Investing in Americana – Old Semi-Numismatic U.S. Gold Coins

Investing in Americana - Old Semi-Numismatic U.S. Gold Coins
Pre-1933 semi-numismatic U.S. gold coins – like this 1904 Liberty Head quarter eagle ($2.50) gold piece struck in Philadelphia – are compelling investments that combine intrinsic and collector’s value.  Premiums on semi-numismatic U.S. gold have collapsed in recent years, granting hard asset investors a unique opportunity to acquire these premiere tangible assets cheaply.

Choice, the presence of good options in one’s life, is a great thing.  It can give you a sense of freedom as well as control.  Unfortunately, many of us today have fewer good options than we might prefer.  This is particularly the case when investing.  Among the traditional investment classes, many stocks seem egregiously overvalued while most bonds don’t seem much better.  However, there is one overlooked investment that is still a great choice: old, semi-numismatic U.S. gold coins.

Numismatics derives from the ancient Greek word for “coin” and refers to the study or collecting of coins.  Therefore, numismatic coins, unlike common circulating pocket change, are pieces with special value to collectors.  Semi-numismatic coins, therefore, trade partially on their bullion value and partially on their collector’s value, including their condition, design and history.

All semi-numismatic U.S. gold coins were struck at least 85 years ago, before 1933, when the United States was still on a classical gold standard.  These beautiful and historic tangible investments feature some of the most aesthetically pleasing coin designs the U.S. has ever issued.  Perhaps most importantly, semi-numismatic U.S. gold coins are the material expression of frontier America’s industry, invention and optimism.  In short, they are the physical embodiment of traditional Americana stamped into solid gold.

Struck in 900 fine gold, these high denomination coins not only circulated freely in the Old West and the Great Plains, but also in the big East Coast cities like Boston, Washington D.C. and New York.  In addition, many dates and denominations were minted in substantial quantities, ensuring a significant number have survived to the present.  This is a great boon to modern-day tangible asset investors as it ensures there is a ready supply of these remarkable old coins available.

It is vital to understand the concept of premium when discussing semi-numismatic gold coins.  The term “premium” refers to the amount over its bullion value that a coin sells for.

 

$5.00 Liberty Head (Half Eagle) Gold Coins for Sale on eBay

(This is an affiliate link for which I may be compensated)

 

South African Krugerrands, Canadian Maple Leafs and other bullion coins generally sell for premiums of less than 10%.  But a 2,300 year old ancient Greek gold stater coin bearing the image of Alexander the Great is a strictly numismatic piece, with a premium of several hundred percent or more.  Pre-1933 semi-numismatic U.S. gold coins trade between these two extremes with premiums that range from about 10% to around 100% of their bullion value.

This exceptional positioning makes old U.S. gold coins especially attractive investments.  When you buy a semi-numismatic gold coin, most of what you are buying is gold, the bedrock of any good tangible asset portfolio.  But semi-numismatic gold coins also include a modest dose of collector’s value, which is reflected in the premium.

These two components – bullion value and numismatic value – do not always move in lockstep.  This gives semi-numismatic gold coins two distinct, non-correlated return components.  Non-correlated assets are the holy grail of modern investment theory, as they provide diversification.

Worried about gold declining in value?  No problem, the numismatic value of your coin may rise to offset a drop in the gold price.  Likewise, a falling numismatic premium may be balanced by a rise in precious metal prices.  In the best case scenario, you “win” twice via a rising gold price and rising premiums.  Of course, in a worst case scenario both the bullion value and numismatic premium of an old gold coin can decline.  Thankfully, this is a very rare occurrence.

 

$10.00 Indian Head (Eagle) Gold Coins for Sale on eBay

(This is an affiliate link for which I may be compensated)

 

It is important to point out that semi-numismatic U.S. gold coins have underperformed gold bullion over the last 15 years or so.  Why has this happened?  Well, the price of bullion is generally driven by economic instability and fear of currency debasement.  And the last 15 years has seen a lot of both of those things with the Great Financial Crisis of 2008-2009 and global central banks’ subsequent policy of Quantitative Easing (money printing).  Hence, the price of gold has risen strongly over that period.

Numismatic premiums, in contrast, are driven largely by strong economic growth and a booming economy.  In fact, there is a direct relationship between the size of a country’s GDP and its coin prices.  When a country’s economy is healthy and incomes rise, some of that wealth naturally bids up the value of collector’s coin.  Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a shock that the recently stagnate U.S. economy has been reflected in broadly lower premiums for semi-numismatic U.S. gold coins.

