Points to ponder.

Now I know that we beat this topic half to death on this forum, but having been involved in a series of meetings with our legislators, I have a better appreciation for the subject.

As all of you know, congress is contemplating several issues regarding our currency and coins. Many want new designs, while many others are happy with the status quo.

Here is a point to ponder.

We as Americans love and embrace change. We expect it in our fashions, cars, televisions, and in our everyday lives.

Would any of us be happy if the manufacturers of America decided that the current design was the best for us, and never created anything new or different?

Several examples of this thought process are plain for all to see.

Henry Ford took the auto industry to new levels, but his idea of one car for the masses just did not work.

The general public wants change, they want different.

Most Americans today have only witnessed a few minor design changes in our currency.

The last major change was replacing Franklin with Kennedy.

When the State Quarter program became a reality, 100 million Americans embraced the change. That is better than 1 out of 3.

With the new Jefferson designs, a resurgence has taken place.

American's are collecting coins at a pace never before witnessed. Our hobby is growing daily.

Our government still has not figured out that change equals a good thing. They insist we revert back to the days when our currency was lackluster and mundane.

Now proponents of the current designs have good arguments for keeping the images present forever. They wish to continue honoring these great men. That none should be lost to history.

The basic principles of coinage was not for honoring people. It was hoped by the founding fathers that our coinage would represent all of America. Liberty was chosen because it was one of our foremost rights. A symbol that every American could understand and embrace.

Every collector knows how stagnant our coinage has been. It does not take much effort to find coins dating back 30 years or more in our pocket. This is because of a lack of interest. Many studies have been made on circulating quarters. More eagle backed Washington quarters are found in change than the new state quarter.
Collectors across the land tell the tale of how difficult it is to find the newest quarter in circulation.

All of the designs have helped to spark school curriculums, and a revitalized interest in our nations history. I would think that this would be a lesson to all involved. We need change. Even if the decision is made that the current images are to be retained, they should be updated on a regular basis. Don't let any design idea be etched into "forever".

Whether you are a proponent for the current designs or against the idea, you need to voice your opinion. Don't let congress make a decision without you.

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/officials/directory/directory.dbq?command=congdir

 

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Quote by national dealer:
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Would any of us be happy if the manufacturers of America decided that the current design was the best for us, and never created anything new or different?
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No!!! If America never created anything new there would be no point in collecting coins! It would be the most boring hobby.

 

i am all for change after all it is the only constant in are being. i was just pondering something though. how do you think changes would effect the current coin market? will those rarer specimans go up in value?
this is weird too. how would you tell what denominations that are changed hold their value? it would be like starting from scratch for you seasoned vets. i think that would be pretty cool.

 

The subject isn't lost on me. We should all speak to out congressmen more. We should tell them what we want out of our coinage, not to mention a whole host of other things.

 

Well the only way to get anything changed is to be active. The post I wrote here, is a highlight of the letter that I have submitted to the congressmen and senators. Other copies were forwarded to CoinWorld, and several Delaware newspapers. I am hoping to at least stir up the pot.
While my views on this subject are well known, I am not stubornly set on any one design change. I am just trying to keep our coinage from continuing to be stagnant for another century.

 

So, when I go to this congress page listed above. Help me find my way "through it", what committee, etc, etc. So I can post to them, that I would like a change in our coinage.

 

GDJMSP - I never knew of the effort to make this petition drive existed.

Maybe CoinWorld and some of the other publications would be willing to do a subscriber blast to their lists to draw attention to this effort. I think it is great the effort you have invested, but it may be that apathy has been overtaken by ignornance regarding the response.....

 

Why Change?

To me, the coins in our pocket are and were intended for spending (except of course for our "pocket pieces"). Why change the circulating coinage? I submit that the Mint should expand on the collector pieces that it makes like many other countries (i.e. Great Britain, Canada, Austrailia) have embraced. We need to keep our base coinage as a tribute to our forefathers, to stay grounded and on course in this country, which we desperately need in these times! We need to be reminded daily of their contributions and be guided by their principles and remember who they were and who they are! I say again - change and expand the collectible offerings and make them as bold and exciting as possible!

 

I understand your wanting to honor the founding fathers. Jody has the same passion. I respect that. Only two of our six coins feature a founding father. Neither of those two men wanted to be honored in that fashion. So how do we honor the man without honoring their wishes?
If you want them to stay the same, you should still contact your rep. or senator to let them know. Don't let anyone make a decision for you without your opinion known.
Now as much as I want change, I would be happy with updated designs featuring different reverses. Such as the new Jefferson and Washington. These two new coins, have sparked a renewed interest in history among school kids. So if we make a permanent design, we will fall back into the same old rut. Too many people are unaware that the mint even sells coins. So if we lose the 100 million new collectors, we all lose. Not just the collector, but America as a whole.

 

As a child I started collecting coins from my pocket change. Filling the holes, searching thru rolls, thats what excited me and thats whats gotten my children interested. The non-circulating commeratives don't excite me much. Some are nice, some don't look like coins. Regular changes in our coinage is what we need. Not overpriced, plastic sealed, mint money maker commeratives.

Just my opinion.

