“Invigorating the Coin Collecting Hobby,” Part 2: Get to Know the People at the United States Mint, the Smithsonian, and the American Numismatic Association

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The U.S. Mint’s October 13, 2016, Numismatic Forum in Philadelphia was organized and attended by a good number of officers and staff from Mint headquarters in Washington, D.C., and from the Philadelphia Mint.
untitled-1Rhett Jeppson
has worked at the Mint in the position of Principal Deputy Director since January 2015. He came to the Mint from a military background. His U.S. Marine Corps roles have included Platoon Commander, Company Executive Officer, Battalion Staff Officer, Operations Officer, Chief of Current Operations for Europe and Western Africa, and Deputy Director of Operations for U.S. Forces–Afghanistan, among others. Jeppson has worked in his family’s home-construction business, and in the government sector in Florida (including managing purchasing and contracts for the state). Most recently on the federal level, he was Acting Chief Operating Officer of the Small Business Administration, where he also worked on Veterans Business Development. His dedication to improving the Mint and strengthening its relationships with collectors is very evident.

Jon Cameron has been with the U.S. Mint since July 2013 and currently serves as Associate Director, Numismatic, Bullion, and Coin Studies. His currency-related career goes back to 1972, when he started working for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond; later, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; and then the Treasury Department, where he led the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s Eastern Currency Facility as its Associate Director. His first role at the Mint was to establish the Office of Coin Studies, monitoring cash usage trends, emerging payment technologies, alternate metal research, and trends and policies of other national mints. In May 2015 he also assumed responsibilities for the Mint’s Numismatic and Bullion programs. Jon Cameron was the facilitator and master of ceremonies for the Numismatic Forum—an important job, with so much packed into the daylong event. On a personal note, he was the Mint officer who swore me in as a member of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee earlier this year.

Robert I. Goler is the Curator of the United States Mint and directs its Heritage Assets Program. Dr. Goler’s degrees are from Yale College, Case Western Reserve, and George Mason. His pre-Mint career included work at museums and academic institutions; he was Curator of Industrial Arts at the Chicago Historical Society, Executive Administrator of the National Museum of Health and Medicine, and Director of the Graduate Arts Management Program at American University. It’s under his leadership that the Mint is identifying, photographing, cataloging, and re-housing its items of historical importance—basically, “anything three-dimensional” (as opposed to letters, documentation, and the like, most of which are curated by historian Maria Goodwin or stored in the Records Management Program, National Archives). His bailiwick includes remarkable and priceless artifacts like the recently discovered models and dies for the 1964 Morgan dollar. Goler gave an overview of the Heritage Assets program, noting that most of the artifacts maintained by the Mint are items used in the design and production of coins, rather than coins themselves. The Heritage Assets also include historic buildings, four of which are on the National Register. (The New York Assay Office is now the façade of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s American Wing.)

Mint officials at the Forum, among others, included Tom Jurkowsky, Director of Corporate Communications, who’s a retired Navy admiral with extensive experience in public-affairs management; Chief Counsel Jean Gentry; Philadelphia Mint Plant Manager Marc Landry; sculptor-engraver Don Everhart; Deputy Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Betty Birdsong; and Chief of Staff Elisa Basnight, who serves as liaison to the Smithsonian Institution.

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Jeppson speaking to the assembled Numismatic Forum

Speaking of the latter, from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History Ellen Feingold gave an overview of the National Numismatic Collection, of which she is Curator. This collection includes some 1.6 million objects. Feingold is the author of The Value of Money and she maintains the exhibit of the same name in the new Gallery of Numismatics. Before she joined the Smithsonian she was the Project Curator for the “Money in Africa” project at the British Museum, and earned her doctorate from the University of Oxford. One of her recent projects is an exhibit on “Women on Money,” inspired by the Treasury Department’s decision to redesign U.S. bank notes to feature historic women (a direction that reminds me of Ron Guth’s award-winning 100 Greatest Women on Coins). Dr. Feingold discussed the NNC’s “project-driven” staffing, and the goal of digitizing and cataloging the entire collection in coming years. Sounds ambitious, but the forward momentum is already impressive—in just six months, NNC staff photographed and documented 270,000 Proof sheets from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing collection. Feingold also spelled out the NNC’s goals and programs for education (to inspire a new generation of numismatists), public programming, ongoing research, and public/private partnerships. Some 5 million visitors go to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History every year, and the NNC exhibit is positioned to attract a lot of that traffic.

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Cameron discussing the Mint’s production and packaging

Jeff Garrett, President of the American Numismatic Association, and Kim Kiick, Executive Director of the same, attended the Forum, along with ANA staffers. Garrett is the author of several Whitman books including United States Coinage: A Study by Type and 100 Greatest U.S. Coins, and, most recently, coauthor of 1849: The Philadelphia Mint Strikes Gold. He serves as valuations editor of the Red Book. He’s also a past president of the Professional Numismatists Guild, and a consultant to the Smithsonian, in addition to being a coin dealer. Kim Kiick is a longtime ANA senior manager and former Director of Operations who was named Executive Director in 2013. The ANA, of course, is the nation’s largest organization of coin collectors and other hobbyists who collect paper money, medals, tokens, and other money-related objects.

As I mentioned in yesterday’s article, beyond these attendees the Numismatic Forum included about 80 coin collectors, dealers (wholesale and retail), third-party graders, writers, publishers, and others interested in bolstering the hobby. I’ll dig into some of the Forum’s discussions in upcoming articles.



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  3. Vulgar and/or abusive comments will not be tolerated. Nor will trolls.
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Comments

  1. earthling says

    Anyone remember the Mint wanted us to change passwords a while back? There was a lot of talk that maybe there had been a hack of the Mint Website. Well, did that lead to anyone finding anything?

    I just paid my CC Bill a few hours ago and saw a whole slew of charges in the Memphis Tennessee area. I bought a few Coins recently and I think it’s not just coincidence that my number is out in that area now. According to my CC Security Dept, it looks like my Card is being physically swiped through machines down there( my Card is in my Wallet). I also think it’s rather odd that I lost a 1 oz Gold Eagle to a lowlife Mint Returns Dept there in Memphis. Ghetto to the MAX.

    Everyone be alert. Especially if you’ve recently ordered any Coins from the US Mint.

    It smells to me like someone is able to get to recent Card transactions down at the Mint Fullfillment Center. That’s my only connection to that hotbed of ghetto-ness.

