| irst known coins were minted in the mid-seventh | | | | Krugerrands. A rare coin can be determined by |
| century B.C. Coins revolutionized the conduct of | | | | several factors: mintage, grade, series. Values of |
| commerce. | | | | coins are determined by both scarcity and grade. |
| Alexander the Great introduced a regulated and | | | | Set building is the practice of collecting a complete |
| universal coinage throughout his empire. Coins | | | | series of coins representing all the different |
| were typically engraved with the likenesses of | | | | designs of a certain U.S. coin, for instance. It |
| rulers and deities, providing a historical snapshot. | | | | provides a systematic path for the collector. |
| Coin collecting started in Renaissance Europe. | | | | Investors have frequently found that a carefully |
| Wealthy | | | | assembled set of coins is worth substantially |
| Europeans collected Greek and Roman coinage. | | | | more than the total of its individual pieces. |
| The United States minted its first gold coin in | | | | Well-compiled sets have also tended to be more |
| 1795. From then until 1933, U.S. mints produced | | | | liquid than comparable accumulations of random |
| hundreds of styles and denominations of gold, | | | | coins. It can provide an exciting historical treasure |
| silver and other coins. Dazzling pieces of artistry | | | | hunt, as well as an investment instrument. |
| and history, collectible rare coins and bullion are | | | | Set building provides the investor with the |
| among the most prudent additions to any quality | | | | opportunity to define objectives and formulate |
| investment portfolio. | | | | strategy. Set building can be a life-long adventure. |
| A collection of coins and bullion could add value | | | | Sets can be collected by: type (which can be any |
| and stability to a portfolio. Investing a percentage | | | | particular design or denomination), series (all dates |
| of a diversified portfolio in gold, silver and platinum | | | | and mints struck of a denomination) or design |
| could act as a hedge against inflation. Gold can be | | | | type, commemorative issues, and more. |
| viewed as an alternative asset class. Tangible | | | | A key date coin is generally considered to be the |
| assets are usually not as susceptible to the same | | | | most important coin in a particular series, usually |
| market pressures as stocks and bonds. Typically, | | | | the lowest-mintage and/or the most expensive. |
| gold is not correlated to either the stock or bond | | | | Rarity is based on the number of specimens |
| markets. | | | | extant of any particular numismatic item. |
| Gold often trades inversely to the U.S. dollar, | | | | For protection, investors and collectors should only |
| making it a useful hedge in times of dollar | | | | buy rare U.S. coins that have been graded and |
| depreciation. The gold supply is limited – all | | | | certified by the three leading independent |
| the gold ever mined would fit into a storage room | | | | coin-grading firms: professional Coin Grading |
| about 55 feet long, 55 feet tall and 55 feet wide. | | | | Service (PCGS), numismatic Guaranty Corporation |
| Bullion is a term for coins, ingots, private issue, | | | | (NGC), independent Coin Grading Company (ICG). |
| and so on that trade below, at, or slightly above | | | | These organizations are recognized industry-wide |
| their intrinsic metal value. Only the precious metals | | | | for their accuracy, objectivity and high standards. |
| (gold, silver, platinum, and palladium) are included | | | | These services help to make the market in |
| as bullion. A bullion coin is a legal tender coin that | | | | numismatic coins safer and more liquid. When a |
| trades at a slight premium to its melt value. | | | | coin is graded, it is immediately encased in a |
| Examples of bullion: U.S. Gold, Platinum and Silver | | | | tamper-resistant slab and sealed with its |
| Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, South African | | | | certification number and grade displayed. |