Revisiting the Mint’s American Arts gold bullion medals

A recent email blast from the Mint reminded that October is National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM). While the celebratory occasion was initially established 30 years ago as National Arts Week, in 1993 it was reformed into National Arts and Humanities month in order to “raise public awareness about the role the arts and humanities play in our communities and lives.” The month’s goals additionally include bringing attention to the arts at the local, state, and national levels and encouraging individuals, organizations, and businesses to participate in and appreciate the arts. In fact, each day of October honors a particular form of art, and today’s theme is literature.

In celebration of NAHM’s day of literature, we on Mint News Blog thought we’d go back into Whitman’s archives and share a section on American Arts medals from the 2017 Red Book—particularly the literary figures who were celebrated in that program. Here is an excerpt:

The early-1980s American Arts medals were a bridge between the era of federally outlawed gold and the U.S. Mint’s dynamic and popular American Eagle bullion program that started in 1986.

During the Great Depression, various federal orders had made it illegal for the average American to buy and own gold. Their intent was to strengthen the U.S. economy by discouraging hoarding. In the 1930s nearly all privately owned gold was cashed in and held for decades by the Treasury Department. The executive orders were finally revoked in 1974, and Congress explored ways to sell the Treasury’s gold reserves. Various programs were proposed to offer the metal in formats affordable for the average American family to invest in.

From 1980 to 1984, the U.S. Mint struck congressionally mandated half-ounce and one-ounce .900 fine gold bullion pieces. Unlike South Africa’s Krugerrand and Canada’s Maple Leaf, the American Arts Commemorative Series medals were not legal tender. In fact, at first they were designed specifically not to resemble federal coins: for the first two years, the medals bore no marks of content, fineness, or weight, and their edges were smooth. Although they honored popular American writers, singers, and other artists, the medals sold poorly. The Treasury tinkered with new features in 1982 to make them appear more coin-like, and launched new marketing efforts, but sales remained lackluster. Eventually hundreds of thousands were melted by wholesale buyers. In some cases today’s surviving quantities are mere fractions of their original mintages and quantities sold. (For detailed information, see American Gold and Silver: U.S. Mint Collector and Investor Coins and Medals, Bicentennial to Date.)

Four of the 10 Arts medals celebrated American authors John Steinbeck, Willa Cather, Robert Frost, and Mark Twain:



The other medals in the program, which also honored music, architecture, painting, and sculpture, were:

As of late 2016, when the 70th edition of the Red Book was in preparation, the medals were faring well as bullion coins. Their value as collectibles, however, was negligible. The following was based on a gold bullion value of $1,150 per ounce:

Date and Subject Mintage No. Sold Est. Surviving* Value
1980, Marian Anderson (singer) 1/2 oz. 1,000,000 281,624 225,000 $595
1980, Grant Wood (artist) 1 oz. 500,000 312,709 250,000 1,170
1981, Willa Cather (writer) 1/2 oz. 200,000 97,331 83,000 575
1981, Mark Twain (writer) 1 oz. 141,000 116,371 99,000 1,170
1982, Frank Lloyd Wright (architect) 1/2 oz. 360,000 348,305 51,000 575
1982, Louis Armstrong (musician) 1 oz. 420,000 409,098 60,000 1,180
1983, Alexander Calder (artist) 1/2 oz. 410,000 75,571 8,000 595
1983, Robert Frost (poet) 1 oz. 500,000 390,669 41,000 1,170
1984, John Steinbeck (writer) 1/2 oz. 35,000 32,572 32,000 585
1984, Helen Hayes (actress) 1 oz. 35,000 33,546 33,000 1,250
*After melting and other attrition.

While most connoisseurs of numismatics are familiar with the exacting and scientific nature of the field, let us not forget the beauty and transcendence that American coinage — and coinage around the world — bring to millions of people on a daily basis.

What do you think—would you have any interest in a bullion-coin program arts-themed designs? Are there other design themes that you think might play well with collectors and investors?

Click here for the Mint’s webpage on this year’s NAHM, with interviews of four Mint artists.

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Comments

  1. Just Another Dave In Pa says

    The Alexander Calder medal looks like a maniacal Harvey Weinstein. I love the mobile design, though.

