Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;GDJMSP, post: 964555, member: 112&quot;]I certainly understand your point of view, and even agree with it to an extent.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Absolutely. While I cannot speak of the ancients you mention, most European nations have produced special coins (coins not intended for use in circulation) for centuries. Most of these pieces were given to the nobility, or even the King. Amd some were given to foreign dignitaries. For it was the nobles and the Kings &amp; Queens who were the first collectors. Today most of these coins are known as presentation pieces and they had no other purpose but to be collected.</p><p><br /></p><p>Such presentation pieces are known (at least by me) back to the 1300&#039;s and probably even before. But I am not aware of them as that time was about the limit of my interest. And they continue to be made today by virtually every country that issues coins.</p><p><br /></p><p>Now Proofs are a bit different. But that was largely a technological issue rather a desirability issue. Even so, the first Proof coin was minted in Great Britain in 1653 - IIRC, might be off 1 year. And they have been struck largely continuously since then.</p><p><br /></p><p>So to answer your question, a most definite yes. Coins that were struck with the sole purpose of being collected, or saved and put away, have been being minted for at least 700 years and probably a lot longer.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The idea of selling coins as collectibles for a profit is a lot newer than the minting of them. It is largely a modern issue, in terms of time anyway. The first US Proofs were minted shortly after 1800 and they were sold for a profit. And their sole purpose was as collectibles. </p><p><br /></p><p>But yes, there have also been a few other coins that were circulating commemoratives. The Washington quarter for instance - it was entirely minted to be a commemorative. In fact it was not even supposed to be minted at all after the first year. But it became so popular that the series was continued. </p><p><br /></p><p>There have been a few others but I can&#039;t think of them off the top of my head. But today they are more common. The recent Lincoln series in 2009 comes to mind. As do the 2004 nickels, the &#039;76 quarters, halves and dollars. All of these were commemoratives.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in