I saw a comment the other day on the Forum about the new "satin finish" coins causing a difference in collecting. I believe it is leading to a new coin type that will result in a run on mint sets, but surprisingly also lead to a run on business strike coins also. If the SF coins are to be delineated by the proffessional graders (which has and is continuing to happen), it appears that the albums and resultingly the collectors will be wanting identifying holes in the albums for 2005 SF and 2005 NonSF (or business strike). As a result, maybe we should be looking for nice business strikes for our collections. Since the US Mint is nobody's fool (well at least not mine; I can't even get a 2005 Coin and Medal Set), is this a concerted effort by the Mint to reinvigorate the collecting of all coins or at least to cause some more interest in all of the common coins for all collectors, including the young who can't afford the expensive coins. I can't believe the Mint can express surprise at this when the matte treatment of the Jefferson and Kennedy coins in years past created substantial interest and differentiation. Any thoughts from anyone???
I see a lot of advertisements from coins stores that feature "BU mint strikes" for all coins types, starting in 2005. Obviously everbody that has used the mint sets for their unc coins collections is now out of luck. I think the Mint will see less and less in sales for the mint set and the coin dealers will be selling more and more BU coins.
I think the opposite will occur. The Mint Sets will now become very valuable, because they are the only way to get the SF coins. BU coins will also have a market increase, since normal coinage will be the only way to get the business strikes for we which we previously utilized broken Mint Sets. Pretty sneaky way to create a new market without having to issue any newly designed coins.
I've mentioned this in another post, but its all like too much Star Wars hype for me, flood the market, and when your done, flood it some more, and when your done doing that, flood it again. The US Mint is getting greedy and is going to flood the market with so much hype and variety, that to me, it will actually make coin collecting more complicated than it should be and end up alienating collectors. I like the 50 state quarters series and what it has done to reinvigorating the hobby. And then came the Lewis & Clark nickel series. I like them too but my limit is starting to be pushed. And now comes the satin finish. So now to make a complete set of 2005 US coinage, you will have to get a hold of a minimum of 5 coins for each denomination and as many as 25. So that's what 5 pennies, 5 dimes, 10 nickels, 25 quarters, 5 halfs, and 5 dollars. 55 coins in total. Well crud, I just remembered their are two differnet proof sets silver and clad. New total 62 (feel free to check/correct my math). And heaven forbid there are any major varieties this year like with the 1982 Lincolns. Now they'reall beautiful coins, and maybe this all just assults my like for collecting year sets, but enough is enough is enough, specially when the mint can't adaquately meet the demand they created. OK....phew....ask me how I REALLY feel next time...LOL
so, soon the mint sets will be MONSTROUS!!!! we will have 4 dollar coins each year for the presidents, 2009 will bring 4 pennys for lincoln... GACK!
It may be sneaky but if you think about it, the mint gains nothing from it unless collectors find it interesting. Indeed, all the extra work to make more high quality mint set coins is greater cost and trouble for the mint for which they get nothing in return. (unless collectors like it). The price of the mint set hasn't been increased and they're still issuing all the cir- culation coins at face value. Oh sure, now collectors will want to have both versions so they'll have to find some nice coins in circulation too. In the past collectors would just buy the mint sets since they had the finest coins anyway. And yeah this might get more people interested in the hobby which will spur sales of mint sets and maybe even proof sets and their other products too. It's a win, win, win situation for the mint and collectors perhaps also. The ease of finding gem new coins might well interest people in finding the old- er coins in gem also. This can mean other, older coins and sets will benefit which will help collectors. It can mean a few people who have access to circulation issues can make some money selling them to those who don't. It will make all the current sets more interesting which will mean more in- terest and perhaps more new collectors. It is pretty sneaky.
Like it or not the satin finish coins WILL BE the LOWEST minted coins of 2005. Throw in the fact that they are FIRST YEAR sets and Katy bar the door. Personally I have been purchasing the two nickels as quickly as I can due to the fact....this is it....a one time deal for the Buffalo nickel and the Ocean in View in SATIN! I have stashed back a full roll of proofs and a great number of rolls of business strikes for a LONG TERM wait and THEN the mint offers up a new satin finish! What is a guy to do? Well it was a no brainer for me and I started a new buffalo hunt! I still can't help but wonder what the other coins in the set will do in the future. I think the Sacagawea and Kennedy half may be strong performers as well? Guess time will tell and if things go like they usually do....I will have collected the wrong coins!!!
The Mint always gains; otherwise we would have no proofs, not mint sets, no commemoratives, no matter coins, no Goodacre dollars, no 1995W SE's, and no special packaged sets. That is a given. It is a never ending project trying to keep up with the changes, the assembly of the collections, and the cost of purchasing these slight variations that end up costing quite a bit for us anal collectors that want all of the varieties, types, and packages. I mean 62 coins to collect for 11 different denominations (and including the two nickels and five quarters) is a lot, not to mention the packaged sets and commemorative sets. That seemed to be lawdogct's frustration point, and I certainly understand it. The Mint has a lot to gain either way, but it will certainly not lose by this newest endeavor. It will be either very successful or moderately successful, but never a loss.
