No matter the theme, it is still about price

The March of Dimes commemorative silver dollar program is set to begin March 13 with an offering of proof and uncirculated silver dollars bearing the conjoined busts of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Dr. Jonas Salk.

Collectors who have been awaiting this particular program have lamented the fact that the commemorative is not a dime.

After all, what could be more appropriate than a commemorative dime to honor the March of Dimes program that conquered polio with a vaccine?

That is not what was specified in the authorizing legislation.

However, the Mint still has some wiggle room.

It says that the program will include a special set that will contain a proof silver dollar but also a proof 90 percent silver dime and a reverse proof 90 percent silver dime.

Of course, the dime design will be the same one as that used on the standard circulating coin since 1946.

Price of the set is not yet revealed, nor is the issue date. The Mint with its eye ever on the fluctuating price of silver does not want to be stuck at a level that is too high or two low.

Like Goldilocks, it wants prices for its coins that are just right.

The U.S. Marshals commemorative dollar coins are $46.95 for a proof and $43.95 for the uncirculated.

Unless there is a huge swing in silver’s price in the coming days, the March of Dimes dollars should be similarly or identically valued.

What is the added value of two silver dimes to make a nice three-coin set?

Getting value for money is always at the top of the collector list of desires.

What will they perceive to be fair?

$69.95, $79.95 or $89.95?

It is a fair bet that they will want a price well below the cost of the two silver dollar coins, which would be $90.90 if we use the Marshals coins as proxies.

A reverse proof is still considered special enough that it will allow the Mint some pricing flexibility even if it is on just a silver dime. But collectors are not foolish with their money, either.

Honoring the President who suffered from polio and then spent his life afterwards in a wheelchair as well as the physician who saved many of us from that possible fate is what they want to do and they do not want to feel gouged while doing it.

The proof dollar will be struck at West Point and carry a “W” mintmark as will the proof dime.

The reverse proof dime will be struck at Philadelphia and have a “P” mintmark.