The numismatic market is known for desiring, even demanding top quality coins. Auctions tend to reward coins handsomely, by bringing sky-high sums of money for those in Gem condition. However, this trend of quality-equals-quantity does not always apply to the rare coin market. Rare coins, often regardless of their condition, are the most valuable because of how rare they are. Recently, at auction, a damaged 1792 Half Disme sold for $28,000. In that case, that buyer was certainly more interested in the history of the coin than the actual physical condition. This proves that not everyone buys coins solely based on quality; there are other value measures to be considered. Andrew Brunhart earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University, where he graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors. He then went on to pursue a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from University of Illinois. After obtaining this degree, he attended Walden University in Minnesota, where he received his Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration with a focus on leadership. He has served as CEO of the WSSC, and has worked for the US Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. In 2013, Andrew became the General Manager for the South Coast Water District. In this capacity, Andrew helps the Board of Directors oversee policy-making, financial stewardship, rate-setting, capital programs, and long-term planning for the District. Outside the office, Andrew loves playing golf, jogging, expanding his coin collection, and reading about leadership. For more information, check out http://andrewbrunhart.net.

1. Quality
and
Rare
Coins
By
Andrew
Brunhart
February
24,
2014
The
numismatic
market
is
known
for
desiring,
even
demanding
top
quality
coins.
Auctions
tend
to
reward
coins
handsomely,
by
bringing
sky-­‐
high
sums
of
money
for
those
in
Gem
condition.
However,
this
trend
of
quality-­‐equals-­‐quantity
does
not
always
apply
to
the
rare
coin
market.
Rare
coins,
often
regardless
of
their
condition,
are
the
most
valuable
because
of
how
rare
they
are.
Recently,
at
auction,
a
damaged
1792
Half
Disme
sold
for
$28,000.
In
that
case,
that
buyer
was
certainly
more
interested
in
the
history
of
the
coin
than
the
actual
physical
condition.
This
proves
that
not
everyone
buys
coins
solely
based
on
quality;
there
are
other
value
measures
to
be
considered.
Other
cases
of
coins
with
poor
quality
that
performed
well
at
auction
include
1895
Proof
Morgan
Dollars.
Some
can
go
for
$60,000
and
even
with
considerable
wear
the
coins
have
sold
for
$35,000.
Those
who
collect
Morgan
Dollars
are
not
as
interested
in
quality,
their
main
objective
is
to
assemble
a
collection
with
as
many
as
possible.
Collectors
have
increased
demand
for
these
coins
in
recent
years
and
many
who
pursue
series
will
make
compromises
with
quality
in
order
to
get
the
coin.
Another
example
of
a
coin
with
low
grade,
but
a
lot
of
worth
is
the
1929
Double
Eagle.
Most
of
the
Double
Eagle’s
were
melted
down
in
1930,
which
makes
the
existing
coins
very
valuable,
despite
poor
conditions.
Yet
another
example
of
a
lower
grade
coin
is
the
1804
Bust
Silver
Dollar.
A
few
years
ago
a
buyer
purchased
a
circulated
silver
dollar
for
$2,000,000.
In
this
case,
the
buyer
wanted
the
publicity
associated
with
owning
one
of
the
greatest
coins
ever
minted,
even
it
wasn’t
in
the
best
conditions.
These
examples
stand
to
show
that
top
quality
coins
are
not
everything.
In
the
numismatic
market
there
are
plenty
of
valuable
worn
coins.
Andrew
Brunhart
earned
his
Bachelor
of
Science
in
Electrical
Engineering
from
Marquette
University,
where
he
graduated
with
Magna
Cum
Laude
honors.
He
then

2. went
on
to
pursue
a
Master
of
Science
in
Electrical
Engineering
from
University
of
Illinois.
After
obtaining
this
degree,
he
attended
Walden
University
in
Minnesota,
where
he
received
his
Ph.D.
in
Public
Policy
and
Administration
with
a
focus
on
leadership.
He
has
served
as
CEO
of
the
WSSC,
and
has
worked
for
the
US
Mint
and
the
Bureau
of
Engraving
and
Printing.
In
2013,
Andrew
became
the
General
Manager
for
the
South
Coast
Water
District.
In
this
capacity,
Andrew
helps
the
Board
of
Directors
oversee
policy-­‐making,
financial
stewardship,
rate-­‐setting,
capital
programs,
and
long-­‐
term
planning
for
the
District.
Outside
the
office,
Andrew
loves
playing
golf,
jogging,
expanding
his
coin
collection,
and
reading
about
leadership.
For
more
information,
check
out
andrewbrunhart.net.