Civil War relics: Better than stocks and bonds?
I recall that years ago when I was digging several artillery shells every day or every week, that when I dug a simple round ball, say an 8″ shell, or a 12 pounder Borman fused shell, I would be disappointed to the point I would want to throw the thing back in the hole from whence it came. Hotchkiss shell noses were the same. Only when I dug a nice James, or a Schenkl, or a Dahlgren, etc., would I consider the trip worthwhile. For purposes of trading or selling, a James I or II was worth $40, but a 12 or 24 pounder Borman-fused ball was practically valueless. Those days are gone, of course. The value of James shells, and even those “worthless” round balls, is about twenty times what it was then. Buckles and plates and certain other CW relics have experienced an even greater increase in value. What interests me now, though, is… what does the future hold for these artifacts? And how does the Civil War collectible market compare to others, for example, rare coins? I’ve seen no figures for the rate of return for CW relics, but for coins there are sources that indicate yearly returns of between 2% and 8% for each year since 1950. I’ve also read that since 1871 the stock market has returned an average of 6.3% each year. So, how does that compare with CW relics? Perhaps the best way to determine that rate of return is to compare values listed in the first North-South Trader Price Guide dated late 1974 with the latest guide dated late 2006 - a period of 32 years. This yields the following comparisons (utilizing the lowest number for excavated artifacts): Common US buckle 18/275; Eagle shoulder plate 10/150; Rect CS 2-pc plate 675/13000; CS oval belt plate 235/2000; James 3.8″ shell 35/650; Parrott 10 pdr shell 10/175; Sawyer 3.67″ shell 80/1500; 8″ grape complete 45/3500. Obviously these comparisons are not a scientific sampling. But it can be seen from the context shown that the value of CW relics has risen 1000% to 2000% in the space of 32 years, a rate of return that compares very favorably with the aforementioned rare coins and stocks. If I were transported back to 1974 and had the choice, I know which investment vehicle I would choose. Now, what does the future hold? Comments invited. 