Sales Updates: 2016 Cumberland Gap 5 oz. Uncirculated Coin and Gold Mercury Dime

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The 2016 Cumberland Gap 5 oz. Silver Uncirculated Coin was released yesterday and the first-day sales totals are in: the issue has sold 14,062 units, not quite half of its stated 30,000-piece mintage limit.

Though this number is lower than first-day totals for other recent releases in this series, it does not represent a substantial drop. The Shawnee issue, which debuted February 25, garnered 14,369 sales on its first day, while December 2015’s Saratoga issue got off to a surprising start with 15,904 units sold.

Recent America the Beautiful 5 oz. Uncirculated coins have usually been discontinued by the Mint before drawing close to their mintage limits. In 2015, no 5 oz. Uncirculated coin sold more than 21,286 pieces (Homestead), and only the Bombay Hook issue, which was limited to just 20,000 coins, came within 3,000 sales of its mintage limit.

The Kisatchi, Bombay Hook, and Saratoga 5 oz. Uncirculated coins were declared sold out in late March with mintages of 19,449 units, 17,309 units, and 17,563 units, respectively.

16xb_aSMALL330In other news, the sales total for the 2016 Mercury Dime Centennial Gold Coin keeps creeping downward. Michael White of the Mint’s Office of Corporate Communications reported to MNB that the current figure stands at 119,209, marking a decrease of 711 coins since Sunday evening.

It may not be a huge adjustment, but it’s the third negative correction we’ve reported since getting our first official sales total for the item on April 26. The number has fallen 3,301 units since then and now shows room for as many as 5,791 Gold Mercury Dimes to be sold by the Mint before hitting the issue’s 125,000-piece mintage limit.

The changes are likely the result of customer returns and corrections necessitated by the Mint’s continuing audits of its inventory. As noted previously, all 125,000 Gold Mercury Dimes have been struck. Tom Jurkowsky, Director of the Mint’s Office of Corporate Communications, has stated that the Mint’s goal is to sell as many of them as possible, meaning the lower sales total could make future gold dime sales more likely.

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Comments

  1. KEITHSTER says

    Or a weeding of the finns one could hope ? Keep knocking them down we like it ! Have a great weekend all and To All A Good Luck:>:>:>

  2. SilverFan says

    Who would return the Gold Mercury dime? You are never going to get a replacement from the Mint.

  3. Jeff says

    Tom,

    Nobody wants these slugs anymore there returning them at record numbers. I would suggest you hand them out to your rebubliturd nominee the Donald he could spread them out to his RNC friend’s but probably no one would want one from because he has no friends, he can’t even get a sitting senator to endorse him, oh channey the war monger who trump always talks about who caused the war. This guy can’t remember what he says one day to the other.

  4. Eddie says

    I wished someone would take pic’s of the ones they return so we can see why they’re being returned.

  5. Barry says

    @Jeff, Trump may or may not take on the national debt and the welfare state. Clinton will expand both. Btw , endorsements from politicians who take no action to control spending are worthless imo.

  6. Jeff says

    Barry guess there no doubt who your for someone who can fix it. Problems is there no substance he cannot vet his words . Trump makes it up as he goes that’s your leader good luck bruh, you must not expect much but words.

  7. smalltimecollector says

    I can see no reason to bad-mouth a coin that will continue to have appeal due to the price point.
    Sure it was spendy (per oz of au), but as a small denomination it will always be on the bottom end of pricing.
    As time wears on there will appear more collectors entering the ‘buyers market’ of pm’s and especially us mint coins.
    Sour Apples? I don’t think so. Add them to the (potentially) lower mintage sl and wl’s and one is sure to have a nice, and affordable series.
    I remember back in the very early 60’s before I began buying coins (my first a set of unc steel cents) we collected trolls, manufactured by a norwegian (?) compay “Dam”, my favorite was a troll donkey, or a** as I’d call it when out of earshot of my folks.

  8. Dave C says

    Mint should have to guarantee in acceptable uncirculated condition from the mint for these special commemerative coins if not produced as proof. Take a look at your other uncirculated coins of prescious metal you get from the mint, not just the bullion which by the way is generally excellent in my opinion. Known problems at the mint should prevent first sale, Maybe a 67-68 should be minimum ship criteria. Shipping or handling or other problems discovered from the mint causing returns should not be offered again from the mint. .

    By the way, Hillary is a known bad actor, distrusted by many and her political ways understood by many more. I’m thinking about backing the non-politician in this case.

  9. calvin says

    I stopped buying USA mint products(mostly proof coinage) due to excessive struck through lines from lint..VERY distracting and obnoxious(kinda like me)…I’m curious what condition these have arrived in…the usual mint answer is “within specs”…maybe fine for some, but, I want blemish-free coins.
    Makes me wonder if the big shots order hundreds, if not thousands of silver proof and clad proof sets, JUST to cherry pick the gems, and return 70% of the order. Does the Mint accept large returns on an ongoing basis, or, would they shut that buyer down, anyone know?
    If true, seems like a very easy way to cherry coins for sending in for grading, with minimal 69’s.
    The mint literally needs to “clean up” it’s act, and review the rooms where dies are pressed and the vacuum equipment, IMHO, a total failure.

  10. Give Me Da Money Plz says

    @ Barry and Dave C

    I will never vote for Hillary because of her secret friends in the globalist elite, including but not limited to, George Soros, Rothschild, the Ford Foundation, and Goldman Sachs.

    I would like to see Ron Paul as Secretary of the Treasury if he (Trump) can win in November.

    For those of you who support Hillary, keep on drinking the Kool-Aid.

  11. Jerry Diekmann says

    Just FYI, the price of the tribute dime is about the same price that you can buy a superior proof Winged Liberty Head dime for in years 1940 to 1942. The fact that the tribute dime was not going to be issued in silver or in proof was the reason I purchased the proofs of this time for these three years (the least expensive of the proof dimes). They are very beautiful coins.

