So I was just reading this article: http://business.financialpost.com/2...+(Financial+Post+-+Top+Stories)?__federated=1 I knew Canada was producing a lot of coins every year, but I got to this sentence: "Last year, the mint sold $167 million worth of numismatics and collectibles, a record, after having issued 201 new non-circulating types." 201 Types for a country as small as Canada? Does anyone else think this is awfully excessive? It reminds me of the "bad old days" that killed the US commemorative program in the 1930's. Do we really think there will be long term support for such issues, or does this bode very ill for the future of any modern Canadian coins? I am not trying to hate on Canadian coins, (especially on Canada Day), but its simply a shocking number for a country with a population less than California.
Guess the Canadian Mint simply aims at "casual" customers. It does not have people in mind who want to collect everything that the RCM issues. Somebody may find a glow-in-the-dark piece attractive and buy that, another buyer may like that spider and web piece, and so on. Christian
I know a lot of people are echoing that sentiment and that the quality of mint product is going downhill. I think the mint justifies so many different designs by keeping the mintages low. They also provide a wildly diverse set of designs for their coins. There are dinosaur coins, animal coins, historical coins, 'haunted' coins, and flowery coins. Then they couple that with an additional technique such as glow in the dark, colour, or even venetian glass. From there they have the option of denomination be it a quarter, half ounce silver, ounce silver, and various gold and platinum sizes. For me it is easy to see how the RCM produces so many different coins a year. Long term I doubt it will be viable but for the time being people are buying so the mint will keep on producing. I don't have much mint product but there are a couple of coins on the wishlist and the nice thing about living 5 minutes from the mint is I can convince my family members to buy presents for me there and avoid all the usual junk they get me for presents!
Also just to add on my post. I think if the US Mint really wanted too they could explode onto the NCLT market if they produced some truly creative and artistic designs. Look at the hype around the baseball coins. You pointed out that California has the population of Canada and yet the US Mint does nothing to capitalize on the sheer amount of collectors in the us. I am curious if the US mint developed their own 20 for 20 series I am betting it would be wildly popular. The only problem I could see is if they got too 'MURICA on all of the designs. But then again can you imagine the popularity of a Nascar design in the south.
I doubt the US Mint would be able to logistically accomplish what the RCM does. I'm not positive, but it seems that the RCM is given a lot more leeway by the Minister of Finance than the US Mint is granted by Congress regarding coin production.
There is a sucker born every minute ... and you're talkin' to one right now!! => the RCM products rock!! (I only chase the fancy quarters, but even then there are a whole lot of 'em to chase!!) ... I love the lil' mini gold quarters and the painted bird series!! ... sure, they may not be as cool as ancients, but they're still cool enough to draw me in!! (Happy Canada Day)
The crap that the RCM puts out is affectionately (or nonaffectionately) known as granny bait or grandma bait. Almost all of the 'special issues" and special series can be bought on the secondary market 2-3 years down the line for 60-70% of issue price. The initial buyers are not collectors ... they are someone who walks into the post Office or orders from the RCM for "little Mikey for Xmas". They make a few good ones, but the RCM is the Cook Islands of the North. Most of their items have very good artwork, but are overpriced and under-thought out as to theme choices and applicability. Almost across the board, they are the laughing stock of most collectors .. but, if you pick them up at 50-60% of issue, there are some very nice things. Anyone want a Johnny Appleseed dollar?
you're 100% correct ... 100% Umm, but "hopefully" in 50 years the bird series and the glow-in-the dark-quarters "might" be worth their initial price!! => huh, otherwise the grandkids are gonna have to work for a livin'!!!
