Poll About Modern Coin Trends - Traditional Vs Adorned

I certainly hope the U.S. doesn't follow the RCM's lead in producing so many coins that it would take tens of thousands of dollars every year to get one of each.

I think the U.S. Mint has done a good job of variety while keeping purchase prices within reason.

It has been the conclusion of many sociological studies that there is a direct correlation between collectors and creativity. Lots of folks fill books. But there are so many ways to form a collection that all those possibilities should be appreciated.

These constitute the bulk of my collection, but not every last one, so I voted "other".

In Canada, at least, some of our circulation coins have been colourized and glow in the dark.

I voted for the first option. I can understand how some people like these coins because they are interesting and modernistic, but I myself enjoy the traditional coins without any of this technology. I believe that these coins are just too complicated and are sometimes ridiculous and an eyesore (rarely, but sometimes).

I find this similar, in a way, to the America the Beautiful and State Quarters program. Personally, I have grown tired of seeing these designs, but I suppose it could be fun to build a set of these, and, like Bump111 stated, these programs do create interest to coin collecting, and because of that, my view on these coins are more positive than negative.

Coins were originally made to be circulated and used as MONEY.
Anything else is the first step away from money.

Nothing wrong with collecting mint product that is strictly made for a collectors' market. That is OK in my mind; I do a bit of it myself. I have acquired a few in the numismatic aftermarket, where the original buyer must have lost a lot.

Nevertheless I am really a coin collector, and not a collector of Mint product, where rarity is strictly controlled by the commercial issue what the Mint thinks it's collector market will buy, for the maximum profit to the Mint.

My problem is that I don't like being treated with commercial cynicism. That applies to a lot more than just coins.

Earle

I voted:




To each their own. I personally am not drawn to many of "nontraditional" issues but, some are actually very appealing.

as seems quite often with the Mox




For some like myself a more simple traditionalist, the adventure into State Quarters and now ATB's is just about the limit I'd like to see the US Mint go to for general circulation coinage. Commemoratives are for a set marketsphere, just not my cup o' tea. Disney characters, that is a bridge too far.

I just plain can't afford most of the weird stuff (and it doesn't help that a lot of the fancier pieces don't look that pretty to me anyway), but if there was a cheap "weird stuff" piece that I liked, I would totally buy it.
(Some came pretty close; in fact, I did get a few of the Canadian colorized circulation coins, but those are probably too "traditional" for this poll.)

In other words, with spruett001's answer.

I voted for #2 to be honest but I agree more with several, mostly #1.
I consider myself traditional, but will accept a special gold plated design on some special coins if they add to a set of traditional coins.

The reason I voted #2 is because I collect Canadian 5 cent coins and the mint came out with a gold plated 2005 mint report nickel and stuck it in the cover of the book. Well, me being OCD just had to add it to my collection. The only other coins I have with a gold plated enhancement are the Canadian Aviation series I and II sets.



I was tempted to buy the 2017 Proof Silver Dollar with the additional gold plating but opted for the unplated.

Yes I see that Canada has circulating coins issued with some red colorization. I have a couple I received as gifts from CCF members and that means more to me than the coin itself.
I wouldn't chase after one.
I for one think this is going to hurt the hobby eventually. We traditional collectors will remain but I bet my money on the new wave to be in for a big disappointment when the bottom falls out of coins like these.

I've seen it happen with holographic, prism, uniform and bat swatches baseball cards. Winross, Hess, and Nascar trucks and cars and modern day postage stamps.
A classic will always be a classic and a fad will always be a fad.

I do point my bony finger at the RCM for killing the goose that lay the golden egg. At least the eggs for some will crack someday and be worth little more than the metal they contain.
My advice is be very selective if your choice in coin collecting if buying a coin that comes with a gps chip, battery or wind up key down the road.

But please, do have fun and enjoy!