United States Mint unveils designs for American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program

The American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program designs are unveiled at the American Legion conference August 29, 2018, in Minneapolis, Mn. U.S. Mint photo by Tracy Scelzo Chavez.

Minneapolis — The United States Mint joined the American Legion at its national convention at the Minneapolis Convention Center to unveil designs for the 2019 American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program.

The artists in the Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program created the designs that will appear on gold, silver, and clad coins as mandated by Public Law 115-65, the legislation authorizing this coin program. The Mint’s sculptor-engravers executed the designs.

Hover to zoom.

$5 Gold Coin Obverse Design

Designer: Chris Costello
Sculptor-Engraver: Phebe Hemphill
This design commemorates the inception of the American Legion and its mission to serve America and its war veterans. The outer geometric rim design from the American Legion emblem, the Eiffel Tower, and V for victory represents the formation of the organization in Paris in 1919 at the end of World War I. Inscriptions are IN GOD WE TRUSTLIBERTY1919, and 2019.

$5 Gold Coin Reverse Design

Designer: Paul C. Balan
Sculptor-Engraver: Joseph Menna
This design depicts a soaring eagle, a symbol of the United States during times of war and peace alike. The American Legion emblem is depicted above the eagle. Inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA$5, and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

Silver Dollar Coin Obverse

Designer: Paul C. Balan
Sculptor-Engraver: Renata Gordon
This design depicts the American Legion emblem adorned by oak leaves and a lily, commemorating the founding of the American Legion in Paris, France. Inscriptions are LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and 2019.

Silver Dollar Coin Reverse

Designer: Patricia Lucas-Morris
Sculptor-Engraver: Michael Gaudioso
The design represents the founding of the American Legion in Paris in 1919. Above the crossed American and American Legion flags is a fleur-de-lis and the inscription 100 Years of Service. Additional inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1919, 2019, $1, and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

Clad Half Dollar Coin Obverse Design

Designer: Richard Masters
Sculptor-Engraver: Phebe Hemphill
This design depicts two children standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, the little girl proudly wearing her grandfather’s old American Legion hat. Inscriptions are LIBERTY, 2019, IN GOD WE TRUST, and I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG…

Clad Half Dollar Coin Reverse Design

Designer: Richard Masters
Sculptor-Engraver: Joseph Menna
The design completes the phrase from the obverse “I pledge allegiance to the flag… of the United States of America.” It depicts an American Flag waving atop a high flagpole as seen from the children’s point-of-view from the ground below. The American Legion’s emblem is featured just above the flag. Additional inscriptions are E PLURIBUS UNUM and HALF DOLLAR.

Line art of the 2019 American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coins is available here.


The authorizing legislation for the American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coins also calls for the Mint to collect surcharges from coin sales—$35 for each $5 gold coin, $10 for each silver dollar coin, and $5 for each half dollar clad coin. The surcharges are authorized to be paid to the American Legion to support the Legion’s programs for veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and other purposes specified by the authorizing legislation.

The Mint will announce the release date and additional pricing information for this coin program prior to its release in early 2019.

About the United States Mint

Congress created the United States Mint in 1792, and the Mint became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. As the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, the Mint is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint also produces numismatic products, including Proof, Uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; silver and bronze medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.

Press release courtesy of the United States Mint.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Facebook Twitter Email

BEFORE YOU COMMENT:

  1. Mint News Blog is not a retail website. If you wish to buy a coin or banknote, you should contact a reputable dealer. One of our sponsors (see ads at left and top of page) may also have what you’re looking for, so be sure to check out their websites.
  2. Per policy, we do not advise on the value, authenticity, or rarity of readers’ coins and banknotes. For this kind of assistance, you should contact a reputable dealer, preferably one who’s certified by the American Numismatic Association and/or the Professional Numismatists Guild.
  3. Vulgar and/or abusive comments will not be tolerated. Nor will trolls.
  4. Allegations of fraudulent or criminal activity against a named party, when said activity has not been proven in a court of law, will be removed.

Comments

  1. 20th Century Variety Collector says

    I’ll buy the gold(unc and proof set), a few each of the silver, but NO WAY will I buy the clad 🙂

  2. Buzz Killington says

    The clad is the worst.

    It does really irk me to see “In God We Trust” crowbarred into all of these designs. It’s enough already.

  3. cagcrisp says

    IF I was to write an article ““Why did they do that?” — A look inside the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee”

    I Sure wouldn’t use the clad half dollar as an example…

  4. cagcrisp says

    IF I was to write an article “What were They Thinking?”— A look inside the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee”

    I Sure would use the clad half dollar as an example…

  5. Anthony says

    Way WAY overdone with the American Legion logo. While I believe it O.K. to have it appear on ONE side of ONE denomination, it will sadly appear like a squashed bug on a windshield on the $1 & 50¢ reverses.

    Together, these designs DO NOT promulgate the idea of who and what the American Legion is and aspires to.
    I’m sure many of the general public will wonder why the Eiffel Tower appears so prominent on the silver dollar as it only makes reference to the city where the organization was founded.

  6. The RCB says

    The Eiffel Tower is on the gold 5 dollar coin. But yeah, I had no idea why it was there.

  7. Ben There says

    The dollar and 5 dollar coins are nice-in the drawings. Let’s see how they translate to an actual coin. The clad is just more PC rubbish.

  8. cagcrisp says

    OT…

    Amazing that we have the money to index capital gains to inflation ($100 Billion over 10 years)…

    …And

    We don’t have the money to pay for raises for Federal employees.

    Wonder why?

    Oh yeah…

    Indexing capital gains to inflation goes ~ 86% to the Top 1%.

    Now I get it..

    hmmmm….So much for a populist president…

  9. Daveinswfl says

    If Federal employees were indexed to inflation, THAT would be fine. BUT I believe you will find that in general their increases outstrip inflation over time. Especially true if you include the fringe benefits.

