What advantages do rare coins have over gold, silver or platinum bullion?
 
Recent studies have concluded that United States rare coins are superior to bullion as a portfolio diversifying tool. In fact, rare coins tend to reduce the volatility and risk in an investment portfolio far better than bullion while also adding a greater return on investment. United States rare coins have averaged an impressive 14.3% per year return for the past 25 years while the average return for gold bullion is 3.1% for the same time frame. In addition to a greater annual return, rare coins can be bought and sold privately. As a result, many clients who originally own or are interested in bullion purchases ultimately invest in numismatics or convert all or part of their holdings into a rare U.S. rare coin portfolio.

How long should an investment portfolio of rare coins be held?
Traditionally, it is recommended that an investor in numismatic coins have a time horizon of a minimum of 4 to 5 years. However, there may be profit opportunities that present themselves at any time during the investment life of a portfolio of rare coins. The "Profit Opportunity Program" at Rare Coins of New Hampshire is in place to periodically monitor each investment portfolio and inform both the investor and financial advisor of any profit opportunities that exist.

How liquid is an investment in rare coins?
Investment grade numismatic coins are extremely liquid. Rare coins are as liquid as or, in many cases, more liquid than many other financial vehicles. In fact, certified rare coins are actively traded over an international coin exchange with established bid and ask prices. As a result, individual components or an entire numismatic investment portfolio can be liquidated at any time with the proceeds of the sale available almost immediately.

What professional licenses are needed to recommend rare coins?
There are no special licenses required of a financial professional to recommend and sell United States rare coins.

Is it necessary for a Financial Advisor or client to become a coin expert before recommending or investing in the market?
Absolutely not. For example, just as money managers and financial analysts make investment recommendations and decisions for mutual fund components, so too, do the numismatic experts at Rare Coins of New Hampshire select the appropriate coins to be placed in the investment portfolios we construct. Based upon client information that is solicited in our new account forms, the professionals in our numismatic department custom select each coin to best meet our clients' investment objectives. Whether a client is aggressive or conservative, long term oriented or has a 4 to 5 year time horizon, a diversified portfolio of rare coins will be personally selected based upon clients' individual needs and objectives by our industry wide known and respected numismatic team.

How have rare coins performed as an investment vehicle?
There have been several important investment reports that have been released in recent years, all of which have reported impressive gains that have been made by investment quality United States rare coins. The Coin Universe 3000, a rare coin index compiled by The Professional Coin Grading Service, http://www.pcgs.com, tracks the monthly price movement since 1970 for all important, frequently traded coins. The index is comprised of 732 different coins in up to nine different grades totaling 3000 individual prices. The CU 3000 index has an extremely impressive long term track record having appreciated in excess of 5,000% since 1970! Another report states that investment quality numismatic coins are the number one performing financial vehicle having averaged 14.3% per year for the last 25 years.

How can Financial Advisors and their clients keep track of the performance of an investment portfolio of rare coins?
Rare Coins of New Hampshire recommends that every portfolio of numismatic coins be appraised every 6 months. Each Rare Coins of New Hampshire's portfolio appraisal reports each coin's actual cash out price so Financial Advisors and their clients always know the current liquidation value of their investment portfolio of numismatic coins. In addition to providing current liquidation values, our portfolio evaluations will also make portfolio realignment recommendations when appropriate as well as reporting any profit opportunities.

Can United States rare coins be placed in retirement accounts or used in charitable gifting?
As a result of the Economic Recovery Act of 1981, most tangible assets, including rare coins, are restricted from being included in Individual Retirement Accounts. However, rare coins certainly can be placed in defined benefit plans. In addition, rare coin portfolios are quite popular investment vehicles utilized for charitable gifts. Johns Hopkins University, Yale University, Boy's Town of Nebraska, The Scripp's Institute, The American Heart Association as well as the Diocese of Buffalo have all used or received rare coins in their charitable portfolios. Rare coins can be gifted privately and offer attractive tax considerations for the donor.

How are investment orders placed with Rare Coins of New Hampshire?
Simply download and fill out the three order forms that are available by clicking on the Documents button located on the Financial Services Division homepage on this website. Send the completed forms along with a check made payable to Rare Coins of New Hampshire to the following address:

                                     Rare Coins of New Hampshire
                                                               Financial Services Division
                                                               The Ocean Bank Building
                                                                28 Jones Road
                                                                Milford, NH  03055