-8-08 DP set on 12-19 and for two weeks my order status at the Mint was "In stock and reserved". Friday (1-2-09) I got an e-mail from the Mint saying that the DP set was now on backorder but they expected my order to ship on 1-21-09, the same date the Mint is showing for the Uncirc. GAE W's!!!

What is going on? :banghead:

Re: 2008 W Better Buy, PR or UNC?
 

What's going on...
The double pros. sets are about to be goners too!
You'll probably get your coins, but anyone who orders that set today likely will not.