Here's one you don't see everyday...In 1994, the US Mint struck a three-coin commemorative program for the World Cup soccer (football) tournament. The coins were sponsored by (and financially benefited) World Cup 1994, Inc.
The coins were incorporated into a large variety of special packaging options, most involving the Copper-Nickel (CuNi) Clad Half Dollar and/or Silver Dollar. (I've previously discussed and illustrated many of these - check 'em out if you have an interest:
Commems Collection.) But US packaging selections were not the only option for the coins.
The Mint sold over 40,000 uncirculated CuNi half dollars to bulk purchasers; the coins were shipped only in capsules. It seems highly likely that thousands of these bulk coins made their way to Japan for custom packaging by the
American Dream Club marketers.
The
American Dream Club was a marketing and distribution program that was sponsored by Japanese companies that promoted collectible coins; it was most active in the 1970s and 1980s - it does not appear to be active any longer. The objective of the "Club" was to promote coin collecting among dedicated and casual collectors. It was not a physical club, like a local coin club, but more of a remote organization rhat promoted a sense of exclusivity for its members (think Franklin Mint Collector's Society). Members received mailings with special offers for coins and/or other collectibles .
In the case of the coin shown here, the Itochu Corporation, a large Japanese Trading and Investment Company with dealings in textiles, machinery, metals and minerals, energy and chemicals, real estate, finance and miscellaneous other products purchased a group of the coins from
American Dream Club, added its own corporate label, and then used the coin packages as promotional items to promote good will among its business partners and clients.
Note: Itochu Corporation is not a direct manufacturer of the products it works with, but rather a company that supports resource development, manufacturing processes, distribution channel processes and retail applications of such products.The coin package shown here consists of two components: outer sleeve and inner coin holder.
American Dream Club/Itochu Corporation World Cup Coin Holder - Outer Sleeve
American Dream Club/Itochu Corporation World Cup Coin Holder - Inner Coin Holder
The outer sleeve features illustrations of a proof version of the 1994 World Cup Half Dollar (obverse on the front of the sleeve, reverse on the back). Also featured is the World Cup USA 1994 logo and the labels "World Cup USA 1994 Commemorative Coins" and "Half-Dollar Clad Coin (Uncirculated) in English and Japanese; the labels appear on the front and back of the sleeve. Red, white and Blue are the primarily-used colors, befitting the coin's lineage.
The front of the inner coin holder features a photographic image of two players battling for control of the ball; it somewhat corresponds to the coin's obverse image of a single player advancing the ball. The Itochu Corporation label is seen - it has been affixed over the printed
The American Dream Club. The back of the holder is a bit more playful, featuring a cartoon image of
Striker, the Tournament mascot, along with the coin's specifications.
The American Dream Club name is seen - not covered by an Itochu Corporation label - along with a place for the
Club member to write his/her name. The name and logo of the United States Mint is also included. As seen, the card is inserted into a protective, plastic sleeve that is hole-punched and has a small chain affixed.
I enjoy adding unusual packaging options for US commemorative coins to my collection, so I had to move forward on this one when I came across it.
For more of my stories about commemorative coins and medals, including more on US World Cup commemorative coins, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 07/16/2024 11:33 am
