Top 12 COINS to Make Money in 2023

What will the next twelve months bring for coins?

- SCOTT A. TRAVERS

2023 looms as a crossroads for coin collecting with economic variables, including domestic and world events, all playing a part.

We continue to see emphasis on coins representing calamity and survival hedges. Consequently, the Saint-Gaudens double eagle gold coins, both common and rare, are featured in multiple picks.

Ultra-high-net-worth persons have held a commanding and growing coin market presence over the last decade. Demand from this sector for high-grade early U.S. gold coins has been feverish and unabated.

The Heritage Auctions HA.com) public sale of the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection, realized 20.5 million for just 105 lots, with 70 of those being rare U.S. gold coins. The sale and its prices represent one of the most important gold coin benchmarks of the decade.

Anyone looking at valuable U.S. coins as a collectible and investment would have to focus on early U.S. gold coins as a top pick.

All coins referred to have been certified by the Professional Coin Grading Service PCGS) or the Numismatic Guaranty Company NGC). These firms rate coins on a scale of one through 70, where one refers to a coin that is barely identifiable and 70 is perfect. Proof refers to a method of manufacture by the Mint and is not a grade. The Certified Acceptance Corporation CAC) affixes green stickers to PCGS and NGC holders of coins it feels are solid or high end for the grade.

1. EARLY U.S. GOLD COINS

Early U.S. gold coins are attractive collectibles both aesthetically and as investments in grades from About Uncirculated lightly circulated) condition through Mint State-63, 64 and 65 Gem). These are the most important coins in the marketplace. They will remain so irrespective of gold’s price performance.