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 Replies: 74 / Views: 12,373 |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12829 Posts |
Sorry, CCF NewsBoy, I don't mean to steal your thunder here but I'm pretty excited about this one.
25 years ago I lived in the suburbs of (at the time) the far west side of Omaha, NE; minutes from Boys Town. I have fond memories of the grounds and museums there. Father Flanagan was many years a memory by the time I set foot in his philatelic museum but even as a kid I appreciated his work. And now that I truly comprehend it, that much more so.
Needless to say, I'm pretty excited for these potential commemoratives. I hope they become a reality. Edited by CelticKnot
02/14/2015 12:31 am
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12274 Posts |
Based on what happened in the previous session of Congress, it does appear that the program has a good chance of being approved.
If it does, I wonder if that means we're going to see a parade of civic organizations wanting their own coins?
For example:
- The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was chartered in 1868; 2018 is their 150th anniversary.
- Civitan International was founded in 1917; their 100th anniversary is in 2017.
- The Knights of Columbus formed in 1882, so they're coming up on their 135th anniversary.
- The Loyal Order of Moose traces its roots to 1888, so they're 130th anniversary is almost here.
They're all good organizations, but do they deserve a US legal tender coin? I wouldn't support such proposals.
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12829 Posts |
Quote:
I wouldn't support such proposals. Why not? They are worthy organizations. While I do like the Baseball HOF coins, I can't say they Baseball HOF is any more (or less) deserving of an organization for a coin than the ones you list. What makes an ideal candidate for a commemorative? It seems to me civic organizations are logical choices. |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12274 Posts |
Quote:Why not? They are worthy organizations. While I do like the Baseball HOF coins, I can't say they Baseball HOF is any more (or less) deserving of an organization for a coin than the ones you list. What makes an ideal candidate for a commemorative? It seems to me civic organizations are logical choices. I completely agree that the Baseball HOF should not have gotten a commemorative coin. Even though I'm a lifelong baseball fan, I think they generate enough money on their own to support the HoF. For the same reason, I'm against a coin for the NFL Hall of Fame. I've said this multiple times here on CCF. As to what makes an ideal candidate...My view is that our national coinage should celebrate our common history - the people, places and events that shaped our nation. I certainly understand that civic organizations have played a role in that - and many do great things for the peope of our country - but I'd prefer that they raise money for their anniversaries by other means. I'm certainly not "attacking" these groups or their merits by any stretch of the imagination. Many do great things! Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1388 Posts |
It seems as if we are returning to the commemorative craze of the late 1930s. Anyone that needs money and has an anniversary coming up gets a clad half, silver dollar, and $5.00 gold. IMHO
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12274 Posts |
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It seems as if we are returning to the commemorative craze of the late 1930s. Anyone that needs money and has an anniversary coming up gets a clad half, silver dollar, and $5.00 gold. IMHO The number of commemorative programs is currently limited by Congress to two per year, so the abuses of the mid-1930s aren't likely to be repeated any time soon. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1388 Posts |
Quote:
The number of commemorative programs is currently limited by Congress to two per year, so the abuses of the mid-1930s aren't likely to be repeated any time soon.
You learn something new every day! |
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Moderator
Australia
16829 Posts |
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What makes an ideal candidate for a commemorative? It seems to me civic organizations are logical choices. You people are all thinking like civic-minded coin collectors, not Mint marketeers. For them, the correct answer to the question "What makes an ideal commemorative?" is "Something that will maximize our profits.". The Mint maximizes profits by selling lots of coins, and it can do that best by selling coins that appeal to the general public, not just coin collectors. So the Mint marketeers will lobby Congress to authorize the making of coins commemorating things that are "popular" (like baseball), not necessarily things that are "significant" or "worthy". Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12274 Posts |
Quote:
You people are all thinking like civic-minded coin collectors, not Mint marketeers. For them, the correct answer to the question "What makes an ideal commemorative?" is "Something that will maximize our profits.". The Mint maximizes profits by selling lots of coins, and it can do that best by selling coins that appeal to the general public, not just coin collectors. So the Mint marketeers will lobby Congress to authorize the making of coins commemorating things that are "popular" (like baseball), not necessarily things that are "significant" or "worthy". The US Mint does not lobby Congress to authorize commemorative coins for its profit. Private sponsors approach their Senator or Congressman with potential coin ideas to benefit their organizations. If acceptable, the ideas are then proposed via a bill introduced in Congress - some get approved, some don't. Once approved by Congress, they must be signed into law by the President. The Public Laws that result direct the Mint to strike the specified commemorative coin - it's not up to the Mint. The Mint produces what it is directed to strike by Congress and the President. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12829 Posts |
To that point, I'd wager that very few people that live outside of Omaha, NE have even heard of Boys Town, so I don't imagine it will be a wildly popular one like the Baseball HOF commemoratives were/are. |
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New Member
United States
4 Posts |
I personally would love to see a commemorative of Boys Town. I think it would be great! And there are more people than just the people from Omaha NE that know about Boys Town. I am not from Omaha but I do know about the good they do!  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12829 Posts |
 , InannaD. Glad you're excited about the potential Boys Town commem too. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
I would like to see the Boy's Town commemorative happen. I think
it would be a better design then some that has been put out.
Of course I did a couple years in Papillion .. so was close too.
I do not always agree with what subjects the congress picks to
put on coins, this one I would not have any trouble with.
A few of then have been very hard for me to purchase, because of subject,
but to have a complete set ... have to get them all
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12274 Posts |
I've noticed that the House and Senate versions of the bill have gained additional co-sponsors since they were introduced. That suggests that at least some of the support the bills had last year remains in place.
It will be interesting to see, however, if the surcharge issues that derailed the coin's approval in the last session of Congress come up again in this session.
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12829 Posts |
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Forum Dad
United States
24161 Posts |
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Replies: 74 / Views: 12,373 |
Posted 02/14/2015 12:36 am
