Posted 05/16/2013 11:48 am
I'm familiar with these particular pieces, I've been picking them up as I've visited Civil War battlefields over the last year or so.
A few things you should know:
I don't mean to discourage you or your collecting of the set if it interests you, I just want to make sure you fully understand what you would be buying.
I've included a scan of one of the medals to give you a sense of how they are packaged for individual sale.
A few things you should know:
- Most importantly, they are not US coins (or coins from any other country) they are privately-struck commemorative medals. They are reasonably attractive, but their design quality does not compare favorably to any US coin. They are marked as "Designed and finished in the USA" but my understanding is that the medal itself is struck outside the US. It's unfortunate that these pieces are called "coins" but the non-collecting public identifies with the word "coin" much more so than it does with "medal" â€" in other words, calling it a "coin" makes it easier to sell.
- The "Official" title is another marketing device. I will say, however, that they are the only Civil War 150th anniversary medals I've seen for sale at the National Parks I've visited thus far â€" I suppose that gives them some sort of "Official" status.
- I have been buying the medals as souvenirs of my visits to the various battlefields (and plan to continue to do so). I have absolutely NOT been buying them as any sort of investment. I do not believe they will be worth any significant premium in the future. In fact, my guess is that within a few years they will available for less on the secondary market than their current selling price. I don't see them becoming a sought-after collectible.
I don't mean to discourage you or your collecting of the set if it interests you, I just want to make sure you fully understand what you would be buying.
I've included a scan of one of the medals to give you a sense of how they are packaged for individual sale.
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
