September 11th Commemorative

Since the Mint likes to occasionally do commemoratives on anniversary years, what would you think if the Mint produced a 10 year September 11th commemorative in 2011? Would it be proper? Would it just be seen as another way for the Mint to make a buck? If they did, what would be a fitting design?

Just a thought for today since I was thinking about the day it happened and where I was.

 

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I think such an idea of commemorating 9/11 might be tasteless and quite possibly controversial. Look how long it has taken to even get a memorial at the WTC location, still hasn't happened. No matter what you do, someone is not going to like it.

Yes, they are building the Freedom Tower, but really, would you want to locate your business in a building with a great big target on it? I went up to the top of the Empire State Building in 2002, and I can tell you it was not the height of the thing that had me nervous, it was the fact that it was a big terrorist target.

 

I don't know. Usually when I think of a commemorative I think of something great that happened thats being remembered. There's nothing great about what went on 9/11. Maybe a coin commemorating firefighting or the police force or something along those lines would be ok, but not a tragic event with no happy ending...even 7, 10, or 100 years later.
Guy~

 

I have been writing for years (8 to be exact, today) for Congress or the President to honor the victims on the Pennsyvania plane that fought that day and died fighting to be honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

As non-military, who could possibly be more worthy of receiving the honor.

But, to no avail.

[same for the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing.]

 

A 9/11 commemorative would be completely appropriate and in good taste. A normal society commemorates the important historical events in their history even if they were painful, least people forget. Somehow, the US usually commemorates trivia on their coins and prefers to forget those who died.

 

Was there ever a Pearl Harbor memorial coin? Or a Kennedy assassination coin? Usually coins honor the life of someone rather than their death.

In that spirit I think it'd be better to have a World Trade Center coin than a 9/11 coin, but you can't really do that since the building is notable mainly for 9/11.

 

Yeah? When. There is just a big hole in the groung 7 years later.

No Problem locating a business there. In fact, tenents where lined up for the certain building proposals. Are we all supposed to live in a fallout shelter?

I hear this all the time and to my ears it is the most retarded thing. I want to build the biggest terrorist target on earth and put a sign on it that says, "Don't Tread on Me"

 

When I posted this, I knew there would be mixed feelings. They're all valid points though. I can see it being tasteless and unwelcome by a lot of people. I would certainly be a little skeptical about it. I don't know that I like the idea of the Mint (or any other company) making a buck off what happened. I have never bought, and will never buy, an American flag shirt or other September 11th related commercial items to display. I remember it every year in my own way. However, if it's done right, I could possibly see the desire to have a future commemorative in my collection. I also know that the after market price for them will be outrageous.

In short, I don't know that I could take part in it.

 

They are sort of already doing it. Here are some eBay listing titles

2001 PCGS MS69 WTC RECOVERY 1/10oz $5 GOLD EAGLE
PCGS WTC SILVER EAGLE 1 OF 1440 GEM UNCIRCULATED
SWISS CREDIT 1oz GOLD BAR WTC GROUND ZERO PCGS 1 of 426
THE NEW WTC-FREEDOM TOWER SILVER COMMEMORATIVE COIN-HTF
etc.

These vary from
PCGS US mint products to foreign mint whatevers. But there are lots of them out there.

 

Probably would do good if the $$ went to the families who lost loved ones and was tasteful. Maybe no design, just some words.

 

Money for the families was kinda what I was thinking. Thats if they did go ahead and do it for the tenth anniversary. It might be a better idea to wait though. Maybe 20 years. I wouldn't think of it as commemorating the terrible event as much as remembering the people who died that day.

 

You know, I think that's a great idea. If the profits could go to the families and they did it right. It would be a special set. I could see them doing something like a 3 coin silver dollar set. One for each site. I think the WTC site design should be the skyline with the two beams of light going up into the sky.

I was just on vacation last fall in PA and stopped by the Shanksville site. A lot of people there in the middle of nowhere on a weekday, from all over the country. Six years later. That memory wall/fence they have set up there would probably be an option for a coin. It's such a simple, messy thing but it symbolizes that site and you know what it is instantly.

