RIP...US Mint

Since 1963 for me!

 

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Well, "already" is relative. The law regarding the US baseball coin specifically refers to an even older convex/concave coin issued by the Monnaie de Paris in 2009. The Australian piece came in 2012, I think ...

Christian

 

I'll let ya know about what I see at the ANA Money show (Orlando) this weekend.

 

That's 'cause there's no money to be made in direct mint issues lately.

 

100% correct.

 

The US Mint has some great products and some awful products.

I know some don't, but I like the ATB 5 oz. uncirculated series. Not every design is a winner but it's a robust and creative series.

I also like the New Frontier Bronze Medal in the 3" size.


http://catalog.usmint.gov/new-front...h-920.html?cgid=humanitarian-cultural#start=1

 

Took a look at the medals. Frankly, the Arnold Palmer medal looks more like Jack Nicklaus.

 

Prices are crazy on most items.

 

I have a subscription for the proof ASEs because I collect them. However, I purchase commemoratives only if I have a personal interest. For example, I purchased the Doolittle Raiders medal because I had the good fortune to dine with General Doolittle. I bought 2 Girl Scout silver dollars, one for me and one to share with a daughter who was significantly involved with them. I bought a Civil Rights silver dollar because the movement was a big part of my adolescence. I bought the Lions International silver dollar because my father-in-law was a lifelong member and strong supporter. If there is no personal connection, I'm an observer.

 

They really need to hire a director and end the decision by committee system. Like others, I have a few commemoratives of personal interest such as boys scouts. I also have a Kennedy 50th and March of Dimes set. I think the reverse proofs are interesting in their use of newer minting tech, but leave much to be desired visually.
The mercury dime/seated liberty/walking liberty commemoratives were better than the average product offerings (such as the First Ladies series). The retro-in-gold was almost a gimme but they still managed to turn off many collectors by making changes from the original designs.
The Presidential Dollar Series... I'm really curious what the plan is for all those dollar coins in the long run.
and.. I really really hate Washington's spaghetti hair on the quarter.

 

My biggest issue is with the shill households buying up multiples of the new products and then ending up on the shelf at MCM and the like.

Twice I was shut out of getting sets after being on hold for 20 minutes - not playing the game. Most of the stuff seems to go down in value after a while from the shills anyways.

 

"Is the question we raise one of quantity or quality"

Both. Last thing I bought was five sets of the four ASEs in 2012.
At least I think it was 2012. The coins are in storage and I'm not motivated to dig them out right now.

The French Mint still turns out some top quality interesting coins and medals:https://www.monnaiedeparis.fr/
https://www.monnaiedeparis.fr/en/shop
https://www.monnaiedeparis.fr/en/shop/historic-medals

If only the US Mint could produce coins of the same quality.

 

"Oh if we could just go back to the glory days of U.S. Coinage! Oh if we could just go back to the glory days of U.S. Coinage!"

Don't think that's going to happen. At the Baltimore Whitman several years ago, I attended a talk given by a Mint Director who was pioneering "new coin designs" meanwhile doing away with the "European designs" I still just don't get it.

 

The mint really has very little freedom. The design is often specified in the legislation (e.g. the Apollo 11 coin for 2019). The legends and wording are required too.

I also complain about the huge gap between what looks good in an artist's rendering and the actual coin.

 

Or if we could go back to the old U.S. bank notes also.

 

The U.S. Mint is not dead yet. Just bought the proof and uncirculated clad half dollar and silver dollar for Boys Town, an S-mintmarked roll of Effigy Mounds quarters and a 5-ounce Effigy Mounds "puck."

If you like 'em, buy 'em.

 

Agreed. Then again, they are pretty much in the same league as Canada when it comes to how many "coins" they issue every year ...

Christian

 

The Boys Town commemoratives have a good chance at becoming the next low mintage items from the US Mint.

 

I think that the last non Eagle I liked from the US mint was the US Marshall service. I like our silver Britannia but also impressed with the 2oz Queens Beasts - think it's because portraits never seem to look good on a coin - obviously QE being the exception as that has developed over time.

 

I believe you will be proven correct.