    Excellent designs on the American Gothic and Fallingwater medals.

    I’d rather see these than war medals.

  2. Mattarch says

    Diana; You indicated that the medals did not sell well,
    but when I look at the sales numbers except for the 1984 medals the sales numbers look good compared to the 2016 and 2017 medals. What was the expectation for sales 500,000?

  3. NcCoinCollector says

    I intend to purchase at least one of the WWI medals and coin.
    I really like the medals included with the coin and chronicles set. If the mint were to produce something similar (same packaging minus the coin) I would be interested depending on the subject.

  4. Qui Transtulit Sustinet says

    Off Topic—Non-US NEW silver bullion.

    Recently received the 2017, first year of issue, Czech Republic/Niue island silver bullion (New Zealand) dollar.

    Despite the origin confusion, I agree with Louis that the Czech Mint’s two-tailed Bohemian Lion design is a winner. Mintage of 10,000.

    Two other new silver bullion issues I also REALLY like—the 2017 RCM 3/4 ounce Howling Wolf and the 2018 Perth Mint Kookaburra—both with awesome Full Moons.

    I can put up with three more reminders of Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953-???? reign to get designs and craftsmanship of this quality.

    Or I could have spent less per ounce of silver and bought extremely high mintage ASE bullion from a Mint that has changed only the date on the coin for over thirty years.

    Easy choice for me, as a collector, since I prefer collecting examples of a variety of outstanding numismatic designs and workmanship, not the same coin with the date changed.

  5. Qui Transtulit Sustinet says

    Just one example of world bullion’s “state of the art”—silver purity.

    RCM’s Howling Wolf, Maple Leafs, etc. and (beginning with the just issued 2018) Perth Mint Kooks ( Kangaroo’s, etc.) are .9999 pure silver.

    The ASE? As the saying goes, “Not so Much…”.

    Or is it now, “Not so Mnuchin…”?

  6. cagcrisp says

    16AN 2016 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – FT MLTR 17,594 +13
    17AJ 2017 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – EFF MNDS 15,968 +28
    17AK 2017 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – DOUGLASS 15,985 +35
    17AL 2017 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – OZARK 15,384 +79
    17AM 2017 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – ELLIS ISLAND 15,999 +123

  7. cagcrisp says

    16XA 2016 WALKING LIBERTY 24K GOLD .5OZ 64,451 +50
    16XC 2016 STANDING LIBERTY 24K GOLD .25OZ 90,375 + 51

  8. cagcrisp says

    17XA 2017 AM LIBERTY 24K GOLD 1 OZ 25,037 +96
    17XB 2017 AM LIBERTY SILVER MEDAL (P) 46,962 + 500
    17XC 2017 225TH ANN ENHANCED UNC SET 198,719 +1,586

  9. KEITHSTER says

    Did you all see the free shipping on the medals tomorrow promo code ANNIVERSARY on any 225th product! should make it interesting at ordering speeds ? Well Good Luck All! “>”> <"<"

  10. cagcrisp says

    16EA 2016 AM EAGLE SILVER PROOF 1 OZ 573,738 +17
    16EB 2016 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1 OZ 23,763 +10
    16EC 2016 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ 5,767 + 3

    16EG 2016 AM EAGLE SILVER UNC 1 OZ 207,341 +182

  11. cagcrisp says

    17EA 2017 AM EAGLE SILVER PROOF 1 OZ 320,242 + 2,285

    17EB 2017 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1 OZ 6,746 +68
    17EC 2017 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ 1,719 +30
    17ED 2017 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/4 OZ 2,735 +102
    17EE 2017 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/10 OZ 10,658 +146
    17EF 2017 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 4-COIN SET 8,767 +94

    17EG 2017 AM EAGLE SILVER UNC 1 OZ 126,194 +934

    17EH 2017 AM EAGLE GOLD UNC 1 OZ 5,768 +448

    17EL 2017 AM BUFFALO GOLD PROOF 1 OZ 13,753 + 138

  12. cagcrisp says

    17CA 2017 BOYS TOWN GOLD PROOF 1,422 (1)
    17CB 2017 BOYS TOWN GOLD UNC 2,103 +12

    17CC 2017 BOYS TOWN SILVER PROOF 23,748 +124
    17CD 2017 BOYS TOWN SILVER UNC 9,953 +21
    17CE 2017 BOYS TOWN CLAD PROOF 16,389 +52
    17CF 2017 BOYS TOWN CLAD UNC 14,282 +12
    17CG 2017 BOYS TOWN 3-COIN SET 5,131 +13

