Portfolio Strategy: Collecting and Investing in Sets

Most investors today know the value of diversification and including precious metals in their portfolios. Rare coin sets can be an important part of that, as well as offering an opportunity to collect a piece of the past. In truth, today many investors are also collectors and vice versa – the line between the two has become increasingly fuzzy as it’s become apparent that the qualities of outstanding coin collections also produce outstanding portfolios.

Building a set

While there are a number of ways to build sets, the two basic forms of sets are "type" and "series." A type set is made up of all those coins sharing a single, specific characteristic such as design, designer, or denomination. A series consists of one coin from each date and mint of a particular type.

Other strategies include collecting by:

• Die variety
• Historical period
• Mint mark
• Individual year or first and last year of issue of a particular coin

Coin sets as collectibles

Whether you choose coin sets for their historical significance or their sheer beauty, collecting can be a very enjoyable hobby. For serious collectors, experts suggest following these steps:

• Formulate a strategy
• Buy coins carefully over a period of years
• Hold them for the long term and then
• Liquidate them when an appropriate opportunity presents itself

Coin sets as investments

In terms of return on investment, coin sets can be a wise choice. Many collections have been sold as a whole for more than the total value of the individual coins. When looking at sets s an investment, an investor should follow the same methods as a collector:

Where to start

Blanchard and Company, Inc. recommends the following sets. These Word documents will list the coins in the set - check each one off as you acquire them.

Recommended Sets Checklist

• The Collection - 14 Coin Proof U.S. Gold Set (MS Word Document, 76K Download)
• St. Gaudens Double Eagle Set (MS Word Document, 209K Download)
• States Silver Commemorative Set (MS Word Document, 119K Download)
• Gold Commemorative Set (MS Word Document, 749K Download)
• The Collection - Early Gold Type Set (MS Word Document, 76K Download)
• Double Eagle Type Set (MS Word Document, 496K Download)
• Dahlonga Gold Type Set w/ Varieties (MS Word Document, 178K Download)
• Civil War Set (MS Word Document, 76K Download)
• Complete 34 Coin United States Gold Type Set (MS Word Document, 928K Download)
• Carson City - Morgan Dollar Collection (MS Word Document, 846K Download)
• Morgan Dollar Collection (MS Word Document, 106K Download)
• The Charlotte Gold Type Set (MS Word Document, 182K Download)
• The New Orleans Mint United States Gold Type Set (MS Word Document, 81K Download)
• Early Gold Type Set (MS Word Document, 76K Download)
• 14 Coin U.S. Gold Type Set (MS Word Document, 76K Download)
• Dahlonega 9 Coin Type Set (MS Word Document, 180K Download)
• Four Piece U.S.Gold Set (MS Word Document, 69K Download)
• Eight Piece U.S.Gold Set (MS Word Document, 74K Download)
• $2 1/2 Indian Set (MS Word Document, 520K Download)
• $10 and $20 U.S. Gold Type Set (MS Word Document, 1.05M Download)
• $5 Indian Set (MS Word Document, 706K Download)
• 144 Silver Commemorative Set (MS Word Document, 112K Download)

Need more help with sets? Call 1-800-880-4653 today and a Blanchard and Company, Inc. Account Executive can assist with your set building.