  2. Jeff says

    Its the Russians, no really coin collecting is on the way out. Those that elect to stay are only fooling themselves but hey its your money, no its the mints money they extracted from you and you blatantly handed over. I find it odd that people cant see the mint sucking your money into their coffers and in return what do you get poor designs, poor CS, coins are like buying a car immediately depreciated 30%-40% after paying anywhere 1-2 times realized value. HOOKED LINED & SINKERED. Liquidation feels right, hopium is a great tool the mint has over you.

  3. earthling says


    coins are like buying a car immediately depreciated 30%-40% after paying anywhere 1-2 times realized value. HOOKED LINED & SINKERED. Liquidation feels right, hopium is a great tool the mint has over you.

    Worst than all that is a Returns Dept looking to swindle you in any way they can. And now I get my CC Info stolen ( by someone in the Memphis area – recently did business with the US Mint hmmmm….. ) and about 12 – 14 bogus charges in Memphis and some other ghetto town in Tennessee , from 10/13 thru today (10-15). Most of the charges are still pending so all it shows is a $1 charge. Lots of Wal-Mart, Kroger Gas and Billy Bobs Country Store. Today they went to Churchs Chicken – guess all that shopping got them hungry.

    Too bad I can’t get a look at the Crooks. My guess is they look ĺike our scum up here in “DeToilet”.

  4. KML in KY says

    Earthling – please contact your CC company ASAP and you won’t be responsible for any of those charges. There is no telling where the criminals got your CC information. It’s not necessarily the Mint. Someone in Estonia tried to buy a plane ticket with one of my cards once.

    If the Mint will not refund you for a return the CC company can help you with that too.

  5. Give Me Da Money Plz says

    I am back everybody. I needed to have some time off as I was really busy. I was also on vacation for six days in Seattle and now that I am getting back into my routine I should be posting more frequently.

    I feel the Numismatic “Forum” in Philadelphia was another joke they pulled to get us to believe they are transparent and listen to collectors. But most of us know they act something more on the line of this video that was leaked from the State Department: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8MDqfg3tYIQ.

    The event was closed to members of the general public and you had to request an invitation to attend. This gave the mint the opportunity to keep any collectors from attending that could possibly complain and bring more attention to all of the issues at the mint that we discuss here daily.

  6. Jeff says

    GMDMP Your talking conspiracy theories again. All on this blog hold the mint to the highest of regards. They like the poor quality , poor design, poor customer service Jeez what’s not to like besides not listen to collectors, over charging those that pay their salaries , then gig you 2x spot, immediate depreciation Oh that’s right blogsters don’t care about coins keeping there monetary value. Plays right into the mints hands. BOYCOTT the mint repeal these antics .

  7. Erik H says

    Jeff, has a problem with bloggers that give their worthless FRNs to the mint to buy something that may cost 2 x spot. He would rather you keep your pay check as 1’s & 0’s which could be easily manipulated or wiped clean.

    Or maybe he thinks that it’s more practical to hold a crisp NEW $100 FRN which only cost 12.5 cents to produce. I guess he believes that the new C notes are worth more since the old ones cost 7.8 cents to produce a 60% difference. He probably felt that his investment in new $100 FRN earned him a 60% ROI. Follow Jeff’s lead everyone, collect worthless paper.

  8. cagcrisp says

    @Dennis Tucker, Thanks for the timely updates .

    I look forward to the “I’ll dig into some of the Forum’s discussions in upcoming articles.”…

  9. bobo says

    I find many of the mint’s products to be lovely works of art, such as the three 1916 centennial golds this year or the two beautiful platinum proofs. Sure there are many ugly coins, like most of the first spouse coins, but why all the negativity from Jeff and Earthling? When I pay for a work of art, its value in terms of its precious metal content is not the sole or even primary reason I buy it.

  10. So Krates says

    @ Dennis Tucker – I’m looking forward to this series of articles, but I’m not really interested in everyone’s detailed work histories (dying to know if Rhett ever had a paper route) as much as “what have they done for me lately?”

    You say, “His dedication to improving the Mint and strengthening its relationships with collectors is very evident.”

    I have been looking for this evidence myself. Can you please provide some examples?

  11. Felson says

    @So Krates… I would have to assume based on that comment that Rhett was personally behind the 2015 Presidents CC sets… or the 2016 Gold Coin offerings… but other than those I have no idea what that references as well. We all know he has a long history in the numismatic side of the coin business based on his resume.

  12. Sith says

    @Jeff – You tel them Jeff, lets boycott the mint. They are overcharging for trinkets. I’m going to buy Beanie Babies instead, now that is an investment worth keeping. I’m going to buy “Employee Bear”with the green ribbon, and its at the fire-sale price of $21. It sold less than a two decades ago for 2K. This is the best investment you can make, and I encourage you to buy Beanie Babies.

    Your favorite fan-girl.

  13. earthling says

    Sith

    You are heading down the wrong road, Sir. Please reconsider putting good FRN paper coupons into something as unvaluable as foreign fabric, foreign made BB’S.

    Please give consideration to POG’S – a once prized pursuit of the younger generation. At some point POG’S will come back. When the Mint finally gives in and makes multicolored cartoon character discs and prismatic / holograpic /artistic interpretations of abstract fantasy , you will be prepositioned to grab a big return. If the new objects from the Mint are non-metalic and non-denominated , guess what? They will be the same as – POG’S.

    Jump on the Bandwagon now – before the crowd tries to get on.

  14. Sith says

    I”m not sure where we are going with these articles, if the author already knows that “most aspects of U.S. coinage are controlled by Congress, not by the Mint.” Then this is reminds me of the military’s implementation of TQL (TQM). You told the higher ups, about solutions for issues they wanted addressed, and they listened to you intently, then they proceeded to do whatever they were going to do. Then they where shocked when the solution they implemented did not yield the results expected.

    The issue is not CCAC. The issue is Congress, and the fact they don’t understand the basics of coin collecting. Case in point the ASE was delayed for months to make it smooth edge with “30th ANNIVERSARY” incused in italics. You can barely read it . They would have been better off using a privy mark. Did they ask anyone about how to commemorate this special occasion? Who came up with this “fitting tribute to the 30th Anniversary of the world’s most popular silver coin.”

