In recent years, there has been an increase in interest among Russians in purchasing commemorative coins at Sberbank. Collectible coins, as a rule, are dedicated to some important event in the history of Russia, for example, the victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Olympics in Sochi.
All coins put into circulation on the territory of Russia can be divided into commemorative and investment coins. Commemorative coins can be made of precious or non-precious metals (while investment coins are exclusively precious). More than 100 credit organizations are engaged in the distribution of coins, but most of the sales come from Sberbank.
In total, according to analysts' estimates, in the first half of 2013, coins were sold in the amount of 4.2 billion rubles, which is 30% higher than the level of 2012. Why is the demand increasing and why does the population buy commemorative coins?
Why buy commemorative coins
Investment coins are of no artistic value and are purchased to invest money and earn money on the dynamics of the price of precious metals. They are more profitable than, for example, investing in bullion, because are not subject to VAT on sales. If the value of investment coins is determined by world prices for silver and gold, then the price of commemorative coins is associated with their artistic value, beauty, as well as uniqueness and rarity.
According to Sberbank, when choosing collectible coins, the majority of Russians (up to 85%) prefer non-standard coins that have an original design.
It is these criteria that are key to understanding their differences.
Collectible coins have a limited edition and are often timed to important events (issued in series).
Commemorative coins are primarily bought by:
- as a gift;
- as a collectible;
- as a memorable souvenir.
But this does not mean that you cannot make money on selling them. Until 2011, the sale of collectible coins was subject to VAT, which negated all possible profits from their sale. But now the situation has changed.
In order to invest in collectible coins, you must first predict their potential growth. It is quite problematic to do this, since here it is important to take into account a whole range of factors - circulation, metal, coin theme, etc.
What coins can be purchased at Sberbank
You can buy coins in one of the 280 branches of Sberbank, which carries out this activity. There you can see a special stand with coins; you cannot touch the coins. The difference between Sberbank and others is that it is the only one who is engaged not only in the sale, but also in the purchase of coins made of precious metals.
Coins can be purchased only with a passport and in the original packaging in which Sberbank sold coins.
All coins offered at Sberbank have a set of characteristics: size, weight, fineness, workmanship, etc.
Collectible coins are issued in the highest "proof" quality. Its surface has a mirror-like shine, and the drawing is distinguished by a clear prescription of even the smallest details.
Today the following series of commemorative coins can be purchased:
- coins dedicated to the XXII Olympic Winter Games 2014 in Sochi;
- Coin of the Republic of Belarus of the series "Lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church" dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker;
- Gold coin of the Republic of Belarus of the "Orthodox Icons" series with the image of the icon of the Mother of God of Minsk;
- coins with the symbol of 2014.
Sberbank also presents coins with special inserts, holograms, with gilding of individual elements, and with a colored coating.
According to market participants, today the highest demand is observed for the Sochi series of coins.
