Revisiting the 2013 5-Star Generals Uncirculated $5 Gold Coins

gold-coinAbout four weeks ago, the 2013 5-Star Generals Uncirculated $5 Gold Coins unexpectedly sold out at the United States Mint. I thought it would be a good time to revisit the issue which has been commanding a sharp premium on the secondary market.

The sales figures for modern commemorative gold coins had been drifting lower for several years. The gold coins issued for the 2008 program featuring the Bald Eagle had achieved respectable sales of 15,099 uncirculated and 59,269 proof coins. The issuance of the next gold coins in 2011 would see overall sales fall to less than half this level. In 2012, the uncirculated $5 gold commemorative coin would end up with the third lowest sales of the modern era.

Recent Commemorative $5 Gold Coin Sales Figures
Unc Proof
2008 Bald Eagle 15,009 59,269
2011 U.S. Army 8,062 17,173
2011 Medal of Honor 8,251 18,012
2012 Star Spangled Banner 7,027 18,313
2013 5-Star Generals 5,658 15,843

Despite the historically low mintages for the 2011 and 2012 gold commemoratives, the secondary market reaction was relatively muted.

The reaction to the sell out of the 2013 5-Star Generals Gold Coin has been much more dramatic. Almost immediately following the sell out, secondary market prices quickly jumped with strong premiums still being paid for the coins.

A survey of recently completed eBay auctions since the start of the year shows prices for raw and MS69 graded pieces ranging from $603 to $685. Examples graded NGC MS 70 have realized prices ranging from $800 to $953. Examples graded PCGS MS70 have realized prices from $980 to $1,225. The highest price points occurred for coins with an Early Releases of First Strike designation.

These prices can be compared to the last US Mint issue price of $400.45 per coin.

Two factors driving the high secondary market prices are the low mintage of the coin and the unexpected nature of the sell out. With last reported sales of 5,658, the uncirculated version of the 2013 5-Star Generals $5 Gold Coin ranks as the second lowest mintage modern commemorative coin. The only issue with a lower mintage is the long standing key date uncirculated 1997-W Jackie Robinson $5 Gold Coin at 5,174 pieces.

The uncirculated 5-Star Generals Gold Coin sold out on December 23, 2013, which was more than a week before the US Mint’s pre-announced sales ending date. As I had mentioned previously, this is the first time I can recall seeing a commemorative coin sell out prior to the announced sales ending date (except in the case of the sales reaching the full maximum mintage). No doubt, there were some collectors and dealers waiting until the final few days of sales to place orders for the coins. Once the sell out occurred, there seemed to be a scramble to find available examples of the secondary market, which served to push prices immediately higher.

Looking slightly ahead, the low mintage status of the 5-Star Generals Gold Coin should not be in any danger of being undercut this year. The only commemorative gold coin for 2014 is included in the program honoring the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Due to the popular subject matter and the special curved shape, the coins should easily surpass the low sales of the 5-Star Generals issue.

Looking further ahead, in 2015 there will be a commemorative $5 gold coin for the United States Marshals Service. In 2016, there will be a commemorative $5 gold coin honoring author Mark Twain.

Weekend Reading:

Bill Seeks Commemorative Coins for the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor

John Mercanti’s Australian Wedge-Tailed Eagle Design to Appear on More Coins

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Comments

  1. Samuel says

    i almost cancelled this coin after backordered. then the mint suddenly shipped the coin. and then it was sold out in several days.

  2. jj says

    very nice! i’m glad i was able to pick one up. any news on a revised RP gold buffalo mintage? last i saw it was still around 47K

  3. HIdalgo says

    Michael writes: “Despite the historically low mintages for the 2011 and 2012 gold commemoratives, the secondary market reaction was relatively muted.”

    As I’ve said many times before…. The secondary market did not react strongly for these gold coins since there was no “surprise” sell outs. Coin dealers, speculators, and flippers had plenty of time to increase their inventories of these low-mintage coins before they sold out. So there was no need for them to buy the coins on the secondary market.

    The opposite is true for the uncirculated gold 5 star generals coin. The surprise sell out led to coin dealers, speculators, and flippers to bid up prices on eBay and other secondary market sites to increase their inventories. End result? Higher secondary market prices….

