Obama Coins As An Investment – Yay Or Nay?
The Obama coins had already appeared in the inventory of numerous dealers for quite a while, even before the first black president of the United States was elected. However, these coins were not created in the official government mints, but rather by smaller private ones. These coins are without a doubt attractive collectibles, but mainly because of the popularity and mixed feelings generated by Obama’s actions and measures. In other words, whether you support him or fully disagree with the way he runs the country and blame him for the current state of affairs, Obama’s presidency represents an important historical turning point.
How much do Obama coins cost?
The price of the Obama coins depends primarily on where they have been minted and the dealer’s policy. The least expensive versions are sold for $9.95, but you also have to account for the shipping fees, meaning that the real price is close to $15. On the other hand, the most expensive Obama coins are sold for up to $30 each.
Purchasing the Obama coins for their sentimental value
If you’re planning to acquire a few Obama coins for yourself or as a gift to friends or neighbors who are diehard supporters of the current US president, that’s totally fine. As previously mentioned, he is the type of leader who generates strong emotions. The problem arises when the emotional side takes over and you want to believe that these coins can actually constitute a feasible investment. Let’s find out why you shouldn’t let the marketing campaign for these bullion trick you into a terrible purchase.
Investing in Obama coins: Yay or Nay?
The promotional campaign for the “rare” and “limited edition” Obama coinage is jam packed with footage illustrating the president in various heartwarming situations. You’ll see him down in the crowds talking to the average Joe, lots of patriotic flags fluttering in the wind, the whole deal. However, they also erroneously refer to these coins as Presidential Inaugural Dollars.
What are they really? Defaced Presidential Dollars colorized with the application of a decal in a process that utilizes hot glue to permanently attach the face of Obama over the ones of the Founding Fathers! The result? A zero value bullion – from the numismatist’s point of view of course – since the original inscription on the coinage was destroyed in the process. In addition, the medium used to create the bullion – the Presidential Dollars – can be acquisitioned for $1. Do you still think that Obama coins make a good investment?
The US Mint and the PNG issued warnings against these coins
Even the authorities felt compelled to warn the public that the Obama bullions do not constitute as rare coins and therefore it shouldn’t be perceived as an investment by numismatists. They clearly stated that these coins are nothing more than souvenirs. In the light of these facts, it is safe to assume that purchasing them for anything else than gifts or as memorabilia is contraindicated. No serious coin dealer will ever try to pass these dollars as rare coinage or tell buyers that it holds any intrinsic value.
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Taneli Perätalo