RK purchase good investment?

[Marc Garlasco]

Dave,

I'll take it!

Marc

[Dave Kane]

Thanks Marc! That's the underscore...


There isn't anything to be afraid of with these things but it must be done right!


40 years ago I bought rags, dregs actually anything associated with the 'period' but soon learned about the rule of the "THREE C's"


CONDITION

CONDITION

CONDITION


There will always be someone to take (it) off your hands!

[Chet Sowersby]

Dave,
I agree with you 110% about the condition factor. I also agree with others who collect now but yet in the back of their minds think about appreciation in the future. What I don't agree with is indviduals who show no intest in the award itself nor what it took to attain it and the history associated with it. I deplore the attitude of "if I buy this now how much will it be worth in the next whatever year" This type of attitude does not serve the collecting community nor does it have a place here.

Chet

[Thomas H]

I agree that you should not buy a Knight's cross only for investment.

I also agree on the three C's, but if you show a mint KC a lot of members will say or think very nice but I would buy a KC that's been there. I actually thought that a worn KC was more popular under collectors.

Thomas

[Biro]

Condition, yes........but don't underestimate the appeal of Rarity irrespective of condition.

Ok, it aint the prettiest example in the world......but I would buy this in a HEARTBEAT!

Marshall


photo reproduced without any permission whatsoever from the very lucky Tim Calvert

[Biro]

In addition to Condition and Rarity, I supose we could also include Appeal (visual) and Provenance......

But somehow, I don't think C.R.A.P. has quite the same ring to it....

3 C's just sits better...

[ernestt]

knights cross

I have a couple of people [I will keep nameless for the time,don't want any one else biding against me] that have a lazy 2 marked RK and one has a 800 unmarked 4RK both come with COA's from detlev.
I can pick up the unmarked 4 for 6 thousand it is a little worn but not bad at all.
Mostly it has the clear lacquer pealed on some of the arms.
The lazy 2 has a price tag of 8 thousand.
I am leaning to the 4, I have also read till my eyes bleed on the topic of 4 marked or unmarked crosses here.
This one has no makers on any of the arms the back is marked 800 and the loop ring is 800 marked.
The lazy 2 is also marked 800, but because of the price I am leaning to the 4.
I to have watched how the RK's go on to this forum for sale and do not last, especially when there is a detlev COA, I know that the paper itself is not worth anything, but to a buyer that is not educated in this area that wants to purchase one, it is a comforting guarantee that he at least had a respected authority hold and look at it, and can return it [maybe] if it is proven to be fake.

[hi-revr]

Gotta throw my 2 Reich's Marks IN

Everyone makes valid points here. But keep something in perspective. A very small percentage of us make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Certainly not me. For those few in the upper stratusphere they don't have to worry about the price of something. If I won the lottery I promise I would find out who has the stuff I want and get the deal done.

In a hobby where the average price of a single item averages in the $200-400 price range you have to consider the long-term consequences of "if and when I have to sell." The fact is many of the highly desirable items regularly command four figure price tags. Don't get me wrong, It is about the collecting for me. I was a car guy for years. Is it better to spend $30,000 on a beautifully restored musclecar or buy an original for $12,000 and spend another $25,000 to retore it? Well the answer depends on if you want to do it yourself for the pride of it or want to own and drive it. Hopefully have something you can get most of your money out of. In any type of collecting, the high end stuff leads the way in appreciation. If we took another poll on "how many guys can spend $7-10K on a RK and not think much about it?" I am sure we all know what the outcome would be.

Fortunately all "real" collectables are a reasonable and often great long-term investment. Modern crap like Beanie babies and the like are short term rolls of the dice. So ernestt the answer is: 1) It will Likely be worth more than it is now in a few years because like any real colloectable it has 1)relative rarity,they ain't makin any more (real one's), 2) desireability, people will always want one. The proof is in the literature. Look at some of the older militaria price guides from the last twenty-five years and see what the prices have done. But as mentioned earlier in this thread it isn't the kind of investment that you want to tie up money you may need in a relative hurry. 3) If you can swing it....DO IT!!!!! 5 or 10 years from now we'll all be saying...."remember the good old days when RK's were "ONLY" 8-10 thousand?

[Tim B.]

My Two Cents

ernestt,

You're really lucky and for a couple of reasons. First, obviously you have money to be able to even consider buying one of these high-end items. Most people can't afford one or justify paying the insane prices they are asking for them. Beautiful medal, but at what cost?

Second, this is one of a few threads that I can honestly say presents a varying degree of attitudes and IMO, not one of them is out of line or disrespectful towards another persons view. That doesn't happen often here and I think some really good comments and advice have been given. I can't seem to find a single comment thus far that doesn't present a good view one way or another.

I may suggest you spend some time searching old threads here and see what outcomes others have had when purchasing these items with "investment" in mind. Always sounds good and holds lots of promise until the bill arrives and then remorse sets in. Better to do that thought process now and not have to play with "will the dealer take it back" after the fact. Make sure it doesn't affect the home situation either. Great medal, but it's not worth a marriage or your financial portfolio if that goes sour over it.

I hope to get lucky finding one at some yard/rummage sale one day and then not only will I finally have one, documented history or not, it will be a great addition to my collection and that much more of an "investment", regardless of condition! Best of luck in your decision!
Tim

[hi-revr]

[QUOTE=Tim Ball]ernestt,


Make sure it doesn't affect the home situation either. Great medal, but it's not worth a marriage or your financial portfolio if that goes sour over it. ]

Ernestt, Just remember ............It's easier to appologize than it is to ask for permission!!!! meant in good fun!....Kinda.

[Jeff V]

Ernest, over the long haul it will probably go up in value. However I believe you will be a lot happier spending your hard earned dollars on what you really know and enjoy( in this case firearms) than you would on a medal that you hope will increase in value. I always figured I buy what I like. If it goes up in value thats great but if not the stuff is always enjoyable to me. Best wishes on your decision,
jeff

[Chris Boonzaier]

I am not a big RK fan. I have had two, one to an Oakleaves and Golden CCbt clasp winner, and one to a guy for the Bulge...

But to be quite honest, after I had turned them around, looked from every angle, did a few "aahs!" and "awws!" I thought ......."and now?"

Then I thought "okay, could I use the money in some other, better way for my collection?"

and as soon as the answer was "Yes"... I sold them.

If you can afford to toss out $7000 and not think twice... go for it.

If you calculate how many nice P38s you COULD have bought if you had the money... then forget the cross....

My way of seeing it.

[Marc Garlasco]

A GORGEOUS dagger just went on E-Stand for close to 12K - so it is not just us! And GOOD FOR THE BUYER - she is gorgeous! You can't take it with you, you might as well enjoy it while you are here.
Marc