Are colorized coins or plated coins considered to be a good numismatic investment?

Posted by slang on April 12, 2010

2006 COLORIZED 2-SIDED U.S. MINT 1oz SILVER EAGLE with BOX selling at USD28.85

Above coin photo shows a  1 oz silver COLORIZED coin for sale. Don’t you think it is beautiful like a painted coin?

Whether like the TELEPHONE CARD , the colorized or plated coin is a fad or not will depend on how each coin collector will look at them.Those who prefer the beautiful color painted on these coins and the cheap price being offered and ability to be restrikes with earlier dates might draw some crowds to colorized coin collecting.

I believe coin collecting besides pleasure is also investment. Below extracted from the US Government Mint pertaining to some FAQ questions for readers to appreciate:-

Extracted from FAQ from US MINT 

Does the United States Mint produce or sell colorized coins?

No.  The United States Mint has never produced or sold colorized coins or coins that feature a holographic or superimposed image.

Does the United States Mint produce or sell gold- or silver-plated coins?

No.  The United States Mint has never produced or sold gold- or silver-plated coins.

Does a business need permission from the U.S. Government to colorize U.S. coins?

Businesses do not need the U.S. Government’s permission to colorize genuine United States coins unless the U.S. Government owns a copyright in the coin design in question.

Does a business need permission from the U.S. Government to plate U.S. coins in gold, silver or other precious metals?

Businesses do not need the U.S. Government’s permission to plate (layer) genuine United States coins in gold, silver or other precious metals.

Are colorized coins or plated coins considered to be a good numismatic investment

The United States Mint does not comment on coin-grading issues or on a colorized coin’s or plated coin’s current or future value as a collectible item.  If you like a colorized coin or plated coin because of the way it looks,then you may want to add it to your collection.  However, if you are primarily concerned about the long-term investment value of a colorized coin or plated coin, then you should contact a reputable coin dealer or coin grading service before you purchase the coin.

 What is the United States Mint’s position on the practice of colorizing or plating U.S. coins?

The United States Mint does not encourage or support products that alter the fundamental images on its coins.  A superimposed design is entirely different than the coin’s original image and almost obliterates the coin’s intrinsic design.  Congress itself mandates by statute the themes, images, and inscriptions that appear on a particular coin.  However, businesses that choose to sell colorized or plated coins are expected to ensure that they do not violate U.S. trademark laws or false and deceptive advertising laws.

Well, my two cent’s  worth:

• I am one who wish to feel and look at NON-colorized original coin where I can gain pleasure from a GENUINE HISTORICAL COIN especially it is well preserved and with natural lustre.
• If I do need a colorized coin, I would only consider it as a painted doll re: ” ladies putting up their cosmetic” where the natural beauty is hidden.
• Honestly, I feel that a colorized coin is some what out of place for me, maybe the keyword is ‘ARTIFICIAL”- well I have to confess that I  am an old traditional coin collector!

Gold Investment And Investing In Rare Gold Coins

Posted by slang on October 6, 2009

Chandra Gupta Dynasty Gold coin

• Mystified and rare Ancient Gold Coins whether from India, Roman and Asia ( Acheh,Pasai,etc) 
  

  Gold Coin Ancient India Kushan

Australia 1868 Sovereign gold coin

• Older Sovereign gold coins re: King George V & VI, Queen Elizabeth(from Great Britain, Australia and others);

American Eagle Gold coin

Krugerrand Gold coin

• Specific Lunar or Zodiac and Commemorative gold coins from various countries like Australia, Malaysia, China and many others. 

And here’s a bit of updates on the current gold price:-

Very recently, the price of gold has struck an all-time high as the green –back dollar fell on a news report that Arab states had launched secret moves with China and Russia to stop using the greenback for oil trading. They would instead switch “to a basket of currencies including the Japanese yen and Chinese yuan, the euro, gold and a new, unified currency planned for nations in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), including Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Qatar,

Gold hit 1,045.00 dollars per ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange in late trades.

Further rumors from the press and precious metal analysts said that dollar weakness appeared to be related to reported secret talks about oil being priced in a basket of currencies including gold rather than the dollar. All in all it has added concerns about the future role of the dollar in international financial markets.

Incidentally gold has been viewed as a good investment vehicle mainly attributed to the following reasons:

• Gold is viewed as a safe-haven investment, has won back favor in recent months as the global economy struggles out of its worst slump in decades.The run-up in gold has been largely driven by weakness in the dollar, which makes dollar-priced commodities cheaper for holders of stronger currencies, boosting demand.
• Gold also wins support from fears about higher inflation because the metal is widely regarded by investors as a safe store of value.