Okay, let's talk silver. Specifically, those shiny, hefty 1990 1 Oz Fine Silver One Dollar coins. You know, the ones your grandma swore were going to make you rich? Remember her hoarding them like squirrels with acorns?
We've all been there. Holding one, feeling the weight, imagining a future swimming in solid silver pools a la Scrooge McDuck. Then... reality hits.
The Great Silver Disappointment
Here's my potentially unpopular opinion: those 1990 silver dollars? They're pretty, sure. Heavy? Absolutely. Going to fund your retirement? Probably not. Sorry, Grandma.
Now, before the coin collectors come at me with pitchforks, hear me out. I'm not saying they're worthless. Obviously, they contain an ounce of silver. Silver has value! But we're not talking about finding the Ark of the Covenant here.
Think about it. Everyone and their brother has one of these. Minted in huge quantities. Not exactly rare, is it? Remember when beanie babies were going to be worth a fortune? Yeah, me too. We learned a valuable lesson that day.
This isn't to say that silver, in general, is a bad investment. It definitely can be! But pinning your hopes on a single, relatively common, 1990 silver dollar seems like betting on a three-legged horse in the Kentucky Derby.
Shiny Object Syndrome
There's something inherently appealing about holding precious metals. It's primal. It taps into that instinct to hoard and protect valuable resources. We see "silver" and automatically think "treasure!" Our brains do a little happy dance.
But let's be honest with ourselves. Are we really assessing the market value, or are we just succumbing to shiny object syndrome? I'm guessing it's a little of both. At least for me it is.
And let's face it, the face value is... well, a dollar. Try buying a coffee with that. You'll be laughed out of Starbucks.
"But it's fine silver!"
I hear you shouting from the back. And yes, it's true. It *is* fine silver. That’s why it has a value above its face value. But let's not pretend we're sitting on a goldmine. It's more like a very small silver mine. A really, really small one.
So, What *Are* They Good For?
Don't get me wrong, there are definitely some good things about these coins.
- They make a cool paperweight.
- They're fun to fidget with. The weight is satisfying.
- They're a decent conversation starter. "Hey, check out this 1990 silver dollar! Know anything about it?" Prepare for glazed-over eyes.
- They *could* be a nice gift for a kid to start a collection. Maybe spark an interest in numismatics!
But as a get-rich-quick scheme? Nah. I'm just not seeing it. I’d buy lottery tickets before I’d buy a pile of these hoping to strike it rich.
The Bottom Line (According to Me, Anyway)
Look, I'm not a financial advisor. I just like to ramble about shiny things. And my personal opinion is that while 1990 1 Oz Fine Silver One Dollar coins are neat, they're probably not going to make you a millionaire. Sorry, Grandma. I still love you (and your coin collection).
So, enjoy your silver dollar. Admire its shine. Fidget with it while you contemplate more lucrative investment strategies. But maybe, just maybe, lower your expectations a tad. And if you *do* strike it rich with one of these? Please remember to send me a postcard. From your yacht.
And if you disagree with me? That's okay too. We can still be friends. Even if you think my opinion is as worthless as... well, a one dollar coin.
