Anyone Collecting Those Innovation Dollars?

I bought 2 of the 2018 proofs from the mint. But I am on the fence if I will continue to acquire these or not. javascript:insertsmilie('')
It would be nice if they are included in the annual proof or mint sets, but that probably won't happen. javascript:insertsmilie('')
It would also be nice if they would issue them as true circulation coins. But that will never happen as long as there are $1 bills. javascript:insertsmilie('')

I am collecting them and as of right now have a complete set.



I don't mind them not including them in the annual sets as they're not meant to be circulating coins. Not including them keeps the mintages down. I do wish they'd offer a set of the uncirculated ones instead of having to get them from rolls.

The response to this post has been somewhat of a surprise in that most seem middle of the road leaning towards favorability on the forthcoming series. Without sounding contradictory, I would like to expand on the initial post with what I feel is wrong with this new series.

The first coin design represents the U.S. Patent Office. Why then does it appear to represent our first President, George Washington, rather than that of the first person issued a patent? Second, as to the coin, I think we could all agree it is lacking in overall design and thought. Entirely too much open space on the obverse and edge lettering (particularly the mint marks) which would easily fill such void. So there is definite room for improvement to be made.

However, my only real complaint does not lie there, it resides with the Mint executives who control the release of each. To agree with some of the above replies, I find it confusing as to why such a late year release date and more importantly that these will not see release to the Federal Reserve system for circulation. At least in the foreseeable future. To me this seems as a hidden agenda to cover the short fall gap for the cent and nickel when the books are balanced at years end. Not that I have a problem with a premium mind you. Just saying. With the quarter programs soon to expire a huge flow of income will surely evaporate. And I don't think they fully understand that yet.

So what I'm putting out there in all the rambling is simple. Following the Statehood program the United States Mint will by all accounts continue looking for other multi-year replacements. The challenge is that there must always be a balance between new collector and existing or both the Mint and hobby take a hit.

As far as the first coin reverse proof. I received a catalog from the mint in the mail today and it shows later in 2019 they are releasing g a reverse proof version of the 2018 introductory coin. It's product code 18GE.

I checked the website and it's not on there yet.
I may collect them afterall, although I think the $6.95 per proof coin is a bit steep....

I also got the catalog today and now I'm completely confused. Looking at my introductory proof coin I see the half with Washington's signature with a mirrored field and frosted devises while the half with the gears has a frosted field with mirrored devises. I thought this was their way of producing a proof and reverse proof in one coin and now they say they are going to produce a reverse proof of the same coin. They must be planning on reversing the obverse and reversing the design on the reverse.
Usually I like collecting coins that were intended for circulation, but I guess I'll collect the reverse proofs along with the P,D, and proof coins since none are going to be released for circulation.
That's where I'm going to draw the line. If they start coming out with other variations like satin or enhanced versions or whatever I'm going to pass.

Good strategy.

Be thankful we don't live in Canada.


Are you going to get the proof and mint sets for the years you stopped collecting?

They had commemorative coins then.

In fact they minted some in 1982.

But there were all the ones from the 1930s and before as well.