If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

I'd like to buy one (and my first) gold coin this year, doubt I will be able to afford 2. I'm stuck between the UHR and the Proof Buffalo.

Which one would you buy and why?

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

If you doubt you can afford more than one gold coin this year, why are you choosing between two high-premium coins?

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

1787 Brasher Doubloon

http://www.coin-gallery.com/graphics/brasherlo.gifhttp://www.coin-gallery.com/graphics/brasherlr.gif

Composition: Gold, .917 Fine. Diameter: 28.6mm.
Weight: 26.6 grams. Edge: Plain.

Last sold at public auction by Stack's for $625,000 in March 1981. In 1787, Ephraim Brasher was granted a petition to mint copper coins in New York State. Brasher, a goldsmith and silversmith, was already quite highly regarded for his skills. In fact, George Washington was one of his clients as well as a neighbor at one point in time. Brasher struck various coppers, in addition to a small quantity of gold coins, over the next few years. Keep in mind that the official United States Mint was not to become a reality until 1793 for all intents and purposes. The lack of readily available, full-weight, non-counterfeit coinage, was a major problem in this historically significant point of our nation's growth.
Brasher's hallmark was highly significant in early America. Not only did he mark his own gold coins, but he also stamped other coinage sent to him for assay. When Brasher's mark was present on a coin, it would "pass" without question. This was a very nice feature to have when one takes into account the level of "crapola" that was attempting to pass as "good" coinage. Some people show no lack of creativity in cheating their fellow man. Counterfeiting and clipping small (and sometimes not so small) portions of coins was quite widespread in colonial times. It is helpful to remember that the intrinsic value (fineness and weight of the metal) was the single most important aspect to coinage of the period. In other words, the issuing body wasn't such a major factor in whether or not the coin would be accepted at time of purchase. If a seller wished to refuse a coin, he was certainly well in his rights to do so. Again, because of his expertise and track-record, a coin with the Brasher hallmark was certain to pass in the channels of commerce.

The hallmark "EB" represents its maker, Ephraim Brasher. This is the ONLY KNOWN SPECIMEN with the hallmark on the eagle's breast. Other Brasher Doubloons, of which very few are known, have the hallmark on the eagle's wing.

No one is quite sure why this is the only specimen known to exist with "EB" on the breast. Was this his personal piece? A special coin for someone special in his life? A customer request? We will probably never know for sure. In the 1940's, Raymond Chandler authored a novel entitled The High Window about the coin. A few years later, a movie with the apt title The Brasher Doubloon was made. Unfortunately, the entertainment industry sometimes thinks it must fictionalize important historical events to "sell" it to the "ignorant" public. The true story surrounding this coin needs no media hype as it stands on its own merits.

In 1792, a year before minting actually began at the Federal mint, Brasher did assay work for them, probably of foreign specie to be melted for recoinage. He earned a handsome $27 for these efforts!

A Brasher Doubloon currently residing in the National Numismatic Collection of the Smithsonian Institution was discovered on its way to the melting pot in 1838. It was rescued from a group sent to the mint for melting. By 1875, three others had been discovered, including the present specimen. Charles I. Bushnell was the lucky collector to have gained possession of the "ultimate spotlight in all of numismatics". In that year, a book noted its uniqueness. "...four of the Doubloons have come to our knowledge; they are owned by Mr. Bushnell, Mr. Parmalee, Mr. Stickney, and the United States Mint at Philadelphia.; the first has the punchmark on the breast of the eagle."

In 1882, the unique Bushnell specimen was first offered for sale. It created so much excitement in the numismatic community that the price soared to a record $505 before the auction hammer finally fell. Edouard Frossard, a famed coin dealer of the time, purchased the coin as a representative of T. Harrison Garrett. This coin remained in the Garrett family for nearly a century when it was given to the Johns Hopkins University along with the entire Garrett collection. The Johns Hopkins University sold the collection during 1979-81.

Pedigree: Busnell-Garrett-Parrino Specimen.

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

Coins are like potato chips. Nobody can eat just one.

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

I would get the Ultra High Relief St. Gaudens if I had the dough to buy one.

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

A normal AGE

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

Yep! But Potato chip's value don't appreciate over time...

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

id go buffalo..the ultra high relief doesnt do it for me

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

Pre-1933 US gold
http://www.apmex.com/Category/507/Pre_1933_US_Gold.aspx
Or European gold coins
http://www.apmex.com/Category/158/Go...ean_Coins.aspx
There is more to it than you think.
It is real money. The new ones are not they are just gold coins with $ on them.

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

from a numismatic p.o.v. and since i'm forced to choose...
the UHR!

with that said, if building a set and if you have the '06-'08 proof buffs, i'd stay with the '09buff.

and overall... both

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

Love your avatar Nomoss lol

I vote for 1908 "no motto" Saint, but I'd take a UHR out of the poll options listed.

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

I already bought 2 UHRs and a 2009 Buffalo but not proof. I cant see myself paying the premium on the proof Buffalos. Hopefully im not wrong on this but I'd rather save the money and buy something like a 1/4 oz 2009 GAE.

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

A nice shiny new Krugerrand.

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

Only one gold coin all year?? I guess it would have to be this one then.
Attachment 81621
Do you think I can get it delivered?

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

Ask GoldBuyer123 - he probably has one for sale..