  15. data dave says

    OT. Just received a great offer for a 1/10 oz gold Statue of liberty coin for only $79. After careful reading I see that it is .24 pure gold. That’s right 24% rather than 24 carat. Thank the National Collector’s mint for this “giveaway”. Wonder why they chose 24%? This offer goes with last weeks deal for rolls of 12 presidential dollars for only $39.95. I think I will take the trolls advice and stop buying from the mint so I have more money to afford these great deals.

  16. JARHEADnFLORIDA says

    The U.S. Mint, should have taken a page from the anniversary of the Philharmonic, and the Kookaburra. I have started to go with other world mints, that gives me more flexibility from cost of a specific product, and storage associated with the abundance of unwanted packaging.

  17. cagcrisp says

    From previous post from Dennis Tucker comment ” Yes, the questions about mintage limits and household ordering limits came from the Mint, not from other stakeholders. They’re trying to get it right. One impassioned participant stood up and insisted that there should be NO mintage limits for any Mint products, ever — let the demand determine production. Several people agreed with this sentiment. Others liked the idea of setting mintage limits either by quantity or by time (for example, a 30-day ordering window).”

    A.”Yes, the questions about mintage limits and household ordering limits came from the Mint, not from other stakeholders. They’re trying to get it right. ”

    That’s great. At least they are aware of a problem. Some people don’t even recognize there is a problem.

    B. ” One impassioned participant stood up and insisted that there should be NO mintage limits for any Mint products, ever — let the demand determine production. Several people agreed with this sentiment.”

    I’m NOT in favor of NO mintage limits for any Mint products, ever-. This is commonly referred to as Mint to Demand (MTD). Works for some. Doesn’t work for me. A viable secondary market is necessary for a sustained viable primary market. IF there is no viable secondary market then eventually there will be No viable primary market. We Currently have no mintage limits for ~ 88.5% of All Mint offerings. Counting Unreasonable limits for items that will never sell out but will be arbitrarily pulled by the mint, a solid 97+% of All mint offerings have no mintage limits. We would NOT be having a mintage limit discussion IF a NO mintage limit worked for specific items.

    There have/will be 6 mint offerings in 2016 where mintage limits actually mattered. All 6 offerings are the ONLY mint products I have/will participate in for 2016. For me, 100% participation for Mint offerings where mintage limits actually mattered. For me, 0% participation for mint offerings where there was NO mintage limits or where mintage limits didn’t matter.

    The Only 6 mint offerings in 2016 that I have/will participated in are :

    1. Winged Head Liberty dime mintage limits 125,000. Sold out in 41 minutes. Current average bay sold prices ($274.87) show a 35% increase over raw launch price.

    2. Platinum Proof American Eagle mintage limits 10,000. Sold out in 56 minutes.

    3. American Liberty Silver Medal “S” mintage limits 12,500. Sold out in 6 minutes. Current average bay sold prices ($107.63) show a 208% increase over raw launch price.

    4. American Liberty Silver Medal “W” mintage limits 12,500. Sold out in 6 minutes. Current average bay sold prices ($107.63) show a 208% increase over raw launch price.

    5. Standing Liberty quarter mintage limits 100,000. Still available at $472.50 which is a 3% decrease over raw launch price.

    6. Walking Liberty half mintage limits 70,000. DBT

    C. “Others liked the idea of setting mintage limits either by quantity or by time (for example, a 30-day ordering window).”

    I would much prefer a mintage limit on Specific items by quantity AND/OR a time limit, whichever happens first. I understand that there are those that need time to accumulate the needed cash for a purchase but that time should be measured in weeks vs. months or years.

    The Mint missed the 2014 Gold Kennedy offering by leaving it on the website for months to long. In other words, for me, the Standing Liberty Quarter has been on Sale for 38 days and should be pulled. The 2014 Hoover Uncirculated Gold sold 180 coins in 280 days in 2016. That’s ridiculous to keep something on sale with that little demand.

    We need more transparency with the Mint and a time limit listed by the Mint on some of these items would be more beneficiary vs. just arbitrarily pulling items when just those at the mint know that inside information…

  18. Jeff says

    2c it’s all about him.he likes to gamble if you can’t provide an arena he can’t play. He’s an open market guy which benefits high rollers you said 1% I didn’t. LOL

  19. cagcrisp says

    Mint News Blog says

    October 6, 2016 at 9:17 pm

    “I’m equally interested in the Beyer speed numbers used in thoroughbred handicapping. I once knew a guy who compiled Beyer figures, and he told me he considered everything from the obvious factors (like pedigree, weight carried, quality of the competition, etc.) to the less obvious, like whether the horses had to run into a headwind in the stretch drive. (I should blush at how much I know about horse racing, but my husband is from Kentucky, so I have an out.)”

    There are a Lot of different sources for “numbers”. Beyer is well respected for numbers and I know one of the current guys that helps compiles Beyer numbers and has his own Pace numbers. I’ve compiled my own numbers over the years. Andy Beyer does a great job with numbers, he is TERRIBLE with prediction winners off of those numbers. Numbers are a tool, but just one tool…

  20. Dustyroads says

    Give Me Da Money Plz, Welcome back. You arrived just in time to find Dan has resigned as writer and Diana and/or Dennis has stepped in. You may not have read yet, but we now have a mintage figure and HHL for the WLH…70,000/3. Courtesy of an article posted at Coin World.

  21. Mint News Blog says

    Hah! I met Beyer once at a DRF function. He seemed to be a likable curmudgeon, and of course very smart.

    It’s funny, but when you scrape the paint off a race tracker you often find the exact same qualities you find in a coin collector: the single-mindedness, the uncanny memory for all things pertaining to the hobby, and the inward eye that’s always shifting from the numbers to the historical record to the actual coin/horse that’s up next. No wonder I felt at home with numismatists right away!

  22. Tinto says

    @Sith
    “.. Did they ask anyone about how to commemorate this special occasion? Who came up with this “fitting tribute to the 30th Anniversary of the world’s most popular silver coin.””

    One would think that being the experts in this area, the US Mint could have given a great deal of input on the 30th Anniversary ASE. You have highly paid bigwigs there, but did they ever provide any advice, solicited or not? Or did they just act like lowly paid mail room clerks and accepted what ever was given to them? Or were they the ones to suggest this wimpy way to commemorate the Anniversary ?

    As many have said before, transparency at the Mint is sorely lacking. And didn’t this Principal mint Director have a private audience at least twice with big time buyers and really did not mingle with the buying public afterwards at coin shows? Shows which people he serves.