    I also bought proofs of the Walking Liberty half dollars for the same years. Although they cost about twice as much, or a little more, as the proof dimes, their prices are a lot less than the gold tribute half dollar will sell for later this year. And these proofs are really very beautiful. Adolph Weinman did a simply superior job in creating these designs, and they have been admired since the day they were first put into circulation 100 years ago. That is what you call classic, and classy, coins.

  12. NcCoinCollector says

    I am hoping for a surprise offering with the Reagan coin and chronicles as it will bookend the FDR. Maybe a bronze medal?
    No idea Eisenhower is the lowest mintage. Thanks @cagcrisp

  13. Give Me Da Money Plz says

    @ NcCoinCollector

    I would also like to have something extra in the 2016 Ronald Reagan Coin & Chronicles Set.

    But regardless if they include something extra or not I will be ready at 8:59 a.m. on the day of release because I have been lucky enough to get all of the previous releases.

  14. gary says

    @SilverFan… the 2 gold Mercury I returned to the Mint were overall poor quality (coin, capsule, wood box)

  15. says

    What fool would return a poor quality gold mercury dime back to the mint, it be smarter to sell it for a few dollar profit, that what I did with mine and I made a $40 profit.

  16. So Krates says

    For all that believe we should live in a free country, Donald Trump has used and supports expanded government use of eminent domain. For those who are unaware, this is a process by which a government (local, county, state of federal) can seize private property (land) and use it to benefit the public good. While traditionally this meant taking homes and businesses to make way for highways, schools, etc. (public uses), imminent domain has now expanded into taking private property and giving it to other private owners to develop shopping malls, nicer developments, or in Donald’s case, a PARKING LOT FOR A CASINO. He fought for years to have the Atlantic City government illegally seize an old widow’s home who refused to sell to him. When asked he defends his actions and claims that government taking property from one citizen and giving it to a corporation is perfectly fine. This is not a conservative principal. In fact it is unconstitutional and UNAMERICAN.

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/08/19/donald-trumps-abuse-of-eminent-domain/

    “For more than 30 years Vera Coking lived in a three-story house just off the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. Donald Trump built his 22-story Trump Plaza next door. In the mid-1990s Trump wanted to build a limousine parking lot for the hotel, so he bought several nearby properties. But three owners, including the by then elderly and widowed Ms Coking, refused to sell.

    As his daughter Ivanka said in introducing him at his campaign announcement, Donald Trump doesn’t take no for an answer.

    Trump turned to a government agency – the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) – to take Coking’s property….

    Peter Banin and his brother owned another building on the block. A few months after they paid $500,000 to purchase the building for a pawn shop, CRDA offered them $174,000 and told them to leave the property. A Russian immigrant, Banin said: “I knew they could do this in Russia, but not here. I would understand if they needed it for an airport runway, but for a casino?””

  17. Buzz Killington says

    @SK —

    You will not necessarily find me as the greatest defender of Donald Trump, but the arguments about eminent domain don’t fit neatly into a conservative vs. liberal framework. Even in cases where eminent domain is proper, you always have the right to a jury trial to get fair compensation for your property that is taken. Trump is right that property owners often do very well when their property is taken by eminent domain.

    Vera Coking, as it happens, turned down $1 million for this house from Bob Guiccione, when he was trying to build a Penthouse casino, which was never built. After the efforts to keep this house from Trump were successful, she tried to sell the property for $5 million, but had no takers. The property was eventually sold at auction for a little more than half a million, and may not be worth that today given the state of Atlantic City.

    The Pawn Shop brothers ended up with $1.6 million. Not too shabby.

  18. Buzz Killington says

    By the way, on Vera Coking specifically, the local press reported that Donald Trump offered her $2 million for this house, which she declined. It is a good example of bulls making money, and bears making money, but hogs getting slaughtered.

    She was not some poor old unsophisticated widow (it was a boardinghouse, by the way), she was trying to squeeze money out of Donald Trump, but she overplayed her hand.

  19. Dave SW FL says

    Please do not turn this blog into the Donald Trump (or Hillary Clinton) Network.

    Could we focus on SOMETHING coin related, PLEASE.

    And, yes, I know they used coins in the casinos back then.

  20. Louis says

    I agree with Dave. Folks here are obviously sharply divided, as the country is, and there are plenty of other places for such discussion.

  21. LurkingTroll says

    Since it is a US Mint News Blog; why are only two upcoming product release dates listed on the Mint’s Product Schedule page?
    Asleep at the Wheel was a decent band, but is a horrible business & costumer service model.

  22. MikeinPA says

    @Dave&Louis my thoughts exactly, I read this blog to hear/learn about coins not political feelings

  23. Louis says

    KSCO posted my article, which I assume was to stimulate some discussion. I need to get out as we have had 12 straight days of rain and clouds, and the sun has come up finally.

  24. MarkInFlorida says

    We could easily list much worse things that Hillary has done than eminent domain, but how about let’s just stick with coins here, and post that stuff elsewhere.

  25. Jeff says

    Infedilous that’s who you look up to, let’s all just over look this common core ideology. Let get back to coin talk and what could be if all the stars were aligned and Tom cared about collectors.

  26. Hidalgo says

    @Louis – I agree that this blog should focus on discussions about coins and numismatic products. However, it would be difficult to separate them from politics since they, and the laws that determine our coinage, are an output of the political process.

    Dan, it would be great if we could have a full time monitor for this blog. There are other forums where others can exercise their freedom of speech. What do you think Dan?