    17CH 2017 LIONS CLUBS SILVER PROOF 65,418 +91
    17CJ 2017 LIONS CLUBS SILVER UNC 16,550 +38

  13. cagcrisp says

    JQ1 2015 FS GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ – TRUMAN 2,714 (1)
    JQ2 2015 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – TRUMAN 1,910 –
    JQ4 2015 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – EISENHWR 2,058 –
    JQ6 2015 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – KENNEDY 6,771 –
    JQ8 2015 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – JOHNSON 1,846 (1)

    16SA 2016 FS GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ – NIXON 2,599 –
    16SB 2016 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – NIXON 1,688 +2
    16SC 2016 FS GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ – FORD 2,414 –
    16SD 2016 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – FORD 1,670 + 3
    16SE 2016 FS GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ – REAGAN 3,454 +5
    16SF 2016 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – REAGAN 1,928 –

  14. Dustyroads says

    Before the all time low for the W burnished AGE of audited 5,829, the reported mintage was north of 6,100.

    We could see the 2017 mintage fall back some as in the case of the NPS gold coin. But I’m guessing we are going to see a mintage report next week of around 6,000.

  15. Dustyroads says

    I don’t know. Are there any thoughts on those last coins sold and if they were reflected in the report?

  16. Mint News Blog says

    Good observation, @Mattarch. I didn’t write the original Red Book appendix, but the author may have been considering the mintage-to-sales ratio from the perspective of the 1980s. In recent years, poor sales coupled with large over-projections seem to be fairly common; perhaps the Mint made better sales projections in the 80s, such that the results were more surprising? I haven’t been around numismatics long enough to have a feel for this — perhaps it’s something Louis, cag, and others can weigh in on.

    In any case, instead of saying the medals sold poorly, the text could as easily have said they didn’t meet expectations.

    — Diana

  17. Mint News Blog says

    By the way, the author of this post is our new social-media-editor-in-training, Brandon Hall. He’s been working behind the scenes since late August or early September. As time goes by, you’ll be seeing more and more content from him. I guess this means I should always add my name so you’ll know which editor is commenting!

    Diana

  18. achmed says

    for Dustyroads: On the 16th of Oct, 8:17 P.M. Keithster made a comment that 50 AGE unc 2017 W were still available. (see the comments on the 2019 coins) So I think you should at least add these 50 to the number of 5768. So the total could be 5818. Which is close to the benchmark-number of 2012.

  19. cagcrisp says

    The 2017 1 oz. Gold Uncirculated…

    w/e 09/03/17 sales were 2,968
    Last 6 weeks sales are 2,800

    94.3% of the Previous 14 weeks of sales were made in the last 6 weeks. 94.3%.

    Just How much Revenue has been generated by the 2017 1 oz. Gold Uncirculate in a short period of time?

    Well In 3 of the past 6 weeks, the Cumulative Revenue for the 2017 1 oz. Gold Uncirculated EXCEEDED the Combined Revenue of The:

    2015 FS GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ – TRUMAN
    2015 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – TRUMAN
    2015 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – EISENHWR
    2015 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – KENNEDY
    2015 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – JOHNSON
    2016 FS GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ – NIXON
    2016 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – NIXON
    2016 FS GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ – FORD
    2016 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – FORD
    2016 FS GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ – REAGAN
    2016 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – REAGAN
    2016 WALKING LIBERTY 24K GOLD .5OZ
    2016 STANDING LIBERTY 24K GOLD .25OZ
    2016 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1 OZ
    2016 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ
    2016 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 4-COIN SET
    2017 BOYS TOWN GOLD PROOF
    2017 BOYS TOWN GOLD UNC
    2017 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1 OZ
    2017 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ
    2017 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/4 OZ
    2017 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/10 OZ
    2017 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 4-COIN SET
    2017 AM BUFFALO GOLD PROOF 1 OZ
    2017 AM LIBERTY 24K GOLD 1 OZ

