I know there has been a lot of discussion on the Mints anniversary ASE and AGE sets, but there is something I'd like to bring up and invoke some response reguarding the Uncirculated 2006 ASE with the West Point Mint mark. Correct me if I am wrong but up till now all uncirculated ASE's contain no mint mark and now the US Mint will produce an uncirculated 2006 ASE with a mint mark. The price is 19.95 + SH, so you might as well say 25.00. I am going to assume, which maybe I should not, that these coins will be minted in quanities that will make it only rare as far as the mint mark? If that is the case we're paying double to have a mint mark on an uncirculated ASE. Yes? I love these coins and will most likely find a way to purchase one of the uncirculated 2006 "W" for my collection along with the three coin set that includes the reverse proof. Is this the only thing the Mint could come up with to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the "uncirculated" ASE's?
I believe the US mint has issued other silver bullion "coins" with mintmarks. http://www.coinfacts.com/bullion_coins/silver_bullion_coins/silver_bullion_coins.htm I don't know the answers to your other questions, although I do have an opinion.
I know the proofs all have mint marks and I'm sure what coinfacts is saying is that eventhough there are no mint marks on the uncirculated coins they know they were minted at West Point begining in 2000. I'm really interested in what the Mint is pulling here. Are we to believe that a "mint mark" makes the coin worth double the bullion price? What do CT members think about that. Specially the ASE collectors. What are your views?
Coin collecting is hot and the mint is gonna strike while the iron is hot. They know there are people who have the fever that are gonna buy whatever they put out and they'll shell out to get it. They see these things immediately selling for more on ebay and with dealers so they're gonna ride the wave too. I read a while back on a forum about someone who used to be into stamps a lot but got discouraged because the government got wise and started putting out all kinds of crap knowing it would sell. They had gotten into coins but saw the same trend starting up with the mint now. It'll probably be the same way, the mint is gonna keep pushing things out until they don't sell anymore.
Double ?? What did the W make the '95 Proof worth ? For that matter, what difference does a mint mark make to the value of any coin ? Of course it makes a difference - to collectors. It always has. In this day and age even a small difference in any part of the coin's design can make a significant difference in regard to value - that's what varieties are all about - the differences. The mint knows all of this, they have people that read all of these coin forums. They know what collectors want and what they will pay for and what they won't. They are out to make a profit, so they will do whatever it takes to help them do that. Just like any other business would.
