Personally Feel That RCM Has Sunk The NCLT Hobby

I agree with pretty much everything that has already been stated in this thread.

Unfortunately, as long as people keep buying up these questionable NCLT products from the RCM, they will keep producing them - whether we like it or not, and in great quantities. It seems to me like many of us have already taken the measure of greatly limiting our purchases in order to send a message, but that does not seem to get the RCM's attention.

Perhaps people like us are no longer their primary market?

Maybe this is the case... but who is the "new" target then? Is the strategy to cycle through uneducated purchasers / consumers until they tire of the onslaught of new items with less-and-less relevance to our country, heritage, and history?

"Alienate the brand evangelists" doesn't seem like the most sustainable marketing strategy!

"Maybe this is the case... but who is the "new" target then?"

Seems to me they are trying their hand at appealing to a wide range of people who collect different things - as demonstrated with releases that featured the likes of Looney Tunes, Batman, Superman, Wonderwoman, Star Trek, and Nascar (Nascar for me was the RCM hitting rock bottom).

Occasionally I'll poke around on the US Mint's website, and I must say that I really like how they operate - very straightforward and simple. They have ongoing coin programs and every year you can get new issue Silver Eagle, Gold Eagle, Platinum Eagle, Gold Buffalo / Indian Head, Presidential, Native American dollar, and so on. Of course they also issue commemoratives, but nowhere near as frequent as the RCM and every release is very much tied in with American culture and heritage. Mostly everything is very well designed and nothing gimmicky at all. I hope they stay the course!

but I would prefer 'the mix'

The 'programs' - they actually the thematic subscriptions, that RCM runs, just our mint does them too much and too frequent and themes are ....hmmm.

The "NASCAR" is actually medal / token, that was commissioned.
I assume, RCM frequently strikes something similar (dozens of them each year?), they just do not appear on our market, and if sent externally - nowhere RCM is mentioned.

That's true, but the era is different.
Which NCLT did we have in 1967? Looks like nothing.
Commemorative coins? Few silver Dollars (6 with 1967) and 'V' Nickel and 1951 Nickel.
And suddenly people get all circulation coins in new Anniversary design......this is "The Event"

Nowdays we overfed with everything.
No NCLT is special (too many of "specials").
I believe, RCM will mint some nice and expensive PT and AU coins, but they not for everyone pocket...

Probably, 2017 Silver Set and some un-circulation sets will be the best and significant items.

Everyone collects in different ways, so no matter what RCM does it may not please everyone.

Personally, I am a collector, so I struggle when I decide to collect something and then I find myself unable to be "complete" the project. I would rather not collect it at all.

Example: in World Silver Bullion, there is only one country I have not started collecting. That is Australia. It is simply because of the sheer volume. Most countries have a single or maybe two bullion 1 oz silver choices. Australia has lunar, koala, Kookaburra, crocodile, horse, kangaroo (two types of kangaroo actually), etc.

When it comes to NCLT proof coins, Canada is the same issue for me. If I collect $1 (just an an example), I would want a proof of every single $1...not just the ones I like. Just the collector in me.

I think when you up the volume so high that you have to pick and choose-- some people like me will just choose to opt out.

I do collect Canadian Silver Bullion because it is still manageable. But I am not sure for how long it will remain that way. Maple leaf, now bison, grey wolf...birds of prey, predators, etc...all in plain silver bullion. A few more items get added to the annual releases and I will want to drop Canada off my yearly list entirely, rather than have to just pick some and not others.

Agree with the comment about Australian bullion - but then I only go for the Kookaburra's.
I gave up on RCM bullion due to persistent milk spot issues. I never had a milk spot on any of my Kooks.

In retrospect, in terms of investment value(should I choose to flip)the Kooks are a much better investment even though their initial premiums are a bit higher.

Joeysanders... you wouldn't happen to be an RCM employee, would you? Do you really find the RCM daring? Stamping out coins ad nauseum doesn't fit my definition ...