Blake replicas predate Hobby Protection Act

By Richard Giedroyc

Reader Scott Barman of scott@coinsblog.ws and the blog coinsblog.ws has some updated information that changes what is known about the Blake and Company $20 replicas issued by Chrysler Corporation.
According to Barman, “These replicas were part of a promotion for the 1973 Plymouth Gold Duster. The back of Chrysler-Plymouth’s brochure was a full-page offer for the Chrysler-Plymouth Old West Coin Collection, a set of 12 ‘authentic replicas’ of various assay tokens of the time. The set cost $7.75 in 1973 that came with a vinyl/velour folder. Even though these replicas were created in 1973, they do predate the Hobby Protection Act. I was able to verify with Chrysler that the brochures were printed in 1972 and distributed to dealers in October 1972 until the end of the model year advertising, which was in March 1973. The Hobby Protection Act of 1973 was signed into law on November 29, 1973. I asked a Chrysler representative about the set and was told that they no longer have the records to tell me how many were sold or who produced the set.” Reader input into this column is appreciated.

Since I only purchase silver coins valued for their bullion content I’d like to know if there is a way to understand the fluctuations in the spot price of silver?

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If anyone knew an exact way to predict any market, he’d be a very rich person. Recent economic history tells us that in difficult financial times such as a recession or inflationary spiral, investors would prefer to hold non-perishable commodities rather than cash, stocks or bonds since the value and purchasing power of these currency-oriented investments is diminishing. In good financial times cash, stocks and bonds are king, while gold, silver and similar commodities (not necessarily real estate) typically decrease in value due to a lack of demand. There are other factors to be considered, including human nature. Due to all of this, there is no predictable formula to be followed.

Would you consider a “sleeper” as an intermediary between a bullion and an investment coin?
This is my personal opinion, but to me there is a reason why a coin may have the statistical credentials to be scarce or better, yet these statistics haven’t helped the coin appreciate significantly in value in the past despite its apparent scarcity. Unless the coin begins receiving promotional publicity that equates into increased collector demand I would expect the coin to remain as a sleeper. Coins don’t appreciate in value without some change in either supply and demand.