Here it is 2012 and we already have approved commemorative coin programs through 2016. If we keep this pace up, we will be blocked out of dates for the next 10 years or so. What's the rush? If we have to many commemorative programs, we won't be able to acknowledge better ones which may come along. Shouldn't 5 years lead time be enough? As a side issue, I do support Senator Jim DeMint's bill of taking the signorage from the program and applying it to our national debt. (Instead of private entities.) Are we starting to abuse the commemorative program like we did before, and may it again one day, be suspended?
I started saying the same thing years ago when we first got five years ahead. (we are doing better now, only four year ahead). Can't really agree with taking the seigniorage away for the national debt because they are going to need it to offset to losses on the circulating coinage. But I think you meant the surcharges that go to the group being commemorated. That I could see, but if the groups aren't being given funds from the commemoratives, why would there be surcharges? After all SOME of the commemoratives are purchased to help support the organizations, I'm not sure how much extra interest there would be in buying commemoratives just to contribute money just to "reduce the national debt" especially when the funds would just be put in the general fund and spent rather than actually going to any real debt reduction. Are we starting to abuse our commemorative program? No, we have been doing it for some time now and it is probably only going to get worse.
