I have generally weened myself off of the modern commemorative coins, but I decided to buy this set. It's been a tough year for the police, and I wanted to give them some support. Here are the three coins in Proof. I found this half dollar to be most unusual. I can't believe that the mint is charging $40 for this clad coin. It's a little cheaper as part of the set. The silver dollar has a public service theme. And the five dollar coin recalls those who have fallen in the line duty on the reverse.
Yes, it seems like the half dollar, far more often than not, get the best designs, especially when you compare them with the silver dollar.
Going to this years ANA show in August. These will be near the top of my shopping list. I will stick with the middle one though.
$40 for the clad half? One of the reasons for the clad commem halves was to provide an inexpensive collectable for beginners. The surcharge was only $2.50 or $3 and the typical price was around $7.50 maybe $10 on some of the later ones. $40 is completely ridiculous.
Blame this mint director who is "collector hostile" in my opinion. He puts out polls asking "How am I doing?" now and then. If I get one I'd give him an ear full. His price increases are well beyond the rate of inflation, and if that what it costs the mint to make these coins, he's got a cost control problem. Here the link in case you don't believe me. https://catalog.usmint.gov/national...sp=TPR-_-grad-image-_-052121&scp=GRAD&start=1
There is a product limit for the three piece set of 10,000. I don't know if they will hit that number or not. You might consider ordering it earlier. If you add up the cost of the three coins sold individually, it's higher.
@johnmilton thanks for the information. I'll further investigate my options. I thought that they would be available from the mint individually. Thanks
Wow. $40. The mint no longer cares about bringing new or young collectors into the hobby. I don't feel that is very wise but that's the way it is.
I have mine. The set is a bit cheaper. I don't mind the price, I am Law Enforcement Retired and appreciate the acknowledgement. Thank you
Maybe they are trying to make up the loss of having to mint cents. LOL I bought ONE of the half because I liked the design. No other reason. Didn't like the price, but didn't want to look for one from a private party or dealer later on. Not sure how this supports law enforcement. The honor of having a law enforcement coin design promoted, but not circulated, does little to support us (retired LE).
The claim is the money earned is going to support a law enforcement memorial and museum. Given the issue price, I'm not sure how many of these coins will be available for a while in the secondary market. Unless someone will pay you a profit on the $40 issue price, they are not going to be leaving very many of their initial owners. I can't seem to find the price for the Mint State version. Time was the mint mounted those in attractive cards and sold them for affordable prices with an eye toward younger collectors. Found it! The mints wants $38 for the half dollar in Uncirculated. There is no colorful holder for young collectors.
As a retired LEO it was always to "Protect and Serve" in the area/region/state I was in...at least whenever written or appearing on badges, uniform/shoulder patches, etc...assumed was fairly universal. Wonder why the order was changed/reversed on the coin...? Maybe nothing...a random mega-mistake...but also maybe something of deliberate PC wokeness in relegating and diminishing "Protect" to fall after "Serve." I do wish the half had been issued in silver with the dollar...at least with the set. Could have been in clad for single-coin (half) purchasers.
I wish they were make the half dollar in silver too. They should do it at these prices. There are only two modern half dollars in silver, the George Washington which started the series and the Bill of Rights half dollar with Madison on it.