Now featuring over one thousand new photos
You may notice a bit of a mess around here. Our site is
currently undergoing some renovations. Some of the renovations
are to improve the customer experience and make it easier to
order from our online store. One of the first things we have
done is to start adding more photos. We have added over 1000
new photos in our Large cent through Lincoln Memorial cent
categories. We have several hundred more ready to be uploaded
as I speak. We have a lot more work to do including the photo
project and will be continuing these updates through the new
year. Please check back often to see our updates and new
products.
January 2012 Sampler #260 Now Available
Our latest Sampler (#260) is now available.
Download the Sampler
Just click on the link to download the Sampler/Catalog. To be notified when our next Sampler or Catalog is available, use our Sampler sign up form (see left sidebar).
Harry
January Coin Market Commentary
Recently a dear friend sent me the below numbers courtesy of
Richard Russell’s Dow Theory Letters. Below is the last day
of the year quotes for gold. Over the same time period the S
& P stock averages have been flat, meaning no gain at all;
2000 -- $273.60
2001 -- $279.00
2002 -- $348.20
2003 -- $416.10
2004 -- $438.40
2005 -- $518.90
2006 -- $638.00
2007 -- $838.00
2008 -- $889.00
2009 -- $1096.50
2010 -- $1421.40
2011 -- $1566.80
Rare coins on average have followed the gold averages and
not the equities markets. Silver has had a similar
performance although technically it was not up year over
year in 2011. It did however average for the year $14 over
2010.
We are currently attending the first major show of the year,
Florida United Numismatists (FUN) in Orlando FL. Yesterday
was dealer set-up and the tone was vibrant with an active
bourse. Attendance; dealers only on set-up day was
impressive, plus early birds. An early bird badge can
usually be purchased at a major show for anywhere from $50
to $200 depending on the venue. One dealer friend commented
that “everybody was just running around saying Happy New
Year” yet we were busy setting up and doing business. We
were actually unable to completely finish setting up by the
time we had to leave for the annual ICTA board dinner
meeting.
Many are apprehensive about the coin market for this coming
year and rightfully so but í believe as always good material
will do well regardless of the economy and if we get some
economic improvement even ordinary material will gain value.
Good material is not necessarily key date coins, although
some would certainly be included. Good material is the less
common date type coins of the mid nineteenth and early
twentieth century’s. It also includes early Federal coinage
and scarce date gold issues.
Modern issues will be a very mixed market unless we get an
influx of new beginning collectors. One way to promote
collecting is to spread the word through the use of Golden
dollars and $2 bills. Whenever I travel I make it a point to
use $2 bills for tips and minor purchases. The presidential
and Sacagawea dollars are a perfect item to arouse awareness
to our nations coinage and our historic heritage. Recently
our illustrious VP Joe Biden announced the suspension of
minting dollar coins because there are $1.4 billion
remaining in treasury vaults. This is unfortunate from a
numismatic point of view and even more so when one realizes
that our government could save many millions of dollars per
year using $1 coins instead of paper. It fact í have seen
estimates as high as $5.5 billion over the next 30 years.
Canada has done this successfully, why can’t we? If you try
using dollar coins and $2 bills you will get some
interesting comments and have numerous chances to discuss
our hobby and create greater awareness. In one case í bought
a collection from the estate of a store clerk because of the
awareness that came about this way.
Weekly Coin Market Commentary
Precious metals continue to be in a more steady trading market
with continued upward bias. This week gold is up almost 1%
while silver is up over 1% and platinum is right at 2% with
stronger oil prices. Troubles in Europe continue to be the
dominating factor along with stronger than expected economic
numbers out of China. India has increased its import tax on
gold in an attempt to curb that market.
US gold type issues have shown some more positive activity as
buyers gain confidence with increasing bullion levels. The
Liberty and Indian eagles have regained a modest amount of
premium along with the Double Eagles. At current levels the
Indian $10 seems a really good buy.
Early copper issues continue to be a real bright spot in the
type coin arena. Coronet Head Large cents are particularly
active followed by the early small size cent issues. Flying
Eagle cents are hot in Au and better. The always difficult to
find large size Capped Bust quarters are also very active in
the higher circulated grades.
In the better date type issues the 1909S VDB has declined in
mid circulated grades along with the 1955 DDO cent. Both these
issues were overpromoted prior to the financial crisis.
Exactly the opposite story on the better date 3c silver issues
of the late 1870’s and early 1880’s where demand has always
outstripped supply. Most other key date type issues continue
to be in strong demand, but the highly promoted issues are
selling more slowly.
T
o
read more of Harry's commentary click here to visit
Numismaster.com.
Tennessee Store
Family owned & operated since 1967
Full service dealership in Coins, Stamps, Currency, Precious Metals and Supplies
Miller's Mint Ltd.
200 E. Broadway Ave.
Suite 315
Maryville, TN 37804-5755
(865) 982-4420
(865) 268-2993 - FAX
Mon - Thurs: 10am - 5pm
Fri: 10am - 7pm
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed
Bicentennial Medal Sets
We recently acquired a number of limited edition Bicentennial Medal sets, commemorating 50 great events in American Numismatic history. There were only 1,000 of these unique sets minted and at a recent show we came across them quite unexpectedly. So it's first come, first served...and we think they'll go quickly. If you are a numismatic history buff, these are definitely what you are looking for. Take a look at the picture, get 1 or better yet, buy 5 and give them to your collector friends for special occasions. Remember, when they're gone, they're gone.
Our low price is $19.95/ea or 5 for $79.95. The inventory item number are 207518 for the single and 207519 for the lot of 5.
Happy Collecting!
