Community Voice Responses (June 19, 2018)

From the May 25 Numismatic News E-Newsletter:

Should the U.S. Mint issue new restrikes of the 1804 silver dollar?

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

No, absolutely no. That would open Pandora’s Box. Restrike 1913 Liberty nickel, 1933 $20 Saint-Gaudens, etc.?

Lee Banks
Bloomfield, N.J.

Why not? They will make a ton of money, and even a copy of this beautiful coin would be accepted by the community.

Joe Gorak
Address withheld

No.

That design is too old for this population. We really do need a usable U.S. dollar coin.

The Susan B. Anthony is still being handed out by millennials as a quarter. The golden dollar was tried and failed. There was not a big enough push to encourage common folks to use those dollar coins.

The United States must come up with another dollar coin, or a $2 coin, or even a $5 coin.

John J. Starner
Address withheld

Restrikes have been done before, and the 1804 dollar would be a good candidate in proof.

Frank Wagner
Address withheld

Of course it should offer restrikes!

David P. Ribar
Address withheld

No, not at all, because it won’t stop there. They’re not original. Why bother so you can own something that used to be but not original? Do it with everything; we can fill our old books. Others will get them slabbed. That’s a waste. You can show them off saying this is what the originals look like!

Sounds like another money-maker for the Mint, not us. Can’t they make an original coin? A new coin? Will these say copies on them or not original? Sounds like more trouble than it’s worth.

Mike Byrne
Address withheld

I don’t think a restrike of the 1804 $1 is a good idea. A few collectors may like it, but that’s it. I thought a set of repros of the 1792 coins would be nice on the anniversary of the Mint, but it didn’t happen.

I don’t think restrikes of oldies are a good idea.

The $20 gold restrike a few years ago was beautiful, but I don’t think there should be any more.

Ginger Rapsus
Chicago, Ill.

No, they should not. I already did that about 10 years ago (one-ounce rounds, anyway). See image. APMEX still has some available.

Sean Moffatt
Oklahoma City, Okla.

No – why diminish the story?

And why encourage replicas instead of real coins? Various mints already do this kind of thing as ways to make money. In the long run, when would-be collectors find out how little most of these Mint products are worth, they can end up discouraged with our hobby.

Allan Davisson
Cold Spring, Minn.

Sure, why not? There is plenty of historical precedents for it. The Mint should have been restriking these coins at odd intervals to meet the demand since the last ones were produced in the 1850s. In fact, why stop at silver?

The Mint should issue uncirculated, proof, specimen, ultra-high relief, and purposely scratched coins in silver, brass, bronze, gold, platinum, palladium, aluminum and plutonium. Then everyone can go broke trying to collect all varieties. It’s a winner!

Bob Fritsch
Nashua, N.H.

No. A restrike would undermine the mystique of this numismatic treasure.

Horst Seeley
Manchester, N.H.

Absolutely! There are so many “junk” one-ounce silver pieces for sale, it would be great to be able to buy a U.S. Mint quality restrike of the 1804. Virtually none of us will ever be able to own a real one. I would definitely buy one just to have one!

Bill Rodgers
Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

Absolutely No!

The U.S. Mint has regurgitated too many designs. How many more Buffaloes, Eagles and dead Presidents must we endure on our coins?

Isn’t it time to design new and innovative designs that fit the 21st century? Stop living in the past, and set your vision to the future.

Oded Paz
Arco, Idaho

No! Only if the restrike is clearly and unalterably marked RESTRIKE, or similar. These things are known to be copies by the first owner, but down the track, who can tell?

Jim Duncan
Numismatic Society of Auckland
New Zealand

Absolutely not!

Melvyn Kassenoff
Address withheld

The answer to this question, I think, is No! No one could afford it but the rich!

Eleanor Benjamin
Address withheld

Yes, as long as the Mint does not want to gouge the public.

Richard Shelton
Address withheld

Yes, of course! They’d look lovely, brand new!

I’d love to have one. Two!

Name withheld

I guess my first question is why? Looks like just another ploy by the Mint to make more money. Aren’t there enough restrikes and copies of our coinage today? I would rather see the Mint restrike the 1895 proof Morgan silver dollar. I would like to have a copy of that one myself, and probably so would lots of other people in the coin field. This is just my take of the issue.

Joseph Taylor
Address withheld

It is a good idea to make it once again. If the same composition is made, caution to it. Any repeat, or copy, should be in the design. If a 40 percent silver one is made, a slight design change should be done.

Another composition, no alteration is needed. Copper, or other alloy, is sufficient. Good luck with the change!

Gary Kess
Sherman, Texas

Rather than reinvent an old item, why don’t those who are numismatically creative come up with a whole new idea for a coin. All we seem to do these days is either “continue” with the old or complain about new items.

Peter Moon
Address withheld

No, unless it is a bullion coin and is clearly a copy.

Don Bearly
Address withheld

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