  27. Joe#2 says

    People can complain all they want, But i think the gold Mercury is a beautiful coin.
    This should be a nice 3 coin series. Looking forward to the quarter… Great job U.S. Mint. Great packaging as well.. 🙂

  28. Mint News Blog says

    Hidalgo, I hear you. I check the comments more-or-less hourly, and my goal is for people to express themselves freely, but on the other hand I want people to know that they can visit the site and not be bombarded with all the political messages they’re hearing elsewhere. The Internet has plenty of other forums for that, as you’ve said; as we move toward the election I’ll be working to keep things positive and (reasonably) coin-focused. Thanks to you and everyone else for making our comment section so lively and insightful. — Dan

  29. So Krates says

    @ Buzz K. – All excellent points, as usual. I’d respond but it seems when deeper issues of Liberty and Freedom are explored even slightly many here get their panties in a bunch.

    I would say that eminent domain in it’s current form and the Gold Confiscation Executive Order are similar forms of the same government tyranny.

  30. So Krates says

    Just met a guy who started collecting a year ago. He’s real gung-ho and has got a few collections going. Morgans, Peace, Mercury dimes (WHL for anyone with a fetish 😉 ), WL halves, ASEs, and he wants to start on Ikes. I was talking to him about low mintage coins and mentioned the FS series and he had NO IDEA what the hell I was talking about. Had to whip out the Red Book and show him some ugly mugs. Just another anecdote about the lack of love for the FS….

  31. earthling says

    LOL

    First Spouse Gold ! What a concept.

    No one loves the Coins , you need to sometimes wonder if anyone even loved the actual Ladies. I mean look back through history and all you see are mistresses and slutinskis from Sally Henning to Monika Lewinski.

    If ever there is a low mintage decided upon, then the actual Coins themselves will probably not command any respect in the market. Instead it will be about which rare label is in which TPG Slab.

    I suspect these FS Coins will never rise able the bullion category. But in todays moderns market that’s about as good as it gets.

  32. Felson says

    Louis on the breast cancer coin the only question is going to be the design on the reverse and will it be worth the money. You article already has the obverse design emblazoned on it. I seldom buy gold coins and a coin for a cause isn’t exactly my cup of tea. I give to the United Way in each paycheck.

  33. Dustyroads says

    cagcrisp~~If you didn’t do well today I’m going to be upset with you!!

  34. Buzz Killington says

    @SK —

    Thinking about the First Spouse gold coins, which I actually do love to do, I am sure they are not the WORST investment vehicle sold my the Mint.

    You could have lost a much higher percentage of your investment dollar by buying proof and mint sets from the 1970s through the 1990s at issue price.

    In general, the maxim that issues that sell poorly from the Mint do better in the coming years holds true. But since one has to be SO well-heeled to afford a set of First Spouses, I’m not so sure in this case. I do alright for myself, but I can’t afford to tie up that much money on gambling over the FSes, even though there is a lot to like about them, particularly the unique reverse on each.

    I heard Jerry Seinfeld being interviewed by Howard Stern, and he said something interesting: “When you have a lot of money, the appeal of buying things disappears.” It is easy to imagine how this is true, and a big category of people who could afford a full set of FS coins just won’t be interested. But at the same time, if you are collecting coins solely as an investment strategy, you are making a tremendous mistake.

  35. Goat says

    Them two moved well on the track hope all did good on this race. 6.50 win good call.

    So Krates ; poor advertisement over many years for the first spouse some day people well wake up and notice they missed the boat and be like your new collector that can’t wait for the next coin. 2500 or less pieces will bring short supply hope for the high demand. Just like horse racing sometimes they come in.

  36. earthling says

    Has anyone here ever commented on that Pogue guy? I forget his name , maybe H. Jeffrey Pogue? Anyway during the easy money years, his sport was beating down the competition over the “bestest Coins ” at auction. Was it really about collecting the Coins or just being King of the Hill?

    Well whatever his reasons, here he is dumping off his Coins like a kid in 2009, at the end of the State Quarters Program.

    He coulda collected vintage Ferraris and Maseratis. But nooooooo , he wanted rainbow colored old coins.

  37. MarkInFlorida says

    Hidalgo, I nominate you for full time monitor. There’s no salary, but you can keep all the tips you get.

  38. earthling says

    The best and most highly motivated monitor would be a US Mint employee. Maybe even a retiree from the US Mint.

  39. So Krates says

    There is no need for a monitor. Dan already exercises more than enough control over content in a timely fashion. Some are looking for a solution where there is no problem. The OT comments complaining about OT comments seem more numerous and far less interesting than the original OT comments.

  40. So Krates says

    Although they are different animals, my mind is often drawn to a comparison of the First Spouse coins to the American Arts series. We are almost four decades out from the release of the unpopular (at the time and now) A.A. “postal” medallions and the low mintages seem to have had zero influence on prices. I think all ten gold pieces trade as bullion (or worse, lol). There was a dealer just a few years back who made a valiant effort to make a market in this “rare” American gold bullion but has since thrown in the towel as the interest was just too sparse. I would urge all to read about the series as the medallion’s subjects, the modifications mid-series, and even the way they needed to be ordered through the USPS with a time stamped gold spot quote are quite interesting.

  41. gatortreke says

    Since we’re talking about series with low mintages, I’m interested in hearing what those here think of collecting the silver medals from the Coin & Chronicles sets. I realize these aren’t official coins but they are standard ASE size and much more affordable than gold issues. Given their low mintages, I wonder how much in demand they might be to future collectors. It is these silver medals that attracted me to the C&C sets, not the reverse proof dollars that prompted so much talk.

  42. cagcrisp says

    @Dustyroads, I was responsible for several tickets being cashed because of Nyquist. I do this Every year and going with me is quite the experience. I gave away a winning superfecta ticket for $542.10. I misread the tote board and thinking it was worth $1,084.20 (for $2 while I only had a $1 ticket) and I didn’t want to got to an IRS window, it was just easier to give the ticket to someone that doesn’t have the tax problems I have .

    Anything less than $600 I cash and anything greater than $600 I try to avoid…

  43. Buzz Killington says

    @SK —

    The American Arts series is indeed another odd-ball situation. You had to be super committed to order them in the first place, and of course they are medals, not coins. If you try to find a set of these (I think they were made for only 4-5 years) you will have quite a difficult time, but due to the lack of demand, when they are encountered you can pick them up for close to melt sometimes. Other times, they are held by hypesters, who peddle them as rare American masterpieces about to make a comeback.

    If you want to talk about unpopularity, I would say that the American Arts series is even less known than the First Spouses, but with time, knowledge about the First Spouse series may dwindle down to almost nothing as well.

    Although some would like us to believe that the American Arts mintage was largely melted, the mintage numbers are quite high. That is the major difference with the First Spouses, which will be demonstrably low mintage, and likely low demand, as opposed to the American Arts series, being medals, where the survival rate is assumed to be low, but this isn’t known for sure.

  44. Jerry Diekmann says

    Speaking of FS coins, just because a coin has a limited mintage does not in itself mean that it is going to be a good investment. It all depends on the demand for the coin. I agree with some other bloggers that the FS coins may never be worth more than bullion, but if gold increases in value, they may prove to have been a good investment. But it will be solely due to the price of gold, not the numismatic value of the coins featuring the wives of presidents, who with few exceptions, did nothing really notable to warrant their inclusion on a coin. But that could also be said for about half the presidents too.

  45. Dustyroads says

    cagcrisp, That was exciting, I had my hands up in the air. Good times..

  46. earthling says

    Jerry

    Yes, no doubt if Gold climbs in value then the lowly FS will climb regardless if it’s the first babe Martha Washington or the historical hottie Dolly Madison. But rather than waste time on fugly lumps of Gold why not go with a true classic , like a Buffalo Proof. Regardless of the higher mintage, the Buffalos will always have a demand higher than most of the First Spouse beauties.

    Of course if you had a large position in the low mintage Spouses…. you’d probably have reason to have a smile on your face. THE low mintage modern will always be hot. Just look at that Jackie Robinson BU. Not much demand as a new issue. Maybe not much demand from a majority of collectors but still…. a great Coin , if you have it.

  47. So Krates says

    @ Gatortreke – I like the silver medals from the Coin & Chronicles set also. They have a nice clean look to them and the .999 is preferred. I bought the HH limit on the last four sets and tried (and failed) for a few 70s and kept them all. I’m not sure about price appreciation prospects but the PM content in the medal will always provide a floor for the sets. I understand not denominating a medal but a weight and purity stamp would have been great. That’s basically what they did in the middle of the American Arts series.

    @ Buzz Killington – The FS has a clear advantage between these two unloved gold series. As you say, they are after all, coins – and the populations are more certain. Of course you have to take the hypesters figures with a grain of sand, but despite the lack of firm survival numbers even you noted how difficult it would be to assemble a set of these American Arts. I think a substantial percentage were melted.

    For all you stackers out there, like the FS gold, if you can buy these at spot or even +$10/ oz and you are buying gold bullion anyway, they are a nice alternative with some remote potential for numismatic appreciation. You can routinely get nicer, rarer, more interesting 1/2 ounce AA and FS coins for less FRNs than boring common date AGEs. That’s for a long term buy and hold. If you need to sell anytime in the forseeable future you’ll most likely get beat up a bit at your LCS no matter how hard you try to convince them of the rarity of that John Steinbeck or that your Willa Cather was hard to locate with box and papers. If you are a prompt cash buyer with discipline you can often pick up either under melt price.

  48. Give Me Da Money Plz says

    I stopped going to the local coin shops in my area because they only have graded bullion and proof sets that have been taken apart. The store owners know nothing about the coins that they are selling and charge outrageous premiums. One store was selling a “1957 High Relief Peace Dollar.”

  49. mark says

    Coin shops know nothing about the coins they sell…….and how long have they been in business?

  50. cagcrisp says

    I have a friend that does business over FB and has a local shop for the typical ” We buy Gold, Silver and Jewelry” . I have a standing offer with him on FS Gold, I pay 20% Less than Spot.

    i have bought 4 FS coins and that is 4 more than I wish I had and yes Spot Gold is up $100+ since I bought them and I Still wish I didn’t own them…

  51. Dave SW FL says

    Cag,
    Up 25+% on a relatively risk free investment and you wish you didn’t have them? What kind of return and risk/reward are you seeking?
    I will take them off your hands at your cost + the $100 increase in bullion.
    Don’t want you to be burdened, brother😉

  52. cagcrisp says

    It is Remarkable to me that pricing has held as well as it has on the 2016 Winged Liberty head dimes. One major bay player has raised prices for OGP two times in the past week. $5 per raise. Currently selling @ $279.00.

    Remarkable pricing strength considering Over 3,000 coins have been Sold on the bay since launch…

  53. gary says

    Just got an email from Paypal giving notice as of June 25, 2016 they are dropping Purchase Protection for “Anything purchased from or an amount paid to a government agency”. It would seem then that if using a Paypal credit card any purchases made from the U.S. Mint or their retail stores will not have buyer protection for the payments made to the Mint and for any Mint products.

  54. Alex in MA says

    What happened to 2015 Platinum Eagle? I found only 3 for sale on eBay. Maybe I am looking in wrong place.

  55. smalltimecollector says

    cagcrisp says

    May 8, 2016 at 11:01 am

    …….
    “Remarkable pricing strength considering Over 3,000 coins (2015 AU Mercs) have been Sold on the bay since launch…”

    I attribute it to design familiarity, favorable economics and price point.

  56. smalltimecollector says

    Re: some of these newer mint offerings in general.
    Had I bought into fs, and many of the other modern commem’s I would be watching gold prices and off the moderns and buy pre 33’s graded or not. (I’m not a flipper and have never sold a single coin).
    I say this as the market is going to be flooded with flippers trying to make a little off these new coins. While the focus is off the more expensive “old” coins I feel some good offerings will emerge.

  57. Billy the Kid says

    First spouse coins are lovely.

    I have learned more about US History from watching the First Spouse TV series. We also enjoy visiting the homes of Presidents. Last week I went to Quincy, Ma. and visited three homes that the Adams lived in.
    John Quincy Adams was an interesting historical figure in American politics too.

    When I was at the Adams home in 1976 we actually saw Queen Elizabeth taking the historic tour there.
    My wife and I will visit the Reagan and Nixon libraries and homes this summer in California and the Texas home of President Johnson. Remember, Mrs. Johnson was largely responsible for our national US highway beautification programs and the many blue bell flowers planted through out Texas.

    All the coins of the first ladies are very meaningful to us, way beyond their monitory value.

    The Kid

  58. Barry says

    Would anyone disagree that the presidents should have been minted in gold rather than the spouses. They would have sold a lot more coins on name recognition alone. I know I would have bought a few vs none.

  59. GoldFishin says

    @Barry- I would have been purchaser of a 24K gold Presidents series just for the historical value, at least for the first 1/2 dozen or so…after that probably just the ones that appealed to me.

    @Alex in MA- There are not a lot of OGP 2015 Pt Proofs available on Ebay(only seven)…most of the coins offered are graded.I have been tracking sales since the coin was first offered. Secondary market pricing has remained at nearly the same levels since the coin was first offered, with very little drop off. The 2015 Platinum Proof is probably the best US Mint purchase I made in the last three years…..a nice design and 1 oz of Platinum for $1200, with the spot price now around $1080.

  60. cagcrisp says

    This video was a presentation concerning $3,053,338 being paid out by the US Mint to the US Marshal Museum. The speaker on the video is Rep Steve Womack of Arkansas and in the back is Sen John Boozeman of Arkansas.

    Steve Womack was the main sponsor of the bill and it was his office that I called concerning the Mint’s distribution of the 3 coin set early in the Launch cycle.

    http://swtimes.com/news/millions-coin-sales-presented-marshals-museum-project-video

  61. fmtransmitter says

    Eddie says
    MAY 7, 2016 AT 2:58 PM

    Besides neither Donald or Hillary strike me caring about coin collecting.

    Hey, not so fast!

    Eddie says
    MAY 7, 2016 AT 2:58 PM

    Besides neither Donald or Hillary strike me caring about coin collecting.

  62. Joe#2 says

    Anyway, I see no reason why the 2016 gold Mercury shouldn’t hold it’s value as well as go up in price. The coin is an icon. 100 years in the making. (According to the U S. Mint). Collectors can appreciate, And flippers couldn’t give a rats asss..

  63. NcCoinCollector says

    I think we did not see president dollars in Gold for many of the same reasons the gold sacagaweas were melted, potential for fraud.

  64. says

    I ordered a full set of the Trump coins, of special interest was the gold proof coin described as:
    The Gold Trump Proof Double Split Piedfort is a unique coin structure with three planches: half ounce .9999 fine gold planchet on the bottom, gold clad one ounce .999 silver planchet in the center and a half ounce .9999 fine gold planchet on top.

    trumpdollar.us

  65. Joe#2 says

    The Jackie K. Is the best First Spouse coin in proof Imo… They did a great likeness to her.

  66. Give Me Da Money Plz says

    @ mark

    I do not recall how long all of the shops in my area have been in business but I do remember hearing one store owner admit that she knows nothing about the coins she is selling and that she just takes whatever the guy offers her and that he knows everything about them.

  67. Sith says

    @Barry – That was not the intent, they were attempting to use that name recognition so people would buy the presidential dollars series. The FS coins were to complement that series. Sure, you would obviously connect better with the presidents, but I think it was just the scale of the series that killed it. As Louis put it back a few years back, if they only made them 1/4 ounces rather than 1/2 ounces. Then add the unattractiveness of some of the coins. Even when they first came out and spot was only about $900 per oz, it would have been expensive.

  68. EvilFlipper says

    I wonder how many got returned for those copper spots on them. My buddy ordered 10 and five had them. He had to send coins because of eBay sale but said he would have returned them to the mint if not for that. Does the mint destroy or resell those? That’s bad quality control.

  69. Buzz Killington says

    @SK —

    I am all about locking up unusual issues in my Safety Deposit Box, where they will hopefully never see the light of day again. The long play, as you say.

    One advantage that the American Arts series has over the FS is that it is accessible to complete. You can, with patience, pick up a full set for less premium than the same amount of Gold in AGE form. But when I say patience, I mean probably years. I have never found packaging for any AA medals other than Mark Twain, and as you say, Willa Cather. The first year was just in styrofoam, and the last years were just dumped to a distributor with no packaging at all. If I am wrong about this, I would love to know.

    I fail to see the drawback of picking up FS gold at close to melt, unless you don’t think you should be buying gold at all…. and maybe you shouldn’t be. But like you, I am in it for the long. long term, so I try not to dwell on my mistakes. I considered buying $10,000 of Sirius when it was 11 cents per share. But I was too chicken to do it, and it is hard to forget when I heard it was back above $4.

    Likewise, I think one-off pieces, like last year’s HR gold, and this year’s gold 1916 tributes, are also worth picking up for the novelty factor. I would rather than these all day over AGEs.

  70. Mark Rex says

    https://youtu.be/leddCQMdw8I

    can you guys please give me your thoughts on my video? I apologize in advance I was only able to upload in SD and not HD due to lack of Wifi at home. These will be the first coins I will send in for grading – our 20 gold Mercury Dimes. Under 10x magnification and bright lighting they appear flawless. Hoping to send them out today to be graded but first need to sign up for NGC. Under the $159 plan when you get a $150 credit for grading. Do you get that instantly on your first order / submission or in my coupon or email code sent to you later? On the reverse on most (90%+) there is a noticeable small color change when moving around in light – I’m sure their is a name for it (maybe metal flow but with 24k?). It mostly appears just to NE of the center a couple coins have it W of the center. Could this effect grading? I have revised 70s on eBay and noticed a few like this. Any thought, advice, answers, comments and or tips appreciated. Thanks guy. Also hard to record by myself – finance is blind.

  71. Joe#2 says

    IMO, Once you open the boxes with the coins, It might be difficult in getting 70 grades, But good luck.

  72. Joe#2 says

    These coins should stay in OGP… Buy the coin, NOT the slab.. Beautiful OGP on these…
    Those are 20 beauties… Congrats

  73. Jack says

    Do not use staples to hold the 2x2s closed, NGC will charge a removal fee of $1 per coin when staples are used in packaging.

    The total fees you will pay for your submission assuming you opt for the membership that comes with the $150 credit is $216 ($16×20 grading fee, $8 handling fee, $38 return shipping, minus $150 credit), however you should also opt for the early release designation on your coins, which will cost an extra $15 per coin, which increases the cost by $300 to bring the total to cost to $516. You will also need to factor in the cost of the $150 credit. You paid $149 for the membership that gave you that credit, so your total cost will be $516 plus $149, which equals $665.

    Also if you are going to sell any on eBay, please do not list them for below $399.99, the more sellers that list them for lower than that will cause other sellers to lower their own prices to try to beat them, lowering the value of the coin. We are fortunate that at this time the major dealers such as modern coin mart, silvertowne, etc, have not lowered their prices below $399.99 for a 70.

  74. Scott says

    I attended a local coin show over the weekend and several dealers were selling the new gold dimes at $275-300 in OGP. The first one I looked at had a noticeable scratch near “L” on the obv. and the detail on these coins is lousy when compared to the original Mercury dime. The mint should have done better.

  75. Joe#2 says

    Depending on the gold Mercs you received i see mixed reviews. I ordered 1 and it looks fine. I didn’t check for finning because i looked at mine before people called attention to it and i put mine away already. If mine has finning, That’s fine, I think it’s cool anyway. The Mint overall in my opinion did a good job on these. I saw all the unboxings, And all looked good, That of course if yours were the one(s) without issues.

  76. cagcrisp says

    2016 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – SHAWNEE 16,675 +191
    2016 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – CMBRLND 14,854

  77. cagcrisp says

    2016 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE GOLD PROOF 3,299 +39
    2016 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE GOLD UNC 2,579 +55
    2016 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SILVER PROOF 36,538 +1,126
    2016 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SILVER UNC 14,130 +236
    2016 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CLAD PROOF 25,926 +420
    2016 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CLAD UNC 13,528 +192
    2016 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 3-COIN SET 10,901 +179
    2016 MARK TWAIN GOLD PROOF 11,505 +34
    2016 MARK TWAIN GOLD UNC 5,078 +21
    2016 MARK TWAIN SILVER PROOF 60,020 +503
    2016 MARK TWAIN SILVER UNC 22,289 +81

  78. cagcrisp says

    2016 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1 OZ 12,825 +212
    2016 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ 2,867 +39
    2016 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/4 OZ 3,744 +109
    2016 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/10 OZ 11,094 +333
    2016 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 4-COIN SET 9,627 +1,164
    2016 AM EAGLE GOLD UNC 1 OZ 4,739 +428
    2016 AM BUFFALO GOLD PROOF 1 OZ 14,945 +108

  79. cagcrisp says

    2016 FS GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ – NIXON 2,052 +35
    2016 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – NIXON 1,204 +25
    2016 FS GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ – FORD 1,678 +55
    2016 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – FORD 1,046 +46

    2015 FS GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ – TRUMAN 2,473 +9
    2015 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – TRUMAN 1,724 +4
    2015 FS GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ – EISENHWR 2,704 +5
    2015 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – EISENHWR 1,800 +8
    2015 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – KENNEDY 6,062+12
    2015 FS GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ – JOHNSON 2,470 +4
    2015 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – JOHNSON 1,604 +3

    2014 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – HARDING 1,895 +3
    2014 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – COOLIDGE 1,923 +4
    2014 FS GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ – HOOVER 2,392 0
    2014 FS GOLD UNC 1/2 OZ – HOOVER 1,872 +3

  80. baldwin says

    I just picked up my Gold Mercury Dimes at UPS. Typical mint packaging in the box but they were undamaged. The coins themselves are perfect with no finning or other visible defects.

  81. So Krates says

    @ Mark Rex/Mark Hall – I’d get some stickers and number them and stick them right on the capsules and send in like that. Forget the 2x2s. I think you can enclose a note or check off a box on the form if you want them to return the capsules. Don’t know if the coupon applies to your first submission at NGC but at PCGS it can only be applied to certain categories and tiers – not a blanket credit toward any service. You Tube viewers might understand you better if you turned off the TV and spoke up a bit, but overall a decent vid. Thank you. Oh and I get a chuckle every time you refer to your wife as “finance” haha

    You should sell for whatever price you’d like. Ignore Comrade Jack’s pleas for collusion/price fixing and feel free to undercut the big boys.

  82. cagcrisp says

    @Jack “Also if you are going to sell any on eBay, please do not list them for below $399.99, the more sellers that list them for lower than that will cause other sellers to lower their own prices to try to beat them, lowering the value of the coin. We are fortunate that at this time the major dealers such as modern coin mart, silvertowne, etc, have not lowered their prices below $399.99 for a 70.”

