# How well do "proof"-quality coins hold their value?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-do-proof-quality-coins-hold-their-value/472394>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 12, 2008, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-do-proof-quality-coins-hold-their-value/472394 "2008-11-12T19:13:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-do-proof-quality-coins-hold-their-value/472394/21 "2008-11-13T13:07:33Z")

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> [@samclem](#):
>
> While they are way cooler, they currently have a big premium over gold value. I’ve seen the day when that premium all but disappears. Your call.

What sort of day would that be? Past? Future? Some time when gold is really high, or low, or some other factor?

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**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\
**Post date:** [November 14, 2008, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-do-proof-quality-coins-hold-their-value/472394/22 "2008-11-14T00:27:09Z")

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> [@Cosmic Relief](#):
>
> What sort of day would that be? Past? Future? Some time when gold is really high, or low, or some other factor?

Rather arbitrary. I remember when gold was about $300/ounce eight years back. You could buy a St. Gaudens $20 for $375. There were few “investors” in the market at that time.

I also remember when gold was about $300/ounce in early 1985. I was at a coin show, the US dollar was king–it was kicking butt against the currencies of Europe. The English pound was $1.02, the DM was about .30, the Dutch Guilder was .25 I was having the time of my life buying $20 gold pieces from the Germans. My currency was so strong. BUT…I was paying $600-700 for these. A remarkable premium.

So, you see, you just don’t know what’s what.

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**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2008, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-do-proof-quality-coins-hold-their-value/472394/23 "2008-11-16T19:05:47Z")

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> [@samclem](#):
>
> With gold at $710 US, approximately, a sovereign contains about .2354 oz. of pure gold. Multiplying that out, the bullion value would be $[167.US](http://167.US). You could probably find a dealer to sell you one for anywhere between $177.-190, depending on their demand. Most gold is selling for a good premium right now as there are more buyers than sellers.

thanks for this info.

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