FINANCIAL FREEDOM- MANY PATHS

Thankfully there are many paths to financial freedom in this great country. You can invest in Real Estate, start a business, invent a new product or service, or come up with the latest social networking web site.

Some of the paths require a ton of start up capital, long hours of work, or just plain luck. Of course, there is no reason you can’t head down several paths at once.  You may find yourself limited by how hard you want to work and how many hours you are wiling to put in.

Let me suggest that you look towards rare coins as one method of multiplying your wealth, while engaging in a very interesting and rewarding endeavor.  You can easily devote as little as an hour a week and begin growing your collection and making a profit.

Unless you jump into the coin business full time, it’s a fairly passive income and wealth builder. You can literally buy some high quality coins and place them in your desk drawer for a few years and you will likely be rewarded.

Here are a few examples of some choice coins and their values if bought 5 years ago, and their price today (credit to PCGS price guide)

1942 1 cent ddo fs-103 ms 65 red     was $5.00           now $1,150   a  22900 % increase

1958 quarter  ms 67+                           was $320             now $2,180 a      681% increase

1897-s 50 cent ms 58                           was $2,000          now $12,950   a   647% increase

Ok..you get the picture.   Remember these gains were obtained without physical labor, long hours of hard work, or time away from the family. Of course not all coins go up in this fashion, but overall the track record on rare coins has been significant. Its simply a matter of supply and demand, and they just are not making any more 150 year old coins.

Check out my E Bay site, and also my current auctions on I- Collector and Proxibid, to get started. If you need a specific coin, just let me know.

I can be contacted at :  info@coinshopliquidators.com

my E Bay site is: http://stores.ebay.com/Coin-Shop-Liquidators

IT’S AUCTION TIME- ARE YOU READY TO BID ?

Coin auctions are a great alternative to purchasing coins at coin shops, classified ads, and television shopping shows.  There are dozens of live and on- line coin auctions underway every day. Auctions bring to market large quantities of  coins and collectibles, often at very competitive prices.  Years ago auctions were used to sell coins and merchandise that were inferior, damaged, or not genuine, in an unreserved format,  for pennies on the dollar. “Let the buyer beware” was the unwritten understanding.

Auctions have long since evolved into highly respected marketing tools. The majority of web sites that host coin auctions today have strict rules of conduct for both buyers and sellers. Coins must be honestly described with detailed and accurate photographs. Its not unusual to see some very rare and valuable coins, as well as certified and graded coins by the top grading companies. bid prices may start at $1.00 or very close to the actual book value. Competitive bidding and reserves placed by the seller, help insure that both buyer and seller get a “fair” deal.

Of course its possible for a buyer to obtain a coin at a much reduced price however Multiple bidders will often elevate the price of the coins to near or above the book values. Its very rare that a bidder will get a valuable coin for half or less of the market price. Its also rare that precious metals will sell for much less than the current spot price. Often bidders will spend hours bidding on a  large group of coins or precious metals at half or less than the going value. These bidders will often be disappointed and rarely win any substantial number of lots.

Please visit our auctions on I-Collector and Proxibid and also visit our E Bay store at:  http://stores.ebay.com/Coin-Shop-Liquidators

I can be reached at info@coinshopliquidators.com

Thanks ..Carl C.

WHAT IF ?

WHAT IF ?

I used to think it’s a pretty smart guy, and why not? All of my investments always made money now is well diversified. In fact, I begin to think I was a financial genius. I had money in stocks, bonds, real estate, and businesses.

So you can imagine that the last couple years have been a real eye-opener. Stocks are down, bonds are down, real estate has seen a major correction, and most businesses are lucky to break even. Yes, the financial and investment environment has changed drastically.

Everyone seems to be running for safety into the sidelines with their investments. Everyone is searching for the next best thing. Great returns on investment are now taking second place the preservation of capital. So what is the answer?

For me, the answer has been there all along. Investing in rare coins is both fun and profitable. I mean, what was the last time you had fun looking at your stock certificates or CD statement.

What if there was an investment that was both fun and profitable. What if there was an investment in which your principle never went down good times or bad. What if there was an investment that was totally liquid and offered a great deal of privacy and control. Add to these benefits, the fact that coin collecting is not labor intensive and requires very little of your time.

I’d like to suggest that you take a good look at the hobby\investment opportunities in collecting rare coins. I think you’ll find the activity both rewarding and profitable. Another plus is the fact that you can join in this activity for a minimum investment in both time and money.

