As 2019 rolls around, advertisements will abound with promotions of 2019-dated gold and silver coins. Many ads will promote First Release or Early Release gold coins at prices hundreds of dollars above the price of bullion coins. In truth, First Release and Early Release coins are only bullion coins that have been “slabbed” (put in capsules) and “graded” (given a numeric number such as MS-69 or MS-70). Gold Eagles, Gold Buffaloes and Silver Eagles are the most frequently promoted coins. Avoid them like the plague. Here’s the catch: when you go to re-sell First Release or Early Release coins, you will likely get the same price that you would have gotten had you bought uncirculated coins, which are available at much lower prices. For more information about why First Strike and Early Release coins are not good investments, read our article First Strike and Early Release Coins, which has been on our website since 2006. Not only should First Strike and Early Release coins be shunned, but most “collectible coins” sold directly to the public by the US Mint should be also. These coins are very profitable for the Mint but rarely yield profits to the buyers. Proof gold coins, which are hugely profitable for the US Mint, are examples of coins to be avoided. In 2017, despite having been sold at hundreds of dollars above the value of their gold content, they liquidated at bullion coin prices. For more information about why to avoid promotional coins, read Want your head handed to you on a platter? Another article on this topic is The Dangers of Buying Gold.
