Fastest Appreciating Gold & Silver Coins

Average 5-Year Price Increase (2003 low to 2008 high)

1. Ecuador 1 Condor Gold (1928): +1100%

In September 2008, the rare 1/4 ounce Ecuadorian gold coin sold for a record price of $2,800 on Ebay Live Auctions. Estimates during the time of the sale were only between $ 1,000 and 1,200, with previous sales averaging $ 1,250.

Unknown to many collectors, the Condor has long been undervalued. Just 5 years ago, its estimated value was only $ 300 per NYINC Signature Auctions, but coins sold for even less. Since a limited number were minted in a single year (1928), collectors have finally realized its rarity. In fact, it's been months since we've seen the coin listed for sale anywhere.

2. France 5 Francs Louis-Philippe (1830-46): +750%

Depicting the "Gentleman King," the 5 Franc silver coin is a great complement to any collection. In spite of the recent correction in the silver prices, the Louis-Philippe has maintained its enormous price-to-silver ratio. Considering that the market price of silver is presently at about $14 an ounce, it's easy to see why this .90 oz. silver coin is such a good investment.

Although the average circulated coin sells for roughly $75, Heritage Auctions sold an 1846 dated coin in good condition for $195. Other scarce coin dates are 1831-W, 1834-W, and 1842-W, each minted in Lille and currently listed between $150 and as much as $375 on Ebay.

3. Coronet Double Eagle (1849-1907): +500%

Also known as the Liberty Head, this one ounce coin has recently become one of America's most popular historic coins. The rarest types are the 1879-O and 1886, which sell for over $20,000. Numismatic experts suggest that prices may slow down, but the low mintage and wide accumulation of the coin cannot be ignored

4. Morgan Silver Dollar (1878-1904): +480%

Many Americans have at one time or another possessed a Morgan. Produced mainly from the silver at Comstock Lode, Nevada, the Morgan was for a couple of decades the face of American currency. Although hundreds of millions were minted and circulated, they're an essential part of nearly every American numismatic collection.

Mintage dates range from 1878 to 1904, as well as one other year, 1921. Because the price of silver increased nearly 400% from 2003-2008, these coins, which have always carried a premium over market prices are amongst the fastest appreciating coins in the world. Circulated, common date coins currently average roughly $25, which is still more than 75% higher than silver's current market price. However, the most scarce dates can fetch $400 or more: 1879-CC (Carson City), 1880-CC, 1881-CC, 1886-S, 1888-S, 1889-S, 1893, 1894, 1895, and 1899.

5. Peace Silver Dollar (1921-35): +400%

Another "must have", the Peace dollar is loved by investors and coin collectors around the world. Investors also use the coin as it has always maintained a significant premium over the market price of silver.

After production of the Morgan was halted, Peace dollars were minted from 1921-28, 1934-35, then again in 1964. Scarce dates include 1921 and each year after 1927 and sell for $100 and higher. Common date coins sell for an average of $22, still 60% higher than the current market price of silver.

6. Walking Liberty Silver Half Dollars (1916-47): +400%

What was widely available on Ebay just a few years ago, the Walking Liberty halves are harder and harder to find. Although they're less than half an ounce, they currently sell for the price of a whole ounce of silver bullion.

The rarest dates are 1916-17, 1919, 1921, 1928, but the most valuable is the double reverse 1946-P.

7. Silver Bullion Coins (Recent Dates): +400%

These coins include the American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, Mexican Peso, Australian Silver Ounce etc. Widely owned and universally identifiable, they've always been attractive to investors and collectors alike.

As the price of silver skyrocketed 360% from 2003-2008, these coins have as well. Nonetheless, when prices corrected by as much as 40% last year, these coins maintained most of their value -- proving that they're more than just bullion.

8. Buffalo Head Gold Ounce (2006): +400% (considering an annualized rate of 80%)

Although these coins haven't been around for 5 years, they've quickly become a favorite amongst collectors. Months after the US mint issued them in June 2006, they became available on Ebay for as little as $600. Now, the average cost is $1,250, well above the present market price of gold. Since its debut, the Buffalo head has appreciated at an annual rate of 80%.

9. Uruguay 5 Pesos Artigas Gold (1930): +360%

Minted only in 1930, this 1/4 ounce gold coin fetches about $360, about 50% higher than the market price of gold. According to the Standard Catalogue of World Gold Coins, "Only 14,415 were released. Remainder withheld."

There's speculation that the unknown amount of remaining coins were released by the Central Bank of Argentina during its 1998 currency crisis. It may still be possible to find the coins on Ebay and with major rare coin dealers but don't expect to find them so easily in the future.

10. Austria 100 Coronas Gold Ounce (1915): +315%

Five years ago, the Austrian coin was so undervalued that it was selling for as much as or often less the market price of gold. Today, the coin sells for an average of $1,100, more than 20% higher than gold's current market price.

One of the first gold ounce (.90 purity) coins minted in the world, the 100 Coronas depicts Emperor Franz Joseph I. Minted between 1908 and 1915, the most common date is 1915. Fewer and fewer are available and almost none from early years are found on Ebay or with major coin dealers.

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