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

depends on what is your plan. I would stick to AGE, easy to sell. I forgot to tell u I choose 09 buffalo.

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

It's not on the list but this is one I wouldn't mind owning,the only colorized coin I really dig.


http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...LLAR-COIN-.jpg

to bad the RCM doesn't stamp the weight and purity on these coins though

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

a BU maple leaf with the proof-like surfaces. 1 oz of .999 gold. delicious. better than maple syrup.

http://www.coin-rare.com/images/prod..._Gold_Coin.png

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

A 1kg Lunar Dragon coin

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=vs_w-a><CENTER>http://i.ebayimg.com/01/!BeL5yH!!2k~...Kg7wQ~~_35.JPG</CENTER>

:36_3_13:

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

prophet, you may want to consider this one for collection as well.
http://www.pandaamerica.com/upd_imag...dragon_5oz.jpg

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

Thanks for the comments guys. I've decided to try and get a UHR by the end of the year. Actually am watching a MS70 FS on eBay, seeing if it'll go for a reasonable price. Otherwise I'll order direct for the mint.

IMHO the UHR looks nicer than the Buffalo, but thats just my opinion.

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

I would get an old and dirty GAE instead.

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

What's going on around here? Another thread says I can only buy one gun, and now I find out that I can only buy one coin this year. Help!

Okay, I'll take one of those kilogram gold Maple Leafs - or was it Perth Mint that was making them?

Happy? :mad_m:

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

http://apmex.com/milliondollarcoin/Default.aspx?

:D

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

I'd take these ten for RESALE...


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...082501663.html

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

220 pounds IN one coin ain't pocket change.

Make a hell of a slab...

:signs14::111:

Maybe a UNIQUE head stone?

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

I went on a tour of the mint last Summer. The tour guide said some rich Saudi was using one for a coffee table. :yes:

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

I voted UHR, I was lucky to get three. :5_1_120: Two I'll have graded while the other I'll just add to my bullion stash. Just recently picked up the 1908 "no motto" Saint.

Note;
Putting a UHR side by side with the 1908 St Gaudens is incredible. Only difference is that the 1908 has no motto. (cool)

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

Seriously I would PICK a 1907 "HIGH RELIEF" Saint - in MS68 graded or higher in a PCGS slab...

But it "ain't" gonna happen - :cry1::cry1: $300,000.00 is a few too may cabbages...

Cause I don't got enough even with all the paper hitting the banks - I'm NOT a counterfeit bank...

banchabanchabancha:hahaha:be happy be content enjoy what you have and have a glass of wine for old HS

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

Just realized that this was an old thread of mine. I ended up buying the UHR (my first gold coin) and don't regret it one bit.

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

Buy a LOT more...IMVHO.

:bull-smile:

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

it's a new year - what's next? 2 makes a stack! :)

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

Next, probably a 2010 1oz Gold Kangaroo, a 2009 Kilo Kookaburra, and maybe a roll of Silver Philharmonics. Hopefully will be able to place the order within a month or so :)

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

nice - good hunting to you! I'm kinda' intrigued with the little 1 gram ag coins posted on another thread but ya know, the au ones are a lot prettier. still fighting the urge to buy bags and bags of shot to play with too. it's a sickness :4_8_4v:

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

http://www.golddealer.com/

I'd buy 10 MS65s Saints for about a $1,000 off each of last month's price.

:111::111::111:

That's a ten grand saving and one hell of a position to take.

Course it's gonna cost YA some $21,700.00 if'in you got IT!

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

Anything pre-1914. WW1 was the beginning of the end.

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

Amen. Buy 10 MS65s Saints dated 1908 NO MOTTO for

$21,700

10 grand saving from last month...

:36_1_34::36_1_34:

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

I just got my first 1oz nugget, I love the Aussie Gold!:adore::coolbeer::ok:

Attachment 86638

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

Beautiful coin Irons.

Just bought my 2nd gold coin on eBay yesterday. A 2006 PCGS MS70 First Strike Gold Buffalo, paid just under $1300 for it after ebates, considering APMEX charges $1340 for the 2009 version, I didn't think it was a bad deal.

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

That certainly doesn't make a good argument for numismatic pieces holding value in a rising bullion market!

:thumb.aspx:

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

Thats not a Roo!

http://img1.photographersdirect.com/.../pd1788903.jpg

Wimpy looking bugger!

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

Gorilla roo?

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

For 2010 my pick is the 2009 5/9 maple leaf (just becoming available now)
Just my biased opinion.
Check back at the end of the year to see which coin did the best % wise.

http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/w...rlEE/99999.jpg

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

Sounds like a keeper to me. :23_28_100s:

Now you *need* a Krugerrand.

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

But can you buy just one?:biggrin:

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

Buy any US Gold Eagle 1/10, 1/4, or 1/2 ounce at the lowest premium above spot you can find. Don't get panicked if the fractionals cost 5 or 7% over spot, just buy them.

You will be very happy later.

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

I second the 2009 5 9s (99999) 1 oz maple. It is the purest of the pure of coin!

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

I'll take a 5'niner Maple, too. But you can have the one ouncer.

I'll take this one instead:

http://www.delraycc.com/Portals/0/17.jpg

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

I just think the Buffalo is cool

Re: If you could only buy one gold coin this year...
 

You forgot a 9 ;) "four nines fine" :bear_wub:

Now....if they could only take the queen's face off of it.