    So did this forum address whether the US Mint has the right people/skill mix to move it forward?

  23. So Krates says

    @ Mint News Blog – When comparing horse racing and coin collecting don’t forget to include the cruel and barbaric treatment most horses receive. A coin is an inanimate object. A horse is an intelligent BEING with a capacity for immense suffering. Thoughtless humans force these gentle mammals through physical restraint and chemical means to run themselves (sometimes) to death for our viewing and wagering pleasure. HORSE RACING IS A CORRUPT AND IMMORAL ENTERPRISE. Anyone involved bears some degree of responsibility.

  24. Felson says

    So Krates… now that was a pure BS post. You are on some times…and other times not so much.

  25. Give Me Da Money Plz says

    @ Dustyroads

    Thanks for letting me know the scoop. I would like to wish Dan the best of luck in his future endeavors.

  26. Mint News Blog says

    @So Krates — Having spent a few decades in and around horse racing, I have to say I’m no fan of it. As an animal lover, I follow and support Thoroughbred-rescue organizations like LOPE Texas and others. For many years I enjoyed the friendship of a beautiful mare who as a foal was a nurse-mare castoff (she died of old age few years ago). I can’t watch live racing for fear there will be a breakdown, and I still have nightmares about Prairie Bayou and Go For Wand. I believe horse racing as an “industry” is on its last legs and has only itself to blame.

    That said, I still find the human element around racing fascinating. The bettors, the tellers, the exercise riders, the people working the track cafeteria, the backstretch chaplains, and on and on. I cheer whenever a dirty trainer gets the axe, and I sympathize when a Derby winner’s groom leaves because she can’t stomach the cruelty anymore. I’ve enjoyed the world of numismatics in a way I could never enjoy the world of racing precisely because a coin is just a little piece of metal that can be damaged but can never be hurt.

    In any case, this is a forum about the coinage of the U.S. Mint, and I promise to keep the thread on-topic going forward!

  27. Sith says

    @Tinto – Per previous conversations, the mint has all the tools to be very successful. It definitely has the right people/skill mix to move it forward. However it does not do them any good if as you indicated they act like a bunch of lackeys, or are simply ignored by Congress. Congress can’t even do their jobs correctly how can we expect them to know what coin collectors want, case in point, CCAC recommended, and got the the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act, and collectors (thank you Louis) had to jump start it , as the bill floundered in Congress.

    What coins did congress want for 2019? Well how about a domed coin to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and of course it was just a coincidence that the Basketball Hall of Fame resides in Massachusett, and the bill was proposed by a Massachusetts Representative.

    You say, you don’t like basketball, then how about a domed coin to commemorate the Pro Football Hall of Fame . The coin would be issued to coincide with the Hall of Fame’s celebration of the National Football League’s centennial season in 2019 and the 100th anniversary of the league’s birth. I wonder what district the congressperson was from who introduced that coin act?

  28. MarkInFlorida says

    It used to be the Mint used Priority Mail and I got my coins in 2 days. Then they apparently got offers from UPS and FedEx to save them money so they switched, and then my packages started taking over a week. One reason is I use a PO box so UPS has to deliver it to the PO, and the PO doesn’t put it in the box until the next day. Recently I signed up for the PO box service where I can use the PO street address with my box as the unit number, “6 W Park St Unit 186” and my Reagan coins came a lot faster.

  29. The Real "Cool" Brad says

    So did this forum address whether the US Mint has the right people/skill mix to move it forward?

    A big point of this discussion focused around how the Mint is not a lobbying entity, they can respond to inquiries, produces reports and accounting of sales and such, but are generally do not advocate for specific coin programs to Congress.

    One program idea that was mentioned during the forum, for the topic of how to get youth into coin collecting, was to include a small run series (3-5 years) that are only available in circulation and are only a percentage of all coins produced (15% or so). It was suggested that the reverses be changed for these coins showing classic reverses for the denomination (example: one year having the indian head penny reverse, then the next year wheat pennies, or having the shield nickel reverse, then the buffalo nickel reverse, etc). When this was discussed, the Mint representatives said that this is something that would be easy for them to do, but would require changes from Congress.

    I don’t know if the mintnewsblog will go into further detail, but it seemed like many people in attendance are going to coordinate to come up with some programs they feel have a decent chance of positive impact on the hobby, and also a good likelihood of getting passed in congress, and kind of have a proposal to lobby the congress. They would try to get this out to as many collectors so that we can contact our representatives with a unified approach. This would be a way to get the mint the authority to have innovative programs that go against their currently assigned regulations.

    I get the feeling that it’s not that the Mint is full of incompetent employees, it’s that they have to work within constraints that unfortunately do not allow them to make coins that would be obvious winners (this years gold series but in silver, etc) and we as collectors will need to make our thoughts known to Congress so stop the decline.

  30. earthling says

    I just talked to my Credit Card Security Dept and at the very least they assure me I won’t be liable for bogus charges. But I already knew that. I want to get to the bottom of it all. Last fall I returned 3 Gold Coins to the Mint Returns Dept down there in Memphis, Tennessee. A week later I returned another Gold Coin. I got a refund for 2 Coins in the first shipment and a refund for the single Coin in the 2nd shipment. But what about the 3rd Coin ( a 2015 BU 1 OZ American Gold Eagle) from the 1st shipment?

    I sent both shipments USPS with Insurance . Its been so long ago I dont remember if I sent them Registered or Priority. The thing that gets me is the people in the returns Dept acted like a bunch of clueless scam artists at best. They wouldn’t give me any solid information, like there were only 2 Coins in the box, not 3 Coins. If they had stated ” There were only 2 Coins” I could have moved forward with a Postal Insurance Claim. Instead all I’d get were statements like ” we video all unpacking of our returns”. When I heard that I was really put at ease, I figured I’ d get my refund. But after many more calls all I’d get was BS and stalls, holds, laughter in the background, transfers and spinning around in circles. At one point a Superviser told me I’d received a refund for more money than I’d been expecting so she couldn’t understand why I was still calling. I pointed out that was the refund for the Coin in the second shipment but it all was beyond her ability to comprehend.

    At the time I was working a bunch of overtime , 7 days a week and up to 12 hours a day. I also was Truck-jacked during that time and spent 3 days in the hospital before leaving against medical advice. I had been brought in unconscious with fractures in my skull and neck. A little thug had put a gun in my face and apparently I was hit from behind after I made a grab for the gun.