Investors shouldn’t buy numismatic coins in anticipation of the end of the financial world.  Instead, numismatics is a play on financial recovery – the economic dawn after the recessionary night.  And while I strongly advocate that people buy bullion to protect themselves against severe economic dislocation, I also think it is prudent to invest in numismatics in the expectation of happier and more prosperous times in the future.  Old semi-numismatic U.S. gold coins conveniently allow the savvy investor to do both in a single investment vehicle.

Some people, primarily bullion and rare coin dealers, don’t like semi-numismatic gold coins.  You can read many internet articles by bullion dealers decrying how well-intentioned, but ignorant investors got scammed into paying outrageously high prices for old, common-date U.S. gold coins when they could have done much better just buying plain, no-frills gold bullion.

Of course, if you’re scammed into overpaying for any investment, you can expect to do poorly.  So this is hardly a convincing argument.

 

$20.00 Liberty Head (Double Eagle) Gold Coins for Sale on eBay

(This is an affiliate link for which I may be compensated)

 

But bullion dealers also have another objection which is partially valid.  They correctly claim that you will always be able to buy more ounces of physical gold for a given amount of money when buying bullion coins compared to semi-numismatic gold coins.  But this criticism misses the point.

The numismatic premium that you pay for old gold coins is a potential source of future return.  The premium level has the possibility of moving independently from the underlying price of gold.  This gives rise to a financial idea known as optionality.  In brief, numismatic optionality is the potential for a collector’s coin to rapidly increase in value at some indeterminate point in the future.  An ingot of gold bullion, in contrast, possesses no numismatic optionality and is always completely dependent on the whims of the gold price.

Rare coin dealers also often criticize semi-numismatic gold coins.  These self-interested dealers claim that only really rare gold coins make good investments.  Semi-numismatic U.S. gold coins are relatively common, having been struck by the tens of millions.  And, although huge quantities have been melted since their demonetization in the 1930s, these coins are still readily available in the marketplace.

Rare coin dealers’ assertion that only extremely rare and expensive coins make good investments is mostly based on the fact that this same class of coins has experienced superb investment performance over the last 20 years.  But these abnormally high returns have been largely driven by the rise of the super rich over the same time period – our modern day robber baron class.  These nouveau riche U.S. gold coin collectors have collectively poured hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars into their collecting passion.

 

$5.00 Indian Head (Half Eagle) Gold Coins for Sale on eBay

(This is an affiliate link for which I may be compensated)

 

This insatiable market demand has driven up the prices of legitimately rare U.S. gold coins to tremendous heights.  In fact, it is doubtful if much investment upside remains in this part of the U.S. coin market.  However, old semi-numismatic U.S. gold coins have been largely left behind, ignored in the rush to cater to bullion buyers on the one side and ultra-wealthy collectors on the other.

The historical origins of pre-1933 semi-numismatic U.S. gold coins add to their investment allure.  In the late 1830s, the designs of the U.S. $2.50, $5.00 and $10.00 gold coins were updated by Christian Gobrecht, the Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint.  These iconic American coins, known as the Liberty Head series, feature a bust of the personification of Liberty wearing a coronet on the obverse.  An eagle clutching an olive branch and bundle of arrows with its wings spread graces the reverse.

The Liberty Head series of U.S. gold coins were minted with only minor variations for approximately 70 years, from 1838 to 1908.  These coins were, in many ways, foundational to the identity of the young American nation.  They were witness to every major episode of U.S. history during this time, from the devastation of the Civil War to the taming of the Old West to the establishment of the National Park System.

Until the late 1840s the gold eagle, or $10.00 gold coin, was the highest denomination piece struck by the United States Mint.  However, the discovery of a major gold find in California in 1848 prompted the U.S. government to investigate the striking of an even larger denomination gold coin, the legendary double eagle, or $20.00 piece.  A unique Liberty Head design was created by Chief Engraver James B. Longacre for the new double eagle denomination and introduced into circulation in 1850.  It was issued with few changes until its discontinuation in 1907.

 

$10.00 Liberty Head (Eagle) Gold Coins for Sale on eBay

(This is an affiliate link for which I may be compensated)

 

In the first decade of the 20th century, President Theodore Roosevelt wanted the nation to have gold coins that would rival the magnificent coinage of the ancient Greeks.  To achieve this, he contracted the famous American sculpture Augustus Saint-Gaudens to prepare new coin designs.  While Saint-Gaudens died before he could finish his work, his breathtaking designs were still adopted for the $10.00 and $20.00 gold coins.

