Letters to the Editor: June 4, 2019
Crystal ball fails In 1975 the San Francisco Mint started issuing the Bicentennial 1976 Proof Sets. Coins Magazine predicted the 1975-S Proof Cent would become scarce and rare because none…
Crystal ball fails
In 1975 the San Francisco Mint started issuing the Bicentennial 1976 Proof Sets. Coins Magazine predicted the 1975-S Proof Cent would become scarce and rare because none would be issued except in the proof sets.
That scarceness did not materialize. Today anyone can buy the 1975-S Proof Cent for $3.50. I bought a bunch in 1975 intending to cash in. What the heck, over?
Who do I talk to at Coins Magazine for their erroneous predictions?
Grady Smith
Granbury, Texas
Nice Design
I am just writing to say that I like the obverse of the American Innovation dollar coin. It is a clean design. The open field is suitable for the Statue of Liberty.
Daniel Bubalo
Brainerd, Minn.
Keep the ads coming
A letter published in the May 7 Numismatic News complained that that publication had too many advertisements as opposed to articles. I disagree. To me the ads from coin dealers are an essential part of the magazine. They are my main source of adding coins to my collection and developing lasting business relationships with dealers. Even when I don’t order anything they provide important information about what’s out there and how much is being charged for them. Please keep the ads coming.
Name and address withheld
Dealer only accepted cash
Recently I tried to buy three silver bullion coins from the local coin store. I thought it would be good for me to support a local vendor. However, they refused to take a credit card to pay for the coins saying essentially that they did not accept credit cards for bullion purchases. I did not have the cash, and the bill was about $54 so I left the store coinless. I went home and bought them from another dealer online with my credit card.
Is this a common practice among dealers? It will be hard to attract new collectors, especially younger ones who use methods other than cash to make payments, if dealers only accept cash. Any thoughts?
Greg Uhland
North Olmsted, Ohio
Item of the Week
Come on, guys. Anyone writing on Franklin half dollars (or their editor) should certainly know that the 1953, not the 1955, was the “lowest minted” Franklin produced.
Tom Felhofer
Luxemburg, Wis.
Editor’s Note:
Tom,
The contents of the article are correct in stating that 1955 was a low mintage, however, you are correct for pointing out that the image caption stating that it was the “lowest” is incorrect.You are right that the 1953 no mintmarkFranklin Half Dollar was the lowest with a total mintage of 2,796,720 compared to 1955’s 2,876,381. We should have worded the caption, “one of the lowest” or “second lowest.”
Advice for find
I’ve been reading your site and I believe I have found a 1982 d small date penny. The scale reads 3.11 g. What can I/should I do from here? Thank you for any advice.
Jessica Prestegord
Address withheld
Damaged 1959 penny
While searching through wheat cents my husband found a somewhat damaged 1959-D. He’s wondering how this can be possible?
Here is a photo of it. Thank you for your help!
Patti and Mike Boury
Lakeland, Fla.
United States coinage day
The Coinage Act of 1792 was passed by Congress on April 2 of that year. The Act established the United States Mint, created the dollar as our standard unit of money, and authorized production of ten denominations of coins, from the half cent through the dollar to the $10.00 gold eagle.
Perhaps Numismatic News should observe April 2 of each year as “United States Coinage Day” [or something similar] and honor the holiday in some way in the issue subscribers will receive on or just before that date. Special articles, perhaps, and maybe even some sort of contest during the run-up to the holiday. One idea would be an essay contest for young numismatists describing why they love the hobby; the winner could get a numismatic prize and their essay published in NN.
Name and address withheld
Collector finds section
I would love to see an issue of Numismataic News with 10-15 pages of letters with collector finds. I think that searchers possess a lot of knowledge, and that section would be great. It would help your collectors by boosting their interest in the hobby of roll searching.
Bob Atwater
County, S.C.
