Jim Bisognani: Evaluating Coins With Character(s)

Barring a cataclysmic change to New Hampshire’s traditional weather patterns, we are just a dusting or two of snow away from truly welcoming spring! Let me tell you, just the sight of some patches of green grass poking through the crusty remnant of snow is a true delight. I mean, it has to be spring: This edition of the Weekly Market Report posts on the opening day for Major League Baseball!

This is truly an exciting time of year. I may even be more excited about the change of season than coins. Well, OK — almost.

The present coin market has no parallel to anything I’ve seen in my lifetime, and it has led us all on an unprecedented journey. For the better part of three consecutive years, collector coins and high-end numismatic rarities have set the numismatic market on edge with their resiliency and strength.

Although numismatic items are still not realizing the same prices as other vintage and contemporary collectibles — such as comic books, sports cards and trading cards — they are commanding a new measure of respect. Yet, for all the notoriety and heightened demand, I pause when I hear opinions that coins should be commanding similar prices when compared to the aforementioned collectibles.

The fact of the matter remains what many have been touched on before, in my opinion. Rarities and key dates coins are amassing gigantic sums at auction and shows, but these big-ticket items are not what drives the numismatic market. For better or for worse, many classic collector coins — those residing in the mid-range and lower price points (say $100 to around $1,500) — are just not relevant to the current generation of collectors, and that is reflected in the present market.

Sure, Walking Liberty Half Dollars are nice, but they lack the excitement and pizazz of a First Edition Superman or Batman comic; a Michael Jordan rookie card; a Tom Brady autographed rookie card or even a Mickey Mantle autographed baseball. You get the idea here.

1916 Walking Liberty Half Dollar from the NGC Coin Explorer Click images to enlarge.

The truth is, the majority of coindexters dealing and trading in classic US coins are nearly my age or older. If you have any doubts next time you cruise around the bourse at a major show, please take note of those guys and gals staffing the tables. I would be willing to wager that most were born prior to the first airing of “I Love Lucy” on TV.

For many of the younger generation, coins are what their dad and grandad fussed with and collected. To be sure, there is a variety — in fact, a world of variety — of coins to choose from. But how to attract and keep this younger generation hooked?

Personally, I never had an attraction to the plethora of NCLT (non-circulating legal tender) coins from a host of island nations. Although never a favorite of mine, many enjoy the novelty of having the Simpsons, Peanuts, Disney and DC characters embossed on sundry copper-nickel, silver and gold coins.

As an example, let’s look at a coin that is produced by the New Zealand Mint for Niue. Niue lies some 1,500 miles off the coast of New Zealand, and this self-governing island nation — whose land mass is a 1/10 of the state of Rhode Island — has its country’s name emblazoned on many coins.

The attraction, other than being a pop culture commemorative, is that most of these coins are produced in very limited quantity. This is the case with the 2022 $2 Silver Proof series “Faces of Gotham.” The coins in the seven-piece set each feature one of the main characters trolling about Gotham City and are each limited to a mintage of 5,000. I noticed one seller on eBay offer the seven-piece set, each graded NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo, for $1,850.

Six 2022 $2 "Faces of Gotham" Silver Proof coins, each graded NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo

Each coin is produced in the shape of the character, with the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, Niue and the denomination on the reverse.

2022 Faces of Gotham $2 Silver Proof Click images to enlarge.

Regarding coins from Niue, one major seller of Niue coins states on their website:

“Did you know that some of the most collectible coins in the world come from a very small island in the middle of the South Pacific? That’s right; silver coins from Niue have a large collector following, because the range of collectible coins span from traditional commemorative designs to cartoon themes. This small Pacific island has become a big player in the global coin collecting market with its innovative designs and finishes, making this Niue currency very desirable.” 

Although I doubt these collectibles produced by the New Zealand Mint will ever be true numismatic rarities, hope springs eternal that every “Joker” $2 bullion coin sold will inspire a future numismatic collector.

My own coins with character(s)

I will confess: I do like coins that feature Snoopy and other Peanuts characters, and I did buy a “glow in the dark” coin from Canada’s RCM back in 2016. The draw was “Northern Lights in the Moonlight.” Limited to a mintage of only 4,000, when I first viewed the preview on the Royal Canadian Mint’s website, I knew I had to snag one for Beth. She would love the major elements here — the Northern lights and wolves. This $30 face value silver coin sold out within a day or two after it first went live. Yes, I did secure one.

2016 RCM "Northern Lights in the Moonlight" Silver $30 Click images to enlarge.

I must admit, the technology for producing a glow-in-the-dark coin is a fascinating modern “minting” marvel. When viewed in a darkened room, the results are quite astounding. Take a look below at the photos of our coin. Hey, it is #42, and I believe these have increased in value on the secondary market.

Jim's 2016 RCM "Northern Lights in the Moonlight" Silver $30 glowing in the dark

To be a collector, there must be an inspiration, whether it's Lady Liberty, Abraham Lincoln, Batman, Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, odd-shaped coins or coins that glow in the dark. I am still (secretly) hoping that Woody Woodpecker will make his appearance on some coin of the realm.

Until next time, be safe and happy collecting!

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