"Coin collecting is a fabulous investment." So says Kentucky-based collector and dealer Jeff Garrett in a recent interview with Barron's.
And Garrett is a man who is happy to back up his words with money.
The publication reports that the 55-year-old was among a consortium of buyers to purchase the famed Walton 1913 Liberty Head Nickel for $3.2m at Heritage Auctions in April - one of just five examples.
 Garrett has a part share in the storied Walton 1913 Liberty Head Nickel |
"If you look back and see what coins have done in the last 10 years a lot of them have doubled and tripled in price," says Garrett, who has previously bought several coins beyond the $100,000 mark.
A glance at coin grading company PCGS' Key Dates and Rarities Index adds weight to his argument.
The index is up by 236% since December 1994, or 6.7% per annum - figures that stock market investors would have leapt at over recent years.
However, those new to the hobby must employ discretion.
If you're buying gold and silver coins as an investment you should be particularly careful to purchase items with numismatic value, as opposed to those simply with metal value.
This ensures that when the prices of gold and silver drop, as they have done dramatically in recent months, the coins you have in your possession are still valuable.
At Paul Fraser Collectibles we would always suggest you talk to an expert in the field (or preferably several) before parting with your money, to ensure that coin investment is definitely for you, and to avoid making a false move.
You can view several stunning British and Italian coins for sale in our online store.
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