Letters to the Editor: August 13, 2019

Unexpected Find

I bought a 20th century set of gold coins in 1974 from a dealer in Florida. There were two 20’s, two 10’s, two 5’s and two 21/2’s. Later, I realized that one coin was dated 1881. It was my liberty head five dollar coin, which is not 20th century. Then I noticed that the date looked funny and discovered that it was an 1881/80.

I had it certified and kept it until the mid 1980’s when I finally sold it for one thousand dollars, which was great because I only paid $1,350.00 for the whole set in ‘74. Not bad! I even told the dealer what it was. He didn’t care either way. He had made his money. I have another recent story i’ll tell you later about my clashed die 2009-s proof Jefferson nickel, which is also certified. Does anyone else have one? I’m curious.

John Dunkle
Address withheld

How the Mint Works

In an answer to a recent letter from reader George Parks (Numismatic News, “Letters to the Editor,” July 2, 2019: p 8) I would like to say this. New coin designs and/or denominations are not for the mint to decide and produce.

Since its conception, the Mint has been dependent upon Congress as to which coins and denominations to produce. Perhaps the Mint can suggest such things, but the process must go through “channels” before going to production. First it has to start with some government official in the House or Senate and then go through a committee, where it becomes a Bill. After it becomes a Bill, it has to be voted upon and passed. Then the Bill goes to the Treasury Secretary to tell the Mint “go ahead and produce the coins.”

Yes, I too would like to see more denominations (“higher” denomination) in “regular” circulation. Bring back the denominations of the “original” system from 1790s ( Quarter Eagle = $2.50, Half Eagle = $5.00, [“Original”] Eagle = $10.00, and “Double Eagle” = $20.00). The $2.50 and $5.00 coins could be bimetallic, similar to many world coins of “high” denomination, while the $10 and $20coins would be “silver alloy” types. Instead of more “Dead Presidents,” let us reintroduce a modern rendition of Miss Liberty, or the depiction of the statue atop the Capitol dome.

Bill Tuttle,
Cleveland, Ohio

More Missing Pennies

I ordered three silver proof sets and one proof set from the Mint. When they arrived the box had been opened and then scotch taped shut. The four pennies were missing and one penny envelope was also missing, three empty penny envelopes were in the box. Also the proof set was crushed so I sent it back for replacement.

I called the mint and told them what had happened. They sent me a replacement proof set and that box was also opened and scotch taped. I called again and said I still needed the pennies and they said they would send them to me. They only sent two pennies. I called them again and they said they would send me the other two pennies, but I have been waiting for over a month.

Chris Kingsley
Lehi, Utah

Replacement Apollo 11 Sleeve

Back in May I read about the Apollo 11 coin that had an error on the sleeve.The article said to call the mint for a replacement sleeve. I called and was told by a rep that replacement sleeves would be sent out automatically, therefore he did not need to take my name or address.

After waiting over a month, I tried doing an online chat with a mint representative. I could tell by the long delays and her telling me over and over again to “please wait” that she had no idea what I was talking about. Finally she asked me for my name, address, and order number (contradicting what the phone rep told me previously) and she told me that I would be receiving a replacement sleeve.

So far, I still do not have a sleeve. I was wondering if anyone else is having this problem, and what the magic words are that I need to say to get a replacement sleeve.Just telling readers to call the mint does not work when the mint reps don’t know what to say or do about this.

Peter Glassman
Schaumburg, Ill.

War in the Pacific ‘D’ Mintmark

I went to my local bank and received a box of 50 rolls of the 2019 “War in the Pacific” quarters. Among the four “w” quarters from the box, I found a 2019 “War in the Pacific” quarter with a D mint mark. But in the word ‘Liberty’, I noticed that the ‘L’ was missing. Is this coin worth getting graded?

John Paoni
White City, Ill.

Circulating One Dollar Coin

I am dismayed to think that the United States has abandoned hope of circulating a one dollar coin. I am seldom able to get any of them at my bank. I understand that some vending machines return them in change.

Dan Bubalo
Brainerd, Minn.

My Lucky Finds

I was going through a dealer’s junk silver box once and found (and bought) a 1854 quarter. Now, this wasn’t just any quarter, it was the 1854 “huge O” specimen! Quite a find I thought, for around $3! Even in a grade of around AG-3.

In paper money, I found about a half pack of the key 1976 $2 star notes from the Minneapolis district....each stamped from the 1st day of issue, April 13 1976.

Name and address withheld