You can easily diversify this investment between bullion gold and silver coins, which fluctuate in value with the underlying market price of the precious metal. Again, your coin will always be worth the face value, and you stand to make significant gains if the spot price of gold and silver continue to rise.

Your collection will also gain value if the numismatic price of the coin goes up. For example: A simple 1909 vdb Lincoln cent, in very good condition, with an original face value of one cent is worth over  $50  today.  That’s a huge return for a passive investment that just sits in your closet waiting.

If this type of investment makes sense to you, I can help. Please visit my eBay store at: http://stores.ebay.com/Coin-Shop-Liquidators

Or

Contact me at: pooritalianboy@Gmail.com

GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES

GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES

One of things I love about collecting coins is all small intricacies involved. Of course today, it’s all the rage to collect the high-end grated slab coins by a major grading company. Buying these coins is relatively safe because you have some assurance as to the condition and value. However, in many cases they bring a premium that makes it difficult to resell our profit.

Although not as trendy and sexy, I like to pay attention to the old-fashioned 2 x 2 cardboard coin holders. Many of these coins are remarkably well preserved and of high quality. I can’t help to conjure up pictures of a father and son sitting around a kitchen table and sorting through rolls of coins to find a treasure. These old-fashioned holders complete with Staples or often lovingly saved and then set aside in a desk drawer somewhere.

These old fashioned holders, lack the sleek look of an enclosed plastic case and a hologram. They are not as glitzy as a modern slab holders, but often hold some real bargains. I would estimate that there are millions of old coins tucked away in these cardboard holders.

 

Of course you must use caution when evaluating this type of investment. Make sure to match the coins year, mint mark, a condition with the corn and the holder. Be careful to closely evaluate the conditioning grade of the coin. Do not rely solely on the handwritten notes of the cardboard holder.

Also don’t assume that because the coin is in the holder that has some great value or is in uncirculated condition. The same applies to coins stored in the old-cardboard albums.

So enjoy your collecting, and be sure not to overlook coins encased, in these old two by two holders. Good luck, and good collecting.

Please visit my eBay store at:  http://stores.ebay.com/Coin-Shop-Liquidators

 

Thank you…… Carl C.

WHAT’S MY COIN WORTH

WHAT’S MY COIN WORTH

As I had mentioned in a previous article the worth of a coin is a rather subjective thing. I guess the short answer would be: “the amount a ready and willing buyer was prepared to pay you for it.” I guess the hardest part is for you to determine the grade and condition of your coin as this can affect the value greatly. Coins graded and sealed in slabs are normally the easiest to satisfy the buyer and the seller’s as to its condition.

There are several ways of determining a coins value:

1>  E-bay provides a place on their selling page that allows you to enter the date and description of your coin and after a short search it will give you the three week average sale value along with the number of coins of that type that have sold on e-bay.

2>  You can visit some of the auction sites and they will give you a running history of the amounts that particular coin has sold for at auction

3>  You can refer to a valuation guide such as the “PCGS” value tables. Here you can find most coins along with their values based on the grade of each coin.

4>  You can visit E-bay and on the search page enter the coin in question to get a list of sellers.

5>  You can book mark a few of your favorite sellers and check their sites for values, and even purchase the coin right there. (I’m hoping you will go to my web store)

6>  You can subscribe to a coin newsletter and get weekly or monthly updates as to coin values (this requires a paid subscription)

The large auction companies can also give you an idea of your coins worth and they will auction or consign your coin for you.

Please visit my E-Bay store at:  http://stores.ebay.com/Coin-Shop-Liquidators

 

ROLL-ING IN COINS

ROLL-ING IN COINS

Collecting individual coins can be a great deal of fun as well as being profitable. Another important part of your collection should be purchasing coins and rolls. You can purchase coins and rolls of 12, 25, 40 , and 50.

Coins in their original rolls tend to remain in very good condition. They frequently exhibit fewer scratches and gouges, as opposed to coins that come from mint bags. Buying coins in rolls is a convenient and economical way to add to your collection.

Opening an old roll of coins is kind of like opening a present. It is kind of exciting to tear open a roll, and examine the condition of the coins inside. You can sometimes determine the condition of the coins before opening the roll by examining the exposed coins on either end.

