Father’s Day is fast approaching — June 15 this year — and with it the familiar anxiety over what to buy the father figure in your life. Whether you’re shopping for the man who raised you, the father of your own children, or your son who just became a father himself, dads can be hard to shop for.
It’s tempting to fall back on classics like cards, mugs or a new tie. But while these endearing touches do show you care, they all share one major drawback: They depreciate in value over time. Even the nicest tie will likely end up tucked away in a drawer after a few years.
This year, why not surprise him with something that will bring a smile to his face today and truly stand the test of time? Lucky for you, such a gift isn’t as hard to find as it may seem. Here are five Father’s Day gift ideas that are also good long-term investments.
1. Watches
For a gift that combines function and value, consider a luxury watch. Classic sports watches or dress watches can make great additions to both his wardrobe and investment portfolio.
“Unlike most consumer goods, some watches appreciate due to their brand history, limited availability and increasing collector demand,” says Robin Westerling, CEO of Longdavon, a luxury leather watch band company. “The finest investment-grade watches are ones with classic designs, strong historical background and limited production runs.”
Heritage brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet are good bets for long-term value. For example, you can’t go wrong with an iconic timepiece like the Rolex Submariner, the Omega Speedmaster Professional with its mythical history, a Tudor Black Bay 58 for those who appreciate utilitarian style with vintage appeal, or any watch from the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak collection. Prices for these range from around $4,000 for certain Tudor Black Bay 58 models to more than $63,000 for the highest-end Omega Speedmaster Professional model.
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You can find investment watches through a variety of channels. “For brand-new watches, authorized dealers are the safest choices,” but they may have long waiting lists for in-demand models, Westerling says. Trustworthy pre-owned dealers include WatchBox, European Watch Company and Bob’s Watches, all of which guarantee authenticity.
You could also venture to auction houses like Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Phillips for rare watches, “albeit usually with a more substantial budget in mind,” he adds. “Enthusiast groups and online platforms, such as Chrono24, may also serve as viable options for finding investment watches, but buyers should handle these portals prudently to avoid counterfeit products or overpriced offers.”
And if you’re also celebrating a graduation this summer, know that Gen Z grads want nice watches, too — maybe you can make it a legacy gift.
2. Coins
Was the father on your gift list the type to slip dollar bills into birthday cards? If so, here’s your chance to return the favor of gifting money, but with a grown-up twist.
“Many coins offer promising long-term investment potential, especially those that combine rarity, bullion value and a history of past price appreciation,” says Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez, coin expert and numismatic editor for numerous outlets, including COINage Magazine.
Examples include “blue chip” coins like the 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent, 1955 doubled die Lincoln cent, 1916-D Mercury dime, 1913-S Barber quarter and 1916 Standing Liberty quarter. American Eagle coins are also solid options with patriotic designs and high-purity precious metal content.
“Other promising coins to consider are those with precious-metal value, including any pre-1965 90% United States silver coins, some of which can currently be bought for as little as $5 or $10,” McMorrow-Hernandez says.
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Or, if you have deeper pockets, you could take a chance on the fervent bouillon market with a pre-1933 U.S. gold coin like the Saint-Gaudens double eagle, “widely considered one of the most beautiful coins ever struck.” Prices for the double eagle start in the low $3,000 range.
The best place to buy such coins is through a reputable coin dealer. Look for a dealer affiliated with numismatic associations or authorized by one of the major third-party coin grading companies, such as Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC).
“And always go the extra step to check for customer feedback on the popular review platforms and websites,” McMorrow-Hernandez says.
Once you have your coin in hand, McMorrow-Hernandez says to resist the urge to clean it. “Cleaning coins only risks irrevocable damage to their surfaces and almost always lowers their value,” he says. Touch coins only on their edges and store in a cool, dry environment away from heat sources, fumes and items with chemicals that can cause harm, like paper or plastic.
3. Collectible sports cards
Some of the best gifts carry not only forward, but also back. Collectible cards can marry nostalgia with future value for the ultimate Father’s Day gift. Watching the card increase in value is half the fun of the hobby, after all.
Of course, not all cards achieve this value appreciation. “In fact, many cards lose market value due to a lack of sales volume,” says Justin Shump, head of buying at Arena Club, an online collectible card marketplace and grading platform. “Having said that, if you buy a player who has long-standing popularity in the hobby, they can have several cards with long-term upside.”
You can’t go wrong with “greatest of all time” (GOAT) players, but for the ultimate gift, choose a player your dad actually watched, admired or rooted for, Shump says. “Once you’ve got a name or era in mind, set a price range and look for iconic cards — especially rookies or early-career cards — from reputable sets.”
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The best places to find such cards are online auction websites such as Arena Club and PWCC Marketplace. “They typically feature cards that are the most attractive for the widest range of buyers, which is a great indicator of market sentiment and value,” Shump says.
You can gauge a card’s appreciation potential through websites that track market value over time, like Cardladder.
Once you have the card, help Dad protect it by getting it graded (card-speak for authenticated) then keeping it in a fitted sleeve or case. “For long-term storage, consider a foam-lined case or lockbox to keep your graded cards safe from physical damage, moisture or UV exposure,” Shump says.
4. Whiskey or other spirits
For dads who appreciate a true taste of luxury, consider a fine whiskey or rare spirit. And if you normally think of liquor as something for immediate gratification, you’re just not thinking long-term enough.
Take the Macallan Edition Series whiskey, for example. When the first limited batch was released less than a decade ago, bottles sold for about $100 each. “Today, the Edition No. 1 sells on the secondary market for several thousand dollars, an appreciation of 2,000%,” says Mahesh Patel, founder of The Universal Whisky Experience.
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Other options include Bowmore, Balvenie and rare American bourbons, which you can find for several hundred dollars at many retailers or online at sites like Reservebar or Caskers, Patel says.
The key to ensuring investment potential is to find a spirit with a limited issue. He recommends joining whiskey clubs where you can “gain great information and access to off-market gems.” Some clubs to consider include Scotch Malt Whisky Society and Craft Whisky Club.
He also advises starting small as you make contacts and acquire knowledge. Then, be sure Dad’s whiskey or spirit gets insured and stored in a secure room with climate control.
5. Shares of stock, ETFs or mutual funds
Watches, coins, cards and whiskey can be fun gifts, but they can also require time to find and procure. If you want something easier to access but no less valuable over the long-term, gifting shares of stock or an ETF or mutual fund may be the perfect answer.
All you need is a brokerage account where you can buy shares or already own some you want to give, and the information for Dad’s brokerage account where he can receive them. You can then transfer the shares from your brokerage account to Dad’s based on your brokerage firm’s procedure.
Note that you may need to submit the request in writing and it could take up to a week for the shares to arrive in Dad’s account. After that, Dad can reap all the rewards of a great Father’s Day gift with long-term investment potential.