    …SO…In 3 of the Past 6 weeks the Revenue for the 2017 I oz. Uncirculated Gold Outsold Total Revenue for ALL the Gold products currently being sold…

  20. So Krates says

    @ goat – Yeah, I flipped one over the summer and commented here comparing it to the ATBs. I couldn’t find the comment but from what I remember they are real nice. Same diameter (as the ATB)but twice as thick, real good heft. Unlike the mirrored depiction of the sky on ATBs, the CTG uses a brushed finish for added realism. The multi textured finish adds to it’s appeal. Capsule was sturdy. Popular subject, but a tad cheesy with the couple, etc but overall a very pleasing .9999 coin.

  21. Numismatrix says

    KCSO : Where you seeing Free Shipping on 225th Sets?

    The Mint sent out a card with the code in postal mail.

    These look interesting :

    American Liberty One-Tenth Ounce 2018 Gold Proof Coin

    American Eagle 2018 One Ounce Palladium Proof Coin

  22. says

    SWEET!!!!

    Just in time for $1,500 Palladium

    FALL
    2018

    American Eagle 2018 One Ounce Palladium Proof Coin

    WEST POINT (W)

  23. says

    I applaud the mint for throwing up a 2018 schedule pre-look –

    And scratching my head over:

    – 2 Proof ASE Coins, and we don’t know what’s in the S Reverse Proof Set

    – Why not a WWI Medal Combo Set?

    Perhaps it’ll be a special set, ’cause ain’t no way on God’s green 🌏 am I buying them all individually

  24. KEITHSTER says

    Man it came in the snail mail yesterday nice little pamphlet ! Tried it out twice today and it worked both times so ya flippers get boxes of one for free tomorrow should change things up a little? Dusty earthling spotted them before me at 60 when I seen them it was #47 that I got! And what’s up with the order history hasn’t worked right since the last launch so sure won’t be for this one! So yup ANNIVERSARY in caps will get you free shipping on the 225th stuff Ithink it lasts a month? Well Good LUCK aLL”>”><"<"

  25. cagcrisp says

    @KCSO, “WTF! Come Again???? SUMMER 2018

    American Eagle 2018 One Ounce Silver Proof Coin

    SAN FRANCISCO (S)”

    Better HOPE you can sell more that 125,000

    (Year In and Year Out)

    Nightmare before this is Over…

  26. says

    Yup.., my mind went in a few directions on this one, talk about wanting to cannibalize on your core ASE sales while at the same time undermining your collector base,

    Makes NO sense to me.

    Heck, the 2016 ASE-W’s could still be on sale by then, its possible.

  27. Larry says

    Finally something I can really look forward to , the reverse silver proof set. Only the dime and half have been done in RP, so it will be cool to see the other coins. I think a RP Lincoln cent will be fantastic!

  28. cagcrisp says

    @KCSO, I would Assume that Most thought the “S” for 2017 was a one off…

    You’re looking at an annual event and with the Declining sales for both the Uncirculated ASE and the Proof ASE …

    …NOW…You’ve added in the mix a Need for 125k of the “S”.

    That’s going to be a hard task to keep pulling off year after year after year with a Declining customer base.

    Just Look no farther than the sales numbers for the AGEs …

    …And Now we’re introducing a 1/10 oz. Gold Liberty…AND…a Proof palladium and another proof ASE

    …More Silver, More Gold, More Palladium and More Cryptocurrency products and Less customer base…

    …Hmmm…

  29. KCSO says

    NcCoinCollector – Yes, as recently discussed at a recent CCAC meeting, as I recall.

    Next new HR design would not be until 2019

  30. A&L Futures says

    What is a “American Eagle 2018 One Ounce Silver Proof Coin Bulk Pack?”

    2018 Product Schedule

  31. cagcrisp says

    @A&L Futures “What is a “American Eagle 2018 One Ounce Silver Proof Coin Bulk Pack?”

    Started in 2017. Bulk purchase of 42 Proof ASEs without all the bells, whistles and packaging.

