More than once on coin forums, I've posted about how I was able to go to the bank during my college years and get rolls of BU silver dollars -- Denver, Philadephia, New Orleans and Carson City mints. Up until today, I just assumed that the coins were available because of the times -- 1962 through 1964. Then, today, I bought a 2006 Red Book, and started reading. I was very impressed with the new book -- the colors used, the format, etc. Then, I happened on to Page 27. There it was! The "why" I was able to get these beautiful coins. Because of a giant Government release policy during those years. So, I learned a great deal today. Just wished I had saved more of those beautiful coins. Only kept about 20. Turned hundreds back into the bank. So, it took me about 40 years to learn why those coins were abundant and readily available. Wish I had known then what I just learned now!
But the good news is you didn't buy any 1903-0's just before the raids. That would've been a real :headbang: :headbang:
Actually the silver dollars were just circulating coins at the time. They were nothing special and in general only worth their face value. You could still pick them up at the bank up until about 1968. It had nothing to do withthe Treasury christmas time disbursals. Any bank, at any time, could order silver dollars from the Fed. In fact the Christmas time increases in the number of dollars disbursed was not a Treasury idea, but just the result of the common practice of people giving silver dollars to kinds at Christmas. It's a lot like how it is today. Then it was. "We have made dollar coins (Morgan and Peace) and they are out there available for use but almost no one uses them. If a customer wants them they can have them and if we don't have any on hand we can order them." Now it is. "We have made dollar coins (SBA's and Sac's) and they are out there available for use but almost no one uses them. If a customer wants them they can have them and if we don't have any on hand we can order them."
Now you know why the Red Book is such a great general coin book for educational purposes and as a guide to values and mintages. Just for the fun of it if your reading that book front to back, see how many errors you can find in the latest edition. Freinds of mine tell me this edition has more errors in it than any of the past editions.
I am glad some people bought these and saved them for a while longer, otherwise I would not have been able to have purchased a blast white BU roll of 1881-S's
I still remember finding Indian cents in the 60's!, and putting some in bubblegum machines!! :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:
