Letters to the Editor (Aug. 1, 2017)

No reason to continue cent production into future

Sorry, Dave, I totally disagree with keeping the “P” mintmark on the cent in the near future. I say “near” future because I hope the Mint will come to its senses and stop making the cent and then there won’t be an issue.

The “P” mintmark on the 2017 cent was for a very special reason, the 225th anniversary of the Mint, and that makes it unique and meaningful.

What would make it even more unique is if it were the final cent. But it doesn’t look like that is about to happen.

It is hard to believe that intelligent people think that we can’t function without the penny to make exact change in a time when nobody cares. I mean how many people still spend hours making sure their checkbook balances right to the penny? I stopped doing that years ago. I round everything to the even dollar and when I get my statement all I care about is that the bank processed my checks for the amount I wrote them and they properly credited my deposits. Then as long as the bank statement shows I have more money than the balance in my checkbook, I’m happy.

In 1959 I was stationed in England. Shortly after I arrived there the government decided to do away with Military Payment Certificates there and brought in U.S. money for use on base. However, the British would not allow U.S. pennies in the country. I think it was because they would fit the same size coin slots as the British sixpence.

Well, it took time to get used to not having pennies. If I recall, it took me about 15 minutes. I never heard anyone complain. So why is it that we computerized,technical-minded humans in the USA are having so much trouble figuring what we are going to do if we don’t have pennies?

John McCauley
St. Pauls, N.C.

Will Mint continue producing Native American set?

I have basically stopped collecting coins as I have to give priority to other areas in my life, but I continue to collect the U.S. Mint’s Native American $1 Coin and Currency Sets. Hopefully the Mint will continue producing those sets, but there is total silence from the Mint about that subject. It would be a shame if the Mint stops producing them. Can Numismatic News inquire with the Mint about it?

The reason I brought up the NA $1 is because I just saw the recommended design for 2019, which is aptly space-themed to go along with the Apollo 11 commemorative from the same year, which I also intend to buy a whole set. It would be neat to have the NA $1 C&C set in reverse proof alongside!

And talking about the Apollo 11 moon landing commemoration in 2019, is the Mint going to do something also with the Kennedy half? After all he was the main impetus for this happening. It would be neat if the Mint could somehow obtain authority to change the reverse of the half for 2019 to reflect the accomplishment of his promise to send a man to the moon and back before the decade was over.

Name withheld
New York, N.Y.

Collector reveals wheat cent search results

I recently purchased a bag of 5,000 wheat cents from a “giant hoard guaranteed unsearched.” They gave me a 1909 VDB. My yield of these coins was 10 later-date teens, 10 coins in the ’20s, 15 coins in the ’30s, 17 coins with “S” mints, two AU-BU cents and zero (dated) 1943.

I then purchased 1,500 wheat cents from a local dealer. My yield was 45 coins in the teens, 17 coins in the ’20s, 66 coins in the ’30s, 74 coins with “S” mints and seven steel cents.

Bob Kocher
Largo, Fla.

Reader saddened by news of dog’s passing

I was saddened to read that Clifford Mishler’s dog, Snickers, passed away. I really enjoy his travel log and appreciated hearing about his sidekick as well. I hope they are able to rescue another stray some day.

Dr. Tom Dell
Billings, Mont.

Bravo to R.W. Julian on 1870s silver feature

The article in the June 27 issue, “Silver became too plentiful in the 1870s,” was a wonderful, clear, concise explanation not only of the situation of the silver market and its influence on the coinage but also a biography of a remarkable mint director. H.R. Linderman’s influence on numismatics and the history of U.S. coinage was larger than I ever imagined. I regard R.W. Julian’s article as a tour de force that is outstanding in every way.

Name withheld

Trump should indeed pay visit to Fort Knox

Right on, Dave: Time for President Trump to visit Fort Knox!

Bernard von NotHaus
Address withheld

More Collecting Resources

• Check out the newly-updated Standard Catalog of World Coins, 2001-Date that provides accurate identification, listing and pricing information for the latest coin releases.

• With nearly 24,000 listings and over 14,000 illustrations, the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, Modern Issues is your go-to guide for modern bank notes.