    Used by dealers wanting to get Graded coins…

  32. gatortreke says

    Is the estimated number of survivors for the Alexander Calder 1/2 ounce medal correct or is the 8,000 number a typo? If correct, why are so many thought to be melted or “lost”?

    I will address the question in the blog about whether there is room for a arts themed bullion coin series? My personal take is yes but I think the expectations would have to be for a very small collector base. Personally, I collected the Coins and Chronicles sets not for the dollar coins in them but for the silver medals in the sets, the item with much greater appeal to me. Nobody has rationally explained to me why a 99.9% silver medal struck by the US Mint on the same planchet as an ASE is worth only bullion while ASE’s can trade with a premium on similar numbers. Yes, I understand that one is denominated as money but the number used for the coin is far less than the value of the composition metal so the item will never trade on that denominated value. Given both items are known to be struck by the USM on the same planchets, I don’t see why the two can’t trade in similar fashion except for the view held by many that one is inherently more valuable. I will recognize upfront that there are likely a large number of ASE and AGE collectors which does guarantee a larger pool of collectors for them.

    My view is probably spitting into the wind on this but I wouldn’t mind seeing a new arts series where modern artists can use their creativity to create new modern works of art. If undertaken, please be sure to keep Congress out of the process. 🙂

  33. VA Bob says

    Anyone notice there was no $1 American Coin and Currency set this year? I guess three strikes your out. Gotta drop the expensive clad to make room for expensive bullion products.

    Also, by saddling the WWI medals with the coin, the Mint doomed potential sales. Unless they offer them in a set, as KCSO suggested, bronze even better, they are hampering sales. Five $1 overpriced silver coins, just to get 5 over-priced, instantly worth spot medals? Might as well just issue the silver plated, gold filled with platinum and palladium highlights one dime cannabis coin, Denver mint mark of course, packaged in a plastic bag so we can see what the Mint is smoking.

  34. earthling says

    Gold bid 1380.50

    Rhodium 1425.00

    W h a t is going on here? Gold has become a mangy little puppie all of a sudden. Have the cryytocurrency fans jumped aboard Rhodium for a push back to $10,000.00 ? Nothing would surprise me. Unless…. it went to $20,000.00 .

  35. ChiTy says

    Sad to see there’s no C&C Set for 18. How about stop using clad all together and using silver in sets like this one? It’s not that expensive of a metal & much more sought after than worthless clad. I don’t get it.

  36. KCSO says

    We’re in a precious or rare metals bull market, perhaps it’s best to ‘coin’ it by saying ‘industrial metals’ bull market,

    We’ve been in a industrial metals bull market, will continue to be in an industrial metals bull market, and may see a diververgence among the metals like nothing seen before, IMO.

    I’m no expert nor would imply having any special insight, though from a lot of homework, metals such as Cu, Ni, Rh, Li, Co, Rare Earths and those ‘magnet elements’, that I can’t spell nor pronounce.., are likely to be a on a tear.

    Anything that supports industrial middle class growth in China, India, development and fielding of electrical vehicles (EV), artificial intelligence drives/processors, and optics/guidance systems for weapon systems and air/spacecraft may experience considerable lessened supply over the next 3 to 5, perhaps up to 10 years. One only has to look at where the demand is.

    Gold, silver and platinum may not go along for the ride on this bull market.., and it’s a reality we may have need to grow accustomed to.., not a sermon, just a thought,

  37. Dustyroads says

    Just in case it’s news to some, China controls something like 90% of all rare earth metals.

  38. datadave says

    I know a few readers collect the mint’s circulating coins that don’t circulate. It looks like the S-mint quarters are going to struggle to reach the 1M mark this year and the 2016 Ft. Moultrie is headed toward about 980K.

    The Presidential dollar series is pretty well wrapped up with Johnson, Nixon and Ford all hovering around 5M, with all the other presidents over 6M.

    The Kennedy half series has fallen a little but I am surprised that it looks like it can still reach 3M total year after year. Must be a lot of solid Kennedy collectors out there still.

    Finally the NA dollar series is slowly falling with:
    2012 3.5M
    2013 3.25M
    2014 2.6M
    2015 2.6M
    2016 2.4M (est)
    2017 2.2M (est)

    Any collectors of these series?