    I think the timing for this Credit Card thing is very suspicious. About a week ago I bought some Coins from the US Mint . Now I get about a dozen bogus charges from the Memphis TN area? My account is currently shut down so I can’t even take another look at my account activity.

    This thing is about to go ballistic. I will not be satisfied with a reversal of charges. The theft of a full oz of Gold followed by a theft of Credit Card info from the Memphis Tennessee area doesn’t impress me as mere coincidence.

  31. Dustyroads says

    earthling, I hear what you’re saying and hope you get it worked out. A few years ago when Target was the victim of a large data breech, there was a man and woman who came across the border from Mexico who were arrested trying to use cards that were involved it the Target theft.

  32. KEITHSTER says

    Looks like the mint is change ing it up a little on the ATB quarter #’s as they are showing the TR.#’s at lower than I thought they would be! 167.000.000 in D and 176.800.000 in P but are also showing the small amount of the Fort Moultrier that they have made so far which is new to me? Are they getting ready for the steel one or just have enough to meet demand ? Well Good Luck ALL:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>

  33. Jeff says

    Dustyroads funny you brought up MEXICANS, I have heard even DEPLORABLES have used these stolen cards

  34. Dustyroads says

    Jeff, No, I wasn’t pointing at Mexicans, I love Mexicans. My point was that the cards originated in Mexico, or out of Country. I don’t see in colors, I see in character.

  35. gary says

    @Sith…Your comments to Tinto were right on the mark. The U.S. Mint’s numismatic offerings of commemoratives is controlled strictly by Congressional sponsors who try to push their pork-barrel, self-serving commemorative coin proposals and most likely have no understanding of coins as collectables. The basketball and football coins are really commemoratives for those billion dollar businesses and they can easily foot the expense of what the commemorative proceeds would support. Why can’t the Mint at least submit a short list of upcoming significant commemorations with national importance 3 to 5 years in advance and then see if any legislators will draw up a bill for them? The way it is now we can get 60th anniversary and other oddball anniversaries of no national importance.
    Not getting a 2019 Moon Landing commemorative (which is of national and international interest) is simply a disgrace! Small wonder that the collector base of new issues is dwindling rapidly!

  36. cagcrisp says

    This is from one of the Larger coin dealers on the bay. Currently BIN sales of the Winged Head Liberty from this dealer are 360 sold. This shows prices have been Raised successfully 10 times for the last 111 coins sold.

    This is the last 111 Sold (Most Recent to the Oldest)

    25 @ $285.00
    15 @ $279.75
    12 @ $278.50
    8 @ $275.00
    4 @ $272.50
    7 @ $269.50
    5 @ $267.50
    5 @ $264.75
    8 @ $263.75
    9 @ $262.75
    13 @ $259.75

  37. Raphael says

    Invigorating the Hobby, yea sure. What they need to invigorate is their shipping, one places an order on 11 Oct., it doesn’t even get shipped until over 48 hours later. When the mint used USPS Priority Mail we got our coins in a few days, now the norm is over 1 week, they call that Progress.

  38. Erik H says

    Raphael I hear ya, last week I placed an order with Provident Metals and had it in my hand in about 48 hours (free standard shipping USPS). Compare that to my TR pucks that were improperly shipped, returned before delivery and then re-shipped today.

    That’s the difference between having free market competition vs. a gov’t monopoly.

  39. gatortreke says

    @cagcrisp: I agree with your post above regarding mintage limits. Unlimited production is a disaster for the future of the hobby and the potential value of the coins. There has to be some scarcity factor, artificially induced or not, to create some future value. Nobody is out scrambling for products that are a dime a dozen (pun intended).

    I also appreciate The Real “Cool” Brad‘s comments that he doesn’t believe the Mint is full of incompetent employees, they operate under constraints that do not allow them to choose obvious winners. I’m perpetually amazed at the Letters to the Editors in publications such as Numismatic News where writers go on ranting about the Mint when in reality the Mint was just following the dictates of Congress. I don’t believe it is an accident that coin designs we celebrate today such as St. Gaudens Double Eagle design is the result of a passionate person interested in good art (Roosevelt) reaching out to a legendary artist to produce something truly artistic. It wasn’t the product of a bureaucratic process. Of course if you place the design process in the hands of someone less artistic (Charles Barber), you get less exciting coins.. If you can’t guess, I’m not in favor of adding another layer to the process of choosing coin designs. Will another layer in the process really produce great coins?

    Finally, I think it is disgraceful we’ve been without a true Mint Director since 2011. Principal Deputy Director Rhett Jeppson incurs the wrath of many here but to be fair, he’s not the official Mint Director, a position that officially remains vacant since the departure of Edmund Moy. Whether Jeppson would serve well in that duty is an unknown to me but given he doesn’t have the official title nor the real power that comes with the position title, it’s hard to hold him totally responsible. He’s basically a committee chairman, not the leader of the organization. Congress should give him the title, then hold him responsible but as things stand now, we look to him as the leader when in fact he has not been affirmed as such.

    I will say this for Jeppson, left out from above but found on the Mint website, I see Mr. Jeppson graduated from the University of Florida one-half a semester after I did in the same degree program. I don’t recall having classes with him but it would not surprise me if we did. Because of this and because it would be good for the hobby, I hope he eventually gets named Mint Director and leads us to a new renaissance in coin design and production. If you’d prefer someone else be named Director, I’m okay with that as well, as long as we get someone officially named to the position who can lead us forward.

  40. So Krates says

    Erik H says, “Raphael I hear ya, last week I placed an order with Provident Metals and had it in my hand in about 48 hours (free standard shipping USPS). Compare that to my TR pucks that were improperly shipped, returned before delivery and then re-shipped today.

    That’s the difference between having free market competition vs. a gov’t monopoly.”

    Provident + USPS > USM + Fedex SmartPost

    Ironically the USPS (gov.’t Monopoly) helps not hurts the left side of the equation above.

  41. So Krates says

    cagcrisp – Another good comment making the case against MTD. I couldn’t help but again notice the glaring omission of the 2016 APE’s secondary market performance.

  42. So Krates says

    MNB/Diana – I appreciate you taking the time to flesh out the issue a bit more and acknowledge the nasty side of the business. I hope you realized my criticism was not directed at you personally, I just find it necessary to provide a voice for the voiceless when these matters are broached. I enjoy off topic forays more than most and encourage the continued introduction of interesting ancillary subjects.

