Are Coins a Good Investment?

This is a question I have been asked a lot over the years. With the advertising that is seen in almost every medium, you would think the answer would be a resounding, Yes!

My answer is a qualified, maybe!

Under the right circumstances and with the satisfactory background and information, they can be. I have made several over the years and quite honestly by accident in many cases.

There are several points I can make for both sides of the issues. In this article, I will talk about the Don’ts, next time, the Do’s.

1. Don’t buy anything on any advertised recommendation! The people making these claims have an inventory to sell and that is the whole story. Think about it. If the material they are hawking was so good, why wouldn’t they keep it for themselves and sell it later? Most of the major ads you see are boiler room operations that sell over-graded over-priced garbage that usually isn’t worth anything to begin with, and sometimes with big well known names attached. Sorry to mince words.

2. Don’t buy basis Uncle Charlie’s ideas, unless he is an expert in his field. People like to be helpful and with only a little knowledge can be deadly.

3. Don’t buy anything that is Hot! If everyone wants it that badly, it is at its current peak and totally over priced. This is true in the stock market also. Sure, there may be a little more room before the price drops, but who cares. If you really want it, wait for that drop. Remember just as with everything else in life, stocks, bonds, houses, everything, prices go up and prices go down. You can be at any point on that movement. In very few cases will the price always climb, and I guarantee you it won’t be what you buy.

4. Don’t buy something you know nothing about! Believe me I know about this one. Buy a lottery ticket instead.

5. Don’t buy anything with a guaranteed financial return on investment! When you return the seller will not be there, guaranteed.

Enough for now. If I haven’t scared you away (which is not a bad thing, money is hard to come by in most cases, and there is always someone trying to part you from it), I will do some Do’s next time.

Yours in numismatics,

Chuck

Scandinavia on Sale!

For the next 30 days all coins from Sweden, Denmark & Norway are on sale.

Take 10% off on $50 or more.

Take 15% off on $200 or more.

Take 20% off on $500 or more.

Check out these great deals and more at WCSdeals.com.

This can not be combined when any other offers, and does not include Shipping or Insurance.

Save Money, Get a Great Book!

My novel Potter’s Wheel (one man’s search for love… and the truth) is now available from almost every online book merchant and most book stores world-wide that have computer connections to the main distributor.

With the coming holidays, it would make a great gift, and you can save money on coins.

If you buy either a hardback or a soft cover version and send me a copy of the receipt, you will receive $10 off any purchase of $50 or more on WCSdeals.com.

You can purchase the paperback version directly from WCSdeals.com for delivery in the U.S., for $19.95 ($16.95 + $3.00 S&H).

More information about the novel is available on my Potter’s Wheel website, or email me at chuck@wcsdeals.com.

For discussions on the novel, relationships and other interesting topics, go to the Potter’s Wheel Blog.

Thanks,

Chuck

Collecting Kennedy Halves

The price of BU rolls of Kennedy Halves has risen sharply over the past few years. Two examples are the 1983P and 1986P, which are approximately $90 and $120 retail. Putting together a complete set is becoming more and more costly.

There is an alternative which is both economical and eye appealing. In the old days we called them "commercial UNCs" and "sliders", today trying to be as accurate as possible, they are referred to as Ch. AU-BU.

These are coins that to the untrained eye appear to be Brilliant Uncirculated and indeed do have a great look to them, but do have a touch of wear. Since they are stain-free and with a very minimum of bag marks, they are great for building presentation and gift sets.

The cost difference is large. The same 1983P & 1986P rolls are $52.50 and $67.50, and the best part is they should appreciate in value proportionately as the BU rolls.

We only stock the better dates and the other dates are still available at reasonable prices in BU. Look over our inventory at WCSDEALS: Kenndy Half Rolls .

As a special incentive you can take an additional 5% off 3 rolls or more, or 10% off on 10 rolls or more.

Remember you can ship up to a 100 rolls for the same low rate of $8.10 plus insurance.

If you have any question just send us an email at sale@wcsdeals.com.

Chuck & Nikki

Just A Reminder

Time is running out. We will be annoucing the creation of this blog on our website April 1, 2006. If you find us before that time, you too can take advantage of this offer. It will remain available of course until 20 people have taken it, so why not avoid the competition.

For the first 20 people that find this blog before we announce it on our website, you will receive $10 off any purchase of $50 or more. Just mention this blog and CTM101 when you place an order on This is the blog for updates on new additions and services, sales and feature items on the WCS Website. We hope to see you soon.

Chuck & Nikki

Transportation Tokens

We have a variety of transit token lots and items. You can get individual tokens or bulk lots. We have collectible items as well as a few current usable tokens.

Go to our index page and take a look: Exonumia Index Page.

We hope to see you soon,

Chuck & Nikki

Elongated Coins

Another popular area of collecting is the field of elongated coins. These are usually cents, dimes, and quarters that have been rolled through pressing machines and imprinted with various pictures. Most are cents, but the others do occur.

This all started in the early part of the 20th century, and is found in other countries besides the U.S. The non-U.S. coins are far more scarce.

You will find them from many of the World's Fairs and Expos. Currently the Disney parks create quite a lot of them. Some are very scarce and expensive. Most are very affordable.

Visit our pressed coin pages and see for yourself. We are trying constantly to increase the selection and variety, and we will continue to do so.

Go to: Elongated Coin Index.

Chuck & Nikki