The $10.00 Indian Head gold piece features the bust of a noble American Indian with a feathered headdress on the obverse and a perched eagle on the reverse.  The $20.00 St. Gaudens double eagle depicts a robed Liberty, holding an olive branch and a torch, boldly stepping forward on the coin’s obverse and a majestic, powerful eagle in flight on the reverse.  Struck from 1907 to 1933, these two gold coins are generally considered the most beautiful U.S. coins ever produced.

In fact, the obverse of the modern-day U.S. mint’s popular American Gold Eagle bullion coin series is almost an exact copy of the iconic St. Gauden’s design.

Due to the premature death of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the $2.50 and $5.00 gold coins were redesigned by his former student, the American sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt.  These two series are similar in design, although not identical, to the $10.00 gold coin created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens.  The $2.50 and $5.00 Indian Head gold coins feature a Native American in full headdress on the obverse and a perched eagle on the reverse.

In addition to being attractive in their own right, the $2.50 quarter eagle and $5.00 half eagle Indian Head series are notable for being the only U.S. coins that were struck in incuse, with the design features sunk into the flat field of the coin.  They were struck from 1908 until production ceased in 1929.

 

$2.50 Indian Head (Quarter Eagle) Gold Coins for Sale on eBay

(This is an affiliate link for which I may be compensated)

 

When considering pre-1933 semi-numismatic U.S. gold coins for investment purposes, eye appeal is paramount.  Anything that helps make a coin look better is desirable, including attractive toning, a full strike and a minimum of ugly contact marks.  However, condition is perhaps the most important characteristic.

Serious investors should only acquire specimens that grade Extra Fine (XF-40) or better in condition.  This will help guarantee maximum eye appeal by ensuring that most of the coin’s details are intact.  But this rule can be relaxed under certain circumstances, such as when dealing with less common, pre-Civil War dates and mints.

You can quickly enter full numismatic territory here though, so be careful.

Some collectors will not consider semi-numismatic U.S. gold coins unless they are in uncirculated (MS-60) condition or better.  I don’t personally believe semi-numismatic gold must be in uncirculated condition to be investable.  However, if you do choose to purchase uncirculated coins, you may want to consider pieces certified by a third party grading service.

The two most popular grading services for coins are PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation).  These companies authenticate, grade and then encapsulate coins in tough, clear plastic holders called slabs.  This allows coin collecting and investing novices to buy and sell these slabbed coins with confidence.

 

$20.00 St. Gaudens (Double Eagle) Gold Coins for Sale on eBay

(This is an affiliate link for which I may be compensated)

 

Anything that detracts from the beauty of a coin should be avoided.  This advice is especially important for common-date semi-numismatic U.S. gold coins, as they can’t rely on rarity to enhance their appeal.  Unattractively toned, weakly struck or harshly cleaned specimens should all be eschewed.  Any sort of significant damage, such as major rim bumps, scuffs or scratches, is also unacceptable.  You want to buy clean, problem free gold coins.

You should also beware of unscrupulous coin dealers or telemarketers that may try to sell semi-numismatic gold coins at extravagant mark-ups.  They usually target those with little collecting knowledge.  Do not fall prey to these scam artists.  Nothing cripples the long-term performance of an investment more than overpaying.

As of mid 2018, with spot gold trading at around $1,270, prices range from just under $250 for $2.50 quarter eagles to around $1,400 or $1,500 for $20.00 double eagles.  However, it is important to note that the prices of semi-numismatic U.S. gold coins fluctuate with any sizable movement in the price of gold.

If you are looking for maximum exposure to gold and minimum numismatic exposure, larger gold coins like the $10.00 Liberty Head, $20.00 Liberty Head or $20.00 St. Gaudens series are your best options.  These coins currently have premiums that range from a modest 10% to 20% in the marketplace.

The $5.00 Liberty Head, $5.00 Indian Head and $10.00 Indian Head coins will give you a slightly higher exposure to numismatic value.  These semi-numismatic coins have premiums between 15% and 35% right now.

