Cascade of gold

I came into work this morning to find an email that had been sent to me last night.

“I’m emailing you today to let you know about a petition that we are circulating to demand that the U.S. Mint revamp their gold coin lineup. Especially considering that the U.S. Mint doesn’t need Congress to approve anything given the “broad authority” to mint and issue gold coins. What we are calling for is the following

“• The U.S. Mint to reissue select classic coin designs as numismatic products which would replace the collector versions of the American gold Eagle and Buffalo.

“• The U.S. Mint to issue a 1/20th ounce American gold Eagle. Countries like Australia, China, and Canada already issue one. Also the price of gold has risen so that someone can’t get the 1/10th ounce gold coins under $100 like they used to, so they are left with a hypothetical 1/20th ounce coin if they can’t buy the 1/10th ounce gold coin.

“• The U.S. Mint to send some of the numismatic gold coins under this proposal to NGC and PCGS directly for certification and sell the slabbed coins in addition to raw coins as a part of their product options.

“We would appreciate any and all coverage that you can help bring us. Also don’t forget to sign our petition and spread the word about this petition which can be signed here:”

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/us-mint-needs-to-improve-its-coin-product-lineup.html

I do not know the email’s sender, Terrence O”Reilly, but I did go to the GoPetition website to read it. The explanatory blurb at the bottom said the petition was written by Vocal Coin Collectors.

Check it out and see what you think.

It provides many ideas to chew on. But it should be sent to Congress rather than the U.S. Mint.

Buzz blogger Dave Harper is winner of the 2013 Numismatic Literary Guild Award for Best Blog and is editor of the weekly newspaper "Numismatic News."