  10. The RCB says

    So federal employees shouldn’t get raises except to keep up with inflation, they should just stay in the same bracket their entire career with only COL raises. If you think the government is mismanaged now, wait until it’s ran by civil servants who know they have no potential salary increase.

  11. cagcrisp says

    @Daveinswfl,”If Federal employees were indexed to inflation, THAT would be fine. BUT I believe you will find that in general their increases outstrip inflation over time. Especially true if you include the fringe benefits.”

    Well guess your guy is crawdadding

    Giving a speech, and NOW he is going to rethink the pay raises for Federal employees.

    Polls must not have been good…

  12. Anthony says

    @Cag… you are SPOT ON in your comment re: capital gains!

    I am not now nor have ever been a Federal employee.
    Trump arranges for taxation to benefit the extremely wealthy while he and many of his Cabinet members enjoy wildly extravagant expense and travel accounts while the people who actually DO WORK in the Federal government get STIFFED. Yeah, what a “populist” president he sure is! His tariff crap makes it nearly impossible for anyone to plan for a future in any profession.

    I hope all Federal workers manage to get out and VOTE this NOVEMBER!!!

  13. Anthony says

    Rethink? Why not just THINK at the get go?

    For Trump my advice is “please engage brain BEFORE putting mouth in gear.”
    Of course that will never happen as he must possess the former before doing the latter…

  14. NCM Collector says

    CCAC should be disbanded. That half dollar is hideous.
    Mint employees not getting a raise. Maybe they will retaliate by producing more interesting errors.

  15. NCM Collector says

    Maybe we will finally get a commemorative mule or medal-Eagle mule. Just some ideas for USM employees to work on.

  16. cagcrisp says

    OT…

    Well his Executive Order requires that the Treasury study the RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) of age 70 1/2 for Traditional IRA’s, 401k’s and 402b’s.

    That’s one thing that at least Needs to be re-worked because people are living longer and a change would affect anyone that has these retirement accounts…

  17. Alan Wayne says

    Personally, I like all the designs and from what I’ve read in previous articles, these designs are also the preferences of the American Legion .

    Not sure why the half dollar is disliked so much, unless it’s because there is a person of color featured on it.

    Must be the hobby’s definition of “PC” because every time there is someone featured on a coin design that’s not a white male, someone screams, “another politically correct coin design!”

    No wonder this hobby is shrinking…

  18. cagcrisp says

    Question:
    What’s One Good thing that can be said about the American Legion half dollar?

    Answer:
    It Could knock the Boys Town half dollar off it’s Perch…

  19. Daveinswfl says

    From The HuffPost
    As of 2014, over the last 25 years the %difference between average federal pay and average private sector pay doubled.
    In 2014 , avg fed pay =$84,153 which was 50% higher than avg private sector pay.
    That percentage jumps to 78% higher when benefits are added.

    But we all know there is no waste in our federal government!
    And please, let’s not think that agent orange spends any more extravagantly than his predecessor.

  20. Buzz Killington says

    More interesting errors? A dime struck on a nail isn’t good enough for you? Perhaps one day we will see a Girl Scout Dollar struck on a shortbread cookie that was sitting in an unopened box in a speculator’s closet.

    The mandatory distribution of an IRA is exactly why I never got in the game. And I also see a big business arising from “converting” your Roth IRA. No matter what you do, or how careful you can try to be, at the end of the day, there is no free lunch.

  21. Foxman69 says

    What..? Depicting two children demonstrating patriotism by reciting the Pledge…how will this play with the growing group bashing any show of patriotism?

  22. cagcrisp says

    PCGS vs. NGC vs. ANACS…

    This hasn’t been discussed in a long time on MNB. Consensus in the past has always been that NGC grading standards are not up to PCGS standards and ANACS is for the most part the domain of the TV boys.

    Here are details from a CW article concerning the grading of Just the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge quarters in the 2018 San Francisco Silver Reverse Proof set:

    PCGS: 1,653 submitted; 70s 74; 69s 1,567; 68s 9; 67s 3

    NGC: 70s 3,865; 69s 1,337

    ANACS: 70s 3,408

    My words…”That’s ridiculous”

    ..And…You continue to wonder why One grading service outperforms the others on Most items…

  23. cagcrisp says

    @Buzz Killington,”The mandatory distribution of an IRA is exactly why I never got in the game. And I also see a big business arising from “converting” your Roth IRA. ”

    The first year you could convert a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA was 1998. IF you did it in 1998 you had a one time 4 year amortization of taxes.

    I converted.

    And then Along came Enron, Tyco, World Com and the rest of the Bad Boys.

    I’ve never figured out just how many $ Thousand I lost on my “one time 4 year amortization of taxes” that was the smart play from an accounting point of view…

  24. cagcrisp says

    @Daveinswfl ,”From The HuffPost”

    Better not let your Boss know that you read the HuffPost

    They’re not on the Right side of the news…

  25. Anthony says

    The 70 grade is a mythical. There is no meaningful qualitative difference between any third party grade of 70 and a grade of 69.

    However, when selling 70 grade coins there is a much higher chance that the seller is ripe to take a bath on most modern issues.

  26. ike says

    Daveinswfl
    Please when comparing federal & private sector pay. Do it by occupation (Lawyer to lawyer, engineer to engineer etc). A blanket comparison like you made does not say a lot

  27. Buzz Killington says

    @cag — on the grading issue

    I don’t follow this stuff, but what is interesting to me is that NGC and even ANACS seems to be grading about 3x as many coins as PCGS, each.

    I am not the type of guy who sweats some small imperfection on a coin that I am just keeping for a collection. But if I were, I think I would enjoy hunting down these examples from dealer’s stock, rather than paying a premium for them in a plastic holder.

    As it is, I would rather have a diversity of different kind of pieces, instead of a particular quarter without a small tick mark on Washington’s neck. I’ll admit to some obsessive tendencies, but luckily not that one. As others have observed, buying coins at 70 markups can cause one to lose his shirt.

