Most are familiar with the age-old Christmas song, ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’. It’s become a tradition during Christmas in more ways than one.

The first through its lyrics that are joyfully song during the holidays. The second way is through the financial and interesting aspects of the ‘12 Days of Christmas’ Price Index.

According to PNC Wealth Management, who created the light-hearted Christmas Price Index 23 years ago, the cost to buy your true love everything in the list is now $19,507. That’s an increase of 3.1% over last year. (Interesting, the PNC Christmas Index trends closely with the Consumer Price Index.)

What’s a big price jumper in the list? For bullion investors and coin collectors, that’s not a hard one to guess - the “5 Golden Rings”. It’s up 21.5% and will now cost $395.

If there’s any good news for coin collectors, it’s the fact that you can still buy your true love a gold ring for Christmas. Unfortunately, one item many coin collectors would like to receive in return - uncirculated 2007 gold American Eagles coins - is less likely to happen given the U.S. Mint’s ever-lasting eagle suspensions. But that’s another story…

Read the rest of this entry »

Giving coins for gifts on birthdays, graduations, Christmas and other special events has exploded in recent years. The 50 State Quarters© Program started back in 1999 helped nudge up coin collecting and coin gift giving. The new Presidential $1 Coins program started this year will likely continue the momentum.

Many coin dealers and their websites showcase "Gift Idea" products. With all the choices out there, what makes a good coin gift? When should you start? Can coin gifts start someone down the path to coin collecting? How much should you spend? Let’s tackle these questions and more!

Giving Complete Coin Collections as Gifts

Read the rest of this entry »