 

$2.50 Liberty Head (Quarter Eagle) Gold Coins for Sale on eBay

(This is an affiliate link for which I may be compensated)

 

The Liberty Head and Indian Head $2.50 gold coins have the highest premiums among U.S. semi-numismatic gold coins, hovering around 80% at the moment.  This gives quarter eagles an almost even split between bullion and numismatic value.  These smaller gold pieces tend to have rather low mintages compared to the larger denominations and, in my opinion, represent exceptional value at this time.

I’ve compiled a table that shows the premiums on pre-1933 semi-numismatic U.S. gold coins as of the summer of 2018 below.  This data was compiled using realized eBay sold prices for lightly circulated specimens; uncirculated examples would cost more.  The gold price used in the calculations is $1,310 per troy ounce.

Gold Average
Content Bullion eBay Premium Premium
Denomination (in troy oz.) Value Price (in %) (in $)
$2.5 Liberty 0.12094 $158 $297 87% $139
$2.5 Indian 0.12094 $158 $280 77% $122
$5 Liberty 0.24187 $317 $375 18% $58
$5 Indian 0.24187 $317 $415 31% $98
$10 Liberty 0.48375 $634 $719 13% $85
$10 Indian 0.48375 $634 $772 22% $138
$20 Liberty 0.96750 $1,267 $1,422 12% $155
$20 St. Gaudens 0.96750 $1,267 $1,450 14% $183

 

The world may not be giving us as many good options as we would like, but there is at least one good investment option left to us – pre-1933 semi-numismatic U.S. gold coins.  These overlooked pieces of historic Americana represent great value in an otherwise lackluster investment landscape.

 

Read more in-depth Antique Sage rare coin investment guides here.

-or-

Read more in-depth Antique Sage bullion & gemstone investment guides here.


Siberian Nephrite Jade Slab

Siberian Nephrite Jade Slab
Photo Credit: BaikalGems

Siberian Nephrite Jade Slab

Asking Price: $180 (price as of 2018; item no longer available)

Pros:

-$180 will buy you this alternative investment extraordinaire – a slab of polished Siberian nephrite jade straight from Asiatic Russia.

-This impressive block of polished Siberian nephrite jade measures 16.0 cm (6.3 inches) by 15.3 cm (6.0 inches) by 2.2 cm (0.9 inches) thick.  It weighs a substantial 1,650 grams (3.64 pounds).

-While the Chinese have revered and treasured jade for millennia, Western cultures are only now coming to appreciate this unique gemstone. This is one of the reasons I think rough jade is a good investment – as the word spreads of its amazing physical and optical qualities, long-term global demand is sure to grow.

-The bright, apple-green color of this nephrite jade is characteristic of Siberian material, which is very popular in the Chinese market.  According to the seller, this specimen was mined in the Sayan Mountains in Asiatic Russia, near Lake Baikal.

-Before 2000, Siberian nephrite jade only cost a few dollars a kilo.  It was so cheap that it wasn’t even worth extracting from the rugged Russian wilderness.  However, strong and persistent Chinese demand has propelled the price of top tier material to well over $1,000 a kilo.

-The small black inclusions scattered throughout the green stone are iron-rich chromite (FeCr2O4), a classic hallmark of nephrite jade.

-The quality of this Siberian nephrite jade is very high.  It offers a crisp, even color combined with good translucency and a moderate texture.  This means it could easily be used to make jade jewelry, carvings or other objets d’art by a skilled craftsman.

-Because we know the dimensions and weight of this Siberian nephrite jade slab, we can calculate its density to help confirm its genuineness.  We can do this by dividing the weight of the piece (1,650 grams) by its volume (538.6 cm3).  This gives us a density of approximately 3.06 gm/cm3, which is well within the range of natural nephrite jades (2.9 – 3.3 gm/cm3).

-There is nothing like the heft and solidity of a jade block held in the hand.  In some ways, I view rough jade as “the other bullion”.  It is a great alternative to simply stacking gold and silver bars for those with more adventurous investment tastes.

-At an asking price of only $109 per kilogram (or around $50 per pound), this block of rough Siberian nephrite jade is an incredible bargain, especially considering that similar quality Siberian material may sell in the Chinese market for several hundred dollars a kilo!

 

Cons:

-Because it is coming all the way from Russia, the shipping costs on this block of jade are relatively high.  According to Etsy, it would cost $32 to transport the stone to my little corner of the United States and would take between 10 and 40 business days to arrive!

-Although this slab of Siberian nephrite jade is good quality, it is not of the very highest quality.  The very best material would have absolutely no chromite inclusions or veining at all.  But top-quality nephrite jade is both incredibly rare and unbelievably expensive.