  28. Einbahnstrasse says

    Call me crazy, but…

    …I actually like the clad the best of the three.

    The gold reverse design is wonderful, with the eagle filling the canvas, but as others have noted, the obverse is difficult to understand. The silver designs, both sides, are fairly formulaic. But the clad designs have a lot going for them: The two sides are actually related, designed by the same artist (unlike the other two coins) and tied together by a motto that flows from one side to the other. The patriotic kids with the Legion cap are the only design element on any of these coins to say anything about how the Legion is relevant *today*. The unusual perspective on the flagpole is the sort of innovative design that collectors always say they want (until they actually see it, apparently). And the designer cleverly gets extra mileage out of his lettering by allowing the required inscription “United States of America” to double as part of the Pledge of Allegiance (remember that several other design candidates attempting to incorporate the Pledge awkwardly had “United States of America” twice on the same side of the same coin).

    Now, of course, all of these comments are based on the line art. We’ve seen recently that the actual coins sometimes come out much better (WWII dollar) or much worse (platinum proof) than the line art. So, yeah, if the clad coins come out with the kids’ smiles looking more derpy than happy, and the flag looking like an unidentifiable strangely shaped blob, then they could be a real disaster. But if they live up to the potential of these sketches, this could be one of the best commem designs of recent years.

    (Still might manage to sell worse than the Boys’ Town, but that’s another story.)

  29. Anthony says

    @Einbahnstrasse… With these annual three coin commemorative issues the powers that be appear to have assigned the half dollar a task of carrying a message with a juvenile theme of human interest for young and new collectors.

    Collectively, this entire set of three coins relates the 100 year story of the American Legion as having been founded in France (Eiffel Tower & flour-de-lis) and children like to play with grandpa’s old hat.

    There was an opportunity to tell a real story here of the American Legion and to honor veterans of all wars.
    This program may end up a big swing and a miss. 🙁

  30. Anthony says

    Anyone hear more about the American Innovation $1 coin program and whether the first coin of the series will be issued in 2018?

    I sure hope that none of the original proposed designs are used for the 1st issue as it sets a tone for bland lack of imagination & inventiveness.

    I fear series may only take the track telling the broad story of American consumerism…

  31. Louis says

    @Anthony- The Mint Director requested a new set of designs for the 2018 coin, which is what I suggested in a CW commentary recently, but that is all I have heard so far.

  32. Anthony says

    @Louis… One can only hope (breathlessly!) for what the inaugural issue might look like. The first U.S. patent was issued to Samuel Hopkins for a process to make potash, an ingredient used in making fertilizer to improve crop yields. Maybe a wreath of cannabis & George Washington’s signature could work? 🙂

    Seeing as how this will be a numismatic issue only and NOT introduced into general circulation there is only the very slimmest hope this long running 15 year program will ever get any traction among collectors, let alone any NEW COLLECTORS to the hobby.

    Its looking like (yet AGAIN!) we’ll get a parade of mostly arcane subjects commemorated on non-circulating coins (as in the EXPENSIVE, long running but mercifully ended $10 gold First Spouse series.)

  33. Daveinswfl says

    Please give the little girl some teeth. And replace the adult hands with child sized hands.
    The flag looks kinda funky IMO, with the right side 3X the left side….weird perspective!
    Full Legion emblem would make a dynamite obverse on the gold coin. Given the size of the coin, the beauty will be lost on the reverse. On the obverse, the so called emblem outer rim looks more like one of my wife’s funky pie tins.

    Nice reverses on the gold and silver coins.

    I won’t be buying any…even if it is a new low wonder.

  34. Barry says

    It amazes me how people defend govt. spending and there isn’t any money to be saved without some group complaining. The same group blames tax reductions ( on a over taxed public ) for deficits when it is uncontrolled spending that is the problem. What was in the news recently that about half the kids are on Medicaid ? The welfare state needs to be addressed. How many get the EITC ( welfare tax refund ) and end up paying little or no tax. It is pretty much the taxpayer can shut up , pay up and go to the hot place ,

  35. Jerry Diekmann says

    Daveinswfl – I agree with your observation. I noticed too that the children’s hands were much too big and the girl doesn’t have any teeth showing. Hopefully the Mint artist(s) can correct these mistakes before the coin is minted.

  36. Tom says

    Perhaps the mint is going to release several versions. You know, big hands with teeth, little hands and teeth, no teeth and little hands, etc….maybe that’s what the hobby needs?

  37. Robert says

    Art teacher here. For the record, the children’s hand sizes are correct in the half dollar design.

    A common misconception, especially for beginning artists is that hand size is generally smaller than they actually are. As a rule of thumb, hand size is roughly the same as face size. This is especially true in children since their extremities (feet and hands) can grow at an even faster rate than the rest of their bodies.

    Check out this stock image and compare it to the children in the design:

    https://www.stockunlimited.com/image/boy-with-hand-over-heart_1906723.htmlextremities

  38. Daveinswfl says

    Ok, the hands just looked too big. But no teeth does not make a pretty picture.
    Any artistic comments on the flag perspective?

    I certainly cannot claim to be an artist by any stretch of the imagination!

  39. cagcrisp says

    Let’s See…

    From working papers of the Federal Reserve…

    Executive Summary

    Recent analyses have examined the potential benefits of replacing the $1 Federal Reserve note in the U.S. payment system with a $1 coin. 1 These analyses typically focus on the cost savings and benefits accruing to the U.S. government, but they may overlook potential effects on participants in the payment system and the long-run changes that have been shaping the U.S. payment system. This paper analyzes the potential broader effects of a currency-to-coin transition on the U.S. payment system and its participants, including but not limited to depository institutions, armored currency and coin carriers, the vending industry, retailers, and the Federal Reserve System and government agencies. Although “true” costs and benefits are difficult to measure, available data indicate that (1) the costs of using the $1 coin are generally higher than using the $1 note, and (2) these costs can be very high for businesses that accept cash in large volumes (for example, banks and large retail business operations). We examined the broader impact of a currency-to-coin transition through consideration of two alternatives: (1) the status quo, or the co-circulation of $1 notes and $1 coins, where the public can choose between these instruments, and (2) the “all-$1-coin” scenario, as a result of a mandated withdrawal of the $1 note from circulation.2 We projected the U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) and Federal Reserve production, distribution, and processing costs for each scenario, and also conducted a survey and focus groups to better understand the effects of each scenario on payment system participants. Finally, we conducted a sensitivity analysis of our results—in other words, we examined how changes in note life, replacement ratios, production costs, currency growth rates, and discount rates affected our conclusion about which payment instrument is most efficient.

