Battle of the Classic Head Fives: The 1838-C vs. The 1838-D

/
Battle of the Classic Head Fives: The 1838-C vs. The 1838-D

If you ask most casual collectors which of these two issues is the rarer or more desirable, I’m guessing most would select the 1838-D. Let’s look at the Tale of the Tape for each issue and then I will add some analysis.

Read More

Why Does the 1861-C Half Eagle Get No Love?

/
Why Does the 1861-C Half Eagle Get No Love?

I recently sold a nice PCGS/CAC AU55 1861-C half eagle and it made me think: why is the 1861-C less than one-third the price of the 1861-D in higher grades and why doesn’t the 1861-C have more of a fuss made over it?

Read More

Why is the Dated Gold Market Holding its Own?

/

Rare date gold seems to be “where the action is” in the 2016 coin market and I, for one, am glad I don’t have an inventory full of Gem type coins or other less interesting numismatic items.

Read More

Cool Coins from the 2016 FUN Show: Choice AU 1861-D Gold Dollar

/
Cool Coins from the 2016 FUN Show: Choice AU 1861-D Gold Dollar

The 1861-D is, without a doubt, the most popular gold dollar. It has a minute original mintage figure believed to be in the range of 500-1,000 coins, and it has extreme multiple demand levels on account of its incontrovertible origin as a Confederate product.

Read More

What's Hot, What's Not: The US Rare Gold Coin Market in 2015/2016

/
What's Hot, What's Not: The US Rare Gold Coin Market in 2015/2016

As is tradition at DWN, at the end of every year we summarize our experiences buying and selling choice and rare United States gold coins and attempt to predict what will be the “hot” and “not so hot” areas in the market. 

Read More

The 15 US Gold Coins Which All Collectors Should Own

/
The 15 US Gold Coins Which All Collectors Should Own

Even if you are an ultra-specialized collector of U.S. gold coins—let’s say with an emphasis on Type One double eagles or Dahlonega half eagles—there are still specific important gold types which you might find compelling. A collector recently asked me for a list of a dozen gold issues which fell out of his range of specialization but which I felt might make good additions to his set.

Read More

What are Coins with Character?

/
What are Coins with Character?

On the front page of my website (www.raregoldcoins.com) you will see the tagline Coins with Character. This has been the official motto of Douglas Winter Numismatics for many years, and I am often asked by collectors "what are coins with character?" There is no simple answer, but I feel that the coins I sell are blessed with one or more of the following characteristics which makes them special.

Read More

What do Auction Prices Represent?

/
What do Auction Prices Represent?

For better or worse, the current market has come to heavily rely on auction prices to determine the value of a wide range of coins. I am often asked: do auction prices represent wholesale or retail? A one word answer: both. The coin market is quite possibly the most transparent market there is in any hobby or collectible. PCGS, NGC, and Heritage provide comprehensive databases for nearly any major issue of United States coin, in a variety of grades. In theory, even an unknowledgeable collector now has access to records which only the most sophisticated dealers and collectors could access as recently as a decade ago.

Read More