 

Read more fascinating Antique Sage spotlight posts here.

-or-

Read in-depth Antique Sage investment guides here.

Total U.S. Securities Outstanding and the Coming Bubble Reversal

Total U.S. Securities Outstanding and the Coming Bubble Reversal

I have a confession to make.  I am a big fan of Doug Noland’s Credit Bubble Bulletin.  His weekly macroeconomic blog astutely details the evolving monstrosity that is our Frankenstein bubble economy.

In one of his recent posts, Mr. Noland dissected the Federal Reserve’s Q4 2017 Z.1 Flow of Funds report.  What I found particularly fascinating was the way he compared historical total U.S. securities outstanding to total U.S. GDP.  I will quote him below:

Total (Debt and Equities) Securities ended 2017 at a record $88.651 TN.  Total Securities surged to a record 449% of GDP, up from 429% to conclude 2016.  For perspective, Total Securities to GDP peaked at 379% ($55.3TN) during Q3 2007 and 359% ($36.0TN) at cycle highs in Q1 2000.  Total Securities as a percent of GDP ended 1970 at 148%, 1975 at 122%, 1980 at 128%, 1985 at 155%, 1990 at 189%, and 1995 at 262%.

His analysis was so intriguing that I resolved to independently replicate the data using Federal Reserve data.  You can see the fruits of my labor in the chart above.

It shows the combined market value of all U.S. securities outstanding (both debt and equity, which are also broken-out separately) charted as a percentage of U.S. GDP since 1951.  If you want to know why I believe we are currently living through the largest bubble the world has ever known, well, this is it.

All the data for this chart comes directly from the Fed.  It uses the L.208 Debt Securities table and the L.223 Corporate Equities table from the Fed’s Z.1 report, in addition to GDP values from the FRED database.

The implications of the excessive amount of U.S. securities outstanding should be terrifying to every investor, saver and entrepreneur out there.  It indicates that combined U.S. debt and equity assets have to take a 66% haircut to get back to pre-1990s “normal” levels of 150% of GDP.  Even if you assume that a permanently elevated level at 200% of GDP is warranted, anything less than a 50% across the board loss is unrealistic.

 

1/4 Troy Ounce Gold Bullion Coins for Sale on eBay

(This is an affiliate link for which I may be compensated)

 

Not only does the U.S. securities outstanding chart clearly show prior bubble peaks, but it also shows the reasoning behind why they are bubbles.  All securities ultimately “pay-out” via GDP.  When you sell a security to fund your retirement or buy a new car, you are, in effect, exchanging that stock or bond for current goods and services – in other words, GDP.

Because of this, it is reasonable to assume that an economy can only support a certain level of aggregate security value in relation to GDP.  Situations like we have today, where we are clearly above that level, do not spell imminent economic doom of course.  But it does make for a very unstable financial system.

The situation is a lot like an old-fashioned bank run.  As long as no one tries to exchange their overvalued securities for real goods and services, everything appears to be fine.  But this is an illusion – the calm before the storm.

In reality, the economy can’t cover all the claims against it.  The ultimate winners are the first people to exchange their overvalued securities for real goods and services (or something else that will hold its value, like tangible assets).

Everybody who tries to cash out later will find that there is little or nothing left for them.  These are the losers in our scenario.  Can you imagine what it will look like if almost every 401-k, IRA and brokerage account across the country takes a 50% to 70% loss within a few short years?  This is exactly what could happen when our present bubble eventually bursts.

This is why I advocate investing in hard assets, such as fine art, antiques and precious metals.  These underappreciated assets haven’t experienced the same ruinous bubble dynamics that paper assets like stocks and bonds have.  As a result, tangible assets should hold their value admirably in the coming bubble reversal.

 

Read more thought-provoking Antique Sage investing articles here.

-or-

Read in-depth Antique Sage investment guides here.


Anime and Manga Fuel Future Demand for Japanese Antiques

Anime and Manga Fuel Future Demand for Japanese Antiques

Japanese anime and manga – Japanese animation and comics, respectively – have taken the world by storm over the past 20 years.  Their beautiful illustrations, compelling storylines and skillful treatment of adult themes have vaulted anime and manga to the forefront of modern culture.  This is in stark contrast to Western cartoons and comics, which are widely viewed as being children’s entertainment (although Disney’s recent treatment of the Marvel Universe is beginning to change these perceptions).