  43. data dave says

    @Keithster – Yes, they are changing the way they report production figures. The will be making more Fort Moultrie in October and November. Looks like TR production was a little low, although for the past 3 years the third quarter has had the largest mintage.

  44. Larry says

    Reagan C&C set came yesterday. The first thing you notice is the packaging is made from a totally different material than all the other sets. It isn’t smooth to the touch, but a tacky like feel. Interesting. I really like the impression you get when you open the sets. The gold, bronze and silver colors of the three coins is an interesting effect. I think the reverse proof make Reagan look better than the proof coin, the teeth don’t seem to stand out so much. The silver medals were better, but the bronze medal/30th anniversary ASE is OK. The edge inscription on the ASE is weird. It only takes up maybe 30% of the edge, the rest is blank. Too bad they couldn’t have added some extra lettering, like Reagan C&C or something. Then this set would have really been special. Still, I really like these sets. Nice bit of history.
    Anybody else notice the weird packaging material?

  45. cagcrisp says

    Oh Lordy Lordy Lordy.
    Stick a fork in it.
    Price decrease and Unlimited HHL and you still can’t rescue an Opening day Launch that was screwed up…

    16XC 2016 STANDING LIBERTY 24K GOLD .25OZ 78,870 +406

  46. cagcrisp says

    16AK 2016 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – CMBRLND 18,158 +74
    16AL 2016 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – HARP FRY 17,227 + 130
    16AM 2016 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – ROOSEVLT 17,755 + 1,565

  47. cagcrisp says

    16CA 2016 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE GOLD PROOF 4,331 + 12
    16CB 2016 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE GOLD UNC 3,197 + 17
    16CC 2016 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SILVER PROOF 54,547 + 407
    16CD 2016 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SILVER UNC 18,534 +147
    16CE 2016 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CLAD PROOF 34,855 +207
    16CF 2016 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CLAD UNC 16,906 +90
    16CG 2016 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 3-COIN SET 13,100 + 70

    16CH 2016 MARK TWAIN GOLD PROOF 12,402 +27
    16CJ 2016 MARK TWAIN GOLD UNC 5,348 +14
    16CK 2016 MARK TWAIN SILVER PROOF 72,544 +296
    16CL 2016 MARK TWAIN SILVER UNC 24,518 + 68

  48. Erik H says

    So Krates, how is USPS a gov’t monopoly when in the same post you talk about one of its direct competitors (yes they have a partnership agreement but still are separate). The is only ONE producer of US minted coins. There are several shipping companies to choose from.

  49. cagcrisp says

    16EA 2016 AM EAGLE SILVER PROOF 1 OZ 423,639 +11,180

    16EB 2016 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1 OZ 17,890 +166
    16EC 2016 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ 4,556 +74
    16ED 2016 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/4 OZ 6,694 +128
    16EE 2016 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/10 OZ 17,815 + 186
    16EF 2016 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 4-COIN SET 13,202 +493
    16EH 2016 AM EAGLE GOLD UNC 1 OZ 5,696 +19

    16EJ 2016 AM EAGLE PLATINUM PROOF 1 OZ 9,153 (3)

    16EL 2016 AM BUFFALO GOLD PROOF 1 OZ 19,877 +94

  50. cagcrisp says

    UH10 2016 AMERICAN LIBERTY SILVER MEDAL (S) 12,178 (8)
    UH9 2016 AMERICAN LIBERTY SILVER MEDAL (WP) 12,183 (10)

  51. cagcrisp says

    16SA 2016 FS GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ – NIXON 2,291 +3
    16SB 2016 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – NIXON 1,343 +5
    16SC 2016 FS GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ – FORD 1,993 + 7
    16SD 2016 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – FORD 1,267 +7
    16SE 2016 FS GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ – REAGAN 2,919 +31
    16SF 2016 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – REAGAN 1,586 +10

    JQ1 2015 FS GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ – TRUMAN 2,547 +6
    JQ2 2015 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – TRUMAN 1,781 –
    JQ4 2015 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – EISENHWR 1,870 –
    JQ6 2015 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – KENNEDY 6,288 + 8
    JQ7 2015 FS GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ – JOHNSON 2,555 + 4
    JQ8 2015 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – JOHNSON 1,684 + 4

  52. cagcrisp says

    For those that love the Reagan Coin & Chronicles set, Sales are about as Dismal as they can be.

    I doubt if Reagan ever gets to the Kennedy sales number.

    150,000 mintage was a joke.

    ANY HHL was a joke…

  53. KEITHSTER says

    Yes sir data dave just thought it was neat of them to add the smaller #’s and not wait till they are done. And while the Teddy’s are not low mintage by any means it did prompt me to stop by the bank yesterday and ask? Have any of those new quarters left? which ones she said North Dakota I go let me check yup how many you want? Let me see what I got here so I start to count a stack of tips dollars and say give me five! So the fact that they still have them this late in the game leads me think a few things are up that’s all? Well Good Luck All :>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>

  54. Teach says

    If you are going to have a mintage of 150 K with a HHL of 1, you better have something really special in the set or it will not sell. If they would have done ANYTHING different with the ASE it would have sold out even with a HHL of 1.

  55. cagcrisp says

    “Invigorating the Coin Collecting Hobby”

    IF you are Truly Truly serious about invigorating the coin collecting hobby you need to know when to admit you made a mistake, learn from that mistake and move on. Move on ASAP.

    In that vein, IF I was the Mint I would put a press release out that the mintage for the SLQ has been reduced to xx,xxx and go with that.

    It’s never going to sell 100,000 and letting it die on the vine like the mint did the Gold Kennedy is NOT a solution.

    IF it was me, I would announce 80,000 as the new sales mintage. Yes, sales will exceed 80,000 IF you keep sales open long enough, however, what revenue you get above an 80,000 sales number is lost on customer satisfaction going forward vs. customer satisfaction of purchasers knowing the Mint is listening.

    Leaving a dead SLQ on the vine Will affect sales of the Walking Liberty half.

    Pulling the SLQ Before the Launch of the Waling Liberty half Will affect sales of the Walking Liberty half.