    Our analysis—including sensitivity analysis, a survey, and focus groups—resulted in several key findings about a complete currency-to-coin transition at the $1 unit level.

    • Less payment system efficiency. Using $1 coins instead of $1 notes for transactions is inherently inefficient, requiring a replacement of one $1 note with more than one $1 coin to make up for the difference in the way coins and notes are used by the public.

    • Less cost-effective. Replacing $1 notes with $1 coins is also not cost-effective for the U.S. government and public more broadly, primarily because the higher cost to produce coins compared with notes is not offset by the longer life of the coin.

    • Higher costs under all projected scenarios. Circulating only $1 coins costs more under every scenario we considered (in net present value terms) than would continuing to provide $1 notes to the public.

    • Increased costs to the private sector. Circulating only $1 coins could result in increased costs to the private sector, perhaps in the hundreds of millions of dollars per year, and would more than offset any “seigniorage revenue” to the government reported in earlier GAO studies.

  40. cagcrisp says

    Let’s See…

    Bottom Line…

    • Increased costs to the private sector. Circulating only $1 coins could result in increased costs to the private sector, perhaps in the hundreds of millions of dollars per year, and would more than offset any “seigniorage revenue” to the government reported in earlier GAO studies.

    •”costs to the private sector, perhaps in the hundreds of millions of dollars per year”

    …But..

    Uncle Sam would get more seigniorage.

    …So now you know the “rest of the story”. Whenever you get a GAO study about why we Should convert $1 currency to $1 coins, you know.

    …More cost to private sector and More revenue for Uncle Sam…

  41. Daveinswfl says

    I’m sure the assumption in that report is that the cent, nickel, dime, and quarter would also continue to circulate. If they were replaced by the $1,5,10,20and $100 coins, paper money could be eliminated!
    You can still price in fractions of dollars and just round every transaction to the nearest dollar. The low value coins are already pretty much despised and just thrown into jars.

  42. Daveinswfl says

    And the cartels would not be amenable to lugging around 10,000 half dollar sized coins for their million dollar transactions!

  43. RSF says

    Why would they survey people that have to “imagine” what it would be like to have to carry a couple dollar coins around instead of a couple dollar bills, when they could survey people in countries where that experiment has already been conducted and the results are positive. People have quickly adapted.

    The original fear associated with any change soon dissipates when it’s demonstrated that only a minor adaptation is all that is required.

    The well funded lobbyists that are paid to stoke those fears, buy and promote any study that tends to maintain the status quo. The frequent use of the terms like “they MAY overlook” or “POTENTIAL effects on” is a technique used when your statistics are not conclusive, but merely want to make an impression in the reader’s mind.

  44. cagcrisp says

    cagcrisp says August 31, 2018 at 4:17 pm, “It Could knock the Boys Town half dollar off it’s Perch…”

    Let’s See…

    Boys Town half dollar uncirculated is the Clubhouse Leader for Low Mintage Wonder…

    …However…

    After 2018, The New Low Mintage Wonder in the uncirculated half dollar will be the Breast Cancer Awareness…

    Current mintage of the Breast Cancer Awareness clad half dollar = 9,869
    Final mintage numbers printed for the Boys Town clad half dollar = 15,525

    …SO…Once the Breast Cancer Awareness uncirculated half dollar Sells Out at the end of the year and someone posts that I’m just jealous that I didn’t get any of the Low Mintage Wonder Breast Cancer Awareness uncirculated half dollars, Yep, I’m aware that they will be a Low Mintage Wonder and Low Mintage Wonders don’t mean Jack to me without Demand…

  45. cagcrisp says

    For the record…

    The Pink Gold gimmick Worked.

    Of the 6 commemorative coins that the Boys Towns now hold the Low Mintage Wonders…

    The Pinks saved Boys Towns.

    The Boys Town Silver Proof is probably safe…

    …However…

    The Breast Cancer Awareness Silver uncirculated dollar, the Breast Cancer Awareness Proof half dollar and the Breast Cancer Awareness uncirculated half dollar will probably All be Low Mintage Wonders when the dust settles.

    Long Live the Pinks…

  46. cagcrisp says

    @RSF,”Why would they survey people that have to “imagine” what it would be like to have to carry a couple dollar coins around instead of a couple dollar bills, when they could survey people in countries where that experiment has already been conducted and the results are positive. ”

    Let’s See…

    Not Exactly Positive…

    The Federal Reserve working papers DID compare counterfeiting of Federal Reserve Notes currently in circulation according to the Secret Service vs. what the Royal Mint said was counterfeited with the £1 coins and concluded that If you had the same percentage of counterfeiting that it would cost ~ $540 Million annually to go from the $1 Federal Reserve Not to the $1 coin…

  47. CaliSkier says

    Daveinswfl says: “I’m sure the assumption in that report is that the cent, nickel, dime, and quarter would also continue to circulate. If they were replaced by the $1,5,10,20and $100 coins, paper money could be eliminated!”

    I’d have to say IMHO you’re spot on!

    They’ve already(only?)done “a study” on the $1 coin versus $1 bill! Another study has been done on the cost to produce a penny and a nickel beig more than their face value. Too funny as, they (Government) would need to study and provide grants for the study on each $2, $5, $10, $20, $100 denomination. Another study for metallurgy, one for the design/content, etc!!! One wouldn’t want to confuse how each one of these individual dollar denominations should stand alone on their own merit and not be treated as “One” issue meaning a revamp of our money, not just a weird bandaid flavor of the day, with the $1 being the problem?!!??
    Seriously??? Ponder…..short version, address all in “One “ study and quit dicking around!!!

