Commems Collection Classic: Quick Bits #39 - Gettysburg Die Costs

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

Author	Replies: 7 / Views: 1,394
commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12251 Posts	Posted 12/03/2021 10:58 am It has been a standard provision included within Acts that authorized coins of the classic-era of US commemorative coinage that the coins needed to be produced without cost to the Government of the United States. Beginning with the Act that authorized the 1918 Illinois Statehood Centennial Half Dollar, approved coin bills included the following language (or phrasing very similar): "Provided, That the Government shall not be subject to the expense of making the necessary dies and other preparations for this coinage." (Prior Acts had differing language.) I've long wondered what the Mint/Treasury Department charged each coin sponsor for the die preparation - maybe someday I'll take the time to research the financials of all the coin programs to discover the answer. Until then, however... While flipping through the Report of the Pennsylvania Commission for the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, I came across a listing of expenses for the Commission. Included was "Master die for commemorative coins, for U. S. Mint." The listing's cost? $300.00. With a net mintage of 26,900, the amortized die cost was $0.011 per Gettysburg half dollar distributed - roughly just one cent per coin! Very reasonable IMO! It seems likely that the same or a similar fee was charged to other mid-1930s commemorative coin programs, 1936 Battle of Gettysburg 75th Anniversary Half Dollar If you'd like to learn more about the Gettysburg Half Dollar, I have previously posted about the coin: - 1936 Battle Of Gettysburg 75th Anniversary - 1936 Battle of Gettysburg 75th Anniversary - Ephemera - 1936 Battle of Gettysburg 75th Anniversary - Ephemera II - 1936 Battle of Gettysburg 75th Anniversary - House vs. Senate Other of my commemorative coin posts can be quickly accessed here: Commems Collection Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff

Bump111 Pillar of the Community United States 3323 Posts	Posted 12/03/2021 12:45 pm Interesting. I wonder what comparable costs for dies would be today? "Nummi rari mira sunt, si sumptus ferre potes." - Christophorus filius Scotiae Report this Post to the Staff
Coinfrog Bedrock of the Community United States 94367 Posts	Posted 12/03/2021 12:51 pm Once again, most informative. Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 187578 Posts	Posted 12/03/2021 10:29 pm Very interesting! Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
nickelsearcher Moderator United States 15386 Posts	Posted 12/04/2021 07:49 am That strikes me as a very reasonable cost. Annualized inflation since 1936 to today has been 3.52%, resulting in that $300 expense being today's equivalent of $5,662. Fun research project (@commems, are you listening? ) ... what does a 'typical' modern commemorative coin sponsor pay for die design/engraving costs? I wonder what happens to the master die at the conclusion of the coins mintage program? Since the sponsoring organization paid for it they have some standing to claim possession and preservation. Then again, the Mint likely also claims possession due to the legal tender status of the potential additional coins struck. My conjecture is that the mint retains and eventually defaces the master dies, otherwise if released to private ownership we would over time see a few appear on the secondary market and, heaven forbid, occasional restrikes in latter years. Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art Report this Post to the Staff
commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12251 Posts	Posted 12/04/2021 11:22 am Quote: I wonder what comparable costs for dies would be today? Quote: What does a 'typical' modern commemorative coin sponsor pay for die design/engraving costs? Distilling a specific answer for these questions is a bit difficult. First, in the modern program, the sales/distribution model is different from that of the classic era. Today. the Mint handles it all and sensd a "Surcharge Funds" payment (or payments) to a sponsor if the Mint's costs are recovered. If the Mint does not recover its costs, the sponsor does not get a check (now an electronic transfer). So, the sponsor doesn't technically pay separately for the coin's models anymore. Of course, a cost has to be assigned to the design, development and production of the dies as part of the Mint's expenses so that the cost can be included in its cost-recovery calculations. Unfortunately, as it is an internal calculation, the Mint does not always provide itemized details for public release. For example, in the 2019 Congressional Research Service (CSR) Report - Commemorative Coins: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress - costs associated with the dies for the 2006 Benjamin Franklin Silver Dollar Program (used as an example within the Report) were included in a $7.576 million line item labelled "Manufacturing and Assembly." Not very granular! I'll try to provide additional details as I come across them. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff
hokiefan_82 Pillar of the Community United States 3634 Posts	Posted 12/04/2021 12:20 pm Thanks for another informative and interesting post! Member of SPMC, FCCB, ANA and ANS. My U.S. Classic Commemorative Complete Set: https://www.NGCcoin.com/registry/co...sets/278741/ My U.S. Fractional Note Set: https://notes.www.collectors-societ...eSetID=34188 Report this Post to the Staff
psuman08 Pillar of the Community United States 1751 Posts	Posted 12/07/2021 10:30 am Very interesting, thanks for sharing. One of my favorite designs. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 7 / Views: 1,394

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

All Forums Category: US Coins and Currency Forums Forum: US Commemoratives and Non-Circulating Coinage (NCLT) Including Grading, Varieties, and Errors

Silver Gold Bull US is the United States leading bullion dealer. We deliver gold coins, gold bars, silver coins, silver bars and precious metals to your door. Order today!

The First Dollar, your premier source for bullion and rare coins. See our bullion list on the site and the coin inventory on ebay.

View Last 100 New Topics

View Last 100 Active Topics

Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us | Advertise Here | Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Coin Community Forum

It took 0.32 seconds to rattle this change.