As a general rule, I think the mint has done a bad job the last 50 years. But I think they sink to a new low in not offering a commemorative for the 200th anniversary of the war of 1812. Shoot, even the Canadians did that. Obviously the amateurs are in charge at the mint. I realize the war wasn't over until 1815, but there's no scheduled commem that I'm aware of.
This is my favorite of the mints strange decisions. Who makes a 230th anniversary coin? Please don't misunderstand, I love our military, it is just a strange anniversary to commemorate.
1- The US Mint does what Congress tells it to do. If you don't like what the Mint produces you should complain to your Congressman or Senator, not the Mint. 2- You apparently missed the 2012 Star-Spangled Banner Coin Program which commemorates Francis Scott Key's writing of our National Anthem after the Battle of Baltimore at Fort McHenry, an important event of the War of 1812.
In 2014, we should have a reenactment of the Battle of Bladensburg and the subsequent burning of Washington. you know that Congress doesn't listen to the common folk, so why shouldn't we run them out of town. Chris
Yep; I think the Star-Spangeled Banner Coin was supposed to be the tribute to the War of 1812. Oops; the lyrics weren't written until 1814, but it's close enough for government work, as they say. From just a business perspective, the Mint really missed out on the 100th anniversary of the Titanic. A number of mints around the world produced coins and it appears they sold very well, as this is an event the masses seem to eat up for some reason. In reality, whatever the Mint does or doesn't do, people are going to like and not like it. I get frustrated with its behavior also. The best thing to do, it seems, is to accept it for what it is and buy what you like and not buy what you don't.
Getting bent out of shape over what the mint produces or doesn't produce takes too many years off ones life. I say, worry about more important things.
If the mint made every coin that everyboy ever wanted and made them all in MS and PF70's with no errors or varieties this hobby wouldn't be very much fun.
I would love to see them commemorate some classic US coinage.....Bust pieces, indian designs, flowing hair, etc.... I would hope they do it for circulation too, so we don't have to pay $80 to get them.
Well when you consider that the battle that inspired the poem didn't take place until Sept. of 1814, And Key wrote those lyrics when he saw the flag still flying in the morning, I'd say that's pretty dang close.
Some trivia regarding the melody used for the "Star Spangled Banner". http://www.straightdope.com/columns...angled-banner-taken-from-an-old-drinking-song
Good grief! The War of 1812 was not fought only in 1812. The war lasted over 2 1/2 years. President Madison signed a declaration of war against England on June 18, 1812 and the war ended on February 17, 1815 when the Treaty of Ghent was ratified. Perhaps the war should be renamed 'The War of 1812-1815' to cut down on confusion. Absolutely right. The Battle of Baltimore at Fort McHenry (September 13, 1814) was the turning point of the War of 1812. Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the Star-Spangled Banner after he witnessed the soldiers of Fort McHenry raise a huge American flag after enduring a 25-hour barrage from British ships. I think The Star-Spangled Banner is the perfect thing to commemorate the War of 1812 on a coin, even if it occurred in 1814.
President Madison did not declare war against Britain, as Constitutionally, the President does not have that authority.
Touche. Still, that would be more akin to issuing a bimetal high relief Superman themed limited commemorative proof in full color with holographic comic privy and embedded emerald kryptonite shard. Lord! I hope they don't do that one next.