    In other words the Mint has to be cognizant of sales numbers if you Truly Truly want to Invigorate the coin collecting hobby. There HAS to be winners on occasions. You either pay lip service or you actually do something that could be constructive now…

  56. Erik H says

    gatortreke, nothing original about that article. They did the same thing when Canada released their polymer notes. But, the main reason I don’t collect bank notes in general is because they aren’t PMs! Melt a Morgan, ASE, Walker, $20 gold etc. and you’ll always have its PM content to fall back on.

  57. cagcrisp says

    The 2016 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 4-COIN SET sold 493 last week. The average sales for the previous 20 weeks was 141.

    Wonder if the Word is out that the Mint is getting ready to pull the set? Current sales for 2016 are 13,202

    Total sales for 2013 were 7,877
    Total sales for 2014 were 8,861
    Total sales for 2015 were 9,918

  58. cagcrisp says

    @Dustyroads, we are Currently only 133 behind 2012 sales of the 1 oz. Gold Unc. IF you use 11 week remaining in the year you only need 12.1/week and the past 10 weeks we’ve averaged 33/week…

  59. Erik H says

    gatortreke I forgot to say, the first thing I always do when I take money out of the ATM is put it in the oven on “high” to see what happens.

  60. cagcrisp says

    Truman vs. Eisenhower vs. Johnson

    I’ve tracked the Truman’s since 08/02/15. Total bay Sales for the Truman’s in OGP are 1,395…

    1st 62 Sold Averaged $201.00
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $204.81
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $205.93
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $192.91
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $193.37
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $193.64
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $195.57
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $214.75
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $225.36
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $222.94
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $237.11
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $243.05
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $240.99
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $245.65
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $260.90
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $215.29
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $206.12
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $213.72
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $254.52
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $260.89
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $264.05
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $280.21
    Next 59 Sold Averaged $261.37
    Last 35 Sold Averaged $266.36

    I’ve tracked the Eisenhower’s since 08/17/15. Total bay Sales for Eisenhower in OGP are 3,335…

    1st 215 Sold Averaged $206.68
    Next 208 Sold Averaged $190.01
    Next 208 Sold Averaged $181.08
    Next 208 Sold Averaged $169.49
    Next 208 Sold Averaged $165.77
    Next 208 Sold Averaged $164.73
    Next 208 Sold Averaged $160.19
    Next 208 Sold Averaged $153.62
    Next 208 Sold Averaged $159.39
    Next 208 Sold Averaged $156.52
    Next 208 Sold Averaged $152.27
    Next 208 Sold Averaged $124.68
    Next 208 Sold Averaged $109.95
    Next 208 Sold Averaged $88.86
    Next 208 Sold Averaged $95.78
    Last 208 Sold Averaged $87.40

    I’ve tracked the Johnson’s since 10/27/15. Total bay Sales for the Johnson in OGP are 2,079…

    1st 150 Sold Averaged $96.79
    Next 150 Sold Averaged $94.92
    Next 150 Sold Averaged $87.71
    Next 150 Sold Averaged $81.82
    Next 150 Sold Averaged $78.00
    Next 150 Sold Averaged $72.00
    Next 150 Sold Averaged $73.20
    Next 150 Sold Averaged $72.21
    Next 150 Sold Averaged $70.87
    Next 150 Sold Averaged $72.18
    Next 150 Sold Averaged $70.74
    Next 150 Sold Averaged $70.88
    Last 150 Sold Averaged $71.45
    Last 129 Sold Averaged $67.20

  61. Tinto says

    @Sith

    I know Congress does tie the hands of the Mint on many areas like the comemorative issues, but I am also talking about areas where they have control, like the simple act of the Mint head mingling with coin collectors at shows after meeting with the big time buyers .. or making sure designs don’t suck (like the Prez coins ..) … or not just picking a “safe, PC” design in areas they control .. like the gold and platinum eagle issues .. or to just regurgitate classic designs for which I guess master dies (or whatever you call ’em) exist and can be copied to working dies without the need to start from scratch (dunno if they have competent engravers).. .. or the mintage and composition of products under their control like the Prez C&C sets, etc. ( RR set – a silver medal would have been preferable than a proof ASE which is much more common and unique to the set) … or the yanking of the silver medal version of the gold HR Liberty and pushing it into the next year … etc. etc.

    And the Mint might not be able to lobby but as I mentioned, they can sure provide some expert guidance to Congress … which has been the point I am trying to make (not lobbying) … and so, is the Mint being pro-active there? The Mint is an authority too ..not some small business .. that is what I am trying to get at … and they will have an impact I like to believe.. but if they haven’t tried and just sit tight for orders to come on down like a foot soldier …

  62. Sith says

    @cagcrisp – You’re thinking too hard, they need to simply pull the SLQ. How many mint item’s have experienced a surprise sellout below the announced mintages. Everyone has had a chance to buy one, they have lowered the house hold limit, their is no need to announce a lower mintage. They can pull the product whenever they want, as the mintage announced is a maximum mintage .

  63. Leo S. says

    If something needs to be pulled, it is the FS Dirty Dozen. These coins have been around for so long they have grown whiskers. Hardly anyone is buying them and it is time to bid them ado.

  64. Dustyroads says

    cagcrisp, I’ve been checking availability of the gold unc. daily. It’s clear there will not be new low unless stock becomes lower than 100 immediately. Even then an audit a few years down the road could blast it’s standing as #1. The 2012 was a big surprise with a great amount of distance between mintages compared to 2011.

  65. Sith says

    @Tinto – No argument, but we are discussing reinvigorating coin collecting, it should not mater if the mint head mingles with with current collectors, as they are already collectors. Now saying that, maybe if they had a better public relations program..then again its not really their prime function. Their prime function is to make circulating coinage.

    As you state, the mint is severely restricted on what it can do outside of platinum, and gold coins, and even then they are IMHO bending the rules to get that level of control. The platinum, coins have outstanding designs (too bad I can’t afford them), and the gold coins designs right or wrong have been far from “safe.” As far as regurgitating old designs, it works.

    I do believe that ” they can sure provide some expert guidance to Congress,” and they have, but the higher ups are political appointees, and they will not bite the hand the feeds them.

  66. cagcrisp says

    @Sith, I just believe in more Mint transparency. Put a press release out and state 80,000 and then years from now when you use google (or whatever takes it’s place) you will see that the Mint pulled the offering before it ran over the mintage limit.

    (spinning a glass half full vs. the current glass half empty scenario).