  4. IPS_STUFF says

    thanks to this blog, I was able to get two from the Denver mint.

    Thanks to poster who even included the phone number.

  5. Louis says

    I think this coin is undervalued at current prices since the Robinson coin is only about 400 lower and costs 4 times as much.

  6. Brad says

    The Robinson has the advantage of many years of being the “key” coin, and it still is. It’s kind of similar to the 2008 vs 2013 Proof Gold Buffaloes, but the 2013 may actually end up coming in with a slightly lower number when the dust settles.

    Now that the Robinson has company in other commemorative coins with similar mintages, the value of that coin should continue to fall. It’s not nearly as “special” as it once was. These low-mintages just don’t mean as much as they used to. It’s obvious that more people collect commemoratives than First Spouses, though. They contain slightly over twice as much gold as a Jackie Robinson, and some of their mintages blow his “low” mintage out of the water!

  7. VA Bob says

    I wonder if they re-sold the one I initially sent back. It had a small, but noticeable with the naked eye, shinny spot. I did get a replacement. Needless to say I’m pleasantly surprised by how well it is doing. Since I’m in for the long haul, and coin buying public can be fickle, I’ll try to contain my joy over the short term reaction.

  8. Tom says

    The 5658 General mintage is a nice bit lower than the
    Cap Visitor center at 6761 and it undercuts it by 1103 coins
    minted and that coin was or, is valued at $1800 in the mint box.
    So I think this will be above $1000 shortly maybey even alot more?.
    (I was lucky to get one at the last minute. I even tried to cancel it.
    It’s not perfect, (a few glints or shiny micro chips or specks)
    But, its about average for the mint Still a nice coin overall,
    I’m glad I didn’t send it back, Nice Hat! ).
    .

  9. gatortreke says

    I almost bought the UNC generals coin before it sold out but due to budget issues at the time, didn’t do so. That would appear to be a mistake now. That said, the design doesn’t inspire me. I own both the Medal of Honor and Star Spangled Banner UNC coins and those designs appeal to me much more. The fact they haven’t done as well of the secondary market is a bit disappointing but considering I don’t ever plan to sell them, it’s not too disconcerting.

  10. Dave says

    As far as quality at the mint, I sent back 2 silver proof sets due to milk spots on the Pres. $1, scratches on the quarters, and spots in the field on the Kennedy. The replacement sets are nearly as bad and will also be returned.
    How can proof coins handled with gloves by the packers end up so bad?
    I now order multiples of every product expecting to send some back due to quality. Only the 10 ASE Sets were all well produced ( I kept them all – enhanced are beautiful coins IMHO)

  11. Gary says

    And sometimes, collectors just don’t have much interest in them. So, secondary market takes a beating! IMHO

  12. says

    @gatortreke….good point. I still think the MoH is the best looking $5 gold modern com. Just think what it might be selling for if it had the same circumstances(somewhat unenexpected sell-out—by 8 days???)\

  13. stgecko says

    I just don’t care for the coin. I’m not a big fan of this particular general so that’s why I didn’t get one. The one thing I’ve learned about low mintage coins, I have some coins lower mintages, someone must want the coin for the mintage to matter. Check out some of the low low mintages of Early Commemoratives as there are several to choose from. I learned this by watching the prices on them and they really don’t move that much and I’m talking MS65 or better.

    Oh and I agree on the MOH being the best looking. I’m also a big fan of the Goddess Nike on the “88” gold coin. I’m collecting all the gold ones I like. I’m not counting on any of these doing much in the end when it comes to price.
    My two cents…

  14. Jerry Diekmann says

    @stgecko – I think you’re on the right road – just buy what you like! All of these gold commems cost a lot of money, and if you don’t care for the design, just pass – that is, if you are a true collector. A flipper would try and buy every gold coin minted, no matter how ugly the design or who or what is being commemorated. I surely admired Jackie Robinson, but I bought just the silver dollar. I’m like you – I don’t care for Mac Arthur either and I wouldn’t ever consider buying a coin (silver or gold) with his picture on it. If more people learned more about this guy, there would probably be a lot more of us who don’t think he deserves all the honor he seems to get, IMO.