    What you are suggesting is a form of price fixing and price fixing on ANY level is Almost always illegal according to US laws.

    Why not let the Market determine what your coin is worth without resorting to collusion between bay sellers?

    As I’ve said Many times there is only Greed and Fear that moves markets. Jack’s post demonstrates both. Greed that I bought a coin for $205 + shipping, got it graded and now “I” (emphasis on I) want to set an Arbitrary price of $399.99 so “I” can benefit and the Fear that someone else will set Another Arbitrary price below mine and I will Not be able to get all the Greed that I originally intended to get.

  83. Sith says

    Is it just me, or are the Mercury sales\numbers starting to look like the Kennedy’s sales\numbers?

  84. So Krates says

    @ longarm – After seeing your comment I read the interesting Double Split Gold Piedfort Story By Bernard von NotHaus – Monetary Architect here:

    https://www.trumpdollar.us/proof-gold-trump-dollar-set.html

    Did you actually order a set? I see that at $2450 you can deduct say, $100 for the two ounces of silver, plus the copper and case, etc., and come out with an ounce of gold for $2350. A bit steep IMO. If you don’t mind me asking, was it just a case of buy what you like and you got it like that…or do you see these rounds greatly appreciating for specific reasons.

    One of my better finds was a 2004 NorFed Piedfort that always impresses me when I take it out to be fondled. I bought it at spot in a LCS a few years ago and it has done quite well

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-NORFED-20-PIEDMONT-TWO-OUNCE-COIN-999-FINE-SILVER-VERY-RARE-SERIAL-00490-/322101265761?hash=item4afebb4561:g:qWQAAOSw~oFXLwKE

    I wonder if Buzz Killington has any BVNH/NorFed type stuff in his dark Safety Deposit Box of Oddities?

  85. data dave says

    Thanks cagcrisp for the new sale figures. On the proof side, at current rates of sales it will take Nixon 8 weeks to exceed Coolidge (currently the lowest in the clubhouse with 2315), and Ford 12 weeks to exceed this threshold. On the UNC side, it will take Lady Bird Johnson 94 weeks to exceed Roosevelt (currently the lowest at 1886), which I don’t see happening. We will see how fast Nixon and Ford close the gap on Johnson but I would bet on one of these three to be the lowest mintage UNC FS coin.

    Will Nancy even come close to Jacqueline?

  86. cagcrisp says

    Earlier today I posted the Sales numbers for the 4 coin AGE set of 9,627 +1,164. That’s a hard number to reconcile. The other AGE Sales numbers sure would Not indicate the validity of a +1,164. IF that number is Correct, then total Sales for the 4 coin set is 97.1% of total sales for 2015. Again that’s a hard number to reconcile. IF the sales number is not adjusted tomorrow, you have to start thinking about just how many the Mint has before this offering is pulled.

    An accurate Sales number of 9,627 has Already exceed entire years sales for 2014 (and the 4 coin set has only been on sale for 8 weeks while it was offered for 40 weeks in 2014)…

  87. Mark Rex says

    My fiance is not legally my wife although we have been together for 14 years, have 2 children together – Abby aged 3.9 and Andy 2.2 (she will tell you shes 3.9 with her birthday coming up in 27 days lol) and have a mortgage together.

    I plan to keep as many as I can as I got into silver then numismatics shortly before Abby was born. Don’t really trust U.S. currency or the stock market and have been collecting ever since for her and now them both. It has turned into a “collage” account for them and if I do my job right and they get scholarships then it will turn into our “savings” account. In the begaining I was so foolish in hindsight, I got literally hundreds of Young Collectors .Sets (mostly the 1993 Silver Half Dollar set). I started buying when silver was about $35 or so. Functionally the sets have kept most of their value despite the fall in silver although selling now would be a loss. Now I really love 90% junk silver, buying silver proof state quarters for junk prices, 5 oz P pucks and the 5 oz ATB bullion. My fiance went from no vision problems in her life to completely blind within 3 months of giving birth to Abby so income has gone down and expenses has gone up. I have always been legally blind and don’t drive. We started buying this house 5 years ago and always made payments of 150%+ of minimum so we have built up a lot of equality. We live in a very rural area and love it out here except for the part of always being stuck which is getting to be more and more of a bigger problems as our kids age. We only owe about 57k on it now and with some TLC put back into could sell for $125-140k. After she went blind Social Security gave her SSI and after about 1.5 years deem us to be married despite the fact were not and now we owe them money. So, yeah I collect and try to earn some money in the hobby being the evil flipper. Sucks our income was much higher and we could invest a lot more when silver was at $30-$40 but now that its been down to $15-$20 we havent been able to buy as much as the 0% on the cards is over. I hope it says low for a couple years then skyrockets! As for my price point on selling these I probaly wouldnt take less than $400 anyhow. I know the hype has quickly amped up the price and then there is typically a dip then supply/demand determines it long term course and I see a long term increase for this one. I think once the quarter and half comes out the demand for the dimes will see another bounce. The sales total got cut again by 1.5k or so and I really don’t think the mint is going to produce or sell anymore to meet the stated mintage limit and I hope it keeps going down. I am sure their are a lot of rich old folks who desire rolls of these dimes like the 1916 ones and not all only want 1 for their collection. 778 current listing for “2016 gold dime on eBay” now. I havent been keeping track but I recall it being over 900 at one point. Once the weak hands are gone it will be a steady climb up. I don’t think dealers will be a rush to dump either as I think its easy to see the price will increase in the future as supply continues to decline and gold rises over time. Sorry for the long post.

