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 Replies: 22 / Views: 4,043 |
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New Member
United States
20 Posts |
I'm a real coin newbie, so please excuse the newbie questions.
What is the silver content of modern commemorative dollars put out by the US mint?
I really like the 2012 star spangled banner commemorative and might start my collection with that!
Are they the same size as a "regular" (Peace, Morgan, Ike) dollar?
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Moderator
 United States
14463 Posts |
According to the mint web site: Quote:
Coin Specifications:
Silver Dollar
Weight: 26.73 grams nominal
Diameter: 1.500 inches (±0.003) or 38.10 mm (±0.08)
Composition: 90 percent silver; 10 percent copper
Mintage Limit: 500,000 across all product options
Place struck: United States Mint at Philadelphia ("P" mint mark) size and weight like a Morgan or Peace dollarEdited by Fuzzy317
08/30/2012 8:53 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
The modern commemorative dollars are 90% silver. They have about .77344 Troy Ounces or a little over 3 quarters of an ounce.
The SSB really is a great looking coin. Dont worry about asking newbie questions, better to ask here and get help then find out some things the hard way.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36744 Posts |
If you also venture into the Half Dollars, don't forget most of the newer Commemoratives are clad. Only the Dollars are 90% silver and the 1982 Washington Half.
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New Member
 United States
20 Posts |
Thanks all. Can't believe I missed that info on the Mint website. I looked for it and couldn't find it.
Yeah, the 2012 Star Spangled Banner is a very nice looking coin.
Having only recently becoming interested in coins, I am glad most have said to collect what you like, rather for potential increased value. So at worst as far as value goes, the Dollar commems are worth melt then?
A lot of them sure are pretty. I think I'm gonna gather up my lunch money and spring for both a Proof and Uncirculated 2012 SSB.
Last question, do you guys keep the coins in the mint packaging? Or store them another way? Do you keep the original packaging? Does it matter? Is the original mint packaging safe for long term storage?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7191 Posts |
IndianGoldEagle, there is one other modern half dollar that is 90% silver the 1993 bill of rights.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36744 Posts |
muddler, you are correct, totally forgot about that one.
aalmcc4, I keep them in original packaging. If you plan to collect the dollars by type and want them in an album, then you'll have to remove the packaging but I would keep it and not throw it away. You can always put them back in the original package if you ever want to sell them.
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Moderator
United States
14463 Posts |
 don't worry about missing the coin specs, its 3-4 layers deep on the site. |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Quote:
So at worst as far as value goes, the Dollar commems are worth melt then?
Yes you will always at least be able to get the melt value for them and with any luck hopefully more lol. Storage is kind of how you like it too. I like slabbed graded ones but if they come with the OGP I keep that as well in a box in the garage. Some people like the OGP some people put them in albums. The only real down fall to the OGP is you cant look at them all without opening a lot of boxes |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7191 Posts |
"The only real down fall to the OGP is you cant look at them all without opening a lot of boxes."
I really agree with this statement. I find it easier to view my complete set of modern proof dollars via photos I have taken of them. Too many felt boxes, boxes, sleeves to view more than a few at a time.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12272 Posts |
Quote:
The only real down fall to the OGP is you cant look at them all without opening a lot of boxes I agree with basebal21 and muddler, the OGP boxes can be a real detriment to enjoying your coins. I've solved the problem for my collection by purchasing a few Lighthouse coin boxes/trays with round compartments that are sized to fit the modern US commemorative silver dollars in their capsules. I use similar trays for the half-eagle and half-dollars. These trays let me easily review my collection 20 coins at a time while the OGP boxes are in a plastic storage bin tucked away in the closet! The trays are stackable and include covers to protect the coins from dust. It's also nice that the trays fit neatly into a standard 10-inch wide safe deposit box! Here's a link to what I'm talking about: http://www.lighthouse.us/epages/lig...cts/MBCAPS41Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
620 Posts |
Modern commems are as others have stated 90% Silver.
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Moderator
United States
188342 Posts |
Quote:
These trays let me easily review my collection 20 coins at a time while the OGP boxes are in a plastic storage bin tucked away in the closet! Well done.  While I am reluctant to dispose of the OGP, I find no reason that the coins should remain in the OGP. I still have all of the OGP materials for every mint product that I have ever cracked. |
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New Member
United States
20 Posts |
Thanks for the perspectives.
While I'm at it, how about your opinon as far as prefering thr uncirculated or proof versions? Or dare I predict you'll all say "get both'!?
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Lol I get both, but if I had to pick 1 I would more than likely pick the MS
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7191 Posts |
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Replies: 22 / Views: 4,043 |
Posted 08/30/2012 8:53 pm