 

This little section was taken out of the link GDJMSP posted. It is a great thought. It tells exactly why we need change.

http://banking.senate.gov/prel00/0913coin.htm

 

I agree with your overall goal to keep interest going, I just see the "root" problem differently. I say let the government decide what they want about coinage, we as collectors and people will decide what is worthy of collection and what is not. Isn't that what collecting is all about? Collecting the government "screw-ups" and their sometimes questionable decisions on coinage are why we look through our pocket change to begin with hoping to find that special error coin or date, etc.! As collectors and people wanting to share the experience to all about collecting, I don't necessarily want to "guide" our government about coinage changes (unless they want to approve the old Saddam Iraqi money as legal tender), let them change what they want.
The problem is lack of information. So many "dealers" count on the ignorance of the collecting public to gouge them on prices for mediocre coins or new ones readily available to the public from other sources. We wouldn't lose 100 million collectors if our collecting associations (national to local), grading services, etc. ran a constant PR campaign on what coins are available and where to get them (i.e. local dealers, etc.) I should know as an average citizen, where to buy special coins be it the Mint directly or local coin dealers or ??? I ask - What are our Dealer Associations, Coin Collecting Associations and others doing to spread the word on collecting? I know are individual efforts such as those on this forum, but we need a bigger, more organized effort, to promote the joys of coin and currency collecting. Let the government do their thing, the control of collecting and generating interest should come primarily from the hobby itself and it's organizations and dealers.

 

Well getting people to organize in any effort is hard to do. Too many cooks in the kitchen if you will. The nations coins should inspire and reflect America. This was what the founding fathers intended. Do you honestly believe that our current designs do this? When was the last time someone reached into their pocket and pulled out a 1978 Roosie, and said "WOW". Most of us carry a pocket piece to show what our nation produced in times past. They inspire beyond their simple value. My quest has nothing to do with business. The statement that dealers rely on ignorance is not the norm. A well versed collector is the best customer. They buy better material, and spend far more money. It is a common misperception that we dealers make the market. I can't sell any coin that someone isn't willing to pay for.

The largest problem in this country is that not many people will stand up for anything. This is either a lack of knowledge or a lack of desire. The common thought is that someone else will do it for me.

I for one feel it necessary to stand up. It is not the authority of Congress to direct our nations coin designs. That law is clear on the subject. All I want is for our Congress to get out of the way and let the mint do their job. Now anyone who has visited our website will know that I am letting my business suffer to make these changes. That should prove that this is not about making money on my part. This for my part is a love for coins. During the 20's and 30's this nation produced some of the most beautiful coins in the world. Why would anyone not want that again?
Now I agree that we need better involvement from dealers organizations and collector organizations, but until that day comes, I will fight with all that I have, to do what I can.
I have put my money where my mouth is.

Whether I succeed or fail, I can at least look myself in the mirror and know I did what I could.

I don't intend this to sound rude or offensive, so please accept it for the passion that it has.

I am not asking for anyone to change their minds. I only want people to think about the subject and let their voice be known.

 

I want you all to know that sometimes my passion for coins sometimes gets ahead of me. So please understand that is where my comments and opinions come from.

I certainly do not wish to offend anyone.

Look at it this way...What's better than a passionate dealer

 

As a citizen, I want the government to design beautiful currency and coinage to enstill confidence in our economy and provide something I can use and be proud of.

As a collector, I want beautiful coinage that is satisfying to collect.

Do I have a right to request my government to make beautiful coinage as a citizen - I think so. But I do think that as a collector I don't have the right to ask the government to do anything. This is a hobby and a luxury, not a necessity. We need money to spend, and if I chose to do anything else with the coinage and currency the government provides, then that is my business.

ND - Your passion is welcomed. Never apologize for passion. Offense is usually taken from fear, ignorance or intolerance of an opinion. I personally believe that reactions regarding offensive behavior can be another opportunity for education, given the right circumstances. (That obviously excludes uninformed or intolerant opinions)
Cris

 

Thank you.

Our government is there for us. We should always ask our government to be there for us. No matter what, we cannot let others make any decision for us without our input. American's have an absolute right to question our leaders, and hold them accountable. That is why this country is so great!

Remember the great words.

We the people!

 

I agree with our moderators -- apathy is a huge problem. Because so few of us express our views to elected officials when you do, you will be heard!!! Your views (and your votes) do count!!!

And your views and votes make a difference!! In 1998, the winner in my congressional district won by only 2 votes!!

 

Of course, our country, our whole system of Government is based on an individual or group being able to voice their opinion good or bad to our elected leaders - which is a great system. How many of us as individuals have the ear of the US Mint to listen to us and how many on this forum have been able to vote on or sway the opinion of the Mint on the look of our coinage? It's not set up that way. Even if you did, you are one voice and don't speak for others. From what I know of our coinage history, the decisions were made throughout our history by a few or less voices that were very high up in the political world and as far as I know a vote or consensus was never offered to the public in a limited or large-scale way by the government on coinage issues. My point is, I think our time is better served organizing ourselves and letting everyone else follow OUR (i.e collectors,etc.) consensus of what should and shouldn't be on our coins and money. My belief is that our coinage should always reflect the founding fathers (and mothers) of our country so we and our children never forget their contributions.Believe me, I take no offense to anyone or what they've said and hopefully I'm not being misunderstood. I'm trying to make my messages as short as I can so I leave out some details. I think we're saying mostly the same things in a different way. I am not a fan of Government control, that is why I am saying that we should take control ourselves, then we can better communicate as one to those that make policy. Besides, what would happen to the all those 5 and 6 step Jeffersons if they go and change everything?

 

They would become more valuable.