    Penny, $.01 gone! Nickel, $.05Gone!! Dollar bill $1 Gone! Fifty Cent $.50 back?
    New, Coins, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50? & or $100?

    Keep paper/bill, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100. Or maybe consider changing the $20 into a $25?

    All using latest technology to prevent counterfeiting, although we could also have another separate study for each denomination as well! Step right up and fill up yer’ Pork Barrel’s partners!

    This all needs to be addressed together as they are all related and share inherent similarities in the execution or implementation! I’m not the first here on MNB to bring up these simimilar thoughts.:…

  48. CaliSkier says

    My eyes are aren’t what they used to be! I seem to recall white/milk spots on ATB 5 oz and a few other coins from the Mint? Has this issue gone away, become less prevalent or about the same?

    I’m asking the above question, as the Royal Canadian Mint has come up with “Mint Sheild”! Check out the link: It’d be nice if the Mint had something similar in the works or perhaps already implemented? Also mentions laser micro engraving security technology!

    https://canadiancoinnews.com/rcms-mintshield-offers-investors-added-security/

  49. cagcrisp says

    Oh Contraire…

    Concerning the Mass number of $1 coins that would need to be minted (15 Billion over the first four years) in replacement of the $1 FRN the Federal Reserve has concluded :

    • U.S. Mint Issues but Does Not Have a Means to Maintain the Quality or Authenticity of Coins

    …AND…

    • Federal Reserve Issues and Maintains the Quality and Authenticity of Federal Reserve Notes

    …AND…

    The numbers they use for production costs and estimations of fixed costs comes from none other than the United States Mint…

  50. cagcrisp says

    IF the United States Mint can’t maintain authenticity of a $1 coin, I would hate to see what they would do with a $5, $10, $20 or $100 coin…

  51. Anthony says

    Advancements in nanotechnology and ultra microchips make it very doable to embed anti counterfeiting safeguards into high denomination coinage and every annual mintage could have it’s own unique safeguard code.

  52. cagcrisp says

    Without Googling …

    All you guys that want a $1 coin and the Elimination of the $1 Federal Reserve Note.

    Without Googling…

    Why oh Why on the Federal Reserves Balance Sheet is the $1 coin listed as an Asset?…

    …AND…

    Why oh Why on the Federal Reserve Balance Sheet is the $1 Federal Reserve Note listed as a Liability?…

    Without Googling…

  53. CaliSkier says

    Cag says: “All you guys that want a $1 coin and the Elimination of the $1 Federal Reserve Note.”

    Not just the elimination of the $1 bill, however most if not all that’s listed below!

    “Penny, $.01 gone! Nickel, $.05Gone!! Dollar bill $1 Gone! Fifty Cent $.50 back?
    New, Coins, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50? & or $100?

    Keep paper/bill, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100. Or maybe consider changing the $20 into a $25?

    All using latest technology to prevent counterfeiting, “

    I haven’t really heard anyone, just promoting elimination only, of the dollar bill. Of course I’m not well read on the topic, however something tells me, I soon will be!?

    If I had to guess, if one is only promoting elimination of the $1 dollar bill, without considering the other Issues regarding new updated coins and elimination of the penny and nickel must be a politician! Maintaining the status quo and NOT revamping the whole kit-n-caboodle would truly be a waste of money, as the longer we wait to take care of this issue the higher the cost of implementation! Not to mention, as some, have mentioned here on MNB, the further even those needed changes($.25 the new $.10 & $.10 the new penny?)become devalued as well!!! What to do, what to do…..? Ponder…..

  54. CaliSkier says

    Cag says: “Why oh Why on the Federal Reserves Balance Sheet is the $1 coin listed as an Asset?… Perhaps that’s because they have over,or close to $2 billion Presidential $1 coins stored in their vaults?

    …AND…

    Why oh Why on the Federal Reserve Balance Sheet is the $1 Federal Reserve Note listed as a Liability?… Hmm…perhaps the notes wear out faster or are removed from circulation here in the US, to be used in commerce around the globe? US $20’s would seemingly be the number one desired currency, any where, any time!!! Anything you think of or can afford can be had with enough of this tool, we call money!

  55. Robert says

    @Daveinswfl – I didn’t notice the girl’s missing teeth until you mentioned it. The girl looks about six years old, so maybe the artist was thinking she had lost her front teeth. Even so, there should be some indication of the adjacent teeth. I checked the credits and the designer is an AIP artist so maybe the sculptor will take note.

    As for the flag, yes, it does look distorted. The flagpole makes it seem that the viewer is on the ground looking up at the flag. It’s an unusual perspective for how flags are depicted on coins, so perhaps the artist took “artistic license” to exaggerate its unfurling form. For me, it seems like one of those giant flags one sees in certain public spaces, a flag that’s at least ten feet long.

    Overall, I like the design. It’s not often one sees a continuing narrative that ties both sides of a coin together, as the poster named Einbahnstrasse already mentioned. He made some other good points, too.

  56. Buzz Killington says

    @cag —

    In my scenario, production of paper dollars just stops — the ones that already exist are not demonentized. Banks can order the dollar coins from the federal reserve, if needed — the ones that were already minted. All of the half dollars stored at the Federal Reserve can also be used. IF they are truly needed for commerce purposes, it can happen.

    If we don’t have enough dollars for commerce, it will either encourage retailers to get the paper/coin dollars into circulation somehow OR encourage the use of e-payment systems, which the retailers (large ones, anyway) probably prefer.

    Mintage 15 billion dollar coins over 4 years is a deal breaker and a terrible idea. I’m just not sure we really need that many dollar units for commerce, and there is a solution to the hoarding problem. If I am wrong, and that many dollars are needed, I guess we have to keep the paper.

