BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Obama coins are (gasp!) a rip-off]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/16/obama-coins-are-gasp-a-rip-off/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/16/obama-coins-are-gasp-a-rip-off/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/16/obama-coins-are-gasp-a-rip-off/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you're an occasional insomniac like I am, you may have seen Montel Williams shilling the Obama Presidential Coin Collection, featuring four FULL-COLOR special-edition coins and a carrying case, all for $19.95 (plus shipping and handling). Sure, it might seem like a good investment for the numismatists among us. After all, numbered certificates of authenticity are included.

But the company selling these, the US Coin Network, is now coming under fire for using standard currency and stickers to create these limited-edition trinkets. The site indicates that, yes, the Obama coins are created using nothing but regular-old coins -- a Washington Dollar, a Kennedy Half Dollar, an Illinois Quarter and a Hawaii Quarter. But evidently the TV commercial isn't quite as forthcoming.

What's worse, the US Coin Network (not affiliated with the United States Mint or any branch of government) is allegedly refusing to cancel orders that have not yet shipped.

It just goes to show you -- look before you leap. Also, it's probably never a good idea to be spending money at 3:00 in the morning.

Beth Gaston Moon works for WeSeed.com, "the stock market for the rest of us."

Obama coins are (gasp!) a rip-off originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>as seen on tvAsSeenOnTvcoinsmontel williamsMontelWilliamsobamaMon, 16 Feb 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Money winners of 2008: Walter Husak cashes in on rare pennies]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/14/money-winners-of-2008-walter-husak-cashes-in-on-rare-pennies/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/14/money-winners-of-2008-walter-husak-cashes-in-on-rare-pennies/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/14/money-winners-of-2008-walter-husak-cashes-in-on-rare-pennies/#commentsFiled under: ,

This post is part of our feature on Money Winners of 2008. See all 20.

At one time or another, we have all dreamed of turning pocket change into millions. A California man actually made it happen last February, though, when he sold a collection of 301 pennies for $10.7 million. Of course, they were not just any pennies. The set contained virtually every variety and subvariety of U.S. cent minted in the classic period between 1793 and 1814. Van Nuys resident Walter J. Husak had been assembling his early coppers for 28 years and estimated that they cost him a little over $5 million. That is a lot for a coin collection, but it ultimately netted him a profit of close to $200,000 per year and that is a return anyone can appreciate.

As with any investment-minded collector, Husak was doubtless torn between the desire to put together a complete collection of early cents and the hope that they would increase in value. He chose the path that usually finds the best equilibrium between aesthetic satisfaction and monetary gain by going high end. He acquired attractive specimens in the most advanced grades possible, very often locating the finest known examples of given varieties. That led to ownership of coins like the 1793 and 1794 "about uncirculated" specimens shown below, which sold for $632,500 each. The pictures are from the Husak Collection catalog, produced by Heritage Auction Galleries.

Continue reading Money winners of 2008: Walter Husak cashes in on rare pennies

Money winners of 2008: Walter Husak cashes in on rare pennies originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 14 Dec 2008 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coinscollectiblesfeaturedHeritage AuctionMoney Winners 2008Walter HusakSun, 14 Dec 2008 09:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Collectible Investments: 100-year old $20 gold piece up 65% in past five years]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/19/collectible-investments-100-year-old-20-gold-piece-up-65-in-p/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/19/collectible-investments-100-year-old-20-gold-piece-up-65-in-p/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/19/collectible-investments-100-year-old-20-gold-piece-up-65-in-p/#commentsFiled under: ,

Can investing and collecting go hand-in-hand? Yes -- especially if you are collecting coins, stock certificates, bank notes or other rare items of value. Larry Schutts, an expert in investment-related collectibles, will review items of interest from his collection and answer your questions here each week.

Some 40 million American adults are considered collectors. While many are simply hobbyists, an increasing number are also interested in items that can enhance a diversified investment portfolio. Coins are an old favorite of folks looking for Investment-grade collectibles.

Consider the $20 gold pieces struck by the U.S. government between 1907 and 1933. These were designed by celebrated American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens and are considered by many to be the most beautiful of all United States coins.

The front features an image of Miss Liberty and the reverse, a flying eagle. The photograph shows a specimen minted in 1907 that I purchased recently for $3,000.

Continue reading Collectible Investments: 100-year old $20 gold piece up 65% in past five years

Collectible Investments: 100-year old $20 gold piece up 65% in past five years originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coinscollectiblesfeaturedgoldWed, 19 Nov 2008 19:10:00 EST