Japanese anime and manga had humble origins.  Early releases from the 1960s, like Osama Tezuka (Astro Boy) and Mach GoGoGo (Speed Racer), often featured stripped down, bare bones animation that depended heavily on reused frames.  But in spite of these tentative beginnings, the genre steadily evolved.

By the 1980s, anime and manga became something that any Japanophile would immediately recognize today.  Groundbreaking animated feature films such as the cyberpunk classic Akira, the environmentalist saga Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and World War II tragedy Grave of the Fireflies were all produced during this time.  Anime and manga had finally come of age as a storytelling medium.

Once Japanese creators cracked the code for great anime and manga, they began to export their product worldwide.  And young people around the world quickly embraced the new creative genre with open arms.  Anime and manga are now viewed, read, streamed and purchased all over the globe, from ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia to sophisticated France and everywhere in between.  At this point, Japanese anime and manga are ubiquitous, with anyone under the age of 35 instantly recognizing their characteristic style.

So at this point you may very well ask the question: What does anime and manga have to do with Japanese antiques?

The answer is simple.  Anime and manga have been important vectors for the 21st century export of Japanese traditions, culture and aesthetics to a global audience.  While anime and manga span a multitude of different storylines, almost all of them share a common theme – they emphasize Japanese history, Japanese style and Japanese mythology.  Anime and manga provide ample opportunity for the absorption of traditional Japanese culture by foreigners.

For example, the Japanese samurai is a mythical, larger than life figure in Japanese culture – the East Asian equivalent of the cowboy in the American West.  And, largely due to the influence of anime and manga, samurai are also held in the same esteem abroad.  There are innumerable anime and manga that use the samurai and ninja of feudal, pre-modern Japan as a backdrop, including popular titles such as Naruto, Samurai Champloo and Gintama.

There are many Japanese antiques from the time of the Tokugawa Shogunate that would appeal to these anime and manga fans.  For instance, exquisitely-crafted, Edo-era Japanese samurai sword guards, or tsuba, are readily available for only a few hundred dollars or less.  It is also possible to purchase genuine examples of 18th and 19th century Japanese “samurai money” for less than $100 a coin.

The subtle beauty of the Japanese tea ceremony is something that many younger people will recognize, even if they only have a passing understanding of Japanese culture.  Why?  Because they have absorbed it through countless slice-of-life anime and manga.

I would not be surprised if this familiarity helped to drive future demand for beautiful and durable Japanese lacquerware outside of the island nation.  Vintage or antique lacquerware often figures prominently in Japanese tea culture and is surprisingly affordable.

Even traditional Japanese attitudes towards beauty are slowly seeping into global culture from the export of anime and manga.  The Japanese love of clean lines and uncluttered design is almost universally reflected in modern aesthetic trends.  I believe this will ultimately have a profound impact on the demand for Japanese antiques.

For instance, shin hanga was an early to mid 20th century Japanese print movement that combined traditional Japanese themes with groundbreaking Western artistic understanding of light and perspective.  It was an export-oriented artistic movement that was wildly popular in the West in the period between World War I and World War II.

In many ways, Japanese shin hanga prints are precursors to today’s manga comics, displaying the same technical accomplishment and classic Japanese sensability.  Not only that, but vintage reprints of these delightful Japanese antiques are readily available for relatively modest prices.  As little as $100 or $200 can get you an aesthetically compelling example to hang on your wall.

I grew up in the 1980s watching the Japanese-derived animated television series Robotech and Voltron.  In the 1990s, I raptly watched the anime Sailor Moon on Cartoon Network.  In 2000, I stumbled upon the anime masterpiece Neon Genesis Evangelion, which forever changed my perception of what an animated television show could be.

Since that time, I have devoured anime and manga wherever I found them.  And, as a result, I fell in love with Japanese culture.  Not only that, but it has also spurred an interest in Japanese antiques that I almost certainly wouldn’t have had otherwise.

I don’t believe I am alone in this trend.  At just over 40 years old, I am among the first generation outside of Japan to have really embraced this new form of entertainment.  Most anime and manga fans are younger than I am and their interest in Japanese culture, history and design is inexorably growing.  You can bet that Japanese antiques and art will be on their radar as they mature into their 30s and 40s.

 

Read more thought-provoking Antique Sage trend articles here.

-or-

Read in-depth Antique Sage investment guides here.