| Author |
 Replies: 41 / Views: 5,160 |
|
Valued Member
United States
424 Posts |
I bought the proof and uncirculated versions this year. At first I was not thrilled about the design based on the artist renderings I saw. When I got the coins in hand I thought they were not so bad. I have been following the sales of these coins. Unless the US Mint sells about 12,000 of the uncirculated version in the next week this will become the lowest mintage by a long shot. With a mintage of around 19,000 will this year become the new key date? Will it ever eclpise the price of the 1996 Swimming Unc Half?  I'm looking forward to next year and the Boys Town designs. I wonder what they will look like in hand?  |
|
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12819 Posts |
I really liked the design of the $5 gold NP coins, but just couldn't bring myself to buy them. Your data makes me want to buy the halfs.  I, too, am looking forward to the Boys Town issues. Not sure they'll be extremely popular. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4233 Posts |
Where do you get your sales/mintage numbers? Sorry, I don't follow US Mint stuff much. My wife just got the half as a Christmas gift and the card says "mintage limit 750,000 across all options".
|
|
CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12271 Posts |
The 750,000 figure printed on the card included with the coin represents the maximum number of coins that Congress authorized for the combination of proof and uncirculated versions. These maximums are often not reached. The US Mint web site ( www.usmint.gov) provides weekly updates on the mintages of its coins under "About" via the "Production & Sales Figures" link. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
|
|
CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12271 Posts |
Quote:
With a mintage of around 19,000 will this year become the new key date? Will it ever eclipse the price of the 1996 Swimming Unc Half? While it might become the key date, the question remains "Does it matter?" It seems that collectors, as a group, have become less and less enamored with the modern series of US commemorative coins. The falling retail prices for the series over the past couple of years is clear evidence. A coin with a mintage of 19,000 will only rise in price (and maintain a higher price) if at least 19,001 collectors are interested. I'm not sure there is enough current demand for the series to generate significant price appreciation. I do believe the modern series will one day experience a resurgence in popularity, but it might not be for several years (or even longer). I think one way to breathe new life into the collecting of the half dollar commemoratives would be to begin striking them in silver vs. CuNi clad. I think such a change would make the coins more appealing to a boarder group of collectors. It would require a change of a current law by Congress, but it could easily be done. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
12819 Posts |
Quote:
I think one way to breathe new life into the collecting of the half dollar commemoratives would be to begin striking them in silver vs. CuNi clad. I second that. Would make them far more attractive IMO. |
|
Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
I agree as well.
I only have four modern commemorative half dollars. Other than the 1982 Washington pair (which are silver), the others are clad and only bought as part of sets (one in a Prestige set and another in a Five Star General set).
|
|
Valued Member
United States
467 Posts |
I agree making them silver would help.
I have a complete collection of both proof and uncirculated in PCGS (except NPS and Marshal, because I hate the labels and have to wait a few years to get a plain blue label). I have no interest in them, but I have not sold them either. I have a complete collection of the Proof OGP (in case you want to buy them). I was working on a collection of the Uncirculated OGP...and then lost all interest.
It bothers me that they are rather inconsistent in their release years, although they have been pretty steady in the last 8 years or so.
So anyway, I was not sure why the lack of appeal...but that is probably it-- they need to be silver!
|
|
New Member
United States
11 Posts |
Commens - would you expand on the following please - "I do believe the modern series will one day experience a resurgence in popularity, but it might not be for several years (or even longer)." I'm guininely interested to better understand your thoughts on what may drive a resurgence of interest. Would it be for the past issues going back to the 80's & 90's or new releases and old, alike. And what may be the underline drivers of this new found interest? I'm in my mid-40's and started collecting in '06 and have systematically gone back to pick up $5 Comm's with themes that appeal to me, and those portraying eagles. I love some of the designs and will continue to collect, though I have mixed (and very polar) thoughts on moderns Comms future, and thus, would welcome your as well as other's Two Cents on the matter. Happy New Year! |
|
Valued Member
 United States
424 Posts |
What a jinx! Just as soon as I write about it the uncirculated half dollar breaks into the top ten sold products from the Mint and now sits at 19,648 sold. I think yesterday or today is the last day of sales for this coins (and all of the commemorative coins for this year). I will check again next week but I imagine this will stay below 20,000 for the year.
KCSO (this sounds like a radio station), I think what commems means is this will gain in popularity if the Mint stops producing commemorative coins and a generation passes then they will gain in popularity. I don't see this happening anytime soon as there is too much politics involved with these issues.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4901 Posts |
Quote:
I don't see this happening anytime soon as there is too much politics involved with these issues ...and profit |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
591 Posts |
commems says: " I think one way to breathe new life into the collecting of the half dollar commemoratives would be to begin striking them in silver vs. CuNi clad. I think such a change would make the coins more appealing to a boarder group of collectors. It would require a change of a current law by Congress, but it could easily be done."  My sentiment for quite some time. The 1986 Statue of Liberty half dollar is one of the best modern commem designs in my opinion. A clad offering doesn't do it the least bit of justice. I'm confused about your "a change of a current law by Congress" comment. You mean future commemorative legislation would need to specify silver over clad, right? Every commem has its own enacting legislation, which identifies the specifications of each coin. So if they want to do the halves in silver, they just need to insert language in the proposed legislation to that effect, right? |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4901 Posts |
|
|
CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12271 Posts |
Quote:
I'm confused about your "a change of a current law by Congress" comment. You mean future commemorative legislation would need to specify silver over clad, right? Every commem has its own enacting legislation, which identifies the specifications of each coin. So if they want to do the halves in silver, they just need to insert language in the proposed legislation to that effect, right? Actually, the current overarching US Code that deals with coin denominations, specifications and designs includes language that specifies the minting of up to 750,000 clad half-dollar coins. The individual coin bills that are proposed, work off this language for their specifications. If it was the sense of Congress that it wanted future US commemorative half-dollar coins to be silver, they would first update the language in section 5112 of Chapter 51 of Title 31 of the US Code. Then, future commemorative coin proposals could specify silver half dollars without any issue or conflict with existing US coinage laws. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
591 Posts |
Interesting they have "clad half-dollar", "silver one-dollar", and "gold five-dollar or ten-dollar" right in part (m) there. but really, that sub-section is only about mintage levels. part (m) says nothing about specifications (size and purity) for commemorative coins.
I have no idea how one would even go about trying to "advocate" for silver commemorative half dollars. Start with the CCAC? Or go right to your Senator or Congressman/woman?
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4901 Posts |
Commems: I went and read the law and it does refer to commem halves as all being clad which would mean silver is presently not an option.
I erroneously thought each issue has its own mintage specifications written but basically the only option available to change is mintage numbersas long as it doesn't violate the "up to" limits
|
| |
Replies: 41 / Views: 5,160 |
Posted 12/22/2016 11:05 pm
