Investors Flock to Coins Amid Rising Metal Prices -- A $400,000 Penny

Wall Street Journal ^ | December 1, 2004 | JEFF D. OPDYKE

[Jaysun]

I don't collect coins -- I collect mostly books and art. So I understand a little bit about the collector mentality. However, I don't quite get the whole investment area. Anything that's collected would seem like a shakey investment to me.

I collect a few things myself. I like old firearms. I also share your interest in old books, but lean more towards old documents and signatures. I have an original first edition of the King James or 'Authorized' Holy Bible from 1611. It was given to me by my Great-Grandmother as a wedding gift (she's now 103).

As far as investing, I actively trade currencies on the FOREX market about 5 days a week. I couldn't imagine buying a collectible as an investment. It seems to me that there's often a "hot period" followed by a period in which the items sink in value - I wonder how many people cringe every time they see a $5,000 "Beanie Baby" sitting on the mantle? Crazy.

[durasell]

I like that attitude. Only collect things you love. I recently had some of my art appraised for insurance and found it tripled in (dollar) value. Holy crap I'm a friggin genius!*sarcasm* Kinda tempted me to sell it, but I held off because I like it too much.