  39. ips_stuff says

    Based upon lack of comments on medal set that goes on sales today, I would interpret that as it is too expensive and it will sit on the website for some time?

    Opinions?

  40. earthling says

    From time to time I read about this wildlife medal series that came out years ago from the US Mint. I’m one of the click-happy fools that bought that set. The thing totally died with no interest at all in the after-market. Lesson learned – avoid Medals as a speculative thing. If you like the design, great, buy away to your hearts content. There’s nothing better in life than acquiring Art that you enjoy. Just don’t expect it to be a long term ” investment”.

  41. indydude says

    Order placed 12 NOON for Miss Liberty Medal Set. I am totally a completest. But not for the gold!
    USM053704XX

  42. Erik H says

    Easy in & out, “ANNIVERSARY” code worked for free shipping. I already have 1 committed buyer. I’ll wait and see if I keep the second set.

  43. Erik H says

    Yes VA Bob, no C&C set. You’ll need to buy the Enhanced set to get an Enhanced NA $1. Looks like next year there will be no Enhanced NA $1 in any set.

  44. Tinto says

    @VA Bob
    “Anyone notice there was no $1 American Coin and Currency set this year? ”

    I did, that was the only regular product I buy from the Mint since 2014 … I thought that since the Mint made the EU set this year, that it would have been easier to produce the EU C&C set .. but never underestimate the laziness of the Mint “decision makers” …..

  45. cagcrisp says

    @ips_stuff, “Based upon lack of comments on medal set that goes on sales today, I would interpret that as it is too expensive and it will sit on the website for some time? Opinions?”

    IF you can’t sell 50k of a product at $59.95 that has been on sale for 4 months, how are you going to have robust sales of a similar product at $199.95?…

    I would be surprised if this items sells 20k Today…

    Dismal , Dismal , Dismal…

  46. DBR says

    1. I bought one 4 medal set of Lady Liberty at 9:00am PST. Order no. USM05369XXX.
    I’m still on the fence about collecting the gold version because gold is expensive. What I would spend on that coin I’m already setting aside each month in my 403(b) and IRA’s. Coins are my hobby but my retirement planning funds go into other financial instruments. All seems so very speculative when watching the volatility and trends of markets. I’m long term, not retiring until 2040, so I buy and hold.

    2. I collected the Coin and Currency sets too. I miss seeing it this year too but I’m not sure the 2016 set sold out or not. I think the mint approaches the concept of the “life” of these coin products very differently than the markets of dealers, flippers and collectors. Some products are meant to be an ongoing annual offering while others are just one-time or short-term “treats” that are meant to stimulate interest or showcase new technologies. I don’t know I’m just observing as a consumer collector.

    3. I also collected the Annual Dollar sets, I always got my best examples in these sets for whatever reason. Literally flawless every year.

    4. I admire the medals that appeal to me of course and was pleasantly surprised by how nice the medals are in the Coins and Chronicles sets.

    5. The 2018 product schedule has my attention and interest.

    Make it a good day!

  47. Ikaika says

    I had decided to purchase a 10 oz Beast over the medal set. I was never a fan of the obverse design in the first place. Plus why buy 4 oz of silver when you can get 10 oz with a better looking design?

  48. Buzz Killington says

    The Mint schedule items that are being posted here for 2018 makes the US Mint look a lot more like the RCM. Making more and more options for fewer and fewer people.

    I would like to get the first US Proof Palladium coin (and hopefully can pick up a capsule somewhere from the 90% of these that will be graded for my BU Palladium) but I think 2018 might be my last year of getting new US Mint products.

    I still like coins and seeing different designs, but there are enough old things out there to learn about, without wading into this minefield of new products that will lose close to half of their value as soon as they are driven off the lot.

  49. Erik H says

    Is the Proof 2016 ASE any different than the Proof 2016 ASE in the Congratulations Set???

    Answer: NO

    But if you saw MCM’s latest eBlast you might think that there are only 5,966 ASE ever minted (not just the Congratulations set ASEs)

  50. Erik H says

    Dean says

    OCTOBER 19, 2017 AT 12:21 PM

    Also no Annual Uncirculated Dollar Coin Set for 2017.

