What is Coin Collecting?

Coin collecting and the study of money is called numismatics. Coins often reflect the social, artistic, economical, and political trends of the time period in which they are designed and made. Numismatics looks at coins from an economic, historical, political, artistic, cultural and metrological point of view in order to place both intrinsic and monetary value on a coin.

Throughout the centuries, different cultures have preferred coins over paper money and some have used both. By their very nature, coins are highly durable, convenient, mobile, and accurate modes of payment and investments.

Coin Collecting, our Philosophy

Most people tend to view the buying and selling of collectible coins as only a collector’s or hobbyist’s endeavor. At Coin Mercantile, we view it as having the potential to be much more. If done properly with a disciplined and methodical approach, collecting coins can be an equally rewarding investment strategy that can be an excellent asset class in which to participate to enhance overall investment returns of a diversified portfolio over an intermediate or long period of time. Remember, there are never any guarantees that your coin or collection will grow in value or generate an investment return. However, if a coin investor or collector is methodical and patient in their approach to collecting, it can be very financially rewarding over an intermediate or long period of time.

Predicting the Value of Modern World Coins

Market forces working toward rare modern world coins are collectability, precious metal trading value, and value of the dollar as well as others including the mintage. Understanding these market forces enables investors and collectors alike to understand and predict the value of coins. Predicting the moving landscape of these forces collectively is the process for a collector’s investment success.

One of the greatest and often unpredictable forces of a coins availability and subsequent market price is collectability. Trends in coins collectability point at historic events, sets, mintages, and themes. Traditional collectable themes include cars to animals, minis to tigers. Shipping today is the just released Perth Mint 2010 Year of the Tiger Gold Proof and Silver Proof. The collectability of these coins is high. The mintage is low. And the quality is excellent.

Chinese Precious Metals Demand Likely to Influence International Supply

International demand for metal prices is always atop a short list of market forces working for, and sometimes against, a rare modern coins value. The recent announcement by the Chinese government urging citizens to buy silver and gold has been received by most to be a sure sign of a precious metals supply shortage. With a little math, it is clear there is a growing international demand for precious metals. Skeptics charge that strong demand will drive prices lower, a self full filling prophesy as investors begin to cash in. What is for certain is this relentless hype about precious metals will charge the investment community with more attention toward precious metals, just one of the market forces working for a coin collector’s bottom line.

Coin Mercantile, Inc

Coin Mercantile is an official distributor of several mints and issuing authorities from around the world. We are a global dealer in rare, precious metal, numismatic coins for investors and collectors. We focus on modern, investment quality coins from around the world. We hold a strong belief that coin collecting, if done right, is not just an interesting and rewarding collector’s hobby, but is more importantly a quality investment strategy for building one’s investment portfolio and long-term wealth. It’s for exactly this reason that we look for “investment quality” products for our customers.