    @Leo S. , I’m sure that there are some that have a Elanor Roosevelt that don’t want to see the Mint pull the offerings…

  67. .John Q. Coinage says

    It’s so simple to all the Government pinheads & bean counters, make circulating coins have some intrinsic value, maybe 33% silver coins, also change some designs, our coins are so stale…Cent 117 YEARS….Jefferson 78 years, dime 70 years, Quarter 84 years, JFK since 1964…..no change in our change, no one cares but us “collectors” I still get rolls of BU coins @@ banks & market when I can, but there is no aftermarket, I am spending them or using @ barber or elsewhere, some love them & we can try to fertilize new collectors, the Mint hsould make a $5 circulating coin with a silver center (a la the silver center cent,) it could have seingorage & also circulate & a few in your pocket wold = good spending power!! @ McD’s or Taco Bell….

  68. data dave says

    @cagcrisp – I never saw your take on the 70K/HHL = 3 for the gold Walker. I know you would rather see a HHL of 10, but do you think 3 will be high enough? As you mentioned before I think it will be a sell out.

  69. .John Q. Coinage says

    If true no 50th Anniversary coin(s) for the moon landing is a DISGRACE! We get Boys Town, soccer salutes, etc., but the biggest event (but for WW2) of the 20th Century is passed on because Congress is too busy…DOING NOTHING, I don’t care what your party is, please tell me what Congress has done for the PEOPLE in the past 5-6 years, except go after POTUS & HRC (which they could & can do ANYWAY…I got no beef or horse in race, but really) a do nothing bunch of GOP & Dems in Congress, we were never designed to have a 2 party system, not we have a real deadlock approaching, if the :Legislative branch stays GOP & Hillary wins, 4 more year of nothing to be seen. The lack of a moon landing program is shocking. I am sure there will be a 10th anniversary of the transgender bathroom in 2016 or maybe another sily Lions Club type coin, HISTORICAL events only for a few years, mght be a start–> A CIRCULATING MOON PROGRAM ANNIV COIN< with the JFK half with different reverses…….nahh makes to much sense, they don't circulate so the mint wold just make $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

  70. Sith says

    @cagcrisp – Understood, and a valid point. I’m just saying they are under no obligation to move the goal posts, when they can declare victory, and go home.

    @.John Q. Coinage – Its called Gresham’s law. What killed the half dollar? They remained 40% silver after silver was pulled from the other coins, and as such they were horded. By the time they removed the silver content, they had already creased to circulate. The 1964 D Peace dollar died because coin dealers immediately offered $7.50 each for them, ensuring that they would not circulate; they would simply be hoarded.

    As far as the stale designs, I don’t have an argument but like to mention that we do have the the State, and ATB quarter program, the special Lincoln pennies, the Westward Journey nickles program

  71. cagcrisp says

    @data dave, I respect your opinion on a sell out of 70,000 and I respect MT’s opinion on 29,400 on Launch day.

    For me, what happens on November 8th will help shape my opinion. This isn’t a $205.00 coin. This isn’t a $485.00 ($472.50 now) coin. This is an $890.00 coin.

    To sell $62,300,000 worth of coins in one offering is going to take a lot of deep pockets and the election will affect the deep pockets financially more than anyone else.

    I see a lot of negativity in the stock and bond market after the election and the election is so close to Launch day. I will defer until after the election to see how much the markets sell off…

  72. cagcrisp says

    To follow up on my Above comment..

    Currently we have $23,799,475 sales for the Winged Head Liberty.
    Assuming all 406 SLQ’s were sold last week after the price decrease we have $38,246,875 sales for the SLQ.

    We had months to prepare for the Winged Head Liberty.
    We had 140 days between Winged Head Liberty to accumulated $$ for the SLQ.
    We have 70 days to accumulate $$ for the Walking Liberty Half.

    Combined sales $ for the Winged Head Liberty and the SLQ is ~ $62,046,350.
    A sell out of 70,000 Walking Liberty Half is $62,300,000.

    SO…That’s a Lot to ask in a short period of time considering the divisiveness in the nation…

  73. .John Q. Coinage says

    Criag, the half just does not circulate, has not had 40% since ’69 (or ’70 in MS) the rest languish, I would like they coin to be the basis for new $5 coin, all us collectors who keep 1/2 would be ‘in’–realistically non-collectors don’t look @ the reverses much & a new Obverse with new heroes, or a new Liberty might catch some minds……but in reality the cent needs to go, & round up to the 5c……add a $5 coin. Not sure about mint selling about $70,0000,000 of WLH in 1 day, coin fatigue & Bullion price staleness has only the collector angle to play, & how many can HSN sell @ say $1,100 or more…..as Barber halves are kinda hot (maybeno more) of late, a gold 100th Anniv. Barber would be sweet, or in SILVER…no too easy

  74. Erik H says

    This may sound crazy but what if each branch mint took control of how many, what type, the release date, and distribution of US collector coins.

    For instance, let’s say the SF mint wants to produce a 100 year anny 3 gold coin set while WP wants to release them individually. Which do you buy? Now, imagine at the last minute, say late December, Denver decides to release the same coins in proof finnish with a mintage of 10K. What to do? Sell SF to buy Denver. Buy all versions to have a complete set? It would be a speculators paradise, collectors might go broke trying to pick the best bet.

  75. Scott says

    @ Jeff, your delusional comments are better kept to yourself. Everybody knows the real sexual predator is WJC.

  76. Jeff says

    Well scotty that’s already been litigated and there was no prosecution. On the other hand don’s problem is just coming to light and it has taken a toll on his weak campaign ie look at the polls. Mark my words don will be prosecuted and a grand jury will lay out an indictment for sexual assault and molestation charges. Funny thing when his supports say lock her up its really code for LOCK DON UP. Stay tuned it’s going to get real interesting .

  77. So Krates says

    @ Erik H. says, “The is only ONE producer of US minted coins. There are several shipping companies to choose from.”

    There is only ONE producer of US stamps

    The US Mint is to Provident and Apmex as the US Post Office is to Fedex and UPS.

  78. So Krates says

    @ Erik H. – “money out of the ATM is put it in the oven on “high” to see what happens.”

    It’s only the 100s that have RFID implantation and they don’t usually come out of ATMs 😉

  79. Natatack says

    Don’t know if there is a connection but the credit card I used at the mint turned up $700 in internet charges from harbor freight . Only way I caught it was when I was reviewing my online payment . Be aware and review your statements. Don’t know how many mint customers will have fraud occurring within the next few months…

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