How to Absolutely Ruin Cool Pieces of U.S. Mint History

As one who works in STATE government, allow me to confirm this for you without reservation. "smh" is what I do nearly every evening.

 

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Ok, Bug. Let's not get absurd here

 

I don't have an opinion on preserving this particular press and its parts. It may be that there are enough in museums that preserving one more isn't really necessary. I do think owners, public and private, of rare historical items do have an obligation to preserve them. Question is how rare do they need to be. Unique is hard to argue against, and probably fewer than five qualifies. After that, opinions will vary. To some extent, cost of preservation and upkeep enters the decision. Coins are easy, coin presses harder, and old Navy ships are really expensive to keep.

Example is 1933 double eagles. Government now has 13. Should all be preserved by the US government or other museums? Or considering they would go for $5-10 million, should some be sold to private individuals who could do as they wish with them?

Cal

 

Yes, numismatists and museums, both of which tend to be chronically short on funds and storage space. As Baseball said the Smithsonian, and most other museums only display a TINY percentage of everything they have and most of it stays in storage (think ending scene of Raider of the Lost Ark) where in some cases small valuable items eventually disappear.

Well it was bought with taxpayer money, but when it becomes surplus it makes sense to sell it so some of that taxpayer money comes back.

Sure it would be nice for museums to get items, but are they just given away to the museums? (Remember they do belong to the taxpayers) If they have to pay for them see my comments above to BanBam about money and storage.

 

The ANA headquarters in Colorado Springs has a very similar, but somewhat earlier version, of the Carr-owned press. I think they are compatible enough to work interchangeably.

 

Absolutely not! Museums and publicly accessible places only.

1) ANA Money Museum, maybe two.
2) ANS Museum, New York City.
3) Federal Reserve HQ, Washington
4) Every Federal Reserve Bank with a public display' e.g. Chicago
5) Every U.S. Mint building with a public display.
6) Just to be a jerk about it, the Federal Court building in Philly where the trial was held and the 3rd circuit ruled. Just near enough to Izzy Switt's place to torment the Langbord family.
7) A cheap funky incredibly ugly replica on Roger Burdette's grave, right next to the CAT DROPPINGS, when he passes. How appropriate!
8) FBI Headquarters