Community Voice Responses (April 4, 2017)

From the Mar. 10 Numismatic News E-Newsletter:

Do you plan to spend more on new Mint issues in 2017 compared to last year?

Here are some answers sent from our e-newsletter readers to Editor Dave Harper.

I don’t think I’ll spend more, mainly because of the gold half dollar, quarter and dime I purchased last year. Because of the cost of those three coins, I’m not sure if it’s fair to compare dollar spending amounts between 2016 and 2017, at least for me. But I am on pace to purchase a greater number of new Mint issues in 2017, and I will be spending more for them than I have in previous years.

Fritz Goebel
Sheboygan, Wis.

My answer would be no, I do not plan on increasing my purchases this year from the U.S. Mint.

Last year I purchased much more than I had planned to due to the gold centennial striking of the dime, quarter and half dollar. And also, towards the end of the year, when I noticed some of the small mintage figures for the commemoratives, I made additional purchases.

Hopefully the Mint won’t have so many new issues this year, but I will keep up my yearly purchases of mint sets, proof sets and silver Eagles and commemoratives.

Gerald d’Aquin
Harvey, La.

I do not see myself spending any less on the new 2017 U.S. Mint offerings. I anticipate that the Mint will offer some new silver Eagle items. It would also be nice if they would release the burnished silver Eagles sooner this year than they did last year. The loss of the Presidential dollars may slightly change the numismatic landscape. Let us hope that this year is a year all of us can enjoy our hobby.

Leo Darmstadter
Vineland, N.J.

Perhaps “time will tell” is best said. We never know what comes our way in time. No matter the venue, I will make more purchases this year in my new location. I’ll also continue my views through this site. After all, some of my views are agreeable.

Gary Kess
Berkel en Rodenrijs, Netherlands

Only if there is a new silver Eagle set or a new commemorative that catches my eye.

Gary Werner
Address withheld

I do not plan to buy any Mint products this year, nor did I buy any last year. But I did work on a Morgan dollar set and continue to buy Morgan silver dollars.

I wish I had the money to buy better 1893-S and other key dates, but circulated sets are nice. I have ten without the 95 proof-only issue and am working on the 11th. I don’t mind buying a cleaned or rim dinged 1893-S, or one with even a scratch or two, as long as the defect isn’t too distracting.

Now I’m thinking of working on a set of Bugs Bunny Franklin halves. The 1955 gets the publicity, but all the other years and mint marks exist somewhere out there.

Name withheld
Carbondale, Pa.

Nope. I am pretty much done with, hereto after, the U.S. Mint debacles. I see no value in pursuing its current products. The Mint had better wake up and smell the coffee...other mints like the Perth Mint, the Royal Canadian Mint and others have been far more innovative with modern issues and have produced highly collectible and highly desired modern precious medal coins at bullion prices THAT RETAIN and INCREASE IN value over long (10 years+) periods of time.

We like to refer to these “bullion” type coins as “semi-numismatic.” They are issued as bullion but, because of design and limited mintages and collectability, often acquire or retain numismatic status. The Mint’s products have not connected with the times in the manner by which it operates and produces, markets and sells its new issues. They really do not seem to have very good marketing folks and/or marketing studies conducted that are familiar with this space. Perhaps they should hire the Perth Mint to help them operate.

Robert Matitia
Address Withheld

Not until they bring their prices down. It’s cheaper to buy in the secondary market.

Ray Flanigan
Leland, N.C.

No. The prices are too high. When you add the postage, that makes each item even more expensive.

Mort Fine
New Jersey

No, they’re getting too expensive. I will buy what I bought last year and no more.

Roger Anderson
Address withheld

No.

Mark Weber
Address wtihheld

Yes, I enjoy collecting and receiving proof and uncirculated coins.

Joseph Thompson
Address withheld

I very seldom purchase from the Mint regarding commemoratives. At the moment, I’m working on a Bust half dollar collection. I’m more into the older coins.

Chris Bellew
Name withheld

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