I have been collecting for a few years but the Mint's explanation of the Direct Ship Program leaves nothing but a question for me. The Mint's web site states that the Direct Ship coins are "non numismatic coins." Do they mean these coins are junk? Never to be collected and put in an album? Go back years and years and you find the Mint makes coins and they eventually get into circulation. These coins are then collected in any of a multitude of grades from good to BU, etc. These are numismatic coins! What makes most circulating coins numismatic coins yet the Direct Ship $1's are non numismatic. Should I collect the ones I receive in change? What does the Mint mean by "non numismatic?"
I think they mean that they are not Proof coins, but regular business strike coins. These coins are fine and worthy of album placement. They probably wont be grading MS69 anytime soon though.
FWIW, every couple of weeks I order a box (reasons below). The quality s, more or less, your average uncirculated. For example: I purchased the $15.95 8-coin pres mint set -- and the coins in the "direct ship" rolls were just as high quality, some even better. As for why: 1. Instead of taking out cash at the bank for those little odds and ends (chipping in for a gift at the office, lunch money to kids) -- I prefer to spend the $1 coins for a variety of reasons: I get into some good conversations, I educate somebody about US coinage, kids love the attention when they spend them, etc. Further, I agree with the sentiment: to increase circulation of coins over the $1-bill. 2. I charge it on my credit card, then get the cash back. (OK, well, that's not really a reason, as I only get 1% back, but, hey, it _is_ a free $2.50 for every box I order)
Hello Most of my coins from the direct ship program were of very good quality. I think for the most part the coins should be new mints but will have the marks and dings found on the end coins. I don't think you will find a MS70 in the bunch ... :goof:
i thought that the term non-numismatic coins are worth & sold at face value and numismatic ones are worth more than face value but it depends on who's buying, selling or trading Snowman
When the Mint says they are non-numismatic items that means they not something that can be returned because of defects. Their "numismatic" items are held to a higher quality standard as collectibles that you pay a premium for and therefor have the right to return them if they are defective. The only quality standard the direct shipment coins have to meet is that the are spendable.
The speculation is that they won't add new presidents to this because they have so many of the older ones in stock that weren't bought. If these go, then they might. You still can get Sacs on direct order...
If you mean by "will any new coins be added to the program" will they continue issuing coins for Presidents already eligible, yes they have to unless Congress passes legislation that cancels the program. They could possibly delay issuing them, but they have to issue them. If you mean will they add more Presidents and issue coins for them if they become eligible, the answer is yes under the law they have to. The last one they added was Gerald Ford. There is still some question as to whether or not a coin will be issued for Ronald Reagan since there is a break in the list of eligible Presidents. (Carter is still alive at this time and it is unclear in the law whether it is permissible to skip over a living president to honor one who has died.) Some have said that skipping living Presidents is OK, but the list of when each Presidents coin will be issued that is posted on the Mints website ends with Ford. Before Fords death it used to end with Nixon. So it would seem that the Mint does feel that Presidents can not be skipped. But if Carter dies before 2014 then both he and Reagan would be added to the list of coins to be produced.
Conder, I believe he means will new presidential dollars be added to the direct ship program. The last few issues have not been on the program. That is the question I answered 2 notes above. bob
the mint stop direct shipment starting from prez vau buren. in this case. i have no mood to continue buying the direct shipment. instead i will use those older prez.
