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 Replies: 14 / Views: 4,679 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1302 Posts |
 This relatively low mintage modern commemorative commemorates the first patriot killed in the Boston Massacre, Crispus Attucks. The unspectacular design led to low collector enthusiasm and low sales... however, once the mint figures became known, prices shot up. Luckily, I picked this one up for a good price. PCGS MS69.
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Moderator
 United States
187702 Posts |
Very nice!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2936 Posts |
I have also bought a few of those for investment purposes. Do you have the Jackie Robinson?
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1302 Posts |
Jackie, not yet. That set will likely be the final part of my quest. I'm not really a fan of the design- as it is derivitive of the MLB design. That UNC gold piece is a real killer. Overpriced by 3x by my estimation.
What I have left: Jackie, 1952-D Carver Washington, and all but 1946 Booker T. - so a ways to go! :)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2936 Posts |
It's all a numbers game... Also the Boy Scouts of America commemorative has an African American Scout Leader on the obverse...
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Valued Member
United States
292 Posts |
I find the finish and detail of that coin oddly appealing.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1302 Posts |
Is it me, or does the artist's conception of Crispus Attucks look like Danny Glover?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1211 Posts |
I think this is a really overlooked commemorative. I dont have one, but I hope to soon.
The obverse isn't the greatest (it does look like danny glover) but I love the reverse. Mintage is nice too!
I have a mini collection of baseball related commems (Jackie Robinson and 1992 Olympics) and the Robinson obverse is great. Reverse not so much, but you will love it when you get it!
Thank you for sharing your coin.
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Moderator
United States
15394 Posts |
I admit absolute lack of knowledge on these modern commemorative ... and had to turn to my references to read that net mintage of this example was 37,210 coins. Sooo ... what's the big deal ... there are plenty of classic silver commemorative with much lower mintage.  Just joshing CC ... outstanding example of an IMHO non-inspired design. David Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
IMO - This is one of those commemorative coins, that I am not sure why they made it .. when they made it.
The selection committee seem to miss the opportunity to commemorate some good events then select some for politically correct reason.
If I am missing something let me know. What I find odd is.
Crispus Attucks was born around 1723. So 1998 would make him 275, to me a odd number to commemorate something.
He was one of 5 Americans that were killed in the Boston Massacre. No mention of the other 4 seems odd.
John Adams was the defense lawyer for the British soldiers. They were all found innocent, because the mob of thugs pushed them into shooting.
I did not order this coin in 1998, I think because I was ticked off from the year before. In 1997, it was the 50th anniversary of the Air Force, how could they not honor that event. I spent the summer of 1997 living in a tent in the Saudi desert, thinking about the coins I would buy when I got home. I was disappointed that they did not make a Air Force coin.
Please don't look at my opinion being for the wrong reason.
I can see some good opportunities coming up, like Frederick Douglas in 2018 and/or Harriet Tubman in 2020
I am just saying, I think they should commemorate for the right reasons at the right time.
FYI - yes I do have this coin now, and like that it is sort of a lower mintage coin.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1302 Posts |
There is an air force connection to the coin, as the reverse was designed by Ed Dwight, a former US Air Force test pilot and the first African American to be trained as an astronaut. I find it somewhat dubious to call Mr. Attucks a revolutionary war figure as the war didn't happen until a good five years later.
The bill that authorized the coins Public Law 104-329 (google it, it's worth reading) also authorized the FDR $5, Botanical Gardens $, Jackie Robinson $, and the Law Enforcement $. It also authorized the study into the 50 state commemorative quarter series.
It would be interesting to know who sponsored the inclusion of this or any other curious commemorative coin to see what parochial interest or political patron pushed for it.
The one thing I will say, I think most of the modern commemoratives are vanilla in their theme and I miss the localized approach of the classics. What we get now is just sanitized coins that say nothing and mean nothing. Hall mark cards in coin form, I think.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2295 Posts |
But he isn't an African American, since America didn't exist until 1776.
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
The United States of America did not exist until 1776, but the American Colonies were there at the time.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2295 Posts |
Do you honestly think they called people from Africa, Americans back then?  I guess in today's terms, you can call him that. Irregardless, it is his set and he can call it anything he wants. |
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
I agree. It is how CC defines the term and builds the set to that definition.
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Replies: 14 / Views: 4,679 |
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Posted 02/07/2012 12:35 pm
