Just in case the decision makers at the Mint read this board, here is an idea. In the silver bullion category, we currently have the 1-ounce dollar and the 5-ounce quarter (I know....it doesn't make sense to me either.) Anyway, how about introducing the half-ounce Silver Eagle half dollar. Why? 1. The Mint would be happy because it could charge a higher premium above spot, as is done with many fractional bullion issues. 2. Collectors would be happy because they would have an additional coin to gather every year. 3. The TPGs would be happy because people would be senselessly submitting yet another modern bullion coin for grading. 4. The dealers would be happy because they could add an additional mark-up to the senselessly submitted coins. 5. The paranoid among us would be happy because they would have a smaller-sized coin to use for bartering if and when the Monetary Meltdown hits. It seems like a win-win-win-win-win. Can I get an Amen, brothers and sisters?
Actually, the people at the US Mint are just pawns. This should be sent to the Fools on the Hill. While we are making suggestions, why not revamp our circulating coins and currency. Different sizes and colors of bills, a triangular cent, square nickel, scalloped dime, leave the quarter alone (because it has George on it) and makle the dollar coin with 13 sides on it (for each of the original colonies). This way the visually impaired can use the money easier, the vending industry can sell all new machines to replace the old ones, the vendors can raise prices even more and coin collectors get cool shaped coins. This would be a win-win-win-win-win-win-win-win... situation. P.S. Also make the coins from materials like plastic, aluminum, pot metal and the like so the mint can show a profit on everything they produce.
Good ideas, but maybe we should start on a smaller scale. Let's do mine first and then we can do yours.
O.K. Wouldn't want to tie up congress with too much stuff. Their pointed little heads can only handle so much at any given time.
Its a good point because of silve pricing. A half ounce coin today will still be higher priced than the one ouncers have been for most of the ASE history. I would support you if you promise to never ask for a tenth ounce. Ok, at least until silver is over $100 an ounce.
We only need four coins. Nickel, Dime, Quarter and Dollar. They should be shaped like a Diamond, Heart, Club and Spade.
All it takes is for you to contact your local representative to the US House or your state senators and ask them to consider introducing a bill to have the coin created. A nicely worded request with the rationale why you think it is needed might go a long way. It should be noted that almost all, if not all new coins produced by the Mint are started this way.
I'll give you an amen on that too. I think they would sell. I do think though, I'd like to see a different design than the ASE. Not that I have anything against it ,it's a beautiful coin, I'd just like a variety. If they used another retro design for the obverse I think it would spark more interest.
I would love it - Half dollar ASE. This would bring many people that have small disposable incomes into the game. And we could expect to see the same historic mintages and special sets. I would like to see one exact face of the one ounce ASE on just one side of the new half ounce to establish a relationship between the two and then the same for a quarter and tenth. Wow 4 different denomimations all related with one same face. As for the puck, if it incorporates the same idea but with a new value of either 5$ or 10$ and continues the new designs each year we would now have a 5 piece related set with only the puck changing each year! That is the only way I would consider the puck.
Don't the silver proof sets fulfill every one of your points? But I think you left out one reason for making the fractional coins: 6. It would make the old school collectors happy because they'd have another thing to scoff at.
The ASE fractionals would all be related with one common face, wouldn't this be a first? They could be different from the AGEs by an annual change to the non common side. The pucks would expire in its prescribed time limit. And the ASE factionals would be pure silver. Look at the spot price and you know the value of your fractional.
It would be interesting to see what denomination would be put on the coin since the Mint is still producing a silver 1/2 dollar coin.