    I talked with NGC today and prepared my coins. USPS picked up a package today and I was hoping to have the NGC shipment ready for my mail lady today but didnt get it done in time. The lady at NGC told me that I could just put the capsules in a ziplock bag with bubble wrap and send them in that way. So, I put the dimes on bubble wrap and sealed them up a couple times then put them into a zip lock bag. It all easily fit into a USPS Small Flat Rate Priority Mail box. I was hoping they would at least allow me to print a label on NGC to send to them to ensure it went to the right address and department but no such option.

    SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
    Want to use my $150 NGC grading credit.
    Quantity Country Date Mint Mark Denomination MSPF Variety Variety Plus Attribution Mint Error Certification Number Per Coin Value Minimum Grade
    20 USA 2016 W 10c SP $250.00
    TOTAL DECLARED VALUE: $5,000.00

    AMOUNT TO BE PAID TO NGC
    Grading Fee: $320.00
    Return Mint Packaging Fee: $3.00 (Wanted my capsules back! lol)
    Special Label/Releases Fee: $300.00
    Handling Fee $8.00
    Shipping Fee * $38.00
    Coupons Included: No
    TOTAL DUE: $669.00

    It noted that I my $150 credit would be applied and not billed. So paid $668 total for membership for a year, these 20 coins to be graded and to be shipped back to me. I firgure it will cost me about $15 to ship my coins to them once I confirm their address. So all in $683 or $34.15 per coin. The coins from the US Mint were ($2054.95×2)/20 = $205.50 and with grading comes to $239.15 or so. Hoping to get 17 70s – although honestly they all looked perfect as I examined them for hours until many different lighting conditions.

    There are several listing that have that effect I was referring to on the reverse that graded 70 but here is the first one I came to in a quick search.
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/141981342552
    See the different color spotness to the right, that is what most of my coins have under certain lighting. Does anyone know what this called or why this is? Think it would effect grade in any way? It would seem not but Im too new to grading and trying to learn as fast as possible. Do any of your coins have this as well? Our orders were received about a week apart and it appears pretty common.

    One more thing, how did these people and or dealers get the First Day of Release labels? Like how is that possible? I thought the Mint stores no longer sold products with household limits? What were the requirements to get this label. The prices are ridiculously and may have to max out some credit cards for the quarter to make some money if there a way for the little poor man to do it. lol

  88. So Krates says

    @ Mark Rex – Great post, please make sure to let us know the results.

  89. cagcrisp says

    Those that keep up with bay sales numbers. Some things have changed recently. Before, the bay would only list a sale as a”sold listing” once all items for sale within the same listing have all sold (List 3 items it only shows as completed once All 3 sold). Currently IF 1 items sells, it is listed as “sold listing” with 2 items left.

    IF this continues it 1. is more timely and 2. makes tracking a little harder because you have to look at sales dates more closely…

  90. says

    @So Krates

    Yes I did get the set because I liked it (a oz of gold and an oz of silver in one coin) and it was profit from selling 8 gold Mercs for $2400, my monthly budget is just over 2 grand so thats only alittle over a months worth for me anyway and what the heck, I like Trump.

  91. Jerry Diekmann says

    Earthling – yes, I agree with you that the gold Buffalo proof or uncirculated coins are clearly superior to the FS coins. I did buy one FS proof – that of Jacqueline Kennedy, because I grew up during those Camelot years. I would have preferred to have bought the coin in silver, but that never happened, and one FS coin is just fine with me – I consider it as a “type set” memento.. I would also have liked to have bought a Eleanor Roosevelt FS coin, but I could only afford to get one gold coin.

  92. Jerry Diekmann says

    cagcrisp – thanks for the mintage numbers for the MT and NPS coins. They look to be losers for the Mint, but maybe the low mintages will mean they are worth more sometime in the far future, or if gold spikes.

  93. Eddie says

    I just received my Cumberland Gap P puck. I was putting it up and got my gold Mercury dime out…..it looked so small.

  94. Eddie says

    I am wondering if I still want to get the SLQ. It’s going to be a little smaller than the gold BHoF coin.

  95. Jack says

    To those who responded to my previous comment about not selling for less than $400:

    The problem with the modern coin reselling market is the sellers that cave in and lower their prices after they get their credit card bills. If you cannot afford you float your coin purchase for longer than the grace period on your credit card you should not be flipping coins and you should reevaluate your decision to purchase more than the amount of coins you wanted for your personal collection. Remember that eBay will always side with the buyer, and if you are depending on the money from your sale to pay bills, remember that the buyer can easily take their money back, and keep your coin. Just making a general statement, not directing this towards anyone in particular.

    The buyers would pay over $300 for an ungraded merc, and $400 for a 70. At one time PCGS 70s were selling for $500. Now ungraded coins are selling in the mid to high $200 range, NGC 70s are selling in the high $300s, and PCGS 70s, which generally carry a premium over NGC, are selling for approximately the price of an NGC 70, high $300s. What causes the price decrease is the sellers that cannot afford to float their purchases and therefore lower their prices.

  96. Felson says

    Jack what causes the decrease is the lack of demand at the higher price point.

  97. HB Guy says

    @cagcrisp – Would you mind posting the website where you post your US mint data? Thanks!

  98. cagcrisp says

    @HB Guy, it’s from an excel spreadsheet from the US Mint website. Usually on Mondays there is an excel spreadsheet and on Tuesday by 5:00 ET numbers are posted in a non excel spreadsheet . Numbers that I have listed are subject to change tomorrow . For the past month the excel spreadsheet has matched every item completely.
    To access the numbers I have posted go to the bottom of the US Mint website on the right bottom and find Production & Sales and then Numismatic Products: Cumulative Sales and then click on the Download all the data to date in XLS format. The excel spreadsheet is large and once opened scroll to the bottom of the page to get the latest date, which in this case would be 050816

  99. data dave says

    The method cagcrisp describes works fine but is very slow! I very much appreciate the fact that he posts the highlights on this blog!

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