  57. cagcrisp says

    @Buzz Killington,”In my scenario, production of paper dollars just stops .”

    IF the USD was just the currency of the United States then that would work. The US has been the world’s reserve currency since the end of World War II. We worked hard for that distinction. Until there could be another heir apparent to keep the world economy going the US will continue to print dollars.

    According to the last numbers I saw out of the Federal Reserve there were ~ $1.67 Trillion of US currency in circulation and ~ $1.62 Trillion of that being Federal Reserve Notes.

    The Federal Reserve estimates that between one half and two thirds of that $1.67 Trillion in US currency is held Outside the United States.

    Much like talking about pulling out of the WTO. The US was the main driver and the main beneficiary of the WTO. IF we pull out the world economy goes south…

  58. CaliSkier says

    Say it ain’t so Cag! You’ve maintained that more and more gimmicks are coming our way!!!

    We can only hope that true innovation is on the horizon at the US Mint!

    The Royal Australian Mint is issuing collector coins with classic and race car special themes. Recently I ranted about Hot Wheel Themed Coins…… Here we go, coming to a mint near US! Hopefully not, as there’ll be no turning back with colored coins being launched on or simultaneously . Not a fan of colored coins, painted coins, Kilo Coins, lower mintages, higher prices

    https://eshop.ramint.gov.au/product-category.aspx?KWD=ford

    While at it, how about Issuing or rehashing/recycling an idea or concept already successfully operational such as, Cabella’s fishing lure series coins, targeting each species of sport fish! Although, once a beloved fisherman , I might, bite, if they were well done! Bass, could have top water. Popper, fly, stick bait, plastic frog, plastic snake, rubber/plastic worms, spinner bait, etc?

  59. cagcrisp says

    @CaliSkier,” You’ve maintained that more and more gimmicks are coming our way!!!”

    In the interview with Coin World the Mint Director David J. Ryder said that “the Mint will also be developing limited-edition numismatic products that collectors will want to collect.”

    limited-edition numismatic product that collectors will want to collect = Lower Mintage, Higher prices and More Gimmicks…

    Let’s See…

    This year you’ve had Buy 1 get to Pay for 1 more in the WWI and Medal program, and you’ve had the Silver Reverse Proof program and now you’re going to get the Palladium Proof program…

  60. Einbahnstrasse says

    As of 12/31/2017, there were 12.1 billion $1 notes in circulation. The average lifespan of a $1 note is 5.8 years, but of course most of those 12.1 billion notes are already several years old. If the government quit printing new $1 notes, there’d be basically none left within four or five years.

    When other countries have replaced low-value banknotes with coins, their experience has been that they have to issue more than one coin for each banknote replaced. This is because coins tend to spend significant time sitting around in people’s change jars, vending machine coin hoppers, and such places, so not all of them are available to circulation at any given moment. Paper money, especially low-value notes, tends to spend much less time away from active circulation.

    So if the $1 note went away, it’s very reasonable to estimate that we’d need 15 billion $1 coins within four or five years. That enormous stockpile of unwanted Presidential dollars contains slightly over 1 billion coins. The U.S. Mint probably could mint dollar coins fast enough to make up the difference, but they’d be working a lot of overtime.

    The counterfeiting concerns are probably a larger problem, though. Currently there are dozens of different $1 coin designs; after the silly Innovation coins are issued there’ll be over 100. Makes it very difficult for people to become sufficiently familiar with the designs to readily identify fakes. Not a big deal for a lower-value coin like the quarter which isn’t really worth faking, but it’s been a real problem for something the British pound. If we seriously want to replace the $1 note with a coin, the first step is to melt down all existing $1 coins and introduce a new, single, unchanging design. (And of course, that would cost even more.)

    ***

    To answer Cag’s question: Coins are obligations of the U.S. Treasury, so any coins sitting in the Fed’s vaults are an asset of the Fed (they represent a debt that the Treasury owes to the Fed). Federal Reserve Notes are obligations of the Fed itself, so any FRNs outstanding in circulation are a liability of the Fed (they represent a debt that the Fed owes to the holder of the notes).

    The comparison isn’t really fair because we’re comparing coins that aren’t circulating to banknotes that are circulating. Coins actually in circulation don’t appear on the Fed’s balance sheet at all.

    ***

    Back on the topic of commems, I think the Breast Cancer silver coins are on track to come very near the Boys’ Town mintages, if not surpass them. The clads are running far short of the Boys’ Town totals, but the coin & stamp set will probably be enough to save the proof. Thus the clad unc. is the only one that looks like a lock as a Low-Mintage Wonder.

  61. CaliSkier says

    I really like the designs chosen for both the American Legion, $5 gold and $1 silver! I’m wondering how the $5 Reverse & $1 Obverse line art details will translate over onto the relatively small $5 gold coin & $1 silver?

    Both the above examples have sharp detail, which if they can be duplicated/replicated, digitized, etc, through out the many processes, onto production with the same detail would be amazing, although I’m feeling, perhaps, maybe too small, IMO? I guess we’ll see……?

  62. Daveinswfl says

    In the year 2000, the US mint made over 28 billion coins. In one year!
    I don’t think production would be a problem.

  63. cagcrisp says

    @Daveinswfl,”In the year 2000, the US mint made over 28 billion coins. In one year!
    I don’t think production would be a problem.”

    Yeah of the 28 billion a little over half were the penny.

    Who is going to counterfeit a penny?

    The $1 coin only saw $1.3 billion minted…

  64. Throckmorton says

    Re TPG and 70s;

    You CANNOT rely on any TPG to consistently provide a quality 70 . I have seen enough dings (some freaking bold) in PCGS and NGC 70 slabs to not take anything for granted. It’s one reason to go to coin shows if you are in the market so you can inspect the coins. Don’t do auctions for 70s as the photography will fool you..