You can purchase old rolls of coins from many sources for reasonable prices. You’ll also notice a discount on a per coin price as opposed to buying the coins individually. At that point can keep or resell the roll, or open the roll and silver coins individually. There is often very good upside potential in using this method.

Some people prefer the buy and hold method. You can purchase a new rule of coins directly from your bank at face value. Or you can buy a relatively new role of coins from a dealer for a small premium. You may like to purchase these rolls and simply store them away until a future date.

Almost without fail we can expect to see appreciation on a roll coins. Remember they will always be worth the face value and possibly a lot more. As an example here a few recent rolls of coins along with their face value price and the current PC GS estimated value.

1979 –d state quarter: initial worth- $.25               value today   $7

1964 Kennedy half:       initial worth- $.50                value today  $12

2007- P Washington     initial worth- $1.00              value today  $8

As you can see each of these coins is worth significantly more today than it was when minted not too many years ago. Older rolled coins that remain unopened can be worth much more.

Please visit my eBay store at:   http://stores.ebay.com/Coin-Shop-Liquidators

 

Thanks…… Carl C.

GOLD- THE HOLY GRAIL ?

GOLD- THE HOLY GRAIL ?

Gold has long been considered a store of wealth. Men have desired it, collected it, and used it for trade and payment. Many investors and collectors prefer physical possession of Gold to other more elusive investments.

Gold is heavy and takes up a lot of storage space. Gold bars are difficult to transport and not very convenient to handle. Also gold pricing is tied to the melt cost of the metal, and that market can and does change daily.

Thankfully, for those of us in the coin business, there is a great alternative to bulk Gold. We are fortunate to be able to trade in Gold coins. There are two major types of Gold coins: Bullion coins and legal tender coins.

Bullion Coins: are produced in huge quantities, often with the same design spanning many year. Gold bullion coins like the Maple leaf, Panda, Kugerrand, and even the American Gold Eagle tend to closely follow the melt market price of Gold. The coins normally do not enjoy much if any appreciation other than that which comes from a rising Gold spot price.

Gold Legal tender Coins: are gold coins produced by the U.S. mint that have a legal tender face value, often different than their Gold content value. I find these types of coins to be an excellent investment as well as fun to collect and trade. The value of the coin does in part follow the Gold spot price but value is also determined by the minted population of the coin, its condition, and its numismatic value. Older coins in very good condition can often well outpace the Gold content vale.

I find some of the artwork on these coins to be among the most beautiful of any coins produced. I especially like the Indian head and St. Gaudens’ designs. I think there is a place in every collector’s portfolio for a few Gold coins.

Please visit my e-bay site at:  http://stores.ebay.com/Coin-Shop-Liquidators

 

Thanks..Carl C.

Graded Coins

One of the determining factors in deciding a coin’s worth is its quality. Of course deciding what you pay for a coin is very individual and subjective thing. What one buyer thinks a coin is worth may be quite different from what another buyer thinks that same coin is worth. conversely, is also likely to be a large difference in value based on the seller’s point of view.

One method to take some of the guesswork out of the equation is how the coin graded by a professional grading service. Although there are many it is widely accepted that the top two or three have the most credibility. Many investors will buy coins graded by these companies sight unseen. Although not an exact science you have a relative level of security, if you purchase a going graded and sealed I want these companies.

There are several second and third tier grading companies that also evaluate the worth of a coin. Sometimes they have been known to grade a coin too highly, but that is not always the case. Many collectors and investors shy away from these slab coins or routinely discount their grade estimation by several grade levels.

My advice to you is to not overlook coins graded by these companies because there are often great opportunities in the small plastic cases. I would recommend that in all cases you inspect and value the coin, and not the holder. Just because a coin is sealed in one of these third-party cases does not necessarily mean it has been this graded. I do however recommend that you use caution and close examination before you determine its value.

I have also found very high quality coins encased in the old car board and plastic square coin holders. Often they will be handwritten estimates of the coin’s value along with the date of the coin.  Again I recommend close personal inspection of these coins, while verifying the date and the contents visually. Do not take someone’s handwritten estimation of value for granted.

Another valuable service that the major grading companies offer, is to make you aware of the population of that particular coin that they have created at that level. This is often a good indication as to the scarcity of that coin.

Don’t feel that you must buy a graded coin to enjoy collecting, or to make a profit. After you look at enough coins you will gain your own level of expertise in determining their value.

Please visit my eBay store at:   http://stores.ebay.com/Coin-Shop-Liquidators

 

Carl