Opinions of The Coin Market

[coin watch]

With all the current economic gloom all around the world at the moment coupled with a forseeable finacial downturn overall I am wondering how this might or could affect the coin market?

Although I am a collector and my main interest is from a collecting point of view rather than investment I can`t help but think of the prices of coins at the moment and think should I purchase the coin I like? or wait to see where the market is going over the next year or two!

So my question to all you coin folk is: What is your opinion of the coin market and what of its prospects over the next couple of years?

[Rob]

With all the current economic gloom all around the world at the moment coupled with a forseeable finacial downturn overall I am wondering how this might or could affect the coin market?

Although I am a collector and my main interest is from a collecting point of view rather than investment I can`t help but think of the prices of coins at the moment and think should I purchase the coin I like? or wait to see where the market is going over the next year or two!

So my question to all you coin folk is: What is your opinion of the coin market and what of its prospects over the next couple of years?

I think the top end will remain solid because there are a lot of people about with surplus cash and if times get really bad it is much easier to sell quality closer to book. Top end buyers tend to spend cash that doesn't have another use and is not borrowed. In some respect, this bit of the market is relatively immune to the economy although there might be a bit less froth. I think that the bottom end will soften to the extent that it will align itself with ebay prices if things get difficult for any length of time. Given the tendency of most things in average condition on ebay to gravitate towards 99p I think the problem is likely to be in the expensive middle grade items which are not high enough in grade to attract top dollar, but are likely to exceed the spending capacity of those of more modest means. Prices could plummet as they did in about 1982 when prices dropped 30-40% for some items, but I think this unlikely because you are now in a world market given the net. For everyone who is struggling, there is always another doing well somewhere else in the world. It may be that a few more bargains will crop up, but I don't think a wholesale meltdown is in the offing.