    Yep, this year’s Burnished ASE maybe a new low (again). I picked up 5 today with my medal sets and free shipping. Nothing else for me to buy from the mint for the rest of the year.

  51. Tom says

    It’s soooo nice that MCM dreams big. But $2000.00 for the word CONGRATULATIONS is a bit much. They need to be drug tested and anyone that buys one should be committed.

  52. cagcrisp says

    @ Erik, H , “Yep, this year’s Burnished ASE maybe a new low (again).”

    2011S is the Clubhouse Leader on the Uncirculated ASE…

  53. The Real Cool Dave says

    American Liberty 225th Anniversary Silver Four-Medal Set: 5:55 p.m, Eastern time — USM05381XXX.

    Totally spaced ordering this until just now! Lucky they hadn’t sold out yet!

    @Erik H

    “ANNIVERSARY” Code worked for me! Thx.

  54. The Real Cool Dave says

    American Liberty 225th Anniversary Silver Four-Medal Set.

    Any guess on how many old so far?

  55. earthling says

    This slabbed Coin Labels game is for the birds. No interest from me at all on this funny head game.

    However, if I could find an original looking old Certificate of Ownership for the Brooklyn Bridge…… there might be some interest in that. Depending on the wording and layout and aged appearance of this Certificate , the value would be adjusted accordingly.

    Laugh if you want but I think such silly things as this would have more value than some goofy label in a Coin Slab.

    😌

  56. Xena says

    datadave – I am collecting all the moderns in Whitman albums. Also collecting S-rolls, Kennedy rolls and NA. Tough to fill the Kennedy album since 2002, either have to break open a Mint set or buy one at a coin show. I don’t break up the rolls. I can usually get current-year rolls of pennies, nickels and dimes at the credit union, although it’s hit or miss.

  57. Tom P. - MA says

    A day late and a dollar short. The 225 anniversary set would have been better with 4 different ethnic Liberty representations. In any case, 4 different finishes on a medal doesn’t excite me for the price they are being sold at.

    I do buy the S mint quarters and the Kennedy half dollars, although I haven’t yet this year. I haven’t bought the dollars coins since 2007 which was supposed to be the last year, then wasn’t. Worst case scenario, I can get rid of the quarters and halfs at face. No one wants the dollar coins. They mostly seem to be a big city transit and vending machine thing.

    Low mintage labels are a scam on top of a scam.

  58. Xena says

    My LESPS also came with only a sheet of paper as packaging. One set is nice, a couple of minor flaws on the other. I can’t get the capsules open to clean out the dust specks.

    Came the day after I received the Libertad set. Night and day difference in packaging. APMEX box was heavy cardboard, packaging filled the space, and was wrapped again inside. The wood/metal combination of the box is really nice. Only flaw is you can’t stand them up to display them – I like the way the US Mint does that.

    Passing on today’s 225th set. I did purchase the individual medal, so that’s enough for me.

  59. NcCoinCollector says

    @ Tom P. – MA – if you can’t bring yourself to appreciate one so called ‘ethnic’ Liberty I seriously doubt you would appreciate four.

    It amazes me that some posters on the one hand would complain that the mint did not honor the classic designs this year yet in the other clutch the high-relief palladium eagle.

    We should applaud the mint for producing a design that is controversial, provocative and progressive but not obscene.

    Amazing how much shade is thrown at the Liberty Medals and coins.

  60. gatortreke says

    earthling: don’t have anything related to the Brooklyn Bridge but some time back at a coin show I did buy a Street Improvement Fund Bond of the Corporation of the City of New York issued 1 July 1861 to the Greenwich Savings Bank. I love the design and artistry of some of these old Bonds, Stock Certificates, banknotes etc… so I have a small collection of such certificates and banknotes.

  61. Erik H says

    OK science buffs I need help. I just received a roll of 25 Canadian 2017 Voyager 1 oz silver rounds. I weighed every coin and compared the diameter and thickness to a 2014 Maple leaf. All looks good, however when all 25 Voyager rounds are stacked together and all 25 maple leafs are stacked together the maple leaf stack is much taller (the difference is like 3 rounds). Both are supposed to have a diameter of 38 mm and a thickness of 3.29mm. Obviously the 2017 are slightly thinner but the weights are all within 0.05 (+/-)grams on the scale for all of the 50 total rounds. Could the pressure of the strike actually cause the coins to be thinner but the same mass? (More relief on one design vs the other?)

