When 2010 comes around and the SQ program is done and the Lincoln cent anniversary is over I would like to see the mint do a retro coin set. My choices would be IH cent,Buffalo Nickel, Merc dime, SL quarter and seated half. The dollar coin would be in the 3rd year of the president program so I would leave it out. Just a one year thing that I think would be kind of neat. What coins would you include in this set? One problem...would your put a 2010 dated IH cent at the back of your IH collection or between the 2009 and 2011 Lincoln cents?
A nice Liberty cap with pole would really be nice. Of course a flowing hair design would also fit. America really cranked out some beautiful designs over the years. With the politicians involved so heavily, and mint directors scared to step up and use their authority, I am afraid the only design we will ever see on our circulating coins is one of dead presidents.
I understand your point Nd - but mint directors have no authority. Only the Secretary of the Treasury can change coin designs 25 yrs. old & older on his own authority. I too would love to see some of the old designs being used again. And not cecessarily those designs that folks are familiar with either. There were literally hundreds of designs that were never used. And in many cases I have always found them to be even more beautiful than the designs that were used. To see what I am talking about - click here
We must keep in mind, however, that no matter what new designs are incorporated into US coinage, they will never look like the classic coins of America's past. Todays coins are struck from ultra high speed dies, and are made to be stackable. They must also work smoothly in vending machines and coin counting machines. No matter what designs are used in todays coinage, they must be flat, lifeless discs that are little more than drawings on a slug.
I would love to put Kennedy Halves back into circ. Need to find a bank that has 'em. Same with Eisenhower dollars. No reason why we (the people!)can't just start spending them again. Do dealers charge a premium on circulated Eisenhowers? BTW: Fantastic site GDS!
Well thanks - but I'm afraid it's not my site DrStrangelove. But Peter - the owner - will sure be glad to hear you like it I just help out when I can
Well you can put Kennedy's into circulation, but the next person to receive it, will only pull it out. It is fun to do it though. We routinely pass out obsolete coinage in our change. As far as dealers charging a premium for circulated Ikes, it all depends on how close to face value they bought the coins. Remember that we do this for a living. As an example, when dealers pick up circ Ikes, they usually sell them around a $1.25
I remember this pizza place in town (Tenafly, NJ) that always gave Kennedy halves for change. Kept us kids coming back. (That and the great piszza!) It might be worth the 25cents to see someones face light up (or become really confused) when I hand them an Ike. Now that I think about it, I work at a museum and I should start handing out obsolete for change. I'll get right on it!
