The Value of the “First Strike” Designation – There is no arguing the fact that coins with the “First Strike” designation are commanding a premium over their non-designated counterparts, so there is demand for this designation whether you think it makes sense or not. Third party grading services are profit oriented businesses and not charities set up to benefit the hobby. If there is a demand for this designation from collectors, then it is in their interest to supply that demand. Whether or not this demand stands the test of time is something that we will have to wait and see.
For now, the “First Strike” designation has been a successful marketing campaign. So successful, in fact, that one third party grading service has come up with another designation, “First Day of Release.” Apparently the coins must be packaged and the shipping documents created on the first day of release. It doesn’t matter what day the coins were actually minted, only when they were packaged for shipment. One can only imagine what they may think of next, but at least this designation is an honest one.
Are “First Strike” Coins a Good Investment? If you get a call from a coin dealer offering you a “First Strike” 2006 24k Gold Buffalo graded MS70, you now know that the coin could be any one of those which were minted before or during the first month of the official release date. This could possibly represent anywhere from 30% to 80% of the total mintage for that issue. Do you know how many coins that is? . . . Neither do I. . . But I do have to fess up, I may not have bought a “First Strike” coin, but I do still rinse and repeat.