  15. Robertson says

    The value of the Robinson gold coin has been pushed higher due to its appeal from two hobbies, numismatics and sports collectibles. Jackie has long been an extremely popular player among the latter hobby’s enthusiasts and there exists a certain diehard element that MUST have anything and everything associated with a certain player. Translation: how much of the available inventory of Robinson golds has been consumed by those J.R. sports collectors who have absolutely no interest in numismatics?

    In other words, this particular $5 gold unc. attracts significant interest from collectors of another hobby outside of numismatics. In my opinion, this can only exert additional upward pressure on its value.

  16. Samuel says

    I don’t agree to the 2 hobbies theory. If I remember correctly, the proof one is not that expensive. I don’t know the history, I bet, the low montage is because not many people like the design, in stead of unexpected scold out.

  17. Robertson says

    For the other reasons cited, comparing the Robinson and MacArthur unc. golds is apples and oranges. There were no weekly U.S. Mint updates on mintages in 1997; hence, the Robinson golds were much more evenly distributed across a broader spectrum of collectors than the MacArthurs, even though the Mint unexpectedly ended sales a week early. Ebay was also in its infancy back in ’97, so dealers would have had a most difficult time trying to buy up the Robinson gold uncs. even after learning well after the fact of their scarcity.

    It takes only a handful of speculators who bought in early and now sit on who knows how many MacArthurs and are now eager to flip them? Huge difference between then and now… total mintages simply don’t tell the whole story.

  18. fmtransmitter says

    What stinks is the guy on the bay trying to be a flipper with 75 feedbacks and stating the Proof is the LOWEST mintage and people are bidding over $600 believing it. Oh well, buyer beware…

  19. fmtransmitter says

    So you know how sometimes you get a code when you sign up with a new dealer and it may have free shipping, 10% off, SOMETHING. I entered the code I got from govmint when I created an account and it didn’t do ONE SINGLE THING but say “welcome email” in green. NOTHING else. So, why did I enter that code again Bill Gale??

  20. fmtransmitter says

    Mention Code:GE0001WC See if it helps anyone else? If anyone has a discount code from them, do share with the group if you don’t mind..

  21. Louis says

    FM- The proof 5* is the lowest mintage proof $5 commem, but it is also three times the unc 5*. It’s apples and oranges again.
    The Robinson went up for two reasons that have nothing to do with baseball- the coin was very unpopular and the design was not well received when it came out so few people bought it from the Mint, and then later it was heavily promoted by dealers with large inventories of it, the unc that is. It will surely come down over time time, and the 5* will go up. But these things take time. People who paid three grand for the Robinson unc will regret it. If they are a fan, as Sam suggests, they can get the proof for $600.

  22. silverhawk357 says

    @fmtransmitter – –

    I had just ordered from govmint, “Mention Code GE0001WC”, same as yours.

    Have 2 unc 5*, wondering when to sell. Guess I’ll wait…

  23. Zaz says

    The 5* gold unc had one unique problem: alot of the coins were unevenly polished, might have been a die polishing problem. It was a overpolished shiny oval over Mac’s left ear and cheek. They were prominent in the first run of coins March-June, returned it 3 times. Stopped by the Denver mint gift shop in early June and those coins were similarly affected too. There can’t be too many MS70s with this issue. The coin I ordered in Dec. still had vestiges of the shiny spot but it was less noticible than before, more like a later die stage or something that wore off the polishing. Not a well produced coin so the premiums on a “perfect” coin are justified.

  24. Robertson says

    @Louis: I respectfully disagree with the assertion that dealers ever held large inventories of Jackie Robinson gold uncs. at one time. First, the coin sold slowly but evenly to collectors and dealers alike, over the course of 12 months, due in part, to its unpopularity, as you correctly point out. There never was a rush to buy it (by speculators) because no one had a clue of the low mintage until after sales ended. This included dealers, by the way, who shared the collector sentiment that it was indeed an ugly coin. So, please the circumstances in which dealers would have or could acquired a large supply of these coins after the fact? Certainly, not online since a fraction of collectors and dealers alike had never even heard of eBay in 1997.

