This week’s letters (06/12/12)

Why no silver $1 commem for Denver’s birthday?
After reading the article by Debbie Bradley on the San Francisco mint celebrating its 75th birthday, I’ve been wondering why the Mint hasn’t come out with a silver dollar commemorative for the Denver mint. In 2006, the Mint did the San Francisco mint’s “Granite Lady.” That should have been Denver mint’s birthday of 100 years.
I read your magazine cover to cover, along with other coin-related magazines. I especially like to hear other collectors’ comments and what they have found in change and searching through bank rolls. I also love to read the professionals’ trips to coin shows, etc. The only thing that bothers me is what they had for lunch or dinner. I’m not interested in their food habits. I’d rather hear about a nice coin they bought or sold.
I have a pretty good-sized coin collection, but my main interest in the last 10 years is silver art bars. I have more than 3,100 1-ounce silver ingots. I have been an active member of IASAC for 10 years based in Seattle, Wash.
I enjoy reading your magazine very much. Keep up the good work.
Bill Haffner
Jonesburg, Mo.

San Francisco proof set proves a disappointment
I don’t think much about the new two-coin American Eagle San Francisco proof set. This issue is not at all different from the 25th anniversary set coins, just a different box. I feel that this is another way to fatten the pockets of the U.S. Mint. If this was to be a special issue, they should have incorporated the dates that the San Francisco Mint was minting coins, not just the 2012 S mint mark. How many times will this Mint move the hidden ball around under the cups to trick us in order to dig deeper into collectors’ pockets to make money? There should have been a limit set on these coins, as well as any other special sets. Any of us collectors will continue to buy more of these coins if the Mint would clean out their ears and pay attention to what we want and need. The survey they sent out to subscribers to the Mint site did not give us an area where we could let them know how we feel about the Mint as a whole and what we felt they need to do to listen to what the collector wants. Most were yes and no questions, as I remember. I can’t wait until 2103, when the general coins come out, to see how many variations then can shuffle around to make money. Thanks for the great articles.
Paul Zukowski
Baltimore, Md.

2012 pennies, dimes finally turn up in spare change
If you’re still keeping track, I was at Walmart in Appleton on Saturday, May 12, and received two 2012 pennies and two 2012 dimes in my change. That’s the first time I’ve received 2012s in this area.
Robbie Cain
Iola, Wis.

Change from coffee yields interesting circulation find
I have found only one 2012 dated coin in circulation so far this year, that being an example of the Puerto Rico quarter of the America the Beautiful series. However, when receiving change for my coffee this morning at the drive-up window of a local McDonald’s, I received a Gem BU example of 1965 nickel!
This piece is literally as good as the day it left the mint with full luster, absolutely no wear, and no scratches or nicks of any type. Imagine, this piece was minted 47 years ago and has obviously sat somewhere unnoticed until very recently, probably just a matter of days before coming into my possession.
A highly valuable numismatic rarity? Not at all. A genuine interesting circulation find that gets your attention and makes you wonder exactly what story this piece might tell us? Definitely.
James Evans
Leominster, Mass.

New order requirements for UPS, Mint make no sense
I ordered the new silver $1 and gold $5 proof Eagles, and UPS left a notice on my door.
I called to have them “Hold for Pickup” (as I always do; I’m never home during the day) and was told by UPS that the shipper did not leave instructions to be held for pickup. UPS said I would have to call the Mint to change delivery options.
I called the Mint, and they told me that is the new order requirements, but that after three attempts I can tell them to “Hold for Pickup.
Since when can you not tell UPS to hold for pickup the next day, but that you can pick up after they try three attempts?
Has anyone else experienced this? Is this a bizzaro world?
Bobby Bange
St. Simons Island, Ga.

Agree to disagree, but please do so respectfully
I could not believe my eyes when I read Kenneth Pineschi’s response (Let editors decide which letters to run in NN) to Mr. Meyers’ opinions as to guidelines for the editor’s choice of the content of letters published in Numismatic News.
First, I guess Mr. Meyers is unqualified to express an opinion on editorial policy because not only is he ignorant of Voltaire, Adam Smith, and Frederic Bastiat (whoever he was); but he had the nerve to misquote the great French philosopher. What does that have to do with anything?
Second, I don’t think that Mr. Meyers or anyone else needs a lecture on economics in order to express his views as to letters published in NN.
Third, since when does one have to be “schooled in the art of journalism” in order to make informed decisions as to which letters should be included in NN? Don’t readers’ opinions count for anything? I, for one, applaud Mr. Meyers’ heartfelt comments, and I thank him. It’s too bad that he had to be subjected to such an irrelevant, condescending and pedantic critique.
Mike Sage
Ellicott City, Md.

