American Silver Eagle

I'm not talking about investing hundreds of dollars on them. What I am saying is, you hear a lot of people saying a $1 today isn't going to be worth as much later right? Well if I were to purchase a Silver American Eagle coin this year, would the $40 or so dollars spent on it be better served that way or just being saved at home.

Not really.

Coin collecting is more like baseball cards - occasionally you'll get something in your collection with several times the face value. Usually you strive for coins that are rare but not necessarily valuable.

An example would be an Indian head penny from the 1800's. It's not something you'll find every day but it's not worth much more than it's face value. Even though it's at least 100 years old there were still plenty minted and enough out there that the value has increased so little.

You would get a better return rate by investing $100 in a certificate of deposit at an FDIC insured financial institution. In 3 to 6 months you could almost double it depending on where you lived and who your account was with. Then reinvest it again for a longer time and higher interest rate. Keep going.

Coin-wise what's hot right now are the presidential dollar coins. There has been talk of doing away with the Sacagawea and Susan B. Anthony coins in addition to minting comemorative coins on all the presidents.

2007-04-07 23:57:29 by Shanizzel

In this episode of spare change we look at the American Silver Eagle. The history behind this silver coin is very interesting along with the ...

It's all brown and has fragments of finger prints on it. I need a SAFE way of cleaning it. No ketchup or nail cleaning liquid. Answers from numismatists please.

You should not clean your coins. Most coin collectors see cleaning a coin as the equivalent of stripping down antique furniture and refinishing it.

When cleaning, the surface metal of the coin is often stripped. Anything used to scrub the coin will leave scratches (even 100% pure silk will leave hairline scratches). Most cleaning products will have some type of reaction with the coin's metal and the surface metal can also be removed in this manner.

Your best bet is to leave the coins alone. Cleaning the coin will leave traces - which can be found by the knowledgeable collector - who in turn will not buy the cleaned coin. Also if you ever wanted to send your coin into a grading company, they can recognize signs of cleaning and will send your coin back in a "cleaned" slab (also called a "body bag" in the coin world) - which is usually a greatly decreased value.

If you absolutely must must must clean your coins do not use the method described above as it will react with the metal in your coin. Use 100% acetone (do not use fingernail polish remover!). It must be 100% pure because other additives will react with the coin metal. Place your coin(s) in the solution for several minutes (do not leave in for long periods of time). Rinse your coin(s) in distilled water. Next remove your coins and either pat dry with a soft cloth or allow the coin to air dry (air drying is better as you don't risk scratching the coin with the cloth). NEVER scrub your coins!

I would still advise you to leave your coins as they are. They may not be bright and shiny but that is what most collectors prefer.

2007-12-06 12:25:16 by Ashkan A

Price: $39.99 $15.99

The natural properties and composition of mined gemstones define the unique beauty of each piece. The image may show slight differences to the actual stone in color and texture.
Gemstones may have been treated to improve their appearance or durability and may require special care.

Do you have to order these from the web or do you jsut get lucky at a bank when you get your change?

Usually they are available at a coin dealers shop. The proof and special finish uncirculated is available from the mint. There has been a drain of Silver Eagles due to the value of silver and the mint has stopped selling them (2208), older ones are available from coin dealers not the mint, due to a run on them and they are out right now. Dealers supply of new and older ones may be getting low also. If that is the case this is not the time to buy them for they will be more money for they are rare now. Wait a couple months until the mint catches up.Since they are worth far more than the dollar that is one them, you will not find them at banks or be able to get one for $1. I would try a local coin dealer for a web dealer will take your money and may say he has none and you will have to wait until he does before he ships it too you.

2008-04-11 14:34:42 by Cowboy

Price: $8.99 $8.99

Is the gold a more dense metal? Or is is simply an optical illusion and the thickness is actually greater on the gold coin?

It is not an optical illusion. Gold is the denser metal, as you correctly suspect. Therefore, when comparing coins of the same weight of gold and silver, the gold coin will be the smaller in size.

Besides, gold coins are just fascinating to collect!

2008-07-17 06:35:36 by tigerhuy

I bought the coin off ebay but it did not come with a presentation case,and the mint doesn't seem to offer those for sale separately. If I can't get an official case, what are my alternatives? This is for my second son, and I'd really like them both to have the same type of case.

You could do a search for numismatic supplies. One site that has a lot of supplies is Amos Advantage. Maybe you could buy two boxes from the same source that way they would both be the same.

Happy hunting

2007-11-15 11:37:15 by Alan R