    And why does numismatics seem to be the only hobby who has never heard of collectibles that possess a dual hobby interest. Old Coca-Cola and Disney items are but a few of the many areas that are pursued by different hobbies. The Jackie Robinson connection to coins and sports is hardly a stretch if one recalls the fact that a huge number of coin dealers drifted into the sportscards and related sports memorabilia market during the 1990’s to augment their business (sportscards were peaking in popularity and coins were in the doldrums). Being heavily involved in both hobbies at the time, I know this for a fact.

    Chasing “low” mintages today like the MacArthur gold unc. is a futile mission in the long run, given the proliferance of information on mintages everyone now has access to in advance. Like the old saying goes, “you just can’t manufacture a true rarity.” The Robinson gold’s scarcity happened quite by accident under circumstances quite unlike those of today, circumstances that will never be repeated. What’s happening in the coin market today — chasing modern “rarities” — is exactly what destroyed the sportscard market more than a decade ago.

  25. Tom says

    Many of the Capitol visitor center coins I’ve seen on ebay don’t all look
    so perfect yet sell for a good bit… (even though its just a visitor center)?

    I’ve seen many other coins that were graded 70s with obvious problems.

    I think perhaps some baseball players with very deep pockets
    may also helping keep the price up on the Robinsons.

    I also think its True that when speculator by a bunch of a good rarer coins
    and then just throw them all up on ebay it does end up limiting the price values and sometimes alot.

    5658 minted for the General Mac is still a pretty low number.

  26. Tom says

    In my opinion the Army $5 ms coin is the best looking coin.
    the obverse is really great with the very accurate historical
    depiction of soldiers dress and arms throughout US history.
    (the Medal of Honor coin has a Great reverse. and
    the San Fransico is also terrific for Alot of reasons).
    The Army coin may have a mintage of only 8,007 made
    but with the Army being such a very Big branch of Service
    it has alot of potentially new interested collectors who
    have only yet to discover it.

  27. HIdalgo says

    Concerning the 2013 Annual Dollar Uncirculated Set

    Since there has been much discussion about the above set (which contains the 2013 W American Silver Eagle), I wanted you to know that my order is now in stock and reserved.

    So for those of you who placed your orders while the set was in “backorder” status, you should be seeing your sets in the near future.

  28. Joseph says

    I think the real ‘hero’ here is the 5 * Gen UNC. Back in 1997, there was basically no ‘internet’. not like what we have today,internet is part of our life. I still remember I could only order the coins BY MAIL. and that was a long process, I had to wait at least a month to get the things I ordered.ridiculous! now just couple of clicks you can get the coins ordered and shipped to you in a couple of day. so I think the real lowest ‘mintage’ is the 5 * Gen UNC unfortunately. this was not just on the base of the pure number. If we put it back to 1997 without the conveniences we have now, the mintage would be less than 4000, maybe < 3000. Like the US dollar, the dollars 20 years ago is NOT the dollars we have now, what's the difference? devaluation. so I think the mintage also has this kind of 'devaluation' too. Just my 2 cents

  29. Buzz Killington says

    The price of that Capitol Visitor Center coin does show there is a market for Modern Commems. The subject is totally unappealing (not the Capitol Building, but the Visitor Center?), the design generic, with a mintage of about 3x the much rarer First Spouse coins, and yet it has not problem moving at $800-900, despite being only 1/4 oz. of gold.

    The question is, is the market dealers/speculators, or is it real collectors?

  30. Dustyroads says

    Zaz, I see the spot you mentioned on all MS70 gold 5* coins, I’ve come to just except it. It doesn’t seem to be a problem to the TPG’s, but I wish I could get some more info on it and know exactly what it is.

  31. Eddie says

    Some people like me didn’t really care for commemorative coins. If they don’t have a good looking design on them then most people won’t bother with them.

  32. Eddie says

    If you have ordered one of the CR commemorative coins have you received it yet? How does it look? Especially the reverse side.

  33. Louis says

    @Robertson- Eric Jordan, who has published the best-selling books on modern commemorative coins and is a highly respect expert in the field with extensive contacts in the industry, noted recently on another forum that the Robertson coin “was promoted (almost to the point of being cornered) a few years back,” and that he says is why he “told people to stay the heck off it.” I am not mentioning which site this is from because it is a competitor to this blog, and Michael does not allow that.