I think they would sell out of this commemorative set in record time and you'd see the prices on them skyrocket. I don't want to see everybody profiting off it. I just know that demand would likely far outweigh supply depending on what was minted. And why?

Well, how many people are interested in a coin commemorating the bicentenial of the Library of Congress? Or the West Point bicentennial? Or Little Rock Central Highschool Desegregation?

Now compare that with something as powerful as 9/11 that affected the entire world on a single morning, in recent history. And if not for a fleeting moment, briefly brought everybody closer together, albeit in tragedy.
Everybody including non-collectors would want the set. I just hope the mint comes up with excellent designs and hopefully forfeits the profits. Just because it would be the right thing to do.

 

I think I'd rather that they didn't.

There are too many commemoratives already... if this were to be something really unique I think I'd be more enthused about it. I just don't see this being "done right."

I'm also rather appalled at some of the "memorials" that have already been issued like the one with the twin towers that tilt up from the surface of the "coin" or whatever it is.

True, there wasn't a Kennedy assassination coin, but the Kennedy Half was issued in quite a hurry.

 

That would be the appropriate thing to do. But even the Mint's most successful commemorative sellers haven't made surcharge dollars enough when split among so vast a crowd who lost people that day to make it worth while. I mean, I'd consider a check from the government for $12.93 an insult after a life-changing event, wouldn't you? When you factor in that a good percentage of those people wren't in the buildings when they were attacked, but were part of the aftermath. Some are still suffering and dying today thanks to the long-term effects. So, how would you fairly divide that money? You couldn't...just ask the Red Cross.

It would be a bad commemorative coin choice in my opinion. There are just some occasions that are burned into memory that need no constant or annual reminders.
Guy~

 

commemorate >verb- honor the memory of as a mark of respect.
-DERIVATIVES commemoration >noun commemorative >adjective.
-ORIGIN Latin commemorare 'bring to remembrance'.


I know there are some who would rather forget but there was plenty of 'good' that happened that is worthy of being commemorated IMO. There's also nothing wrong with being reminded of the threats that exist and why we should always be vigilant.

I never doubted that there will be vastly varying opinions on this, just based on the direction that thoughts and ideas have gone since then.

 

Wtc

I have to say no for reasons already mentioned. The controversy would be huge is probably the main reason. Whether or not to issue would be first. Design of such a coin or medal.....the debate would be endless. Bottom feeders would snap up any issue, package it with junk and overcharge the public.

I have to admit I was tempted by the alleged WTC recovered coins. I slept on it and decided no. It just felt wrong to me.

The fast issue of Kennedy halves was startling. My memory is fuzzy but I recall getting them from small local banks within months of JFKs murder.

 

There have been multiple coins commemorating those who died :

• WW2 (several)
• the Civil War (many different ones)
• the Korean War
• Prisoners of War
• Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
• Vietnam Memorial

There are many other non-trivial subjects as well.

 

In my opinion I don't think that would ever happen. To set up a comittee or something to distribue the funds would probably be very costly. Survivors' families are worldwide and the task of tracking them all down would be immense. People move all the time. You would need, detectives, lawyers, phone solicitors, management personnel, banking, bookeeping, secretaries, ect,ect.Add in the cost of offices, supplies,furnishings and let's not forget postage. The $12.93 that was mentioned by coleguy would probably be out of reach. Selling a commemerative for $35-40 would be whittled down to peanuts and yes it would be an insult to the survivors. The survivors of this life changing event can in no way be compensated with a paltry few dollars. Even with good intentions. JMO...... John

 

I believe a 10-yr. commemorative would be appropriate. Distributing proceeds to "survivors" would be problematical, as noted. Establishing a scholarship fund for survivors who could establish eligibility could be practicable. Funding a memorial would be another possibility.

The victims of 9/11/01 were martyrs in a historic event worthy of commemoration. Of course there would be controversey: when, in this country, is there no controversey about anything?

 

That's right ! Probably a GOOD sign, though it often feels uncomfortable (which is also a good sign).

Some nations have issues which should be controversial but aren't. That's a BAD sign.