2012-D nickel tops off trip to Denver show
I thoroughly enjoyed my two days at the ANA Money Show in Denver. Seeing the 1804 dollar, the 1913 Liberty nickel and the 1792 half disme made the trip worthwhile.
On returning home, I received a 2012-D nickel in change from my local Walgreen’s. It is a full six-step strike, which is apparently not that unusual these days. It was a great numismatic week!
Jim Chud
Fort Collins, Colo.

$50 bag of cents finally leads to error coin
I have been through my change and others’ change hoards with no really good finds. But, Christmas before last my wife gave me a $50 bag of cents. I finally found a half-stamped error cent. Yeah.
George Starkey
Folsom Calif.

Gong, Ostromecki make Vallejo show a standout
On Sunday, May 6, the Vallejo (California) Numismatic Society held its 40th Annual Vallejo Coin Show.
Our 2012 show was a success, and on behalf of our president, Harry W. Davis, our society thanks for their time and effort Lee H. Gong, of Santa Rosa, Calif., a nationally known error coin specialist, and Dr. Walter A. Ostromecki Jr., current American Numismatic Association (ANA) vice president, both of whom contributed to our one-day show.
Lee, taking time from his business, staffed an “error coin table” and provided coin identification and information not just about errors but minting processes and numismatic knowledge. Walter, traveling from southern California, manned a “youth table” and facilitated a well-received and raved-about “Treasure Hunt.” Again, both added to the show’s activities and to the enjoyment and education for those attending.
Remember: Have fun with your hobby. Always serve others. Enjoy your collecting. And, create hope and do good!
Michael S. Turrini
Vallejo, Calif.

Alice Paul doesn’t belong on dollar coin
The article on suffragist Alice Paul in the May 22 issue of Numismatic News is very informative, highlighting the little known accomplishments of a significant person in American history. The legislation placing her on the coin, however, overstates the case in attributing excessive prominence to Miss Paul. I agree with Mr. Graff in this regard, too, that her image should not have been placed in the coin.
In the United States, women gained the right to vote in 1869, in Wyoming (not 1920); and, they voted in territorial elections (federally sanctioned). When Wyoming became a state in 1890, congress sanctioned this right as part of the statehood act. From 1869, women could hold elective office (one did as governor, Nellie Tayloe Ross, later director of the U.S. Mint), serve on juries, act as judges, and own property in their own right.
What should have been depicted on the coin are the people of Wyoming (men and women), who brought this about.
John Kreis
Washington, D.C.

2012 coins showing up in California change
I live in Monterey Park, Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles. Until yesterday, May 16, I had not seen a single 2012 coin.
Then yesterday, in my change from a neighborhood coffee shop, I received two 2012-D El Yunque quarters. Today, in my change from a local “dollar store,” I received a 2012-D Lincoln cent. Maybe the 2012s have finally arrived to my corner of the world.
Loren D. Morrison
Monterey Park, Calif.

Club volunteers are unsung heroes of the hobby
I think that small coin clubs around this country owe a great debt to members of each club that go above and beyond the normal call of duty. It is not a easy job to volunteer to be an officer of a club year after year or putting on shows every year. I think it is high time we recognize these individuals.
In our club (Black Hills Coin and Stamp Club) two members stand out year after year. They are Gene Meyers and Joe Niderost. These two men have step up for our club year after year. Our club passed bylaws with a code of ethics a few years ago that was not popular with a few members, but these two men stood their ground and did what was best for the future of our club and our hobby. Yes we did lose five members but within a year had 25 new members because of our bylaws.
Our club is stronger than ever and Gene and Joe have a lot to do with the clubs success. I would like to see other clubs around the country and your magazine recognize these unsung hero’s as without these volunteers our hobby would suffer.
Jim Coulthard
Box Elder, S.D.

Keep running a wide range of letters to the editor
You know what’s wrong with the letters to the editor section of Numismatic News? Absolutely nothing. Without contributions of political, historical or whimsical subject matter, coins are no more than shiny costly hunks of metal and you’ve been doing this long enough to know what to print or not.
Besides the wide range of topics, that’s what I love about reading the letters is I want to know the other guy’s opinion of this or that. I want to know what’s going on inside his head.
Keep it up, Dave. You’re doing just fine.
Michael P. Schmeyer
Halsey Valley, N.Y.