  34. Samuel says

    Louis, i also saw somewhere u talked with Eric about the 5* coin. i am going to figure out the website.

  35. VA Bob says

    FM – I wouldn’t worry so much about that guy on eBay hyping his coin (as you say buyer beware). If you have one it also takes your value up. Look at it this way HSN has a counter, telling you how many people they are over charging for a coin(s), often with the item still being sold by the Mint (of course it must be those handsome Oak boxes, lol). IMO people that don’t shop for the best prices, kind of get what they deserve. But, they are making your collection more valuable, so it’s not all bad.

  36. VA Bob says

    Yeah, there were a lot of mediocre 5* coins out there, especially when first released. For the guys that buy sealed boxes, be cautious if you decide on one of these in an unopened box. In fact, this would be one I’d stay away from sight unseen, unless you can get it for bullion price.

  37. VA Bob says

    “It doesn’t seem to be a problem to the TPG’s…”

    Dusty – You just hit the nail on the head. One of the biggest problems I have with the TPG’s…consistency. When a coin is first released they seem to let a lot pass, like the 5* shinny spots. Break the same coin out 2 or 3 years from now and it will get a MS69 because of ‘eye appeal’. The whole thing puts me off on there services. They are building a stronger case against themselves as each year goes by. One day people are going to catch on.

  38. high low silver says

    Thanks for heads up on unc dollar set Samuel, mine is held, so they did try to ping my expired cc today as well.

  39. Samuel says

    hls, they usually ship first, charge later, but this time, they charged 2 days ago, not shipped yet, i would expect end of today get shipping email.

  40. high low silver says

    I think they charge as they leave the warehouse through UPS scanning received shipment, never had an order leave without clearing cc. Ill call on Wed.

  41. Ralph says

    I saw today you can no longer get the 2014 ASE by subscription, which included the 10% savings. I feel like the coins I ordered have already increased in value. So far, I like this new incentive for signing up to subscriptions. Unless the Mint drops the price way below what I paid like they did last year. Time will tell!

  42. Mark says

    How is all these 2014 CR coins are out all ready? I order mine day one minute one and I havent gotten mine yet. I got a backorder email 2 days ago with a new ship date of 1/31.

  43. high low silver says

    Fm, are you talking about govmint.com out of Burnsville Mn ? I just saw an add for 2014 bullion coins for28.95 ea in back of a field and stream mag. Not a good deal for that at current spot price.

  44. Ralph says

    Cagcrisp: if you click onto the subscription for the ASE’s, you’ll see it says “by enrolling today you will receive the 2015 coin as your first coin”.

  45. says

    @ Ralph, I just tried both the ASE proof and the ASE Unc and both times it showed that it was the 2014 @ previously stated discounted prices…
    2014 Proof for $47.65 and the Unc for $39.55

  46. Ralph says

    cagcrisp: click onto the sub for the ASE’s. Under the yellow tab that says “subscribe now”, start reading what is says.

  47. says

    @Ralph. Let’s put this puppy to bed..I called the mint.On 01/23 the ASE proof is to be released. The mint pulls the subscription about a week before a product release. Makes sense. The ATB silver proof set is going to be released 01/21 and it currently does not even show up on the subscription page. So my guess is that in just a couple of days you will not even be able to see the subscription for the ASE proof.

  48. Jon in CT says

    Everybody, you can still subscribe to American Silver Eagles. However, the ASE proof coin will be released on Jan 23 and so it won’t be included on a new ASE proof subscription because there isn’t enough time to process it before first day of release.

  49. thePhelps says

    The subscription process has always been this way. Typically you have to be subscribed a couple of weeks in advance. It isn’t surprising that you can still subscribe to the Proof and Uncirculated ASE since they are annual releases – and it shouldn’t be a surprise that you can get a last minute subscription tot he coin to try and get the discount.

  50. Ralph says

    My original comment was how I was pleased that the 2014 ASE Proof’s I ordered through the sub. program are no longer available at the discount price. It is sort of like the coins have increased in value. Somehow the talk about the sub. program took a wrong turn somewhere.
    Samuel: you can still subscribe to it, but you won’t get this years product, you will get the following year.