  65. Anthony says

    @Throckmorton… I have never owned or purchased 70 graded coins. If I did, I certainly would not buy one on Ebay. It is easy for an amateur to edit photographs to remove tiny imperfections. For the huge sums people pay for modern 70 coins I’d think they’d insist on actually viewing these coins for themselves or at least buy with an ability to return the item if dissatisfied. In my opinion there is no MEANINGFUL qualitative difference between a 70 and 69 grade coin. If a collector enjoys the art & design of a coin buying in original government packaging is the best way to go or 69 grade if more comfortable with assured authentication (and easier storage.) I have seen many 70 grade coins also acquire milk spotting on silver and copper spotting on gold or “hazing” develop near the rims.

  66. Silky says

    It is within 72 hours that the Palladium (18EK) 1 per household coin is to be avail..

    Why does the mint keep the price under wraps?

    Semper Fi

  67. Mintman says

    It is amazing the correlation of the Palladium spot price rising inline with the mint release of a Palladium product
    Of course, only a correlation-nothing more

  68. Anthony says

    @Mintman…yes! The palladium proof will probably sell out in one day. U.S. Mint will benefit to the tune of $750,000 ($50 x 15K mintage)

  69. CaliSkier says

    Mintman, amazing is right!!! We should be thankful palladium isn’t more than it is.

    Although, I had to look, and on January 12, 2016 (Pd) pallidium closed @ $470 per oz! 2 years and 7 months later with the aforementioned being the low, the high has been up to, just a short 2 years later, $1129 per oz on Jan 15, 2018, with today so far at $977 per oz.

    Too bad the Mint probably didn’t secure their palladium planchettes
    on the low of 2016! Oh yeah that’s right the program was signed into law on Dec 14, 2010.

  70. CaliSkier says

    Excerpt from the below link/law regarding the Pallidium coins. From Section 2 (5) Quality: “‘‘(5) QUALITY.—The Secretary may issue the coins described in paragraph (1) in both proof and uncirculated versions, except that, should the Secretary determine that it is appropriate to issue proof or uncirculated versions of such coin, the Sec- retary shall, to the greatest extent possible, ensure that the surface treatment of each year’s proof or uncirculated version differs in some material way from that of the preceding year.”

    Is this to mean each and every year to year that the surface has to actually be different from year to year? For example last years Bullion would be considered Unc, this years Proof, & maybe next year Satin finish w/mint mark (W) to follow? What I’m getting at, is if the Mint releases say a Proof version next year, how or will it be different due to a surface treatment in some material way? Hhhmmm……

    https://www.congress.gov/111/plaws/publ303/PLAW-111publ303.pdf

  71. Kyridgerunner says

    I just wanted to update anyone that bought the Reverse Proof Set, as I stated before that I sent the first two sets, back to the Mint for what looked like moisture. I guess I should have kept them. I wanted to replace them and what they did was send back two sets and said they couldn’t exchange them because I didn’t put the reason I was returning them, but I did I even took pictures of the coins and the packing papers telling them exactly why I was returning them. The reason I took pictures is because I have done business with the Mint on returns before.
    Now for the real kicker, the United States Mint didn’t send back the sets I sent them. The lense on the sets they sent back look like they have glue under them and big scratches on the outside of them. I’ve had it with them, I will call them tomorrow but they won’t do anything because I was out of town and my daughter picked them up over a week ago.

  72. Anthony says

    @CaliSkier… the U.S. Mint has at it’s disposal a nearly limitless number of selective surface treatments that can be applied to the palladium bullion issue. That’s not to say that these surface treatments will look good but it is a quick and cheap way to ensure some variation in appearance very subsequent year.

  73. Mintman says

    I can say that it’s extremely coincidental how many times a precious metal release happens at the US Mint and more often than not the precious metal of the day has a good run up just prior to the release.

  74. cagcrisp says

    @Einbahnstrasse,”When other countries have replaced low-value banknotes with coins, their experience has been that they have to issue more than one coin for each banknote replaced.”

    The Federal Reserve working papers used a transition period of four years to faze out the $1 Federal Reserve Note and in that time they used 1.5 factor of $1 coins vs. $1 FRN…

    …Thus…

    In the four year transition period we would need to issue 15 Billion $1 coins to replace 10 Billion $1 FRNs…

  75. IPS_STUFF says

    Wondering what others are deciding on the 2018 proof palladium. My only mint purchase this year has been the 2018 reverse proof silver. I may try to get one of the palladium coins, if work/time allows it. It appears the 2017 bullion version is selling north of the $1387.50 level expected for the 2018 proof. I memory serves me correct, they has similar mintage figures. These will be lots of single holders and could be in some weak hands.

    Are you a GO or NO GO ?

  76. So Krates says

    American Legion, ho hum …what’s next, Chamber of Commerce?

    How about Americans who served in the French Foreign Legion (like Cole Porter)? Now those bastards are legionnaires.

  77. Buzz Killington says

    Here is a bumper sticker no one would buy:

    “I Care About Commemorative Coins. And I Vote.”

    We are doomed for mostly ho-hum commemoratives. How about a 50 year moratorium on sports themes or military/military-related themes? Can anyone prevail on Мистер. President to issue an Executive Order providing this?

  78. So Krates says

    The clad is horrid. Stock photo trans hands not withstanding, these artists suck at rendering children. Thank G-d it will never see a three inch canvas.

    I will pass on the new low mintage wonder half dollar with a young Barry Soetoro and an androgynous doofus with bottle mouth.

    They should have engraved a mug of cheap, watery American beer on the reverse cuz that represents what I’ve observed to be the most common activity in the posts I’ve visited.

  79. Buzz Killington says

    “American Legion…. we don’t just run private bars, but also salute the flag.”

    I actually do like the Eiffel Tower coin, because at least it might motivate someone else (besides me) to find out why it is there — the organization was founded in Paris. However, thematically, the designs are lacking in getting me to understand or care about the American Legion, even though they are attractive, with the exception of the clad obverse.

