Lincoln Cents
 

Key and semi-key dates for Lincoln Cents seem to have really performed well over the past decade. Who here collects Lincolns and are you optimistic about their future performance? I mean can we really expect coins such as the 1909s vdb and 1914-d to continue to rise? Just how much will someone pay for a single copper penny?? I would think that collectors would start to get turned off by todays high priced Lincolns and start looking at less popular and more undervalued series such as the Large Cents and Half Cents.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...er29/1914d.jpg

Re: Lincoln Cents
 

I think it's pretty hard to predict what Lincolns are going to do. The keys in all the popular series seem to keep heading higher and higher with not much letup in sight. As a coin collector, I cut my teeth on Lincoln cents back in the 60's when the modern boom in prices seems to have begun.
It seems no matter what series you become involved with, the keys in really nice condition escalate in price quickly, and a collector soon gets faced with some really tough decisions. i completed my Lincolns ( a really nice set) many years ago, and decided to keep them. In recent years I have bought Large Cents, and Indian cents. Spent quite a bit on them. To be honest, I think Lincolns are "plain vanilla" compared with Large Cents and Indians.
My feeling is if you really want to enjoy US coins to their fullest extent, and still realize a decent profit, consider buying type coins. Like all coins, buy the best condition you can afford.
I never envisioned buying silver bullion like I've done if it wasn't for all the issues in American life today that point to a severe economic and probably political crises coming at us. My feeling was that the entire collectible market, including coins, would fall to very small values in the face of a likely economic meltdown. I was always led to believe that numismatics would be a safe haven in perilous times, but now I really don't know. I got out of the coin scene as a buyer because of fears about the future and where to put my money. Subsequently bought some silver bullion.
I really don't know about the long term aspects of numismatics as an investment vehicle, but am more than convinced the aesthetics and pure enjoyment beats almost any type of collectible hobby around, hands down.
I can tell you that yes, people will pay big bucks for copper, I shelled out $1,150 for an 1804 large cent a couple of years ago, and it is a real treasure to me.So is my beautiful 1798 dollar.I am about ready to buy some more goodies, but don't want to miss that silver rocket, either!
Maybe greed is just too big a factor in all this. OTOH, we all need to protect what wealth we can. Nobody else is going to look after you if you don't. And we damned sure can't count on the government for anything! Maybe the best way is to buy some of each!
Anyway, Lincoln Cents are fine, but there's a lot more interesting things to collect. And don't forget foreign. You can pick up some great foreign coins at competitive prices today. I've found old English coins to be very interesting and cheaper to buy considering their scarcity.

Re: Lincoln Cents
 

I'm betting in 2009 when they release the 4 new Cents to Commemorate Lincoln, the keys and Semi-keys really spike...

This re-introduction will create a lot of intrest in the Numismatic community (old and new)....

Re: Lincoln Cents
 

Its a supply and demand thing. They aint making any more cents dated 14-d, 31-s, 1909-s (with or without the VDB), buffalo nickels, etc. With the new coins coming out from the mint, more people are starting to collect coins. Most will collect well known coins like Lincoln cents, washington quarters etc. Some coins minted in the 20th century like buffalo nickels and mercury dimes are pretty popular too. All key dates for these have done pretty well, buffalos have done especially well in general - big increases in the last 5 years for nearly all dates.

For the more obscure stuff, like half cents and large cents, they just are not as popular and so do not increase as much, the supply is fixed, but demand just is not as great.

Chris

Re: Lincoln Cents
 

Thats OK with me, I just bought me a Dansco 7070... I'm goona work on me a type set... I've got a handfull of them to put in there already...

Re: Lincoln Cents
 

Smullen hit the nail on the head. With the new Lincoln cents coming out in 09, there will be a resurge in the older cents as well.

Stock up on Indian head, Flying Eagle and large and half cents and make a nice profit in two years.

I am working on a nice Lincoln set now.

The Great Ag

Re: Lincoln Cents
 

Take a look at the buffalo nickels as well. If you have access to coin price guides from 6 or 7 years ago, compare them with the buffalo nickel prices of today. Many have increased by 50% to 150% - some even more. I have a 3 leg 37D in Fine, I bought about 5 years ago for $220. The same coin lists today for more than $900.

Chris

Re: Lincoln Cents
 

Case in point: How could someone be crazy enough to pay this much money for a copper cent with a freakin hole in it?
http://cgi.ebay.com/1909-S-VDB-Linco...QQcmdZViewItem

As a collector, scratches, retonings and even rim dings I can live with but I would never purchase a holed coin!
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