  51. AkBob says

    FM – My computer shut down and I can’t figure out which blog we were on for the Mercanti Wedge-Tailed Eage, Can you help?

  52. Zaz says

    Subscription processed on 1-16 for ATB silver quarters, back ordered to 2-01.
    Subscription processed on 1-17 for proof ASE, so subscriptions going forward will start with next year’s coins. Back ordered to 2-01 also, and both orders are rolling forward day by day.

  53. Sith says

    @Samuel – You can always subscribe if you do so right before or after a new release you will just get next years product

  54. samuel says

    Ralph, Sith, thanks for the clarification. i for the first time do this subscribe thing this year.

  55. Ralph says

    Just wanted to pass along a little info on the 5 oz ATB subscription. When my first order didn’t show up in my subscription list, I thought maybe I’d try cancelling it and try re-ordering it to see if it showed up. It didn’t again. I tried that a few mores times, each time cancelling the orders, which I received emails confirming. Well, I guess all I was doing was cancelling the orders, not the subscriptions. Because they were not listed in my subscriptions, they cannot be cancelled unless you call which is what I just did. Seemed I had a sub for 8 coins and only wanted 2.

  56. Ralph says

    On the good side, my sub’s the the 2014 ASE Proof’s were moved from sub to regular orders with different order number’s. Said they are scheduled to ship 2/3. The smell of freshly minted coins is in the air. I am getting a little excited!

  57. Samuel says

    Ralph, i placed sub order on Jan 3 for quarter sets and ATB, 5oz still did not show up in the sub section, the quarter sets are there and moved to the order history section, “backordered. Expected to ship on 02/03/2014.”. i also cancelled the sub once because i did not see the subs. so it seems i need to call the mint to make sure i dont have duplicated subs.

  58. merryxmasmrscrooge says

    The Buffalo silver “commemoration” coins have relatively high mintages, but sell for a premium. You can’t just quickly put together a junk design with low mintage and expect it to catch a premium.
    Design wins over low mintage in the long run.

  59. merryxmasmrscrooge says

    In these cases, MacArthur and Jackie Robinson designs are both good and both have low mintages, although I can’t afford either.

  60. Samuel says

    the problem is, there are not many great designs these days, so the mintage plays more important role.

  61. Nick says

    Simon – thank you. There’s a lot to look for. I’m talking easily 30k pennies. This was my uncles jug of pennies from the 70’s through today. I have found some MS examples from 1970 etc…

  62. high low silver says

    merryxmas: You are 100% correct!! The 2001 silver buffalo is the ONLY modern comm I retained for my collection. Every other modern silver is a flash in the pan IMO……still hoping for the Pan~Pacific comm.

  63. HIdalgo says

    @Nick – there are numerous pre-1982 pennies you should keep your eyes on. I would check for all of the key dates (1909 S, 1909 S VDB, 1914 D, 1922 no mint mark, 1931 S, 1955 double die, etc.). There are far too many to list here.

  64. Nick says

    I’ve been picking out the MS ones of any year. I’ve really been looking for 1955 and 1972 double dies. There are quite a few Canadian pennies and few wheats. I believe e picked them out long ago. I found an error last week in my change and I have coin fever now haha

  65. HIdalgo says

    @Nick – there are three pre-1982 key Lincoln Memorial cents to keep your eyes on. They are all popular error or variety types.

    1969 S double die (very rare)
    1970 S small date
    1972 double die

    Other double die Lincoln Memorial cents exist, but were minted after 1982. Here they are:

    1983 double die (reverse)
    1984 double die (double ear lobes)
    1992 close “AM”
    1995 double die

    Have fun searching!

  66. Dustyroads says

    matt, When I’m looking through pennies, I like to double check the `92’s for a close AM, and the `83’s for a possible copper composition. Copper pennies weigh approximately 3.11g’s, while pos zink pennies are about 2.56g’s.

  67. Buzz Killington says

    The 1970-S small date is one of the most difficult varieties to determine. You will have to look for example photos on the internet, and look at yours under magnification, unless you have phenomenal eyesight.

  68. HIdalgo says

    @fmtransmitter – The eBay auction is for a lot of 10 clad halves. At the current bid price of $105.00, that’s just $10.50 per coin.

    I really pity those who bought several of these low-mintage coins, thinking that they would sell for huge premiums on the secondary market. As I’ve said many times before, mintages alone determine secondary market values….

    In general, the correlation between low mintages and circulating coins tends to be higher for circulating coins than US Mint products.

  69. HIdalgo says

    For those of you who are still wanting to purchase the 2013 United States Mint Annual Uncirculated Dollar Coin Set…

    The product, which contains the uncirculated 2013 W American Silver Eagle coin, is currently available for purchase from the US Mint. The set is not backordered.

  70. mcfaudree@yahoo.com says

    10 clad halves? I’d rather have the clad Proof 1982 or 1983 no-S Roosevelt dime. Some clad is worth a pretty penny.

  71. merryxmasmrscrooge says

    To Michael,
    please erase my e-mail address above about 10 clad halves and 82, 83 Roosevelt dimes, (xxxxxxxx@yahoo.com) I made a mistake and would like to keep my identity private.

  72. VA Rich says

    FM – on the 5* clad flipper, did you see where the seller got everything right except for –

    Pre-Issue Price: $54.95
    Regular Issue Price: $59.95

    Shame, shame…, there’s one around every corner! I’m curious to see if someone falls for it now.

  73. HIdalgo says

    @fmtransmitter – Re: the eBay auction for a lot of 10 clad halves….

    Correction: I meant to say that mintages alone DO NOT determine secondary market values. Consumer/collector demand, available supplies, and inventory sizes play a significant role. These concepts are standard lessons in Business Economics 101 (the law of supply and demand).

    In general, the correlation between low mintages and circulating coins tends to be higher than low mintages and US Mint products (e.g., commemoratives, medals, packaged sets, etc.).

  74. Nick says

    Well I have 20/20 vision and it’s still a pain for me. I use the magnifying glass but I’m going to have to look them over again

  75. Brian says

    VA Rich – The part of the ebay listing that has the original prices comes from the ebay database, not the seller.

  76. stephen m says

    HiLoSilver, so….you don’t think the baseball hall of fame gold commemorative will ever amount to anything? I thought it’ll be a quick sellout leaving at least a short term demand for it.

  77. smiledon says

    Does any one here have any idea why the CRA coin is on back order with an expected date of being shipped on the 15th? I held my nose to buy this coin, and I still have to wait? My order for the ASE subscription is back ordered till the 4th of next month.

  78. thePhelps says

    Smiledon – I believe others have speculated that in order to prevent having to melt extras – they are being a bit conservative in the minting of the CRA coins. This is based ont he fact they made way to many GSA coins right out the door last spring.

    As far as the ASE goes – that isn’t unsual. This is one of the most popular proof coins they make – and I would guess the discounted subscriptions drove the inventory.

  79. thePhelps says

    stephen m – the only way the baseball coin is a quick sellout is if they announce like they did this year that the coins will be available until the end of the year – and then sell em out before that date. otherwise the coin will be available for most of the year and the mint will kee making them if there are buyers.

    I also don’t expect a large secondary market to show up for the coin – at least not for several years – if it ever does. I think this will be an oversold coin and that won’t do a lot for future resells…

  80. Brad says

    Nick,

    Another name for the 1970-S “small date” variety is the “level 7” variety. The “7” is what is different between the two. However, I don’t know if the “level” factor is at the top of the numerals or the bottom. But, it has to do with how it appears in line with the other digits. The level factor is probably how it lines up at the top of the numbers. See if any of them look different in that respect. Hopefully that will help you.

  81. Brad says

    Nick,

    Actually, the more I think about it the more it makes sense that the level factor is that the seven would be level with the BOTTOM of the other numbers, not the top.

  82. Brad says

    Dave,

    So, I was right the first time when I said that the small date has the “level 7” at the top of the digits. I shouldn’t have second-guessed myself!

  83. Nick says

    No luck on the 1970 s’. I have two 1994 column cents. One is in bay 11 and the other is in bay 3. The one in bay 11 is only half a line at the top of the bay. The one in the other cent is a full line in bay 3 with columns on the right side damaged and a curves line underneath the extra column that looks like a scratch. I also found a 2000 wide AM

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