    All rounds were purchased from reputable dealers.

  62. Qui Transtulit Sustinet says

    I have to join the chorus singing…”The US Mint can’t sell/market their way out of a wet paper bag.”

    I am an AVID COLLECTOR of US and World bronze and silver MEDALS but I won’t be buying the 225th Anniversary Set (or Single) or the WW I medals from the Mint.

    The former are too expensive individually and collectively and ditto for the latter, which require you to buy a fuggly coin with each medal.

    This is a shame because I like both the obverse and reverse 2017 Liberty designs and some of the WW I designs and would have been totally in for some of both if available individually at a reasonable price.

    US Mint, If I won’t buy your medals, they have a tough road ahead.

    Stop the insanity!

    Design, Strike, Price, and Market your MEDALS for MEDAL COLLECTORS, not for Dealers, TPG’s and Flippers!

    At least I picked up two each of the 2016 Liberty Medals—which were reasonably priced, by the way.

  63. Qui Transtulit Sustinet says

    @ Eric H.

    The 38 mm diameter commonly listed is an approximation, for both coins. It is not an exact measurement.

    My guess, and it is just a guess, is that the Voyageur’s rim height is not as high as your Maple Leafs.

    I pulled out my one Voyageur and, by eyeball, the rim looks a little less pronounced than that of the one ounce RCM Lynx that I bought at the same time. I haven’t dug out any Maple Leafs to compare.

    If it is not a rim height difference, perhaps combined with minor thickness differences due to relief/strike, I would also like to know the reason for the difference in stack height.

    Sure you had 25 in each stack? A difference of three coins in height for stacks of 25 is quite a variation.

  64. Qui Transtulit Sustinet says

    @Eric H.

    Addendum—Not trying to be argumentative, but the 2017 RCM Voyageur is a silver bullion coin with a Canadian currency denomination of $5, it is not a non-denominated private silver “round”.

    According to Ancestry. com I currently have 6, 673 (paternal) DNA matches with the Quebec/St. Lawrence River/Valley and Gaspe Peninsula French Settlers Genetic Communities, the Voyageur gateways to the Canadian interior. The Voyageurs are Legends in Canadian history.

  65. says

    Good morning, all,

    There was a lot going on during the creation, sale, and distribution of the 1980-1984 American Arts gold medallions.

    I cover them in great depth in my 384-page book “American Gold and Silver: U.S. Mint Collector and Investor Coins and Medals, Bicentennial to Date” (2016).

    Those very low “estimated surviving” numbers are NOT typos! The story of how J. Aron and Company, a division of Goldman Sachs Group, was awarded a Mint contract to market the medallions (and did their best to sell them) reads like a numismatic soap opera. As part of their contract, they were required to purchase 3 million ounces of the medals — but they were only able to sell about 15 percent of their purchase. Public interest just wasn’t there yet, for a variety of reasons.

    Read my book for the full story. It’s quite interesting . . . . and it might encourage you to start quietly collecting these medals.

  66. John Q. Coinage says

    Dave, no worries, as to the new PC Medal set, they will not sell out, they will not sell in the rain, they are not hot, their price has no realtionship to spot, the design is eh, or maybe ok, but hey mint I will not play. MY money I earn, not to send to the mint to burn, where pray tell will the brains @ the mint get bettwe, perhaps maybe they will make a silver center cent, for the 25oth…. Anyway, this set @ $50 buck a pop for what is a glorified AG round has zero %….my mint purchases are down like 8-% this year, last few years dropping like Kapernick’s knee….can’t wait for next years “Hajib” Liberty Medal…you wait kids….

  67. Jerry Diekmann says

    No silver medals for me this year, and no silver medals next year either if I would have to buy the ugly WW I coin in order to get a slightly better looking medal(s). Like a lot of other bloggers, I am buying less from the Mint every year now. Who in the Mint came up with the stupid idea of having to buy a coin in order to get a medal? Count me OUT.

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