    If I was both an expert in the American Legion and a talented artist (of which I am neither) I think it would be a hard subject to commemorate over 3 coins. The fault for this lies squarely at the feet of Congress.

  80. Anthony says

    The methodology used to introduce commemorative coin programs is dysfunctional and our circulating coinage system as well. Barring any meaningful advancements in these areas it’ll be gimmick “coins” in greater numbers to compete with all the private mint junk.

  81. Mintman says

    Has anyone used PayPal as payment method on USM website?
    Any issues? Does it default to PayPal balance before charging cards? Or do you have the same options once you invoke the payment method on USM and identify where source of funds?

  82. Erik H says

    CaliSkier, I hope they don’t do a Reverse Proof Pd eagle next year. I need a year off of buying high priced modern coins. I’m trying to buy some classic gold instead of the modern stuff. This year’s Pd is cutting into the budget.

  83. CaliSkier says

    PM prices from August 16, 2018, just 19 days ago , World Spot Prices:

    Au:$1159.80
    Ag: $14.29
    Pt: $755
    Pd: $823

    Hmmm……

  84. KML in KY says

    Mintman – I have used PayPal for Mint purchases several times and did not get the option to choose payment method. My preferred payment method is my PayPal CC which I like because I get 2% back on all purchases. I usually don’t have a PayPal balance for long. However, I made a purchase once from the Mint when I did have a PayPal balance and it was taken from the balance rather than my preferred payment method.

    PayPal used to make me use my balance first (if I had one) for all purchases but on eBay now they let me use my PayPal CC even if I have a balance. I’m not sure if this only applies to the PayPal card or PayPal has changed their policy. Currently I have a PayPal balance but I’m going to transfer it to the bank before I buy the Palladium Eagle. I want to be sure to get the 2% back.

    I wish the palladium coin was ugly so I didn’t want to buy it but I love the design, particularly the reverse. I held off on the bullion version last year but I’m going to try to get one of the proofs. If I can get on the computer at noon on Thursday it should be no problem.

  85. cagcrisp says

    The USD is Extremely Strong this morning

    Hammering PMs…

    I Don’t like the way PMs are trading, Especially the industrial metals…

  86. cagcrisp says

    You have a Chance on your Palladium pricing. The daily averages will NOT save you, however, the tie breaker is the Wednesday PM fix and that is your only hope.

    The pricing grid came out Before Wednesday of last week so the tie breaker is in effect…

  87. cagcrisp says

    From my point of view, publishing in the Federal Reserve Register establishes pricing, however, I would hate to be the Mint employee that cost Big Orange $750,000…

  88. CaliSkier says

    PM’s taking some big hits! We’ll see how the rebound or lack there of goes once the bell rings in NY!
    Currently:
    Au: $1193.90
    Low: $1190.90
    Ag: $14.17
    Low: $14.12
    Pt: $773
    Low: $769
    Pd: $954
    Low: $943

  89. CaliSkier says

    Cag were you thinking Palladium might drop down in price or go up? Looks like the September 3rd p.m. fix, was @ $980?

    Less than 3 weeks ago $823! Sheesh!

  90. Anthony says

    I am definitely OUT at buying the palladium proof.
    I simply can no longer afford to buy any big ticket items from the U.S. Mint, period.

    That said, I am certain it will sell out in less than ten minutes.

  91. CaliSkier says

    Cag: “From my point of view, publishing in the Federal Reserve Register establishes pricing, ”

    Since it’s on the pricing grid can’t it move accordingly(Wed.) up or down after posting in the Federal Register? Also since it’s being released after Wednesday maybe they’re just waiting until Wednesday at noon to post pricing? Big Orange would only have the pricing grid to blame! Fake…Chart!

  92. cagcrisp says

    @CaliSkier,”Cag: “From my point of view, publishing in the Federal Reserve Register establishes pricing, ”

    Since it’s on the pricing grid can’t it move accordingly(Wed.) up or down after posting in the Federal Register? Also since it’s being released after Wednesday maybe they’re just waiting until Wednesday at noon to post pricing? Big Orange would only have the pricing grid to blame! Fake…Chart!”

    There is more to the pricing of Gold, Platinum and Palladium than just the grid. There is the “detailed pricing instructions” . The tie breaker is the Wednesday PM fix and the question would be whether publishing the pricing grid in the Wednesday August 29th Federal Register would constitute “Criteria #3 Still Within Current Range”…

    https://catalog.usmint.gov/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-usm-site-catalog-us/default/dw9d07a11d/images/PDFs/Pricing-Grid-Instructions-2018-Palladium.pdf

  93. cagcrisp says

    My argument would be that since the pricing grid was published on Wednesday, August 29th a price of $1,337.50 was established as “Current Range” and that IF the Wednesday September 5th PM fix for Palladium is under $950.00 then the price would be $1,337.50

    I could also argue (Big Orange argument) that there has Not been an established “Current Range” and just the Weekly Averages would be used.

    ALL this is moot IF Wednesday’s PM Fix is above $950.00, because IF that happens under any scenario the price would then be $1,387.50…

  94. cagcrisp says

    AM Gold Fix $1,195.75
    P:M Gold Fix $1,190.85

    Wednesday AM Gold Fix would have to be $1,202.70 and Wednesday PM Gold Fix would have to be a minimum of $1,200.00 for there to be a Gold price Increase on Wednesday afternoon…

  95. John Q. Coinage says

    Silver getting bamboozled again…. I see <$11 coming p, how low will it go. I fear little investor demand & no younger people have any % in metals….Iphones… Khardashians…..Twitter…blah blah coins nahh. Oh & the Legoin cons rehash alot of the US Marshall$ design/// how many military/charity groups get commemes b4 the mint wales it arse up, still waiting on the JFK 100th DB coin. I have my time machine waiting…….50c legion widdle OBama & young Ivanka it looks like….

  96. VA Bob says

    Should those kids be on their knee’s on the clad? How can our socialist members of US Mint Blog be proud otherwise?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *