Gold purchasing power and numismatic premium are orthogonal and often correlate negatively.
If you believe gold is a good investment, you should not buy numismatic premium.
If you believe gold price is high, buy numismatics and hedge the bullion value, pocket the premium when the price goes down.
Eg. 90% per-1964 silver coins can be had at 0-3% when silver price is high. Buy them, and sell them at 12% when it is low (such as now).
Thanks, rpietila, you show some sharp & crisp thinking.
But, there can be various considerations in buying and holding gold. Yes, if you want the maximum in gold ONLY (and that's all you care about), then pick a cheap bullion coin. Krugerrands are about the cheapest. Bullion in bars is even cheaper, but some will want that assayed should you want to sell...
Excellent comment on orthogonality (and even negative correlation) between price movements and premiums. That is true. Armstrong mentions that in his piece.
I do three things differently than the "average gold buyer":
1) I buy some US$5s, US$10s, and the occasional Peruvian Una Libra (when there). These are coins that I just
want! I also believe that a diversification in gold is not a bad idea either. My US pre-1933 gold coins are actually all dated 1899 and before. Roosevelt once seized US gold, ONLY numismatic pieces were exempt. Pre-1900 coins would be numismatic by any similar standard. But, I have always taken Armstrong's advice (without even knowing) by buying coins in "AU" condition (pretty nice), why should I collect ugly & worn coins when for a small amount more I can get something that looks pleasing? About 80
2) Your comments re "trading off of premiums" (buying & selling as price vs. premiums change) does make sense, except in my case.
I plan to never sell.3) The bulk of my gold is in USA product, even if it costs a little more. First, such gold is easier to recognize (hence more easily accepted) among Buyers if I really did have to sell. Also, at least in recent years, you "get the premium back" should you sell. But, I don't want to sell... (I have made a few exceptions to have some foreign gold so that I can compare it with anybody wanting to sell that)