I was toying with getting one of the Mark Twain gold commemoratives from the U.S. Mint. From a collectible point of view what's better to collect, uncirculated or proof? Or does it make a difference? I notice it's just a $5 difference between the two. Also, the Mint acts like these things won't be on sale after the 29th, do you think that's true or just marketing? Here's the links to the coin: https://catalog.usmint.gov/mark-twain-commemorative-gold-coin/
I believe it is true that it won't be on sale after then, and I have been thinking about getting one of those and the national park ones. I would be getting the unc version. Both have low mintages so far, so might be future keys. That does not promise to be profitable though. Most times proof holds it's value a little better, but if the uncs are the key, they might. I prefer the unc look too.
The mint won't be selling them once the predetermined sales date has past at least online maybe the mints retail locations would be. Either way much like every other recent modern yearly gold commemorative they are likely to end up as bullion.
Just get the one you like better, if you can't afford both. IIRC, with modern commems in general, the UNC sell less than the proof, so if low mintage is what you're after, I would go UNC.
I've looked at a couple Proof/UNC versions of gold coins. Of the few I've looked at, the Mint tends to make more Proofs than Uncirculated, and the UNC tends to appreciate better, assuming it's a design in demand. But do some research I've only looked at a few and perused a Redbook.
It's not an act. Several items "go off sale forever" at noon ET Dec 29th: https://catalog.usmint.gov/featured...AIL&utm_content=HeroImage&utm_source=Campaign
As a general rule, the UNC mintages tend to be lower. That said...I prefer to buy the proofs because I think they look better. Most modern gold coins are worth about the same either way. I'd buy which ever you like more.
ok. I was thinking the days when Franklin Mint was in all the malls and thinking the US Mint was similar. But I couldn't figure out why they would do that as they have limited product. edit: Oh my ... I was curious if the Franklin Mint was still around (haven't looked in decades) and saw they have real $2 and Half dollars emblassened with our 45th presidents' colorized images.
The production reports on these seem to indicate low mintages relative to previous years. Any thoughts? I like the designs, especially the silver dollar, but it seems like nearly every commemorative ends up available for much less on the secondary market...
For eye appeal, I personally prefer Proofs. But with many modern commemoratives the US mint has put out in recent years, Proof mintages exceed the UNC mintages, so one has to weigh which might be more in demand in the future, I suppose.
The Franklin Mint NAME lives on, in other collectables, but not coins or medals. The PEOPLE who were the coinage experts at Franklin are now the Keystone Mint. Google is your friend here. BTW, I GREATLY prefer the Uncs. Mirror proofs just look gimmicky to me. Eventually, low mintage ALWAYS carries the day, regardless what matters in the nearer years.
