A question on circulation

Every year the mint produces millions of Kennedy half dollars. I know some are sold in mint sets etc. What happens to the bulk of these coins? If I go to the bank and get a roll of halfs it always contains dates in the mid 70s. Is there any record of what years the mint released coins for buisness use? Are these coins sitting at the mint waiting to be used? Have they been melted down? I know that with the SBA dollars the mint only produced them for 3 years and worked them off over the next 19 years til they needed to make some in 1999. It would seem that it would take 100s of years to use all the halfs produced in the last 30 years. Just wondering. On a similar note, I have heard that the newer Sacky dollars are not being released for circulation,but I have several 2001P's that I recieved in change from a transit fare machine.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Our moderator is right again. One good source for Kennedy halves are a casino. They are probably the largest users of these coins. While larger branches of some national banks will carry a few rolls. A note: 2004 Kennedy half dollars along with the 2004 Sacagawea Dollars will be available only through the mint again this year. None will enter circulation through the Federal Reserve.

 

Kennedy halves

Hello -another newbi to the forum. Enjoyed the reading. Here is my post, or question: Can anyone tell me what is going on with the 2002 Kennedy halves verses the 2003.

They are almost twice the price by the bag than 2003 and neither are being released into circulation -makes you wonder if buying a few bags of 2004s is good idea?

Any thoughts on this?

 

I'll try to answer that as best I can.
The figures I have show a mintage of 10,500 bags in 2002.
I have a figure of 11,584 bags dated 2003, having been sold by the Mint.
Not only were more bags produced and sold in 2003, but many of the 2002 bags have already been opened, and are therefor no longer available.
So you see, it's just harder to find unopened 2002 bags. So the price is naturally going to be higher. JMHO

 

Good call jody! National Dealer is also right on the money(pardon the pun) Use of Kennedy Halfs and Dollor coins are almost exclusive to casinos and the vending machine industry in general. ~ Jim

 

Grrr, don't ya hate typos? I meant Dollar coins.lol ~ Jim

 

Very clear to me now -thanks. I was aware of the 2003 mintage but not the 2002.

So, what's the opinion on the 2004s? Buy a wheel barel full of bags? I procured a few because i thought they were a pretty neat idea -but maybe these would make a good investment. Any thoughts?

 

Jeff,
I've been a coin collector for almost fourty years. However I don't have any experience in coin investments. I invest in the enjoyment of my hobby. So far I've realized huge gains on my "investment".
I'm sure there must be others here that can offer more insight on the modern coin market.
Good luck.
Jody

 

Actually,if you were to purchase a large number of bags,and a few others did also,it might make the coins that much more common later. Better to follow the advice given here and collect for the fun of collecting and not as a investment. Investment coins would be: rare coins, high grade coins, early type coins, ect. Buy the best you can afford and don't try to bargain hunt,because those cheap coins are cheap for a reason.
Here's a example of a good coin for investment.. 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent in Uncirculated condition. It's the king of variety coins and extremely popular today. Good luck with your collection! ~ Jim

 

Coins do not make good investments for most people. Like anything else in life, the values are dependent upon what others are willing to pay for it. Key dates, have consistantly done well. But again it depends on collectors. Trends change. Buy your coins for their value to history and the appeal that effects you. That way you never go wrong.

 

investment vs hobbie

HI JIm -thanks for the advice -often we get caught up in the potential for value over fun of the hobbie. It is difficult to ignore however, what is happening with the state quarter program, commemoratives and silver eagles -they seem to increase in value rather quickly -almost as soon as the mint sells out a particular series.

In fact, it seems that one can make rather immediate gains in no-talent-needed modern coin collecting as compared to rare coins etc -where one really needs to know what he or she is buying.

Have you seen this trend? -it's hard to ignore -especially when 1999 silver quarters are now selling for 6-7 times their original cost!

BUt I do agree with your assessment.

 

While this trend often makes it look easy, it is not. We (dealers) spend many thousands of dollars trying to guess the "Hot" series. The last true hot release was the Buffalo Dollar. This was a no brainer. We see collectors bringing in coins to the shows and to our offices with what they perceive to be a great buy. Dealers buy tremendous amounts of modern coinage. While trends prices may put a particular price on it, the wholesale value does not equal it. Then the final question comes into play. Will the dealers buy it? Often this is the hardest. There are more collectors today than in anytime in history. But there are also more dealers. Trading among ourselves has become increasingly easier. The advice offered in most of these posts are correct. Collect for pleasure.

 

Sound advice -thanks

 

That is why we are here. Knowledge is the key. Happy collecting.

 

Trends

Hmmm....what's your take on the newly released "Legacies of Freedom" series from the mint: an SE and Brittania packaged in a set? Only 50K available. Personally, I think these will be off the charts in a few weeks.....

 

I thought I posted this one a few days ago -but now cant find it -forgive me it is floating in someother section of the forum -but along the lines of this discussion is the recent release from the mint of a two coin set: Lagacies of Freedom. Any thoughts on this trend? Just the fact that you can not outright purchase an uncirculated SE let alone a Brittish silver is very unique in my mind -not to mention the low availability: 50K. I think these are going to go sky high in a few months after sell out. Your thoughts?

 

Legacies of Freedom

Jeff replies: I'm undecided on that one as well -low release numbers are attractive and it seems 95% of what the mint issues is hot right now. HOw did it go with the Euro-quarter release -I did not really follow those?

 

Our moderator is correct again. No surprise here. The sets are nice, but we have not purchased any and have no plans to do so. It is designed with the same appeal as the euro collection as mentioned. A look back at that program will give you an idea of this products future.