Rare coin market update

With the Summer coming to a close, we typically expect to see a natural slowdown in sales as collectors focus on the change in seasons, including getting their kids back to school, and so on. This year, however, has been surprisingly different. For some reason, we’ve seen a sharp uptick in the activity at David Lawrence. As I write this blog, gold is showing a $24 gain for the day, but this does not account for the activity I am describing.

We are seeing a much larger trend among coin collectors who are starting to either dig in, or sell off. The good news is that we need BOTH of these things to happen for a vibrant market. The past 2 years have been marked by one side or the other. Too many sellers or too many buyers. Despite the downturn in prices in the past couple of years, the trend remains that it is still hard to find good coins at good value. We stress the value part. Anyone can pay too much for a coin, so the key is value.

Since my last report after the Boston ANA show, I expected some quiet weeks to follow but this has been the interesting part. Business has been unusually brisk! We’ve bought some great coins and they’re finding a wider range of buyers than we’ve seen in over a year. That’ s been great for us, because John Brush and I LOVE to buy coins and work with collectors when they sell. The faster the coins sell, the more we can get out there and buy more. In other words…we are having a GREAT time lately.

Exciting New Purchases & Great Collections

Buffalo Nickel Error Collection

We’ve got some great collection in process here at DLRC. For starters, we have acquired the largest collection ever assembled of Buffalo nickel errors. Sounds crazy, but it’s true. This collection was over 30 years in the making and we have it! For starters, our collection has all examples of all the Buffalo nickel errors in the new 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins Book. We are still cataloging the coins and working with a few clients on first shot. If you have an interest, please contact me today for more information.

Annie’s Gold Registry Collection of PCGS Saint Gaudens

Thanks to a new consignor, we will be selling a lovely collection of high grade Saint Gaudens — the 10th finest on the current registry. The are many beautiful coins in the collection. Highlights include:  Hi Relief MS64; 1911 MS65; 1912 MS65; 1920-S AU58; 1926-D MS64; 1927-S MS63; 1929 MS63; and many others. These will be sold in an online auction to coincide with the Whitman Philadelphia Show. We hope you can attend the show and view the coins in person.

Upcoming Shows

Long Beach, CA: Our attendance at this show will be very limited and I plan to attend for a day or two at most. We are aggressive buyers at last week’s PCGS Vegas Invitation (another great event!) and we need to catch up and prepare for the Philadelphia show the following week.

Philadelphia, PA: Whitman Coin Expo. Sept 30-Oct 2. The buzz in numismatic circles is that this is going to be one of the best shows in the Fall. The good folks at Whitman always do a great job and we will have some great, fresh coins to show you there. Come see us at table 624-626.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read. I welcome your comments, both public and private. Please email me anytime for a personal response.